mookaloid
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 08:13 PM |
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Oil fired boiler question
Any oil boiler techies on?
I got a Worcester Greenstar 12/18 kw oil boiler.
It won't fire up, if I press the big red button the fan comes on and I get a spark. Some oil comes through - it ignites and cuts out straight
away.
Any ideas please?
Thanks in advance
Mark
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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Toys2
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 08:17 PM |
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No expert, I have a similar boiler, once (after it had been serviced) I had to reset it, If I recall correctly there is a reset button behind the
front cover - slightly hidden by the front controls panel?
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mookaloid
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 08:19 PM |
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Yep that's the big red button 
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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mark chandler
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 08:50 PM |
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Bit cold to be without, on balanced flue boilers you have a little pipes that respond to air pressure in the exit of the exhaust, if these get sooted
up or a tiny bit of debris then the boiler believes the vent is blocked, fires and cuts out immediately.
Is the exhaust all clean and clear?
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sprintB+
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 08:52 PM |
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inside the head you will find a "magic eye" it senses the flame, if its dirty it will not sense flame and cut the oil off. Look for a
small cable going into the burner head, normally they are a loose fit, pull it out clean it and try again, if it fails to light you have a faulty
sensor. Have you had it serviced recently ?
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mookaloid
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 09:00 PM |
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Ok not a balanced flue so I don't think it's that.
I checked the magic eye and it is very clean.
I guess it might be that then, is there any way to check it?
Was serviced last year. Is the magic eye a service item?
Cheers Mark
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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hizzi
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 09:13 PM |
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is your greenstar the condensing version? if so blocked or dirty condensate will cut it off as well. have you checked your oil level?
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mookaloid
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 09:17 PM |
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Yep condensing. Condensate pipe clear.
Oil tank nearly full
No air in system tiger loop fitted - I checked the bleed screw anyway
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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obfripper
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 09:27 PM |
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The photocell should have 0.5-20k ohm resistance in bright light, >500k ohm in the dark, you should be able to get one from most plumbing suppliers
from stock.
Dave
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mookaloid
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 09:42 PM |
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ok measuring it now
if I'm reading the meter correctly: in bright light it's about 0.3k ohm in the dark its off the scale
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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v8kid
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 10:12 PM |
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I had similar problem it was sooted up it seems that condensing boilers need frequent servicing. Remember your guarantee is for 7 years with bosche
Cheers
You'd be surprised how quickly the sales people at B&Q try and assist you after ignoring you for the past 15 minutes when you try and start a
chainsaw
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hizzi
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| posted on 17/2/16 at 07:46 AM |
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bosch seven year warranty is subject to the boiler being serviced yearly. so many folk get caught out by that. doesnt have to be worcester that
services it, as long as oftec number or gas safe number is put in the book
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mookaloid
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| posted on 17/2/16 at 08:12 AM |
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In true locost fashion, the boiler is second hand off ebay so no warranty.....
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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sprintB+
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| posted on 17/2/16 at 11:35 AM |
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I'm not saying this is the right thing to do,BUT, put the boiler in run, shine a bright torch into the magic eye, if it stays lit, OK. Then
quickly remove the torch and see if it cuts out. If it does your sensor is OK. Sometimes the flame pattern is interrupted by dirt and the sensor cant
see it, but that is extreme.
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mookaloid
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| posted on 17/2/16 at 11:55 AM |
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Buying a new magic eye today will try this evening......
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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dmac
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| posted on 17/2/16 at 05:55 PM |
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The photocell works a solenoid on the pump and these used to fail regularly on mine giving the symptoms you describe, trace the cable back from the
photocell to find it. Once you find the part number it can be replaced easily.
Dmac
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mookaloid
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| posted on 17/2/16 at 07:23 PM |
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Thanks all.
Eventually I worked out that the oil wasn't coming through as well as it should.
I stripped the pump down and cleaned /blew out with compressed air and it all works perfectly now.
Thanks for all the suggestions
Radiators toasty warm again 
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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