Boiler / Oil problem

Maidhci

This morning the boiler did not fire up as usual. Upon checking, I noticed that there was a considerable build-up of carbon on the flue and therefore, the boiler seems to be clogged up or something of that nature. The service engineer could not come for a day or two but from my description suggested that the issue could have been caused by impure kerosene. I spoke with the oil supplier who will take a sample at some point to establish if it is due to oil etc. etc.

Does anyone know if there is an independent laboratory that tests oil?

Any help or suggestion appreciated.

Wearb

I would be wary of any service guy that jumps to such a conclusion. That is probably the most unlikely cause.
It is possible, but there are lots of things i would check first, like pump pressure and free passage of the correct amount of air and flue gasses.

Tom44

Wearb wrote: »

I would be wary of any service guy that jumps to such a conclusion. That is probably the most unlikely cause.
It is possible, but there are lots of things i would check first, like pump pressure and free passage of the correct amount of air and flue gasses.

I agree,

But also have come across wrong fuel been delivered.
Get a white plastic bag, leave it on the ground by oil tank.
Dip tank with stick, lift it out and let the drops drip onto the white bag.
Diesel / gas oil, is a bluish green colour.
Kerosene is a pinkish red colour.

Or take out a jam jar full from the top if tank is full.



There's no such thing as bad oil, but there's definitely human error.

Which we can all be guilty of, it happens, and sometimes God justs throws a spanner in the works.
Or Mr. Murphy demonstrates his law.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

I would be wary of any service guy that jumps to such a conclusion. That is probably the most unlikely cause.
It is possible, but there are lots of things i would check first, like pump pressure and free passage of the correct amount of air and flue gasses.

In fairness, he suggested it as a possible cause, but obviously could not make a definitive call remotely. The items he considered during our telephone conversation were related to the boiler being two years old, serviced at the due date with no issues and the fact that an oil delivery was made very recently.

Maidhci

Tom44 wrote: »

I agree,

But also have come across wrong fuel been delivered.
Get a white plastic bag, leave it on the ground by oil tank.
Dip tank with stick, lift it out and let the drops drip onto the white bag.
Diesel / gas oil, is a bluish green colour.
Kerosene is a pinkish red colour.

Or take out a jam jar full from the top if tank is full.



There's no such thing as bad oil, but there's definitely human error.

Which we can all be guilty of, it happens, and sometimes God justs throws a spanner in the works.
Or Mr. Murphy demonstrates his law.

Thanks for that - I did consider taking a sample from the tank, it is nearly full but thought that diesel being heavier than kerosene that there would be no trace to be found in the sample taken from the top? It is also probable at this stage that if the kerosene was contaminated with diesel that it will have been fed through the system, with no trace left in tank. Is that possible??

Tom44

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks for that - I did consider taking a sample from the tank, it is nearly full but thought that diesel being heavier than kerosene that there would be no trace to be found in the sample taken from the top? It is also probable at this stage that if the kerosene was contaminated with diesel that it will have been fed through the system, with no trace left in tank. Is that possible??

No

Colour will tell what is dominant.

Wearb

Diesel mixes perfectly with kerosene. There will be no stratification.
Do you have a printout from your last service? Would be interested in knowing the results.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

Diesel mixes perfectly with kerosene. There will be no stratification.
Do you have a printout from your last service? Would be interested in knowing the results.

I don't have a printout but the results are recorded in the service log as far as I know - will check tomorrow and if these are of interest to you, will certainly post them.

When you say that diesel mixes perfectly with kerosene, does that mean that if there was contanimation, it would still be possible to establish from a sample taken at this stage? Please excuse my ignorance in such matters.

Wearb

Without a printout you don't really have any reliable way of knowing if the written figures are correct. Most service lads would advise that you only use people who attach a printout to backup the service report.

