| Beckett Oil Burners are a very dependable oil | | | | hard to figure out. Another problem with changing |
| burner. Like anything mechanical, they will have | | | | the oil pump out, is that the proper equipment is |
| failures from time to time. Basic check number 1, | | | | needed to tune up the oil burner after the new |
| does the burner have power supplied to it? Check | | | | pump is installed. |
| this with a volt meter. I have seen breakers or | | | | The more common problem that is oil related |
| fuses that look like they are okay. When checked | | | | would be a clogged oil filter. I probably should have |
| with a meter they are found to be tripped or bad. | | | | addressed that sooner. It is very common for the |
| I cannot tell you how many times I have been | | | | filter to get plugged by dirt or water. Replacing |
| called out to fix an oil furnace, only to have to | | | | the oil filter is fairly easy to do and should be |
| turn a breaker back on or replace a fuse. Power | | | | done at least once a year. A very dirty load of oil |
| surges, lightning, or low voltage can often cause | | | | can plug up an oil filter very quickly. A new oil filter |
| this type of thing. | | | | is very handy to have available at all times. |
| Once the power is verified you can then begin to | | | | The oil nozzle also can be a problem area. This |
| check that the controls are functioning properly. | | | | nozzle sprays the oil into the combustion chamber |
| First, find the red button on the gray box and | | | | at a very high pressure. The oil is broken down to |
| push it. I could tell you to reset the Protectorelay, | | | | a fine mist to make it burn more effectively and |
| but many of you would not have a clue what | | | | efficiently. Because of the very fine hole that the |
| that is, so the red button on the gray box will do | | | | oil must go through, even very small pieces of |
| for now. Does the motor start when you do this? | | | | dirt can cause major problems. The oil nozzle |
| If not, then check the power to the motor. This | | | | assembly is under the transformer and can be |
| is best done by taking the gray box off and | | | | removed by unhooking the oil line from the pump. |
| checking the power at the wires going to the | | | | Taking the lock nut off, then sliding the nozzle |
| motor. Always remember to use care with the | | | | assembly back and up out through the hole. |
| hot wires and to shut off the power before | | | | Two wrenches should always be used to remove |
| disconnecting any wires. If there is power to the | | | | the nozzle. The nozzle should always be replaced |
| motor, check the reset button on the motor. It is | | | | using one that is exactly the same flow, angle, |
| a tiny red button on the side usually about | | | | and spray pattern as the removed nozzle. Even if |
| halfway around the back of the motor at the | | | | it is replaced with the exact same nozzle, the oil |
| worst possible spot to get to. If the motor hums, | | | | burner should have a tune up as soon as possible |
| but does not run then try to turn the blower | | | | after replacement. All nozzles are not created |
| under the transformer. The transformer is the | | | | totally equal and even very subtle difference can |
| black box on the top beside the gray box. If the | | | | affect the performance of the oil burner. |
| blower will not turn, then take the two screws | | | | This is in no way a complete problem guide for oil |
| out that hold the pump and remove the pump. | | | | burners. It will give you some basic things to look |
| Does the motor start now? | | | | at if your oil burner stops working and you need |
| Here are the options then for what we know so | | | | to try to make it run for now. A professional |
| far. With the pump removed does the motor run? | | | | tune up with a combustion analyzer is always |
| If so, then the oil pump probably is bad and will | | | | recommended for any oi fired appliance at least |
| not turn. Replace the pump and everything should | | | | once yearly. After any replacements or |
| work. If the motor still just hums, then replace | | | | adjustments of any kind a new analysis needs to |
| the motor. Of course if there is power to the | | | | be completed. An oil burner that is not properly |
| motor and the reset is not tripped then the | | | | tuned will waste oil and cause many problems |
| motor is bad and needs to be replaced. That | | | | with soot build up, that will in turn cause more |
| should take care of the motor issues. If none of | | | | problems.With oil burners it never pays to try and |
| that is the cause of the problem then we need to | | | | cut corners. This will almost always come back to |
| dig deeper. | | | | you many times over with more problems. |
| The transformer is another problem that can be | | | | This was intended to be a very basic emergency |
| very common with these oil burners. With the | | | | guide to help get your oil burner running if the |
| motor running, carefully rock the transformer | | | | problem was a basic one. Oil burners are delicate |
| back on it's hinges and look for sparks in the | | | | burning machines that need lots of tender loving |
| compartment. The sparks should look like little | | | | care to give them a long life. Make sure that you |
| lightning bolts flying around in there. If the sparks | | | | have a professional tune up your oil burner at |
| are very weak or yellow in color, then replace the | | | | least once a year to get the most out of your oil. |
| transformer. If there are no sparks and there is | | | | There are other issues that could come up that I |
| confirmed power going to the transformer. The | | | | could not address here. As I said oil burners are |
| transformer is also bad and needs to be replaced. | | | | quite complicated and there are many |
| Oil pumps rarely go bad and if they do, they are | | | | combination's of problems that can happen. |