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Intermittent Flame Failure Beckett Burner

RayWohlfarth
RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
Howdy,
I am hoping you can give me some guidance here. I am working on a Beckett Fuel Oil burner model CF375 which had not been serviced for years. It is piped as a two pipe. I am by no means a fuel oil expert. Upon arrival, we found the fuel oil pump was not working. We replaced the pump and the oil filter in the supply and nozzle. They were plugged solid. We replaced the cad cell. We cleaned the electrodes and readjusted. The fuel oil pump was set according to the literature and the fuel to air ratio tested and adjusted. The unit is having a flame failure every 3-4 days. The primary control flashes and we have to do a hard reset. I did hear a pulsation in the flame once while there. I have cycled this thing more than Lance Armstrong's bike. Any suggestions other than an exorcist?
Ray
Ray Wohlfarth
Boiler Lessons

Comments

  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 849
    It's been years since I've touched an oil burner, but I have spent a lot of time on them years ago.

    A few things to look at, could it be contaminated fuel and the filters (and occasionally) the oil lines are clogged again? Could the ignition transformer be weak? Could one of the electrodes be cracked? Could one of the ignition wires be cracked? Could there be a pinhole leak in the oil suction line? Suction line leaks were very difficult to find, I used to install a vacuum gauge on the suction side of the pump and watch for the gauge to "jump." If it jumped often, it was almost caused by air entering the suction line.

    Many of the conditions I mentioned would cause at least a puff of smoke when the burner was reset and the leftover fuel from the last cycle ignited.

    I'm sure others that service oil burners regularly will have better suggestions.
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    Could be any number of things, but from what you said of the filter and nozzle conditions, sounds like it might be an oil line restriction. That is a light commercial burner. Is there an in line vacuum gauge? What is the running vacuum?
    Water/sludge in the oil tank.
    Weak igniter.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    edited May 2017
    Assuming your adjustments are correct, I second checking the vacuum.

    Sid Harvey carries Mifco oil gauges/manifold. Everyone that does oil should have them.

    If nothing else shows up wrong, replace the CleanCut pump with one that doesn't have a solenoid. We've had an unusually high percentage of those acting up intermittently. Even brand new.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    You don't say what primary control is on that burner, but the latest ones (Honeywell, Carlin etc) have diagnostics built in. Installing one could help you pinpoint the problem.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    Since it's a CF375, it's a pretty safe bet it has a HW 7184 or Genisys. If it's a 7184, you are going to have to go by process of elimination, if it's a Genisys, a contractor tool will point you in the right direction. The 2 pipe system has no reason to exist, nothing good can come from the return line. The hydrogen can be out gassed at vacuum readings as low as 6". This appears to be a "suction leak" but is in fact hydrogen bubbles which play havoc with oil combustion.
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
    Charlie from wmassGrallert
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    Have you confirm draft numbers both at start up and when warm?
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Harvey Ramer
    Harvey Ramer Member Posts: 2,239
    I had one that plagued me in this fashion once. What I ended up doing was turning the thermostat up as far as it would go and made it run till something happened. It took about an hour and a half before it tripped. What I discovered was lack of lubrication in the fuel pump. After a such a long run, things heat up and if anything is awry in the bearing department, it will show up. Motor bearings will sometimes act the same way.
    I call it the extended run test. :)
  • newagedawn
    newagedawn Member Posts: 586
    could be the oil lines are plugged , blow them back and purge the lines, check the filters again ,when systems are that bad sometimes even after changing them they get plugged again
    "The bitter taste of a poor install lasts far longer than the JOY of the lowest price"
  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
    If it is a cleancut pump, change the solenoid.
    But, my guess is a bad fuel pump coupler that is slipping. Look at the ends carefully and make sure the flats are not rounded down. And, also take the ends off and make sure the splines are not stripped.
    Rick
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    Thanks everyone I stopped by Sid Harvey and picked up the gauge manifold. What a cool thing. Thanks Ironman. I checked the unit and everything was going well. I tightened all the fittings on the tubing and the draft was what the company asked. If it happens again, I will try Harvey's solution.
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367

    Thanks everyone I stopped by Sid Harvey and picked up the gauge manifold. What a cool thing. Thanks Ironman. I checked the unit and everything was going well. I tightened all the fittings on the tubing and the draft was what the company asked. If it happens again, I will try Harvey's solution.

    I think you're gonna find it's the solenoid on the clean cut pump.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    Thanks Ironman will let you know
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
  • Harvey Ramer
    Harvey Ramer Member Posts: 2,239
    I don't know what the coil tolerances are on those selenoids, but enough of a voltage drop could make the coil drop out momentarily. A voltage drop such as might occur when a large inductive load, such as a large motor, starts and the primary service transformer is undersized.

    I don't know if this is the problem, but it might be worth looking into.
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    You can test oil valve coil by checking resistance. It should be between 400-500 ohms. A bad coil will usually be quite hot to the touch after just a few minutes operation
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    Charlie from wmass
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    Genisys will save the high, low and average voltages for each of the last 15 cycles
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
    Charlie from wmass
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    They have the Honeywell R7184B control. Wishing I had the Genisys on this one
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons