Oil boiler won't start......

[kkelly77]

......and it's freezing!!!

Ran out of heating oil a few days ago and got the tank refilled. Only tried to turn the heating on now and the boiler wouldn't fire up. This has happened before after the oil has ran out completely. Usually an airlock which I know how to sort out. Tried this to sort out the problem and the boiler did seem to fire up but checked it a few minutes later only to find it had died again. Turned up the thermostat and hit the reset on the boiler and it did fire up. However, checked it again a few minutes later and it was dead as a dodo.

Any ideas? It's getting difficult to type as my fingers freeze over

K

 

[dontknowitall]

Depending on the burner and pump you might need a 4mm allen key or a 14mm spanner and you need to access the part of the pump where an oil gauge is attached. Have a hunt in your boiler manual. Search a little on this forum for bleed and there are one or two other threads about this.

How many times have you tried firing it up after lock up? Just once? You can try around 4 times without doing damage.

 

[kkelly77]

Depending on the burner and pump you might need a 4mm allen key or a 14mm spanner and you need to access the part of the pump where an oil gauge is attached. Have a hunt in your boiler manual. Search a little on this forum for bleed and there are one or two other threads about this.

How many times have you tried firing it up after lock up? Just once? You can try around 4 times without doing damage.

Just tried a couple of times, only fired once though. Not responding now. It's a Warmflow 70/90 boiler. Found a manual but only reference to bleeding in the manual is a Pressure gauge port/air bleed.

 

[dontknowitall]

That's the bit you need to undo. Use a piece of kitchen roll to catch the oil when it starts coming out then tighten it well (but not TOO tight) then try again!

 

[kkelly77]

That's the bit you need to undo. Use a piece of kitchen roll to catch the oil when it starts coming out then tighten it well (but not TOO tight) then try again!

Just switched on the CH there and it sounded like the boiler was trying to start again. Went for about a minute then stopped again. Have tried bleeding several times from the pressure gauge port (part 8 in the attached image), each time oil came out and no sound of any escaping air.

 

[dontknowitall]

The oil is there now so no need for more bleeding. (You won't hear air as there's not much pressure!)

Sounds like a different problem now. To be honest it sounds as if something different is at fault now - my guess, without knowing more and without asking for more information, is it's the solenoid but it is only a guess. Unless you're reasonably competent, I'm afraid it's time to phone your boilerman. Frustrating I know, but it will take loads of posts and messages here and lead to even more frustration!

 

[Puddle]

check in line oil filter,maybe full of rubbish from the tank being run dry a few times

 

[Dotty]

Clean the photocell