Why Is the Fuel Oil Furnace Smoking & Why Won't It Restart?

When your household’s fuel oil furnace fails to restart or starts smoking, it can ruin your day. There are a few reasons for oil burner problems which you’re able to check out and fix by yourself. But there are other potential oil burner malfunctions which will demand a visit from the heating service technician to correct.

Burner Won’t Restart

If your oil burner does not restart, check for obvious problems. Make sure the oil tank has fuel. Check that the main power switch for the chimney is on, that there is no open circuit breaker or blown fuse, and no cracked or loose wiring. Check that the thermostat hasn’t been set too low and that the furnace vents and filters are clear. Check for loose or broken wires in the thermostat. Press the red restart button in the burner; if the burner trips off again, then you should call for support. Some things your service technician may check are petroleum pump operation, the transformer and igniter, electrode adjustment, the burner nozzle and fuel filter.

Smoking Furnace

An oil burner which starts smoking usually needs a visit from a repair support. The nozzle might be slightly plugged. The unit might require an adjustment of the fuel-air mixture or the timing of the ignitor. The burner’s air consumption might be improperly limited or the chimney or heat exchanger might be plugged. Potential cures for a smoky burner comprise replacing or cleaning the nozzle, adjusting the burner to manufacturer specifications and checking the chimney and heat exchanger to be sure they are clear.

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