If contamination is small a visual check will not show any noticeable difference. Check done by oil company will reveal if it's contaminated.

agusta

what make and model of boiler..,does the boiler have a balanced flue..,id be checking the air inlet first

jimf

at a guess id say fb enviromax

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

Without a printout you don't really have any reliable way of knowing if the written figures are correct. Most service lads would advise that you only use people who attach a printout to backup the service report.

If contamination is small a visual check will not show any noticeable difference. Check done by oil company will reveal if it's contaminated.

Thanks for that Wearb. I will check again to see if there is a printout, there is a label attached to the boiler but I will examine further today.

I wonder if a check done by the oil company is reliable in the circumstances? I am wondering if I should establish if there is an independent testing laboratory to carry out the test, once I get an opinion from the service engineer.

Maidhci

agusta wrote: »

what make and model of boiler..,does the boiler have a balanced flue..,id be checking the air inlet first

The boiler is a Grant Vortex condensing boiler, installed and serviced by a SEAI registered contractor and inspected and approved by SEAI engineer post installation, as part of the grant payment conditions. Not sure if the boiler has a balanced flue, not up-to-speed on such matters unfortunately, but assume that if it was necessary it would have been pointed out?

As well as the inconvenience, uncertainty and annoyance, I am also concerned that the boiler will be damanged / devalued by this occurrence, however it occurred or whatever the cause.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

Without a printout you don't really have any reliable way of knowing if the written figures are correct. Most service lads would advise that you only use people who attach a printout to backup the service report.

If contamination is small a visual check will not show any noticeable difference. Check done by oil company will reveal if it's contaminated.

Please see earlier post regarding oil company check. The printout was in a envelope attached to the boiler!

The printout reads as follows:


Combustion
......................

Fuel L Oil
O2% 5.3
CO2% 11.5
CO ppm 28
FLUE C 42.2
INLET C 13.5
NETT C 28.7

EFF (C) 98.7
LOSSES 1.3
XAIR% 33.9

CO.CO2 0.0002

PRS mbar 0.00

The alignment is slightly out! Do these reading indicate anything unusual to you?

Wearb

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks for that Wearb. I will check again to see if there is a printout, there is a label attached to the boiler but I will examine further today.

I wonder if a check done by the oil company is reliable in the circumstances? I am wondering if I should establish if there is an independent testing laboratory to carry out the test, once I get an opinion from the service engineer.

In the first instance I would give the oil company the benefit of the doubt and await their results. If it is a little diesel contamination, your service guy should be able to adjust it to suit until the tank is nearly empty and then again after the next fill.

It is very unlikely that any damage will be done. It needs a good cleaning and resetting.

As I said in my first reply, contamination is the most unlikely culprit. So very likely something simple, but in any case will be sorted by a good tech.

Wearb

Maidhci wrote: »

Please see earlier post regarding oil company check. The printout was in a envelope attached to the boiler!

The printout reads as follows:


Combustion
......................

Fuel L Oil
O2% 5.3
CO2% 11.5
CO ppm 28
FLUE C 42.2
INLET C 13.5
NETT C 28.7

EFF (C) 98.7
LOSSES 1.3
XAIR% 33.9

CO.CO2 0.0002

PRS mbar 0.00

The alignment is slightly out! Do these reading indicate anything unusual to you?

I would have preferred an image (with any personal info redacted) of the printout.

At those figures, the settings would not have been the cause of the sooting.

Post an image of the printout and of the boiler area that is causing you concern. eg the flue terminal and area around it.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

I would have preferred an image (with any personal info redacted) of the printout.

At those figures, the settings would not have been the cause of the sooting.

Post an image of the printout and of the boiler area that is causing you concern. eg the flue terminal and area around it.

Will scan the print-out later on and will post. The boiler is located in a boiler room which has an opening allowing the flue to be connected to a dedicated house chimney. The flue line rises horizontally from the boiler, enters the existing chimney opening in the wall and rises through the existing chimney pipes to top of chimney. Hope this is clear.

