Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Dirty Oil
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joe4str
02-11-05, 01:10 PM
Hi,
I had my oil furnace go out during a particularly cold week this winter. This is a combination wood/oil furnace that I usually burn wood in. Since I was going to be out of town, I let the furnace kick over to oil and it seemed to be going pretty well. Alas, when I got back into town the furnace had tripped the reset, my house was frozen and I have a big plumbing issue to deal with.
In any event, the tank had been recently filled (about 100 gallons) and I noticed that the furnace is burning rather "dirty" i.e. a layer of dark black soot covers the inside of the firebox. Since the incident, I have had the furnace kick off a couple of more times. I have cleaned the cad cell eye each time and have been able to get it to burn again but have not been able to totally alleviate the issue.
I have two questions regarding this situation:
1). What should I do to take care of this: should I get a service technician to look at it (tough to do as everyone is busy), or, is this something that I can take care of myself.
2). Has anyone heard of "dirty" or contaminated fuel oil being delivered by otherwise reputable dealers. I have heard lots of discussion in my area that this has been a problem around here this year. As I have not had this problem before until the refill, I am wondering if this could have contributed to my problem.
Any advice or response would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I had my oil furnace go out during a particularly cold week this winter. This is a combination wood/oil furnace that I usually burn wood in. Since I was going to be out of town, I let the furnace kick over to oil and it seemed to be going pretty well. Alas, when I got back into town the furnace had tripped the reset, my house was frozen and I have a big plumbing issue to deal with.
In any event, the tank had been recently filled (about 100 gallons) and I noticed that the furnace is burning rather "dirty" i.e. a layer of dark black soot covers the inside of the firebox. Since the incident, I have had the furnace kick off a couple of more times. I have cleaned the cad cell eye each time and have been able to get it to burn again but have not been able to totally alleviate the issue.
I have two questions regarding this situation:
1). What should I do to take care of this: should I get a service technician to look at it (tough to do as everyone is busy), or, is this something that I can take care of myself.
2). Has anyone heard of "dirty" or contaminated fuel oil being delivered by otherwise reputable dealers. I have heard lots of discussion in my area that this has been a problem around here this year. As I have not had this problem before until the refill, I am wondering if this could have contributed to my problem.
Any advice or response would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Ed Imeduc
02-11-05, 02:07 PM
I do know of some oil jobbers that have had some dirty oil, but most are ok. How bad is the oil filter that will tell you what kind of oil they had.Also is the filter out side and its cold that can stop a filter up.
In any event, the tank had been recently filled (about 100 gallons) and I noticed that the furnace is burning rather "dirty" i.e. a layer of dark black soot covers the inside of the firebox. Since the incident, I have had the furnace kick off a couple of more times. I have cleaned the cad cell eye each time and have been able to get it to burn again but have not been able to totally alleviate the issue.
You have a lot of "its not the oil here". Has the oil tank been only say 1/2 full for long???? furnace burning dirty
When was the last time you had it serviced and checked the draft set the air set on the burner?Blower wheel cleaned? New nozzle?
I have work on some of the wood oil furnaces and know that you have to keep the oil burner clean all the time . Junk from the wood fire does get over into it.
ED ;)
In any event, the tank had been recently filled (about 100 gallons) and I noticed that the furnace is burning rather "dirty" i.e. a layer of dark black soot covers the inside of the firebox. Since the incident, I have had the furnace kick off a couple of more times. I have cleaned the cad cell eye each time and have been able to get it to burn again but have not been able to totally alleviate the issue.
You have a lot of "its not the oil here". Has the oil tank been only say 1/2 full for long???? furnace burning dirty
When was the last time you had it serviced and checked the draft set the air set on the burner?Blower wheel cleaned? New nozzle?
I have work on some of the wood oil furnaces and know that you have to keep the oil burner clean all the time . Junk from the wood fire does get over into it.
ED ;)
Al Gregory
02-16-05, 01:57 PM
Very seldom dirty oil is the problem. Most cases its a lack of maintanace. The soot is caused from bad combustion. You better get a tech to check it because it could become a dangerous situation with carbon monoxide