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You know, I had completely forgotten this was a DIY forum. Given the level of expert advice on offer, and for which I am very grateful indeed, you would not have thought it. I guess the type of person who frequents a site like this is unusually self-reliant. Well, I intend to join the ranks...

It's an interesting field of study, and if I wasn't so angry I could probably enjoy getting into it. I don't mind a problem exceeding a qualified person's experience or capacity to solve, but I do mind when an inline fuel oil filter that is supposed to be changed every year is never even looked...

So not blocked totally I guess, just very dirty. The paper element is blackened and there is oily black sludge in the bottom of it around the hole where the bolt passes through to the upper housing.

Ok, well that's interesting, and a bit disappointing. Odd though because an oil filter in a car can get seriously gunged up without impeding the flow of oil (as far as I know). I realise we are talking engine oil as opposed to fuel oil, but the paper filter is essentially the same sort of thing...

If anyone is still reading this, I decided to check the in line filter just on the off chance. It is black, with oily sludge n the bottom, and looks like it has never been changed. This is despite the fact that I paid good money to have the boiler serviced before Christmas. And despite the...

I will, thanks. I found this highly informative article this morning. http://www.heatbaseoilservices.co.uk/documents/Oilproblemsfinalcopy_000.pdf It confirms the point you make: particles can pass through filters, including 10 micron filters, and cause blockages and breakdown at the...

I did wonder whether it was possible to get a pre-heater in the boiler unit. I may have a look at that. This is actually an internal boiler that has been installed in an outbuilding (an unheated outbuilding) as opposed to a proper external boiler. Hopefully I can solve the problem - if this is...

Thanks. I'm not exactly confident but since the film on the nozzle filter has happened three times now I feel like there is a solution in the offing. If there is a parallel with the red diesel issue of clogged filters then it does point to the particle drop out in cold weather. perhaps once...

That was an interesting read. I just wonder what the state of my in line filter is. I haven't checked myself, just left the chaps to do their thing, but I will have a look in the morning. If the in line filter isn't doing its job then it would make sense that the nozzle filter will pick up...

I will have a read. Thanks.

I just looked it up. Looks like it does exactly what I need. I will give them a bell to see how much I need for what's in my tank. Thanks very much.

Thanks for the suggestion. I could do that. However, I do have a load in a steel drum which I have stored outside since I changed over the storage tank last summer. I took a sample earlier today and it was clear. I will look up the smith and Allen additive. Thanks.

If that is it it won't be unfortunate, it will be fantastic news. It means I can solve the issue without spending the next ten years and every last cent trying to fix a problem I don't understand. One thing I can do, I guess, is insulate all the exposed pipe properly, drain off what is in the...

Maybe the 'slimy' film on the nozzle filter is actually wax deposits that have crystallised out of the fuel due to the cold. At some point the film is sufficient to impede the flow of the oil, so then I get the smell from reduced atomisation, and then burner lockout.

Just found this https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Heating_Oil_Waxing.php And maybe beginning to make some sense of this. Tank is some distance from boiler, which is itself external, and there is some exposed copper fuel line in the boiler house, which is also outside.

I think maybe it is not crystallisation. Or not entirely. I've had some inside which I forgot about which was cloudy outside and has been inside for a couple of days and has not gone back to clear.

No change in supplier, but the it does look like some kind of crystallisation. The oil test sample I have been storing indoors has not gone cloudy like the sample stored outdoors. Also, the first sample stored outside was during the cold snap and that went cloudier than the sample stored...

Thanks for the reply, John. I actually haven't checked the filter bowl at the tank. I guess I should do that. The paste test did show no water separation in the tank. Now I think about it, would the paste test discover emulsified water content I wonder. I can look that up and maybe eliminate...

I should say that I have had new pump, new motor, new expansion tank, plus system has been tested through. Analyser test showed everything well within tolerance. Flame is good initially after new nozzle fitted, then degrades and I get stink of unburned fuel and then burner lock out. Inspection...

Posting again because I am close to wits end with this. I have multiple visits from heating engineers and nobody can diagnose the issue let alone fix my Worcester boiler. I am getting closer but since I have already spent over a grand I want to try to do a bit of detective work on my own...