Wearb

You say dedicated chimney; is it lined with stainless steel liner?
Is there a draught diverter fitted?
Is there adequate ventilation to the boiler room?
Good flue seals?

I don't expect you to know the answers to those, but they are the things I would be looking at on arrival at the site.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

You say dedicated chimney; is it lined with stainless steel liner?
Is there a draught diverter fitted?
Is there adequate ventilation to the boiler room?
Good flue seals?

I don't expect you to know the answers to those, but they are the things I would be looking at on arrival at the site.

Yes, the chimney if lined with a stainless steel liner;
Not sure if there is a draught diverter fitted- will check with engineer;
There is good ventilation in the boiler room - adequate is subjective, but am confident that if it is a ventilation problem, it would have come to light before now.
There appears to be good flue seals, but again, the service engineer has yet to examine.

Wearb

Ventilation isn't subjective. There are calculations set down by the manufacturers. You will find them in the service/installation manual.

Anyway, eyes on the setup should reveal the problem.

I am assuming it was serviced annually. Regular servicing is very important with all boilers but especially a condensing boiler due to the way a problem can snowball with them.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

Ventilation isn't subjective. There are calculations set down by the manufacturers. You will find them in the service/installation manual.

Anyway, eyes on the setup should reveal the problem.

I am assuming it was serviced annually. Regular servicing is very important with all boilers but especially a condensing boiler due to the way a problem can snowball with them.

Thanks Wearb - I did not state that ventilation was subjective at all, merely the word 'adequate' - I presume there was sufficient ventilation and in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, I can only presume that all of these matters were tested at the outset and during the commissioning period. The installation was certerifed as being carried out per the manufacturer's specification and examined by an SEAI engineer, per the grant conditions. Yes, it was serviced annually - the latest print-out results posted earlier.

Wearb

Not wanting to get all pedantic about this, but I did use the word adequate in a sentence and used that way it isn't a subjective concept.

Let us know how it all turns out.

jimf

at this stage its really all presumption

wait until you get your service guy on site this might be something as simple as a gammy nozzle


the main thing is you will have no real permanent damage done so don't worry on that score

agusta

Maidhci wrote: »

The boiler is a Grant Vortex condensing boiler, installed and serviced by a SEAI registered contractor and inspected and approved by SEAI engineer post installation, as part of the grant payment conditions. Not sure if the boiler has a balanced flue, not up-to-speed on such matters unfortunately, but assume that if it was necessary it would have been pointed out?

As well as the inconvenience, uncertainty and annoyance, I am also concerned that the boiler will be damanged / devalued by this occurrence, however it occurred or whatever the cause.

Best boiler on the market.you dont have a balanced flue,it just means the burner is getting air from the boiler room.There is no doubt that the boiler is fitted 100 percent or the seai engineer would not have passed it.
The fan on the burner acts like a hoover which takes air from the room.it also will suck in other things like a leaf etc, which can cause the same symptoms as your getting.
If not this i go with jim on the nozzle

Tom44

Aahhh Jeasssus...........

Jim is the expert now :eek:



Were all doomed, doomed. doomed, doomed.

agusta

Tom44 wrote: »

Aahhh Jeasssus...........

Jim is the expert now :eek:



Were all doomed, doomed. doomed, doomed.

What was i thinking!:) or maybe i just wasnt thinking :eek:

Wearb

Tom44 wrote: »

Aahhh Jeasssus...........

Jim is the expert now :eek:



Were all doomed, doomed. doomed, doomed.

Now Fraizer, don't be so negative.



Jim is getting a bit like Jones.

jimf

Tom44 wrote: »

Aahhh Jeasssus...........

