Newbie to site so very grateful for any advice guys. My mum (84) having ran out of oil couldn't re-start after fresh delivery. Person who came to fix from local company admitted knew virtually nothing about boilers but said would bleed system. After about three hours he gave up and said someone else would have to come out. Next guy (brother of first) arrived late in evening. After trying lots of different things (I saw that there was pressure on pump gauge, which this company had renewed just a year earlier) he claimed the motor had seized. Replaced it... still boiler wouldn't kick in. Then replaced pump... still no joy. I asked about photo cell so he wiped and replaced it... no start. He changed nozzle... no good. He then pulled a photo cell from his pocket, said I'll try mine. He mucked about with a few more things including the plastic coupling between pump and motor, though as both were new I'd have thought that would have been ok. Then it started. I said, 'photo cell then'? He replied, 'no, motor seized and pump fixing not completely square 'cause third screw hard to get to'. This all after a simple fuel runout!! Mum received a bill yesterday for £282. Please tell me if you feel that replacing expensive parts in this ad hoc method of fixing is fair, indeed usual in this trade. Thank you. Boiler is Wall Star by HRM.
Boiler problem after oil re-fill!
- Thread starter seve
- Start date
I dont think that its very "fair" but its quite common.
Firstly there are many in the boiler repair business whose diagnostic skills are not very good! They change parts until they find it works.
Then there are those faults which are genuinely difficult to find. I dont work on many oil boilers but I do read about the faults on here and motor-pump alignment problems often feature.
Anyone who uses oil needs to be aware of the problems which can arise if the oil is allowed to run dry.
There is an arrangement whereby the tank lever is remotely monitored and a delivery is activated when the level gets low.
I think that most people would say that if you cannot keep a check on the tank levels then thats only what is to be expected.
Tony
Firstly there are many in the boiler repair business whose diagnostic skills are not very good! They change parts until they find it works.
Then there are those faults which are genuinely difficult to find. I dont work on many oil boilers but I do read about the faults on here and motor-pump alignment problems often feature.
Anyone who uses oil needs to be aware of the problems which can arise if the oil is allowed to run dry.
There is an arrangement whereby the tank lever is remotely monitored and a delivery is activated when the level gets low.
I think that most people would say that if you cannot keep a check on the tank levels then thats only what is to be expected.
Tony
I could have added that if the oil is run down to empty then in addition to getting airlocked, the sludge from the bottom of the tank is then getting into the feed pipe and risking blocking that as well as blocking the oil filter.
If any dirt gets past the filter then it can seize up the pump. Or if the filter is carelessly cleaned then again dirt can get into the pump.
Oil pumps are precision parts and run with very small clearances and can seize up with a very small amount of dirt.
Tony
If any dirt gets past the filter then it can seize up the pump. Or if the filter is carelessly cleaned then again dirt can get into the pump.
Oil pumps are precision parts and run with very small clearances and can seize up with a very small amount of dirt.
Tony
HRM Wallstars are usually sited above the tank. Therefore in the event of oil run out the fuel will need to be primed (not bled). This involves starting the burner with slackened bleed nut and rag at the ready, when oil exits and air bubbles extracted burner should fire and bleed port closed. Minute, barely visible bubbles are sometimes created thereafter the higher boiler is from ground but are dispersed through the nozzle.
If pump fails to pull oil or excessive air collects, fuel delivery including non-return valve should be examined before checking burner parts. At a guess OP, it could be your repairer gave up on this after trying to vent oil uphill.
If pump fails to pull oil or excessive air collects, fuel delivery including non-return valve should be examined before checking burner parts. At a guess OP, it could be your repairer gave up on this after trying to vent oil uphill.
Cheers. last question to any one with an opinion. Is it simply too much of a coincidence that the photo cell would have failed at same time as the run out of oil and is the more likely scenario probably linked to the pump? I want to be fair to the service company but obviously don't want my mum to be unfairly treated. Thanks once again.
W
wilhelm
sounds a right dogs breakfast.
Whilst the obvious thought is that there was little wrong apart from an air locked fuel supply, its not uncommon to find that one small problem being investigated leads to the discovery of several other faults.
The same people who dont check oil tank levels are usually the same ones who never get it serviced and only call someone on a breakdown.
Oil boilers particularly need a regular full service every 12 months maximum.
Tony
Hmmmmm
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