Oil Smell from Warmflow, Whitebird 70/90 Boiler

[Peter Bichener]

This boiler is 13 years old and housed in the downstairs WC. Recently it began to smell strongly of oil (I don't think fume, see later) my engineer could find nothing wrong. We went away for two weeks and the boiler was turned off; on our return the smell was very very bad (obviously not fume). I removed the front cover and the flexible hose joining the copper supply pipe to the boiler was wet with oil (I guess previously it just evaporated when the boiler was warm). The leak was not big enough to cause any puddle. The engineer replaced the flexible a week ago but the smell persists. I have let the boiler cool for 12 hours plus and when the pipe work (that I can get at) is cool it is completely dry to the touch but the smell persists. The engineer is returning tomorrow but on the phone he is mystified. Can anyone give me a steer as to where he should look. I am NOT going to touch any boiler workings myself!
Thanks, Peter

 

[ShaunCorbs]

@Best

 

[rpm]

Don`t do oil however dabbing dry tissue paper around any joint shows up any liquid leak no matter how small.

 

[Old Account]

The leak might be inside the boiler casing.
However, when wa the last service?
Did they change the nozzle, it should be changed once a year as well as the filter. You could check all visible pipeworks from the tank to the boiler. Check around the tank is there anything visible. You should get someone from OFTEC as the fumes aren't very healthy.
The issue with oil is it will go through anything even concrete and tiles (if there is a leak) walls. You really need to find the source where it's coming from. Maybe sniff around and try locating the strongest area to then find the issue. Perhaps the fumes backing up inside the property , did your plumber check carbon monoxide?


Where is the tank located ?

There are really only two places the oil smell can come from. The oil burner or the tank/lines. So if for instance the tank is located outside it will eliminate the tank unless there is a leak there.
Does your boiler misfire ? This could be an issue too or something wrong with the flue itself.
Boiler should be checked for any small weep.
Last service,when was that?

How does the flame look like is it more blue ish or yellow and dancing around ? Did the plumber test combustion with his analyser ?

Kind regards

Ron

 

[Peter Bichener]

Ron

Thanks for the comprehensive reply; answers to your questions:
Boiler was serviced in September, I don't don't know if the nozzle or filter were changed.
The oil tank is outside and very remote from the house.
I don't think it is fumes as it was at it worse when we returned from two weeks away with the boiler completely off the whole time. Also I have had the boiler off all day and the windows and door open and the smell persists (albeit not as strong) so I don't think it is fume.
There is no misfire.
The engineer did test combustion in September but not since, not sure about carbon monoxide, I have an alarm (for a wood burner) I can put that in the room with the boiler.
I can't see the flame.
I have tried sniffing around but the smell is so strong I really can't tell anything.
I appreciate oil can soak into tiles and the floor but the boiler has a steel tray at the bottom and even when I found the flexible hose was damp to the touch there was no evidence of oil beneath it.
When I first had the engineer back he only checked pipe work and, apart from a plastic cover didn't dismantle anything. When I found the pipe was damp with oil both he and I thought we'd found the root cause.
I hope when he comes tomorrow he will look in a bit more detail. I shall be keeping the door to the WC that houses the boiler closed to maximize the smell for his benefit!
Thanks, Peter

 

[Old Account]

If the smell persists, you'll definitely have an issue at the burner or the supply pipes from the tank to the burner.
Perhaps, improperly installed nozzle (leaking)?! There must be something visible if that's so persistent.

 

[Best]

Hello Peter. What sort of burner is it on your boiler?
As Ron (Matchless.plumb) mentioned, kerosine can soak into concrete floors etc and take a few days for the smell to disappear.
As you say you hadn't been using the boiler for a while and still had smell of oil, then probably not the nozzle loose.
A few things for your engineer to consider, - if the oil line is buried beneath the floor, then it could be perished, perhaps even close to boiler and leaking below the floor. It usually won't show on surface, but can smell. Hopefully also no joints are below ground level (and soldered joints are not allowed anymore, plus leaded solder joints will eventually leak with kerosine pipes.)
Have all joints checked carefully including at oil tank because a leak there can travel towards boiler if oil pipe is inside a sleeve pipe.
Finally, your oil pump could have a leak, either at some of the connections and parts, or at the seal at shaft (hidden) and best usually to have brand new oil pump fitted by an oil engineer only.
Edit, - When I mention the oil pipe can be perished, that includes a copper oil line that would appear to be well protected and installed. Copper oil pipes will leak from the inside if water and crud can enter the oil line from oil tank and open oil tube sight gauges

 

[Gazzt]

If its a warmflow most likey riello rdb burner. Start at the tank and work towards the house as mentioned in other replys, check any fire valves especially wheel head type which leak. Check oil pump especially pump pressure adjustment it can leak. Also one last place is get the engineer to check the solenoid valve is shutting the oil off correctly, if dirt is holding it open oil will seep into the boiler gradually causing a smell. Please keep us updated if you source the problem.

 

[Gazzt]

If your not using your boiler, turn the oil off at the tank valve, just incase there is a leak in the pipework. It will help prevent contamination until you source the fault.

 

[Last Plumber]

If there's nothing visible then I would get an Engineer to check the pump over as Best said. The shaft which is hidden from view could leak. The Oil has had changes made to it over recent years and some older pumps are not lubricated as well as they should be by the new standard of oil. Worth getting it checked.