Kerosene Scent in House

Happy Monday

Hello

3 bedroomed house with a recently fitted external Firebird oil burner boiler.....

Even with this new boiler I do notice a kerosene scent in the house and on the clothes as with the old boiler which was located internally in the house.

What could the problem be with the system and how can this be fixed?

All answers welcome. 😀

JustJoe7240

A leak possibly? No reason to be a smell inside otherwise. I have a Firebird outside the kitchen window and got a very strong bang of kero when a fitting started leaking

Wearb

Seeing as it's recently fitted, I'd ask the installer to drop back to see if there is a problem.

Did he reconnect the oil pipe by locating where it came into the house, or just extend it from inside and back out again?

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118167882#Comment_118167882

It's more than when I put the heat on it produces the same kerosene scent upstairs and on clothes as the internal boiler did.

New pipes were fitted when the new external boiler came in so I can't understand where the scent comes from.

magicbastarder

from what you say, you only get the smell when the boiler is running?

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118167882#Comment_118167882

What is the significance of locating these pipes in a certain way?

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118168602#Comment_118168602

yes - and this happened with the old internal boiler and now with the new external boiler. Is there something else I am missing internally?

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118168616#Comment_118168616

Its most likely not pipes but a single pipe. The reason I asked was in case there might have been a leaking pipe inside. You didnt address my suggestion about getting installer back.

Can you post a pic of the boiler including nearby door and windows?

Can you also post the results from the combustion test at commissioning time?

rohoso

Have it checked out thoroughly as kerosene in a house is a very serious issue - carciogenic etc and attacks concrete and very expensive to have treated/removed.

magicbastarder

that's why i asked was it only when the boiler was running - if it was a general leak into the foundations, the smell should not appear and disappear as the boiler runs.

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118169222#Comment_118169222

Yes - only an issue when the boiler runs. For example, in summer there is absolutely no issue with any of this.

I was wondering if there is another cleaning option available internally between the oil burner, pipes and radiators.

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118169000#Comment_118169000

yes - will check with the plumber when he comes to place a tap in the house later this or next week.

jimf

any vents above the flue from the boiler

sounds to me like you have a combustion smell was the boiler commissioned and set up properly by the installer

did he get you to sign a document called a boiler passport

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118169000#Comment_118169000

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Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118170682#Comment_118170682

Wearb

One cause could be a slight weep from the tank pipe bend. This would allow oil to flow along that plastic sleeve and appear inside the house.

That was my reason for asking that pipework question earlier.

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118369435#Comment_118369435

Has he used the existing pipe bend in fitting the new boiler? How could I get this checked and repaired? Many thanks for responding on Christmas Eve!

John.G

Not related (hopefully) to the problem but where does any rain go when it enters the upturned flue outlet?, would have expected some overhead cowling for protection.

Wearb

He'll check it for you. Show him what I think the problem is. It's an easy fix.

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118369829#Comment_118369829

Which pipe in which photo is the bend pipe? 👍

Wearb

This needs to be checked.

jimf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118369550#Comment_118369550

the rain just goes straight through john and back out the condensate pipe from the bottom of the boiler

jimf

not ideal to be reconnecting internal oil pipe and returning back out again

put a few sheets of white tissue under the connection and pipe indoor s and see does any staining appear

could be a tiny weep that only happens when boiler is running but kero is such a strong smell it can seem like gallons

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118369995#Comment_118369995

Internal oil pipe - which one is that jimf?

jimf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118370043#Comment_118370043

last picture plastic cover pipe approx 1/2 " diam

oil leak at tank can also run down inside plastic sleeve as wearb already suggested

Happy Monday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118370096#Comment_118370096

Three white pipes on that photo - is it the one on the left, middle or right. Many thanks for responding on Christmas Eve jimf! 👍

jimf

the 1 with the little brass joiner in the middle without the insulation

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118369995#Comment_118369995

In this case there might not be any oil visible inside. The close proximity of those heating pipes might cause any oil to evaporate. That would exaggerate the smell and hide the evidence. Best to be certain of no leak at the tank side and that inside fitting you mentioned in a recent post.

Flared fittigs would be best, but not many use them. Next best would be those inserts that oftech recommend, but are scarcer than hens teeth. I gave up searching in plumbing supplies for them.

jimf

those inserts might be available from screwfix wearb

i have used them i dont think there as good as they say they are

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118370437#Comment_118370437

Thanks for that Jim. I'll probably not bother then. Happy Christmas to you and yours. 👨‍🚀🕊️🍹⛄️❄️

jimf

same to yourself wearb

that feckin tom must have intercepted my gin again this year

Wearb

Only thinking of your wellbeing Jim. He's very considerate that way 😅

John.G

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118369983#Comment_118369983

I think I will fill my condensate trap with a jug of water, and put a small roof over the flue. How long are the enviromax out?, saw one a few days ago that looked at least 12 years old and its last service label said 2014, they must be a mighty boiler!.

jimf

make sure the pocs can get away cleanly otherwise they could be getting sucked back in causing a bad burn

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118372899#Comment_118372899

Have you gotten rid of your old FB John?

John.G

Of course not Wearb, I was referring to another installation, my SE Firebird is only 16 years old so more than likely that I will be too old to make any decision when it comes to replacement time!.

Wearb

Your grandchildren will probably be too old 😅

JamesM

If there is an oil leak as Wearb suggests and the leaked oil is getting near the hot pipes coming in from the boiler, evaporating and smelling, this could be the reason that you only smell it when the heating is on and not in the Summer.

Tom44

Surely the first recommendation would be to open the door of the boiler and have a look for a leak ? 🙂

There's two doors, one at the front and an access panel under the chimney (two screws at the bottom)

Putting kitchen paper under the burner and oil pipe can highlight oil leak if it's evaporating quickly, it leaves a pink stain.

Oil smell can come into the house via pipes with insulation.

Seperate note, I'm didn't think the flexi drain pipe can reach the back of the boiler and gully drain ?