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Posted by Speedy Jim on May 24, 2008, 9:12 pm
Michael Muderick wrote:
> I have a 30 year old Texaco boiler with a summer winter hookup. Whenever
> the heater comes on, there's an oilsmell strongest near the basement
> steps, over the oiltank- heater is at other end of basement. It's a
> fairly small basement though.
> We were going to replace the heater, but someone suggested that this is
> a repairable problem. Something about not all the burners firing, or
> something like that. We have a contract for maintenance/cleanout, but
> no one has identified the problem. Is there something particular we
> should look for? We have no gas service in the house, so that's too
> expensive an option to convert. TIA for any suggestions.
>
> mm
It's possible for oil vapors to be given off by the tank
via a tiny leakage path as the burner pump starts.
And it doesn't take much vapor to be noticeable and
irritating.
As one example, if the tank has a gauge on it, the
gauge housing could be leaking vapor but never show oil dripping.
It could also be a puff of oil vapor (unburned) at the start of
firing which escapes thru the draft regulator or loose flue sections.
A combustible gas sensor/meter can locate small vapor sources like
this fairly easily.
im
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