Posted by Richard Bradley on October 23, 2001 at 06:23:50:
I now believe my boiler problems relate to the ignitor (correct term?) so I have some related questions. When the pump is pumping oil into the boiler, is it atomized into a fine mist? I have a screw on the side of the pump which I assume is either the oil flow control or the air flow to mix with oil control. What do I need to do to pproperly adjust it? I am operating under the assumption that the air or oil flow may be blowing out the ignitor.
If not, maybe the electric ignitor is not sparking. Two possibilities, one that a safety device is shutting off the ignitor, but the pump motor comes on - wouldn't the pump motor also be shut off? The second possibility is that the ignitor is defective (it worked only once) or out of adjustment. What is the correct gap for the electrodes? How can I test to see if the electrodes are working?
Finally, I originally had a problem of water in the oil but this was pumped out and the oil supplier tipped the oil storage tank to avoid any water remaining, but could thsi still be a problem - could the oil have just enough water to prevent ignition?