Cleaning oil burner nozzles?

Al Letellier_9

Don't do it. They only cost a few buck and you could alter the nozzle by cleaning it. You would accept liability as well and it isn't worth it.

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Larry C_13

Can or should oil burner nozzles be cleaned?

I was checking out my oil furnance last night and I noticed an used oil nozzle left on the unit. It occurred to me that since I have access to an ultrasonic cleaner at work, I could try cleaning the nozzle in some 409 or equivalent. Obviously I would not use any drills or pins to deform the precision machining in the nozzle.

Can nozzles be cleaned this way? Does it make sense to do this IF the service tech determines that the nozzle is appropriate for the burner? What do you folks do with the nozzles removed from client's boilers?

Just curious.

Larry C

billtwocase

nozzles

As Al said, there is no cleaning of oil nozzles, only replacing them. That's like having the oil changed on your car and not replacing the filter. Start fresh with all new filters, strainers, and nozzle to assure correct spray patern and atomization. peace

scrook_2

wouldn't...

address wear to the orifice, though it might clean it if the right cleaner or solvent was used, and given that they're only a few bucks each wouldn't be worth it anyway.

Dan Goodridge

I have a few used spark plugs you can clean

lee_7

A lot of old timers would leave an old nozzle near the boiler "in case" the nozzle would clog up at night and they didn't have one. I always take the old nozzles with me when I leave a job. It was bad enough to be removed from service, Why would I want to put it back into service??

billtwocase

ouch

Dan G, he may be thinking green? I can almost see the recycle aspect, but not with something so critical. By all means, the metal/brass can be recycled. peace

oil-2-4-6-gas

in a pinch i will and have cleaned them --if its an odd-ball spray or the desired nozzle was not available ---but i will replace them soon after --and leave an extra 1 for next time

Milt McKenzie

nozzels

Never buy one nozzel, buy two. Install one and put the other unused one in a can of clean Kero and forget about it!Then when the old nozzel is plugged install the kero filled nozzel and do not forget to replace the one you removed.

billtwocase

Kero

Milt, that would be a great idea if the dye in the kero wouldn't eventually create a whole other problem. I would say diesel or WD-40. peace

zeb_5

why not?

why not just keep it in the plastic case the manufacturer
provides??????

billtwocase

that's what should be done

But if someone feels the need to remove the nozzle and throw out the container, than it should be protected somehow. peace

Bob Harper

The problem with oil nozzles is not just the orifice itself but the sintered bronze screen clogging up reducing flow. You will never remove that crud. You're talking particles less than 10 microns.

As noted, why when they are so cheap?

I recommend every installation keep one spare nozzle and filter in original packaging stored nearby. That way when you have a no heat call at 2am with a foot of snow and the last of your supplies used up on your truck with no supply houses open, the two most common replaceable parts are already there.
Bob