guide above to troubleshoot and determine if it’s a simple fix or if you need to call in a professional. Remember, routine maintenance can help prevent many problems with your oil furnace, but for more complex issues, it’s best to leave it to the experts.
If you are experiencing problems with your oil furnace or oil heater, you can use the troubleshooting chart provided on the next page to find a solution. Additionally, there are several articles available on home repair that can help you with maintaining and fixing your furnace, as well as other appliances in your home. These include Furnace Maintenance, Major Appliance Repair, Small Appliance Repair, and Thermostat Maintenance.
Cleaning or replacing filters is a simple task that can often solve problems with oil furnaces that are not performing as well as they should be. The troubleshooting chart provided can help identify potential causes and solutions to issues you may be experiencing with your furnace. It covers problems such as the furnace not running, the burner not firing, and not enough heat being produced.
It is important to check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers at the main entrance panel or a separate entrance panel and restore the circuit. You should also ensure that any separate power switches on or near the furnace are turned on. If there is no fuel, check the tank and refill if necessary. Fuel line blockages can be resolved by cleaning the oil filter and oil pump strainer.
For issues with the burner not firing, check for fuel and press the reset button on the stack control. If necessary, clean the stack control. If there is no ignition spark, clean the safety if the furnace has an electric-eye safety. If not, call a professional.
If there is not enough heat being produced, check that the thermostat is not set too low and raise it by 5° if necessary. Clean or replace any dirty air filters, clean the blower assembly if it is clogged, and ensure that all registers are open and not blocked by objects. Balance the system if it is out of balance and adjust or replace any loose or broken blower belts.
If your furnace turns on and off repeatedly, clean or replace any dirty air or oil filters and lubricate any motor and blower oil ports if necessary. Clean the blower assembly if it is clogged. If none of these solutions work, call a professional for assistance.
incorrectly.
panels.
or damaged.
or damaged belts.
loose or too tight.
requires lubrication.
ports, lubricate them.
Oil filters should be changed twice a year. Discover when and how to do it on the next page.
For more articles on home repair, check out the following links.
- Furnace Maintenance: Save time and money by learning how to keep your furnace in optimal condition.
- Major Appliance Repair: If the furnace isn’t the only appliance in your house that’s not working, you can learn how to fix other machines from this article.
- Small Appliance Repair: Once you’ve tackled the furnace, fixing a toaster or blender seems easy. Learn how to fix them here.
- Thermostat Maintenance: To ensure there is actually an issue with your heating system, you might want to check the thermostat as well. Discover how to calibrate a thermostat.
How To Clean and Replace Oil Furnace Filters
The oil filter should be changed or cleaned at the start of the heating season and about midway through the season. Here’s how to clean or replace the filter:
Step 1: Close the oil shutoff valve between the fuel tank and filter.
Step 2: Unscrew the bottom or cup of the filter housing and remove the filter.
Step 3: If the filter is disposable, insert a new one of the same size and type. If the furnace has a permanent filter, clean the filter according to the furnace manufacturer’s recommendations.
Step 4: Replace the old filter gaskets with new ones.
Step 5: Screw in the bottom of the housing and open the oil shutoff valve.
Some oil furnaces have a pump strainer, which is located on the pump attached to the burner/blower unit. Clean this strainer when you clean the oil filter. Here’s how:
Step 1: Unbolt the cover of the pump housing (where the oil line enters the burner) and lift off the cover.
Step 2: Remove the thin gasket around the rim. Find and remove the strainer, which is a cylindrical or cup-shaped wire mesh screen.
To clean the pump strainer, you will need a wrench, kerosene, an old toothbrush, and a replacement pump strainer with a gasket. Soak the strainer in kerosene to loosen any sludge buildup and then carefully clean it with the toothbrush. If the strainer is torn or bent, replace it with a new one of the same type. Set the strainer in place on the pump, put the new gasket on the rim, and bolt the cover of the pump housing back on. If the furnace is not working properly, it could be due to a malfunctioning stack control, which can be found in the stack of the oil furnace. This safety device monitors the oil burner’s operation and will shut off the motor if the burner fails to ignite. However, a furnace shutdown can also be caused by a faulty stack control. Check out the links for more home repair articles, including furnace maintenance, major and small appliance repair, and thermostat maintenance.
burner fails to ignite, check the fuel tank and refill if needed. If the tank is not the issue, try pressing the reset button on the stack control. If the burner still will not ignite, clean the control. The stack control becomes coated with soot during the heating season, so it is important to clean it monthly or when it becomes soot-covered.
