Heating Help

Anyone Run Across This?

Have a up to now reliable as a locomotive Arcoliner with a Korth burner.  Burner runs, but after a time, oil drips into the chamber while it's firing, burner man was puzzled, so he changed out the nozzle then the pump and all seemed fine.  It is now doing this again after about a month with the rebuilt pump.  He suggested we change the entire burner, but I'm on the fence with replacing the entire boiler. If the burner is firing, how can raw oil enter the chamber?  He mentioned something about the chamber, but could that interrupt the flame and suck oil from the nozzle while it's firing? 

nozzle adapter?

If the seat of the nozzle adapter (where the edge of the nozzle sits) is deeply scored it won't seal properly. Then, when the pump is making pressure, oil will leak out, drip into the end of the tube and flow to the chamber.

Not familiar with the name Korth.

Drip

I agree with Paul, it sounds like a stripped nozzle adapter. Should be an easy fix, Delavan makes 2 different sizes 1/8-1/4.

Also check...

the pump cut off.  Could be the this or some air in the line.  Checking the pump for pressure, cut-off and vaccuum, should solve the problem, if it's not a nozzle seating issue.

Korth burner?

Sounds like it's a non-flame-retention burner- at the very least, you should get it replaced with a flame-retention type. Fuel savings are 10% at minimum.

Replaced Pump Again

Thanks for the ideas.  Yep, it's vintage, "Korth Silent Oil Heat" Eckhart Mfg. Union, NJ  Well my oil man changed the fuel pump again.  My thought was a hairline crack where the nozzle attaches, opens under pressure.   What are my options replace the burner or replace the whole ArcoLiner steamer,or go gas.  My fuel co. wants to do a R&R in copper.

Best option

is to replace the boiler. Is this a steam system? If so, you don't want your oil company to replace it. Copper steam piping is a no-no.

If replacement is not an option, a flame-retention burner upgrade will provide significant savings if done right, though not to the extent a new boiler would.