Boiler won't fire! Any ideas?

[R1 Indy]

Turned the central heating on for first time since last winter the other day, but it appears the boiler will not fire up!

It starts for about 10-20 secs then shuts down, if I press the re-set it does the same straight away.

There is defiantly oil in the tank, and can see oil in the clear tube in the boiler,

The lock off light illuminates, I guess this means some sort of safety shutdown?


Anyone any ideas, as could do with some heating on!

Can't find a heating engineer able to come out any time soon.

It's a Worcester danesmoor 20/25 made in 1997.

Cheers

[R1 Indy]

Rickyy said:

Does it sound like it ignites before it shuts down? If so, it points to a faulty/dirty photocell.

If it's dirty, a quick clean wipe will solve it, but does suggest a combustion fault and that a service may be needed.

If it's failing to ignite altogether, it could be a few different issues.

It sounds to me like it's igniting, it whirles away for around 10-20 secs before cutting out.

Is the photocell the little black sensor, next to the cutout sensor?

[R1 Indy]

Just googled photocell, I take it it's the black stick that just pushes in?

If so, it's clean as, I just tried starting without the photocell, and did exactly the same.

Could it be a faulty photocell?

[R1 Indy]

Rickyy said:

Possibly. With the photocell out, can you see a flame through the hole?

Just checked, no flames, does this mean it's not igniting?

[R1 Indy]

Cheers, i will have a look at this tonight.

a bit of googling tells me i can test this by arcing a screwdriver between the terminals? (obviously a proper insulated one)

[R1 Indy]

Whoops, just undid the 4 Allen bolts on what I thought was the transformer, gave it a sharp pull, and oil came gushing out!

Now have a puddle of oil on the garage floor

[R1 Indy]

Hang on, since my accident with the oil,

The clear oil tube is now empty?

Could it be a pipe work issue/ blocked pipe.

There is a bleed valve next to the boiler, I just opened it and nothing happened?