Jim is the expert now :eek:



Were all doomed, doomed. doomed, doomed.

ta tom im only an expert on being broke


we used to have an expert on here posted as scudo until he fired all his toys out of the pram a while back ;)

Maidhci

agusta wrote: »

Best boiler on the market.you dont have a balanced flue,it just means the burner is getting air from the boiler room.There is no doubt that the boiler is fitted 100 percent or the seai engineer would not have passed it.
The fan on the burner acts like a hoover which takes air from the room.it also will suck in other things like a leaf etc, which can cause the same symptoms as your getting.
If not this i go with jim on the nozzle

UPDATE.

First of all the boiler is not a Grant Vortex, as advised by me in an earlier post - it is a Grant Euroflame 70 - 90. This was due to my lack of knowledge in this area, quite possible that condensing boilers may at times be generically referred to as Vortex, by people not-in-the know. Apologies.

In any event, the boiler service guy, who installed and commissioned the boiler came last afternoon. He carried out all the relevant control checks etc. etc. There was a considerable amount of soot on the baffles and also on the turbulators - in fact they were completely covered in a deep layer of soot. He recorded images of all of this and will send them to me together with a detailled report on his findings. He did state that as far as he is concerned there are no mechanical or other adjustments that would account for this condidtion. He will also certify that there was no build-up of soot at the last annual service.

Unfortunately, the oil company involved are not helpful, they promised on Tuesday that they would send someone to take a sample for analysis and if there was anecdotal evidence, they would empty and replace the oil. This has not happened and it now appears that they consider this unnecessary.

In any event, I think the best course of action for me is to get a suitably qualified engineer or other professional to give advice / opinion here. The service man could not be sure that his conclusions would be sufficiently persuasive in the event of this matter ending up in court. Any thoughts and or suggestions of any known experts in this area. Many thanks for your input thus far. Believe me, I am pretty confused at this stage.

Wearb

FFS Why did your service guy not clean it out and set it up again? I am sure that that is what most of us would do, or did you instruct him differently.
Did he take a sample from the tank?

Within oil companies, those incidents rarely happen in isolation and would often cause problems across numerous customers on the same delivery run. If you really believe its the oil, get back to oil company and explain that you are going to have it cleaned and serviced and that if it soots again you will expect them to reimburse you and you that you will use your old and new service reports to pursue your claim. With reference to my first post, I would be very reluctant to blame the oil YET.

If after having it cleaned and setup again, it soots up. Then it would be time to suspect oil. I would only suspect oil if it looked different than it should.

Oil companies have information 9built up over years of trading) of customers that fill their tank from cans and sometimes from dubious sources. Customers who constantly run out and lift the back of their tank and cause all sort of debris to enter the burner. Customers that use poor service guys who always blame the oil when there is a problem. Plumbers who recommend putting some diesel in the kerosene. Customers who fidget with the burner and put it out of tune.
I am NOT saying any of these refer to you, but these are the sort of things that oil companies have to deal with. So don't be surprised if they don't react first time you contact them. Not saying they shouldn't react with at least helpful advice. Its up to themselves how well they look after their customers.

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

FFS Why did your service guy not clean it out and set it up again? I am sure that that is what most of us would do, or did you instruct him differently.
Did he take a sample from the tank?

Within oil companies, those incidents rarely happen in isolation and would often cause problems across numerous customers on the same delivery run. If you really believe its the oil, get back to oil company and explain that you are going to have it cleaned and serviced and that if it soots again you will expect them to reimburse you and you that you will use your old and new service reports to pursue your claim. With reference to my first post, I would be very reluctant to blame the oil YET.

If after having it cleaned and setup again, it soots up. Then it would be time to suspect oil. I would only suspect oil if it looked different than it should.

Oil companies have information 9built up over years of trading) of customers that fill their tank from cans and sometimes from dubious sources. Customers who constantly run out and lift the back of their tank and cause all sort of debris to enter the burner. Customers that use poor service guys who always blame the oil when there is a problem. Plumbers who recommend putting some diesel in the kerosene. Customers who fidget with the burner and put it out of tune.
I am NOT saying any of these refer to you, but these are the sort of things that oil companies have to deal with. So don't be surprised if they don't react first time you contact them. Not saying they shouldn't react with at least helpful advice. Its up to themselves how well they look after their customers.

