oil burner problems

[zorro]

guys,
I've got this old boiler at home,but enough about the wife. My central heating boiler is a Grant50-90 with a Grant Minor 1 burner. The problem is that it isn't coming on at the pre-set time and when i press the re-set switch on the control box I will sometimes have to do this 3,4, sometimes 5 times before the burner ignites.
Can someone give me a clue as to what i should be investigating/replacing please.

Zorro

 

[simond]

Oil supply firstly, particularly if pump sounds strained.

Ignition electrodes condition and positioning.

 

[Boilerman2]

When you press reset button for the 1st time what happens? does it try to run as normal or do you just hear a dull humming noise? if just a hum, replace the motor Capacitor (your Grant is vquite old, as they stopped using the Ecoflam Minor Burner many years ago!!)

 

[wiss]

Exactly what is happening when you reset it the first few times???

 

[zorro]

Thanks to Simond, boilerman2 and Wiss for your replies, all gratefully accepted and very much appreciated.

Yes, if the boiler doesn't fire after pushing the re-set button, there is a hum/buzz noise for around 30-45 seconds. I would of course wait for that to subside before pressing again.A successful start up is accompanied by an almost instantaneous rushing sound as the boiler prepares to ignite.

 

[Boilerman2]

As already said replace Capacitor, (its located in a black plastic canister fixed to the front of the burner motor below the control box, you have to remove two small pozidriv screws to remove plastic cover, a 3-5 U/a Capacitor is to be found under the cover - replace this if it fixes the problem great - (cheap) if not motor or oil pump may be sticking (more expensive))