Burning Oil Or Petrol Smell Worrying

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Hi I've lived in a council house for last 20 years, it's the same boiler since I moved in, God knows how old it is, in the past three years or so I've noticed a burning oil or petrol Smell ruminating all through my house, (1 when the heating is off with the timer, and (2 when it's on, but it seems an even stronger odour when it's off.

The reason I say oil, or petrol, is when I cut my grass with my petrol lawnmower and come back in, I'm reeking from the lawnmower, and the smell in my house when heating is off or on, is pretty much the same smell, I'm really concerned now that this smell could be harming to me it's certainly not a pleasant smell, I can smell it on my jackets I hang in the hall it's pretty much everywhere, please any advice, Thanks.
 
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First one- when was your boiler lastbinspected/ serviced (if you are renting it should be done every year).
Second- it sounds as if you are describing exhaust fumes smell rather than fuel smell- could be either your flue is faulty (unlikely if smell persists when your heating is off) or a neighbours flue is faulty. If you are renting, get the council over to investigate. If you own, call the 'smell gas' emergency number. If you're getting bad headaches, open the windows or stay outside while you await council/gas lot.
 
Whilst it is good practice and in accordance with manufacturers instructions, there is no legal requirement for an annual inspection as there is with gas.
Have you reported your concern to the council? If so have you got a record of that? A 20 year old oil boiler is not unusual and if it has been looked after should be in a serviceable condition.
In the short term, remove the front casing cover and check for any oil in the tray under the burner. Also check around the burner for signs of scorching, and any flue joints for signs of leakage. If you have reported to the council and they have not responded, tell them you have had to turn it off as fumes give you headache and you have no heat or hot water. Get the name of the individual you reported to and insist they give you notification of an appointment and provide temporary heating. If you get no response within 24 hours chase them up.
Remember, the squeaking wheel gets the grease !!!!!
 
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Hi I've lived in a council house for last 20 years, it's the same boiler since I moved in, God knows how old it is, in the past three years or so I've noticed a burning oil or petrol Smell ruminating all through my house, (1 when the heating is off with the timer, and (2 when it's on, but it seems an even stronger odour when it's off.

The reason I say oil, or petrol, is when I cut my grass with my petrol lawnmower and come back in, I'm reeking from the lawnmower, and the smell in my house when heating is off or on, is pretty much the same smell, I'm really concerned now that this smell could be harming to me it's certainly not a pleasant smell, I can smell it on my jackets I hang in the hall it's pretty much everywhere, please any advice, Thanks.

Hi yes it gets serviced every year, and it's just been serviced, yes it's a council house, I've noticed the smell now for about three years, also just about three years ago I had the gas fire removed and there was a chimney behind the fire, I also got them to seal up the chimney, could there be a connection?
 
First one- when was your boiler lastbinspected/ serviced (if you are renting it should be done every year).
Second- it sounds as if you are describing exhaust fumes smell rather than fuel smell- could be either your flue is faulty (unlikely if smell persists when your heating is off) or a neighbours flue is faulty. If you are renting, get the council over to investigate. If you own, call the 'smell gas' emergency number. If you're getting bad headaches, open the windows or stay outside while you await council/gas lot.

Hi yes it gets serviced every year, and it's just been serviced, and yes it's a council house, the smell has been there for nearly three years, also three years ago I had the gas fire removed, and behind the gas fire there was a chimney, the chimney was also sealed up, could there be a connection?
 
Is it an oil fired boiler? When was it last serviced? Make & model?[/QUOTE

Too be honest I don't really know, I'll try and find out the model, it's a council house and it is a really old boiler, it has two old fashioned looking lights on it one green the other red, I could send a pic if you like?
 
Whilst it is good practice and in accordance with manufacturers instructions, there is no legal requirement for an annual inspection as there is with gas.
Have you reported your concern to the council? If so have you got a record of that? A 20 year old oil boiler is not unusual and if it has been looked after should be in a serviceable condition.
In the short term, remove the front casing cover and check for any oil in the tray under the burner. Also check around the burner for signs of scorching, and any flue joints for signs of leakage. If you have reported to the council and they have not responded, tell them you have had to turn it off as fumes give you headache and you have no heat or hot water. Get the name of the individual you reported to and insist they give you notification of an appointment and provide temporary heating. If you get no response within 24 hours chase them up.
Remember, the squeaking wheel gets the grease !!!!!
Hi thanks I've been in the house for twenty years, but I garantee you the boiler is much older than that, the house is built pre war or post either 1945 or 1950, I can send a pic?
 
Is this the same petrol smell you posted about last year?
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/petrol-spill-on-carpet.532404/
Yes it is I remember I thought the culprit was that I spilled petrol, on the carpet in the spare room I washed it and I think the smell went away, but it came back and I ended up throwing the carpet out, but obviously the smell is still there, surely it couldn't have seeped through the floor boards, and that was well over a year ago, it couldn't still be there could it, I'm convinced it is the boiler.

And the trouble is sometimes the smell goes for a few weeks and then it starts up again it is driving me crazy, and I'm really getting concerned, if it is casing me harm, Thanks.
 
I will send you all a pic of the boiler when I get home thanks for your help so far.
 
A picture speaks a thousand words...
Here's a pic guys if you want other angles just say
IMG_20210517_211729_1.jpg
IMG_20210517_211729_1.jpg
 

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From those pics, I can't see any manufacturer's name or read the control panel. It is not something I readily recognise, is it wall hung? Some clearer pictures taken from further away may help. Also, clearing out the stored items might help it. They could be blocking ventilation or air supply.
 
From those pics, I can't see any manufacturer's name or read the control panel. It is not something I readily recognise, is it wall hung? Some clearer pictures taken from further away may help. Also, clearing out the stored items might help it. They could be blocking ventilation or air supply.
It's a Potterton Suprima at a guess
 

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