The boiler was in fact cleaned up and is running again, I omitted this part in my haste, but assumed that it would be taken as done. I have a completely open mind on this - it is related to one of two possible elements - boiler set-up / controls OR oil? It has to be one of these, there was not a problem with it for 2 years and now all of a sudden, a problem has arisen. I need to establish the cause of that issue in order to prevent it happening into the future. The entire installation cost alot of money and was installed purely as a cost saving measure. Additionally, I consider that I was pragmatic in my approach to the entire installation in employing a suitably qualified and registered contractor etc. etc. I agree with your comments regarding the oil - it is highly improbable that if it were oil, I would be the only customer to suffer etc. etc. However, as stated, the oil company are being evasive here, perhaps with good reason but I did not accuse them of any wrong doing, I stated that an issue had arisen and had to be boiler or oil related. I do not have any loyalty as such to any oil company, I decide based on the price at the time the oil is required, but I have used this company for the past two years and average deliveries have ranged from 900 - 1100 litres.

I had already taken a sample of oil from well below mid-way of the tank, it is about 85% full at the moment, the capacity is approx. 1200l. I also asked the service man to take a sample from the input valve to the burner, which he did, but the quantity is quite small - it is from the cup at the valve end.

At this stage, I am considering obtaining an opinion on the entire installation from a suitably qualified professional, as stated in my last post and to that end it would be great if someone here had any views or recommendations?

Hope I haven't left anything out to lead to more confusion!

Wearb

You saying it has to be oil or setup makes it sound as if it has to be one of two things. That can cover a multitude, from water, dirt, diesel, etc in oil, to a multitude of burner/flue problems.
I know that you don't mean to simplify so much and are only trying to get your head around it.

Any printout this time?

Maidhci

Wearb wrote: »

You saying it has to be oil or setup makes it sound as if it has to be one of two things. That can cover a multitude, from water, dirt, diesel, etc in oil, to a multitude of burner/flue problems.
I know that you don't mean to simplify so much and are only trying to get your head around it.

Any printout this time?

There was a printout at the last normal service, I think I posted the readings from it in an earlier posting. On this occasion, there was no printout, not sure why, he intends to come back when the boiler settles down to take definitive readings and to make any final adjustment, based on these. I did see the dial readings and I think these are recorded in the book. Yesterday, it appears that the output was so contaminated that the readings would be extremely high and he advised to let it run for some hours last evening so that the system would burn off soot etc. etc. I would have thought that it would have been a good idea to record the readings but that is me being pedantic, I suppose.

jimf

my approach to this would be let the service guy do as he has advised he most likely was not prepared to put his flugas analyser in to a boiler that was burning off a soot residue

my thinking would be very similar as his overair the boiler and let it burn as usual and come back 48/72 hours later to do final adjustments and then do a fg analysis

in a few few days time you will know where the blame lies

but being around boilers for a few years now I do know and have stated already a gammy nozzle can cause issues as you described

keep us posted as we all still learning on this forum

Maidhci

jimf wrote: »

my approach to this would be let the service guy do as he has advised he most likely was not prepared to put his flugas analyser in to a boiler that was burning off a soot residue

my thinking would be very similar as his overair the boiler and let it burn as usual and come back 48/72 hours later to do final adjustments and then do a fg analysis

in a few few days time you will know where the blame lies

but being around boilers for a few years now I do know and have stated already a gammy nozzle can cause issues as you described

keep us posted as we all still learning on this forum

What does the nozzle look like? Is it normally replaced at the annual service?

I think he checked it yesterday, replaced with a new one and left the old one in a tray, again, it could well be a component other than the nozzle, I am not familiar with boiler parts etc.

jimf

yes usually replaced at annual service

brass colour with a filter at end about 1" long approx.

Maidhci

jimf wrote: »

yes usually replaced at annual service

brass colour with a filter at end about 1" long approx.

