Oil Boiler Will Not Fire

flatlander745

Good morning, Today our Burnham boiler quit running and I checked it out and there is oil and the the control was tripped. I reset it and the pump runs, but no fire, then trips again. The oil burner control is a Honeywell R8184G (I believe or close to this model), and was wondering if the control would be the problem or something else. Is there a diagnostic to see where the problem is?

Thanks!

NHMaster

Nozzle
Oil Pump
Ignitors
Ignition Transformer
Control


Don't keep pushing the reset button. You could be loading the firebox up with oil.

__________________
Always ask to see your contractors license!

flatlander745

There is strong blue spark mixed with orange at both transformer terminals and it is gtting spray in the box, the mist can be seen swirling around. Will an electrode kit end up being the solution for this?

beenthere

More likely the nozzle is spraying a bad pattern. And a good chance its has been for a while. And the boiler should be cleaned also.

If you just replace the nozzle. And then hit the reset button again. Be prepared for that excess oil to burn off. Depending how many times you have pushed the reset. Will vary how bad it acts as it burns off the excess.

Be prepared for lots of smoke if you pushed it more twice already.

Have fire extinguisher ready.

flatlander745

I reset it twice earlier today. I am resetting the electrodes now (got the kit) they were pretty carboned up and a possible crack. I am also replacing the fuel filter, pump screen and coupler.
We will see!
Thanks

yuri

I did not notice Beentheres post but we both have done oil and had runaway fires.
You should replace the nozzle as it may have a bad spray pattern. BEWAREyou now have excess unburnt oil in the chamber which can result in a serious runaway fire if it starts and there is too much of it. Have a fire extinguisher handy and the phone for the fire dept or get a Pro to inspect the chamber etc before lighting it up.

__________________
"Cut it twice and it is still too short".
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

beenthere

Electrodes get carboned up from poor nozzle spray pattern.

Worse thing you can do to a new electrode assembly(besides breaking it yourself)is to use it with an old nozzle that is spraying a bad pattern.

Kind of like installing new spark plugs in your car. When you know you have an injector sticking open.

yuri

Don't these flame retention burners require some critical setting of the electrodes and use of a template? Not a DIY job without the template/specs/knowledge.

__________________
"Cut it twice and it is still too short".
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

flatlander745

I am replacing the nozzle, it is a 1.50x80 with specs:9/16" to 5/8"-1/8" to 3/16" -1/8".
There is a little wet spot in the bottom of the air tube/chamber but no standing oil.

beenthere

The oil will be in the combustion chamber. And not readily visible.

yuri

It will have soaked into the combustion chamber and any cracks in it. I am not joking. If it gets away on you the chamber gets red hot and it is next to impossible to stop. Had it happen to me several times/ trailer units are the worst. You can try stop it by closing the air shutter but that can cause a huge backfire and be worse. If the chamber is wet enough it may need replacing. Beenthere does oil a LOT and can give you more advice. Flame retention burners have critical nozzle to electrode settings and if not done accurately will result in delayed ignition. If your burner has been burning dirty the boiler flues are dirty with carbon and you lose a LOT of heat transfer/efficiency and burn lots more oil. The burner should be setup with a combustion analyzer and the barometric damper also. Your families safety is worth more than saving a few bucks by DIYing.

__________________
"Cut it twice and it is still too short".
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

NHMaster

Nobody but a licensed experienced oil burner tech should work on oil burners. There are critical adjustments and all adjustments need to be checked with a combustion analyzer.

__________________
Always ask to see your contractors license!

flatlander745

All is well guys.......it fired up fine with very little smoke, and it has great spray and it is about 40% quieter than it was before...it roared obnoxously loud prior to this.
Thanks for all the input!!

yuri

I ALWAYS put a new nozzle in every year with a maintenance check. Inexpensive part and the most critical part of the system.

__________________
"Cut it twice and it is still too short".
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

beenthere

Great spray???

How do you tell it has great spray.

I know how to tell if it has good air fuel mixture. Which means proper atomization.

But not how to tell it has great spray.