Co issue last night
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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?
- Rob R.
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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.
- McGiever
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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.
Agree with stove pipe inspection as well as with the chimney for restrictions.
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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.
- freetown fred
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Always thought CO was odorless??????????????????????
- coaledsweat
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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.
- freetown fred
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Figured, but noticed it wasn't mentioned previously with OP stating CO problem but not burning both at the same time.
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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.
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Modern oil burners have zero smoke or close to it. You should ask for a smoke test when the expert returns.
- McGiever
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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...
- VigIIPeaBurner
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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.
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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.