Thanks for that info Jim. That is the component that he removed,examined and replaced yesterday. The old one is in a tray in the boiler room. Is it possible to establish from a visual inspection if the nozzle was faulty?

jimf

no not possible im afraid

Dtp1979

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks for that info Jim. That is the component that he removed,examined and replaced yesterday. The old one is in a tray in the boiler room. Is it possible to establish from a visual inspection if the nozzle was faulty?

Coujd you show us what writing is on it?

Maidhci

jimf wrote: »

no not possible im afraid

Thanks again, is it possible to have it tested?

I know this sounds like how long is a piece of string.....but do have any idea with regard to the following:

Approximately how long would it take a faulty nozzle to clog up the system? Similarly, how long would it take contaminated kerosend to do likewise?
I know these are dependent on degree of contamination etc. etc. and degree of fault in nozzle, but talking very roughy, is it possible in the following circumstances. There was no sign of black smoke from the chimney or soot deposit on car until late September, approximately 4 weeks after oil fill.

The following are the relevant figures:

Approximate running hours since last service is 1050.
Approximate running hours since last oil fill is 170.

The tank was almost empty prior to last fill.

Giving it holly

Came across a Grant 70-90 last year where the owner said that it coughed up a load of soot.
The access to the baffels was on top of the boiler and when i took it off the gasket was after breaking up and falling onto the top baffle. It restricted the flow of fumes to the flue. Also as there was no gasket, it was leaving the fumes in around the casing.
Instead of the burner getting fresh air, it was taking in its own fumes.
This caused some soot and made it worse and worse over time. Eventually there was so much soot in the boiler, it just blew it out the flue.
Replaced the gasket and when i went back this week to service the boiler, it was still perfect.
Maybe check the access door on the boiler.

agusta

Giving it holly wrote: »

Came across a Grant 70-90 last year where the owner said that it coughed up a load of soot.
The access to the baffels was on top of the boiler and when i took it off the gasket was after breaking up and falling onto the top baffle. It restricted the flow of fumes to the flue. Also as there was no gasket, it was leaving the fumes in around the casing.
Instead of the burner getting fresh air, it was taking in its own fumes.
This caused some soot and made it worse and worse over time. Eventually there was so much soot in the boiler, it just blew it out the flue.
Replaced the gasket and when i went back this week to service the boiler, it was still perfect.
Maybe check the access door on the boiler.

There is no access door or gasket on top of grant HE boilers

agusta

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks again, is it possible to have it tested?

I know this sounds like how long is a piece of string.....but do have any idea with regard to the following:

Approximately how long would it take a faulty nozzle to clog up the system? Similarly, how long would it take contaminated kerosend to do likewise?
I know these are dependent on degree of contamination etc. etc. and degree of fault in nozzle, but talking very roughy, is it possible in the following circumstances. There was no sign of black smoke from the chimney or soot deposit on car until late September, approximately 4 weeks after oil fill.

The following are the relevant figures:

Approximate running hours since last service is 1050.
Approximate running hours since last oil fill is 170.

The tank was almost empty prior to last fill.

http://heating.danfoss.com/PCMPDF/DKBGPG060A802.pdf
This might help to understand how a nozzle works

jimf

agusta wrote: »

There is no access door or gasket on top of grant HE boilers

go away you know their is u feckin chancer

Tom44

So far.
Everything that Jim and your services man are doing are correct.
& the othar replys.
Let dirt burn off before final tuneup.

Service men are like doctors, you have to put your trust in them if they know what their talking about and have the experience & equipment.
Down my way, oil companies send me out if a customer has a problem. They will pay me themselves if it's their fault in my opinion, or customer pays. Both parties have to trust and except my opinion.
I never had to send a sample of fuel back.

Problems with boilers are part of my income, it happens.


Rarely do I have to dress like this, but it happens.

