Co issue last night

Post Reply
 
mcguirehg
Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Mon. Sep. 17, 2012 9:34 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Coal Size/Type: rice

Post by mcguirehg » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 9:23 am

We have an oil boiler and efm stoker. We turned on the oil boiler when we left for town. Yesterday the house had a slight smell. Smells like combustion back up. Last night the co detectors went off and the smell was terrible. We shut down the system and aired out the house. We don’t burn the coal and oil at the same time. Is it likely to be a blockage in the chimney or an oil boiler issue? I will take the pipes apart today and vacuum out the pipes. I may also have the main chimney swept out by the chimney folks. Any advice?

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17981
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 9:26 am

Could be a draft issue, either by blockage or improperly adjusted baro. Could also be an issue with the oil burner. Start simple and make sure the pipes and chimney are clear.

 
User avatar
McGiever
Member
Posts: 10130
Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 9:42 am

Manometer reading while on oil should give clue as to draft then.
Agree with stove pipe inspection as well as with the chimney for restrictions.

 
franco b
Site Moderator
Posts: 11416
Joined: Wed. Nov. 05, 2008 5:11 pm
Location: Kent CT
Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
Coal Size/Type: nut and pea

Post by franco b » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 9:48 am

If these are two separate boilers into one flue, then the air intake of whatever one is not in use will leak air and lower draft to the other.


 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 11:27 am

Always thought CO was odorless??????????????????????

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17981
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 11:37 am

It is...but an oil burner produces other gasses that are not odorless.

 
User avatar
coaledsweat
Site Moderator
Posts: 13763
Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 12:03 pm

If these two boilers are on two flues in one chimney it could be back drafting from the one running to the one that isn't. Not uncommon for this to happen. Crack a window until you can get a baffle between the flues if this is the case.

 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 1:03 pm

Figured, but noticed it wasn't mentioned previously with OP stating CO problem but not burning both at the same time.


 
mcguirehg
Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Mon. Sep. 17, 2012 9:34 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Coal Size/Type: rice

Post by mcguirehg » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 6:28 pm

I took the chimney apart and observed major black soot from the oil boiler. I cleaned the chimney leading to the flue. The oil boiler was serviced a few months ago. It was tuned up and vacuumed. My boiler guy is out of town, but will come to take a look when he returns. I wonder what would cause all the black soot from the oil boiler? This could of had the potential of causing a mess after looking at the mess of the pipes.

 
franco b
Site Moderator
Posts: 11416
Joined: Wed. Nov. 05, 2008 5:11 pm
Location: Kent CT
Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
Coal Size/Type: nut and pea

Post by franco b » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 6:32 pm

Modern oil burners have zero smoke or close to it. You should ask for a smoke test when the expert returns.

 
User avatar
McGiever
Member
Posts: 10130
Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 6:34 pm

Nozzle meters amount of fuel atomized then air from blower adjustable band meters a ratio of the air to have complete combustion...your's is not complete combustion as soot is unburnt carbon and more...

 
User avatar
VigIIPeaBurner
Member
Posts: 2579
Joined: Fri. Jan. 11, 2008 10:49 am
Location: Pequest River Valley, Warren Co NJ
Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Keystoker Koker(down)
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vermont Casting Vigilant II 2310
Other Heating: #2 Oil Furnace

Post by VigIIPeaBurner » Sun. Dec. 29, 2019 9:30 am

McGiever wrote:
Sat. Dec. 28, 2019 6:34 pm
Nozzle meters amount of fuel atomized then air from blower adjustable band meters a ratio of the air to have complete combustion...your's is not complete combustion as soot is unburnt carbon and more...
Taking McGiever's explanation one step further, two electrodes spaced a prescribed distance away and below the nozzle. The two electrodes acting as a spark plug to ignite the oil spray have to be gapped properly also. Those dimensions are usually specified by the burner manufacturer for each model.

 
Notashotashell
New Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu. Jan. 23, 2020 8:59 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM S20
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Not yet
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: None

Post by Notashotashell » Sun. Jan. 26, 2020 8:57 pm

Code is that the two flue heights are offset in height by at least 6" to prevent backdrafting exhaust from one down the other - Had a big problem with that last August with coal flue drafting into my house from the fireplace flue. I raise my fireplace flue to stop this from happening because it is used infrequently now.

Post Reply

Return to “Coal Bins, Chimneys, CO Detectors & Thermostats”