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Oil Boiler Not Working

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  • 18-01-2009 7:08pm
    #1
    2x4
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭


    We ran out of oil last week,tank was empty, got a refill, but now when we turn on the boiler it cuts out after a few mins without heating any of the rads. We have bled the radiators and tried holding in the button on the motor of the boiler but nothing happens. We need to get this sorted in this cold weather, has anyone got a solution? Thanks


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    #2
    slavetothegrind
    Registered Users Posts: 2,789 ✭✭✭slavetothegrind


    Do you have oil at the pump?
    Check the clear bowl at the oil stop valve beside the burner, it should be full of oil.
    If not you need to bleed the pump which is done froma bleedscrew on the pump itself.


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    #3
    niceirishfella
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    Had this problem 2 weeks ago.
    Joes correct, check the bowl at the shut off tap @ the tank, make sure its full of oil, then Get a spanner, and bleed the supply to your burner. Place a container under it and bleed a good litre or 2.
    Then tighten up, make sure there are no leaks,turn on heating, then push the button on your burner and hopefully she'll ignite and keep going.

    HTH.


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    #4
    Avns1s
    Registered Users Posts: 3,422 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    Sounds like it's heating up the water in the boiler and cutting out as the water is not circulating?

    Is there warm or hot water in the top pipe from the boiler and how far does it go?

    Is the circulation pump working? Remove the cover in the centre and check that the shaft is turning.


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    #5
    JamesM
    Registered Users Posts: 1,775 ✭✭✭JamesM


    Avns1s wrote: »
    Sounds like it's heating up the water in the boiler and cutting out as the water is not circulating?

    Is there warm or hot water in the top pipe from the boiler and how far does it go?

    Is the circulation pump working? Remove the cover in the centre and check that the shaft is turning.

    OP, if you are saying that it runs for a few minutes, it is not airlocked. If it runs only for a few seconds and does not ignite, then it is airlocked, and you need to bleed it - just get the air out, not litres of oil :eek:

    If it does run for some minutes, then as Avns1s says, check the circulating pump.
    Jim.


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    #6
    niceirishfella
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    JamesM wrote: »
    OP, if you are saying that it runs for a few minutes, it is not airlocked. If it runs only for a few seconds and does not ignite, then it is airlocked, and you need to bleed it - just get the air out, not litres of oil :eek:

    Jim, to get the air out entirely - a litre of 2 needs to be bleed from the supply pipe - otherwise how can you get airlocks/bubbles out from the supply line:rolleyes:


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    #7
    Avns1s
    Registered Users Posts: 3,422 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    niceirishfella wrote: »
    Jim, to get the air out entirely - a litre of 2 needs to be bleed from the supply pipe - otherwise how can you get airlocks/bubbles out from the supply line:rolleyes:

    The point is that if it were airlocked, it wouldn't run at all or just for a few seconds.

    The OP has said that the boiler will run for a few mins.


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    #8
    niceirishfella
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    Avns1s wrote: »
    The point is that if it were airlocked, it wouldn't run at all or just for a few seconds.

    The OP has said that the boiler will run for a few mins.

    sure, but the fact they got an oil refill means it must be airlock related.


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    #9
    JamesM
    Registered Users Posts: 1,775 ✭✭✭JamesM


    niceirishfella wrote: »
    sure, but the fact they got an oil refill means it must be airlock related.

    We can only go on the information we are given - If the OP says minutes we have to believe him - he may come back and say that he meant seconds, then it may be airlocked. If he means minutes - it is not airlocked. I have bled hundreds, if not thousands, of burners over the years. In most cases a bit of kitchen paper would catch the amount of oil you need to release - once the bubbles stop, the air is gone.
    If the heating was off for a few days, waiting for the refill, the circulating pump or a motorised valve could stick, if it was off for that time. Also with an old pump, if the seals are dodgy, water can get into the windings, if the pump has been cold and off for a few days.
    Jim.


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    #10
    niceirishfella
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    JamesM wrote: »
    We can only go on the information we are given - If the OP says minutes we have to believe him - he may come back and say that he meant seconds, then it may be airlocked. If he means minutes - it is not airlocked. I have bled hundreds, if not thousands, of burners over the years. In most cases a bit of kitchen paper would catch the amount of oil you need to release - once the bubbles stop, the air is gone.
    If the heating was off for a few days, waiting for the refill, the circulating pump or a motorised valve could stick, if it was off for that time. Also with an old pump, if the seals are dodgy, water can get into the windings, if the pump has been cold and off for a few days.
    Jim.


    Hey Jim, Its not a competition here!
    Your advice is good as is mine. End of.


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    #11
    nulabert
    Registered Users Posts: 465 ✭✭nulabert


    What about undoing the black nut above the stat dial and pressing the reset button? Sorted a friend out this evening. And i'd have to agree with Jim, usually i bleed a desert spoon of oil fron the line to get the air out! 2 liters seems like a waste!

    P.S. I'm not competing. Just throwing my 2pence in!!:rolleyes:


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