RJF

Tom44 wrote: »

So far.
Everything that Jim and your services man are doing are correct.
& the othar replys.
Let dirt burn off before final tuneup.

Service men are like doctors, you have to put your trust in them if they know what their talking about and have the experience & equipment.
Down my way, oil companies send me out if a customer has a problem. They will pay me themselves if it's their fault in my opinion, or customer pays. Both parties have to trust and except my opinion.
I never had to send a sample of fuel back.

Problems with boilers are part of my income, it happens.


Rarely do I have to dress like this, but it happens.

I thought the annual OFTEC ball wasn't until December.:)

Wearb

That would make the poor old postmistress hand it over alright Tom

RJF

Maidhci wrote: »

Will scan the print-out later on and will post. The boiler is located in a boiler room which has an opening allowing the flue to be connected to a dedicated house chimney. The flue line rises horizontally from the boiler, enters the existing chimney opening in the wall and rises through the existing chimney pipes to top of chimney. Hope this is clear.

A conventional flue should rise VERTICALLY from the boiler using a special conventional flue connector. It should then travel at 45 degree to horizontal (if moving horizontally) before connecting to flue liner. It should be 100mm (smooth bore internally) diameter. Where is exits the flue must terminate in a down draught free area, i.e. at least 600 mm above the point of exit through the roof or preferably above the ridge level. There should also be access to inspect and clean the flue.
Grant call this the "orange system".
Is this the system you have installed?
If not perhaps a build up in the horizontal section, as you described,over the time since installation has led to a sudden soot build up?

Maidhci

RJF wrote: »

A conventional flue should rise VERTICALLY from the boiler using a special conventional flue connector. It should then travel at 45 degree to horizontal (if moving horizontally) before connecting to flue liner. It should be 100mm (smooth bore internally) diameter. Where is exits the flue must terminate in a down draught free area, i.e. at least 600 mm above the point of exit through the roof or preferably above the ridge level. There should also be access to inspect and clean the flue.
Grant call this the "orange system".
Is this the system you have installed?
If not perhaps a build up in the horizontal section, as you described,over the time since installation has led to a sudden soot build up?

Thanks for this RJF - flue set-up appears to be broadly as you describe, without going into measurements or technical detail, I am out of my depth here. At the time of installation, I do know that additional materials were required as the flue from the boiler was going into an existing chimliny line. As far as I can recall, that was the first such flue installation by this technician and he did consult with Grant technical people at time of installation. In any event, I await his expert report on the system, including set-up, following his inspection, service and clean-up on Friday and will study that with interest.

Maidhci

Tom44 wrote: »

So far.
Everything that Jim and your services man are doing are correct.
& the othar replys.
Let dirt burn off before final tuneup.

Service men are like doctors, you have to put your trust in them if they know what their talking about and have the experience & equipment.
Down my way, oil companies send me out if a customer has a problem. They will pay me themselves if it's their fault in my opinion, or customer pays. Both parties have to trust and except my opinion.
I never had to send a sample of fuel back.

Problems with boilers are part of my income, it happens.


Rarely do I have to dress like this, but it happens.

Thanks Tom44. Believe me, I did and do trust the service man / installer, as I do with any professional who has the relevant qualifications, competence etc. for the work undertaken, unless and until proof to the contrary arises. Additionally, in this instance, I would have thought that an independent inspection by a SEAI appointed engineer would be further evidence that all was well with the system. Hopefully, all will be revealed in the coming days.

Tom44

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks Tom44. Believe me, I did and do trust the service man / installer, as I do with any professional who has the relevant qualifications, competence etc. for the work undertaken, unless and until proof to the contrary arises. Additionally, in this instance, I would have thought that an independent inspection by a SEAI appointed engineer would be further evidence that all was well with the system. Hopefully, all will be revealed in the coming days.

SEAI inspector is just that, they check visually that everything is fitted as specified.
Bit like a car sales man.
But their "not" mechanics. And never claim to be.