oil fired boiler problem

[bimsb6]

Hi all ,i have a 20 yr old myson velaire vitesse oil fired boiler the problem is the solenoid keeps tripping out any idea what the problem is likely to be and can i do it myself ?


thanks in anticipation bim

[SplatSpeed]

do you mean the solonide that controls the burning could be airflow too low

or the fuse in the fuse box tripping could be leak to ground.

just some clues to check no expert

[bimsb6]

it's the solenoid inside the boiler manual describes it as "lockout"

[SplatSpeed]

oil fired boiler need an airflow to work if the intake or outflow are blocked the solonoid could be protecting the system

have you checked for blockages and is the fan working fine??

like i say no expert just know the basics

[bimsb6]

no blockages i can see,( it has a horizontal flue)

[SplatSpeed]

can you look and see what the solonoid is connected to to see what knocks it out might give you a clue to whats going wrong??

check the fuel filter ??

[bimsb6]

i'm thinking it maybe a motorised valve that is causing the problem ?

[Gingerbread Man]

When was it last serviced chap? Oil boilers need yearly servicing to stop the sulphurs eating away at it's inners.

Does it light, or can it not stay in?

[Ricky_M]

It could be going into lock out for any number of reasons. I doubt you'll get a decent diagnosis online TBH.

Oil burners can be quite complex, best not to mess with it yourself, get a decent Engineer around.

[bimsb6]

Gingerbread Man said:

When was it last serviced chap? Oil boilers need yearly servicing to stop the sulphurs eating away at it's inners.

Does it light, or can it not stay in?

admittedly we have let the serving slip so may be next on the list of things to do .

[bimsb6]

looks to be sorted ,a quick clean of the photocell and all's well .

[Gingerbread Man]

bimsb6 said:

looks to be sorted ,a quick clean of the photocell and all's well .

That was my thought depending on if you said it wouldn't stay lit.
Oil boilers really do need yearly servicing though. Gas is a clean fuel, oil dirty. The baffles will all be sooted up by the sounds of it.

[5potTurbo]

I'm not an expert, but I have an oil fired system and although it was installed in a new build 6 years ago, we weren't informed they needed servicing annually. Oops.

The poor chap that turned up to service the system this year spent HOURS vacuuming the interior of the boiler and sweeping the flu. He looked like one of the black faced sweeps from Mary Poppins afterwards!

Solenoid replaced, controlled airflow measurements performed, etc. Cost about €400 all in.

Lesson learned now: service annually!


ETA: I do miss gas heating. *sobs*

Edited by 5potTurbo on Thursday 7th October 15:39

[bimsb6]

my flue is only about 4 foot long so it doesn't soot up ,i've booked a service for the end of the month with a maintenance contract for 75 notes

[Ferg]

5potTurbo said:

I'm not an expert, but I have an oil fired system and although it was installed in a new build 6 years ago, we weren't informed they needed servicing annually. Oops.

The poor chap that turned up to service the system this year spent HOURS vacuuming the interior of the boiler and sweeping the flu. He looked like one of the black faced sweeps from Mary Poppins afterwards!

I'd put money on that having not been commissioned properly. Even in six years it's rare to see much soot. The problem is wear in the nozzle and if they flow too much fuel they'll always soot. Weak mixture is less messy, but more expensive when the insides of the boiler buckle.

[rovermorris999]

The service bloke replaces the nozzle on my boiler each year when it's serviced. I presume that's not over the top?

[dirkgently]

rovermorris999 said:

The service bloke replaces the nozzle on my boiler each year when it's serviced. I presume that's not over the top?

they cost about six quid, put that against freezing your nuts off on the coldest day of the year.

[5potTurbo]

Ferg said:

5potTurbo said:

I'm not an expert, but I have an oil fired system and although it was installed in a new build 6 years ago, we weren't informed they needed servicing annually. Oops.

The poor chap that turned up to service the system this year spent HOURS vacuuming the interior of the boiler and sweeping the flu. He looked like one of the black faced sweeps from Mary Poppins afterwards!

I'd put money on that having not been commissioned properly. Even in six years it's rare to see much soot. The problem is wear in the nozzle and if they flow too much fuel they'll always soot. Weak mixture is less messy, but more expensive when the insides of the boiler buckle.

That's interesting, Ferg.
The original installers 'commissioned' and tested (certified) the boiler when it was new.

When the chap came to service the boiler, the insides were caked - a couple of inches thick - with sooty deposits.

It's a huge boiler too!

He filled bags and bags from his vacuum, then opened the door to the flue and tonnes more fell out.

[Ferg]

5potTurbo said:

Ferg said:

5potTurbo said:

I'm not an expert, but I have an oil fired system and although it was installed in a new build 6 years ago, we weren't informed they needed servicing annually. Oops.

The poor chap that turned up to service the system this year spent HOURS vacuuming the interior of the boiler and sweeping the flu. He looked like one of the black faced sweeps from Mary Poppins afterwards!

I'd put money on that having not been commissioned properly. Even in six years it's rare to see much soot. The problem is wear in the nozzle and if they flow too much fuel they'll always soot. Weak mixture is less messy, but more expensive when the insides of the boiler buckle.

That's interesting, Ferg.
The original installers 'commissioned' and tested (certified) the boiler when it was new.

When the chap came to service the boiler, the insides were caked - a couple of inches thick - with sooty deposits.

It's a huge boiler too!

He filled bags and bags from his vacuum, then opened the door to the flue and tonnes more fell out.

That's really not burning well at all. I'd be amazed if that passed a smoke test when it was commissioned.

[essexplumber]

Ferg said:

5potTurbo said:

Ferg said:

5potTurbo said:

I'm not an expert, but I have an oil fired system and although it was installed in a new build 6 years ago, we weren't informed they needed servicing annually. Oops.

The poor chap that turned up to service the system this year spent HOURS vacuuming the interior of the boiler and sweeping the flu. He looked like one of the black faced sweeps from Mary Poppins afterwards!

I'd put money on that having not been commissioned properly. Even in six years it's rare to see much soot. The problem is wear in the nozzle and if they flow too much fuel they'll always soot. Weak mixture is less messy, but more expensive when the insides of the boiler buckle.

That's interesting, Ferg.
The original installers 'commissioned' and tested (certified) the boiler when it was new.

When the chap came to service the boiler, the insides were caked - a couple of inches thick - with sooty deposits.

It's a huge boiler too!

He filled bags and bags from his vacuum, then opened the door to the flue and tonnes more fell out.

That's really not burning well at all. I'd be amazed if that passed a smoke test when it was commissioned.

+1