To clean the stack control, first remove the bolts that hold it in the stack and pull out the sensor and its housing. Then, using a brush dipped in soapy water, remove all the soot from the control and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Before replacing the control, clean the stack and remove soot and debris from each section. Then reassemble the stack in reverse order, making sure the sections are properly aligned and connected. Finally, reposition the stack control in the stack and reseal the connection to the chimney with refractory cement.
If your burner has an electric-eye safety switch instead of a stack control, remove the access cover over the photocell and wipe it clean to remove soot. If the burner still does not ignite, call a professional service person.
It is important to note that attempting to replace these controls yourself is not recommended. However, you can set the switches, which must be turned on for the furnace to operate. Some oil furnaces may have two master switches, one located near the burner unit and the other near the furnace housing. Make sure both switches are turned to the on position.
The limit switch, a safety control switch, is located on the furnace just below the plenum. If the burner fails to ignite, check the fuel tank and refill if necessary. If the tank is not the issue, try pressing the reset button on the stack control. If the burner still will not ignite, call a professional service person.
For more information on home repair, check out our other articles on furnace maintenance, major appliance repair, small appliance repair, and thermostat maintenance.
When the plenum of an oil furnace becomes too hot, the limit switch will shut off the burner and the blower. If the blower runs continuously, it may be because the blower control on the thermostat has been set to ON or the limit control switch needs to be adjusted. To diagnose the issue, check the thermostat and change the blower control to AUTO if necessary. If the blower control is already on AUTO, the limit switch needs to be adjusted. To do this, remove the control’s cover and find the toothed dial underneath. One side is marked LIMIT, which should not be touched, and the other side is marked FAN. There are two pointers on the fan side which should be set about 25 degrees apart. Set the upper pointer at about 115 degrees Fahrenheit and the lower one at about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The draft regulator, located on the stack, is closed when the burner is off but opens automatically when the burner is turned on to let air into the chimney. Accumulated soot and rattling are signs that the draft regulator needs to be adjusted. To increase the airflow, screw the counterweight inward, and to decrease airflow, turn the counterweight outward. The draft regulator should be adjusted by a professional service person as part of regular annual maintenance.
It is not advisable to try to adjust the burner of an oil furnace by oneself; it is better to call a professional service person. While major problems with an oil furnace cannot be fixed by the homeowner, this article provides enough information to handle most of the issues that may arise. For more articles on home repair, check out the links provided.
FAQ
1. What are the common problems with oil furnaces?
There are several common problems that can occur with oil furnaces, including clogged filters, malfunctioning thermostats, ignition issues, and fuel delivery problems. These problems can result in reduced heating efficiency, inconsistent heating, or even a complete shutdown of the furnace.
2. Can I troubleshoot my oil furnace on my own?
It is possible to troubleshoot some minor problems with your oil furnace on your own, such as checking the thermostat settings, replacing clogged filters, or resetting the furnace. However, more complex issues, such as fuel delivery problems or ignition issues, may require professional assistance.
3. How often should I schedule maintenance for my oil furnace?
It is recommended to schedule annual maintenance for your oil furnace to ensure that it is operating efficiently and safely. During this maintenance, a professional technician will inspect and clean the furnace, check for any issues, and make any necessary repairs.
4. What are the signs that my oil furnace needs repair?
Some common signs that your oil furnace needs repair include strange noises coming from the furnace, reduced heating efficiency, inconsistent heating, or a complete shutdown of the furnace. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to schedule a repair as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the furnace.
5. How much does it cost to repair an oil furnace?
The cost to repair an oil furnace can vary depending on the extent of the damage and the necessary repairs. Minor repairs, such as replacing filters or resetting the furnace, may only cost a few hundred dollars. However, more complex repairs, such as replacing the furnace motor or fuel delivery system, can cost several thousand dollars.
Brody is a skilled craftsman and gardening expert. From renovating living spaces to cultivating lush gardens, Brody’s knowledge and passion shine through, inspiring readers to embark on their own home improvement and gardening journeys with confidence.
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