guide to find a professional service person to assist with repairs. It’s important to leave complex repairs to the experts, as attempting to fix them yourself can be dangerous and may cause further damage to the furnace. By following these maintenance tips, you can help ensure that your oil furnace runs smoothly and efficiently throughout the heating season.
To find a solution to your oil furnace or oil heater problems, use the troubleshooting chart provided on the next page. Additionally, for more home repair articles, follow the links below. These articles cover topics such as furnace maintenance, major and small appliance repair, and thermostat maintenance. Cleaning or replacing filters is a simple task that can greatly improve the performance of an oil furnace. Use the troubleshooting chart to identify the possible cause and solution for various issues, such as a furnace that won’t run, a burner that won’t fire, or not enough heat. From checking for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers to cleaning oil filters and pump strainers, this chart can help save time and money by identifying simple fixes for common problems. If the issue persists, it’s recommended to call a professional.
incorrectly.
panels.
or damaged.
belts; replace worn or damaged belts.
loose or too tight.
requires lubrication.
have oil ports.
Oil filters should be changed twice a year. Discover when and how to do it on the subsequent page.
For more articles on home repair, explore the following links.
- Furnace Maintenance: Save yourself time and money by learning the steps to keep your furnace in optimal condition.
- Major Appliance Repair: If your furnace isn’t the only faulty appliance in your house, acquire the knowledge to fix other machines in this article.
- Small Appliance Repair: Once you’ve tackled the furnace, repairing a toaster or blender seems like child’s play. Learn how to fix them here.
- Thermostat Maintenance: To ensure that there’s truly a problem with your heating system, you may want to check the thermostat as well. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.
How To Clean and Replace Oil Furnace Filters
The oil filter should be changed or cleaned at the beginning of the heating season and about halfway through the season. Learn how to clean or replace the filter below:
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 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 that 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.
How to Clean the Pump Strainer on Your Oil Furnace
If you’re having trouble with your oil furnace, it could be because the pump strainer is clogged with sludge. Here’s how you can clean it:
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You’ll want to have these tools on hand to clean the pump strainer:
Step 3: Soak the strainer in kerosene for several minutes to loosen any built-up sludge. Carefully clean the strainer with an old, soft toothbrush. Step 4: Inspect the strainer. If it’s torn or badly bent, replace it with a new pump strainer of the same type. Step 5: Set the strainer into place on the pump, place a new gasket on the rim, and bolt the cover of the pump housing back on. Sometimes the problem is not in the filter but in the stack control, a safety device that shuts down the furnace. Find out how to check it and what to do about it on the next page. |
For more articles on home repair, check out the following links:
- Furnace Maintenance: Save yourself time and money by learning the steps to keep your furnace in prime condition.
- Major Appliance Repair: If the furnace isn’t the only thing in your house on the fritz, you can learn how to fix other machines in this article.
- Small Appliance Repair: Once you’ve tackled the furnace, a toaster or blender seems like child’s play. Find out how to fix them here.
- Thermostat Maintenance: To make sure there’s actually a problem with your heating system, you may want to check the thermostat, too. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.
How to Clean the Oil Furnace Stack Control
The stack control of the oil furnace is a safety device that monitors the operation of the oil burner. If the burner fails to ignite, the stack control shuts off the motor. However, a furnace shutdown is occasionally caused by a malfunctioning stack control rather than by the burner. Here’s how to clean it:
burner fails to ignite, check the fuel tank and refill it if needed. If the tank doesn’t need refilling, press the reset button on the stack control. If the burner still doesn’t ignite, clean the control to remove soot. If the burner still won’t operate, call a professional service person. To keep the stack control functioning properly, clean it every month or as soon as it becomes soot-covered. Follow these steps to clean the stack control: remove bolts holding the control in the stack, pull out the sensor and its housing, remove soot from the control with a brush dipped in soapy water, wipe control dry with a soft cloth, clean the stack, and reassemble the sections in reverse order. If the furnace has an electric-eye safety switch, remove the access cover over the photocell, wipe it clean of soot, replace the cover, and turn the power back on. Do not attempt to replace these controls yourself. You can set the switches, which must be ON for the furnace to operate. Some oil furnaces have two master switches, one near the burner unit and the other near the furnace housing. Make sure they are both ON. The limit switch is a safety control switch located on the furnace below the plenum.
If the plenum of an oil furnace becomes too hot, the limit switch will shut off the burner and the blower will also shut off when the temperature drops to a certain level. If the blower runs continuously, it could be due to the blower control on the thermostat being set to the ON position or the limit control switch needing an adjustment. To determine the issue, the thermostat should be checked. If the blower control is set to ON, it should be changed to AUTO. If the blower control is already on AUTO, the limit switch may need adjusting. To adjust it, the control cover should be removed, and the toothed dial underneath should be located. One side of the dial is marked LIMIT and should not be touched. The other side is marked FAN, and there are two pointers on that side. The blower turns on at the upper pointer setting and shuts off at the lower pointer setting. The pointers should be set about 25 degrees apart, with the upper pointer at around 115 degrees Fahrenheit and the lower one at about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The draft regulator is located on the stack and is closed when the burner is off but opens automatically when the burner is turned on to allow air into the chimney. Signs that the draft regulator needs to be adjusted include accumulated soot and rattling. Too much air in the chimney wastes heat, and too little air wastes fuel by failing to burn it completely. To increase the airflow, the counterweight should be screwed inward, and to decrease airflow, it should be turned outward. A professional service person should adjust the draft regulator as part of regular annual maintenance.
It is not recommended to try to adjust the burner of an oil furnace. A professional service person should be called in to handle major problems with an oil furnace. However, with the information in this article, most problems with an oil furnace can be handled. For more articles on home repair, check out the links provided.
FAQ
1. What are the most common problems with oil furnaces?
Some of the most common problems with oil furnaces include clogged air filters, malfunctioning thermostats, faulty ignition systems, and worn out motors. Additionally, oil furnaces may experience issues with fuel delivery, such as clogged fuel lines or a malfunctioning fuel pump. These problems can lead to reduced efficiency, increased energy costs, and even a complete breakdown of the furnace.
2. Can I repair an oil furnace on my own, or should I hire a professional?
While there are some basic maintenance tasks that homeowners can perform on their own, such as replacing air filters or cleaning the furnace, most repairs should be left to a professional. Repairing an oil furnace requires specialized knowledge and tools, and can be dangerous if not done properly. Additionally, attempting to repair the furnace on your own could void your warranty or insurance coverage.
3. How often should I have my oil furnace serviced?
It is recommended that oil furnaces be serviced at least once a year by a professional technician. This will help to ensure that the furnace is operating at peak efficiency, and can identify any potential problems before they become major issues. Regular maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your furnace and reduce the risk of breakdowns.
4. What is involved in an oil furnace tune-up?
An oil furnace tune-up typically includes cleaning the furnace and replacing the air filter, checking and adjusting the burner and ignition system, inspecting the fuel delivery system, and testing the furnace’s performance. The technician may also make recommendations for any necessary repairs or upgrades to improve the furnace’s efficiency.
5. How can I prevent problems with my oil furnace?
The best way to prevent problems with your oil furnace is to schedule regular maintenance with a professional technician. Additionally, homeowners can take steps to ensure that the furnace is operating properly, such as keeping the area around the furnace clear of debris and checking the fuel level regularly. It is also important to address any issues with the furnace as soon as they arise, rather than waiting for them to become major problems.
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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