Ascent EK1T smells like raw diesel
A clarification and update: We have called the installer four times to come and fix this. We've had several regular service appointments. Each time they come to fix this, they say they can't find anything. We have sent two additional emails which have been ignored!
Our two year old Ascent smells like raw diesel when the chimney is cold. The smell is coming from the air shutter. I believe it's set at the factory setting- I'm assuming the mark on the yellow label of the air band is the percentage. Ours is about where the mark is on the attached screenshot from the manual. Our chimney liner is 5" which is recommended. What could be causing this smell? Could it be the nozzle? If the nozzle size is correct, are there are other issues with the nozzle that could cause this?
Comments
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EK hangs out on this forum so someone from their will probably post. Have you had the equipment serviced?
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I hope you have had it serviced at least once since installation. If you have, what has your service provider suggested? Since the smell is from the air shutter the first thing I would do is check the condition of the burner nozzle and the oil pump seal.
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This isn't DIY. Call your EK service provider. Today.
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Like the fine gentlemen stated, like all heating equipment annual service and a tune up are needed to keep the equipment running safely and efficiently. That being said, Theres an air box cover designed to keep burner noise to a minimum and this chamber is usually piped to the exterior of the home to use outside air for combustion. This would be for efficiency. If this is the case, you should not have any air exchange into the basement or room in which the equipment is installed.
My recommendation would be to run the equipment with the air box cover in place as it was designed, hopefully the fresh air inlet is installed and call your service provider for an annual tune up and cleaning
Robert W.
Energy Kinetics
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Thanks all!
A clarification and update: We have called the installer four times to come and fix this and each time they say they can't find anything. We have sent two additional emails which have been ignored! And we have had several regular service appointments.
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Please call EK at 908-735-2066 We can help you. or dm me
Robert W.
Energy Kinetics
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If you happen to be in the Hudson Valley NY area my company is trained on Energy Kinetics boilers and would be happy to assist you with this problem.
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All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting1 -
Thank you for your posts. I saw that @Robertw was already responding so I only checked back now. It sounds like back drafting, so the system should be professionally serviced and inspected and likely have outside air connected and isolated with the air box. As Rob indicated, @Budgie , please call us if you are having issues contacting your installing and servicing contractor as we can help. (908) 735-2066.
Roger
President
Energy Kinetics, Inc.
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check the rain cap on top of the chimney liner if your back drafting. If the products of combustion cant go up the chimney they will Back draft into the boiler room. not to mention all the other stuff that's gonna foul.
how did you determine backdraft when the tech, who have the equipment, didn't see it
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The backdraft started after the adjustments the tech made on Wednesday. We can smell it. Immediate concern is CO.
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Call them back. EK has a very good rep on here. they seem to be fairly responsive on here.
Sometimes its not the boiler that's the issue. That's just what malfunctions due to extenuating circumstances. like I suggested check the liner. You can get your cap blown off and next thing you know birds fall down there or nest on the top. i've seen it done. Do you have enough combustion air in the room. lack of combustion/dilution air will prevent drafting. Room enters into a negative zone. The longer the boiler runs the worse the condition. And there are other causes.
i'm not saying that this definitely the issue but sometimes you need to step back and think. sometimes the problem is so obvious that you cant see it.
how big is the room that the boiler is in?
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You pinpoint the odor (not CO) to the air band on the burner. Is the combustion air pipe connected to outside? Is the burner cover always on?
I know EK recommends a 6 inch liner on the EK-1 Frontier. Not sure about the Ascent.
There is no draft regulator on the flue, correct?
The techs aren't finding anything. Did they leave a copy of the combustion report, smoke #, draft? Are they running the test with the burner cover in place? Fuel pump and oil delay valve tested?
@Roger would need to approve. IDK if it would interfere with design parameters, but maybe program the 70200 for a 2 minute post purge.
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@Budgie , please contact us with the name of your installer. We will coordinate with them and put you in touch with your territory manager. You likely need to have outside air connected,, but we will find out more and help facilitate whatever solution you need. You can PM me here, or contact us at 908-735-2066.
Backdrafting is site specific, and not boiler specific; it typically happens when the house is very tight and running at negative pressure in the boiler room. This happens more often in the winter when all the windows and doors are closed, or sometimes in the summer when the house is closed up and air conditioning is running. It can happen when there is ductwork in the room and the ducts returns are leaky, causing even more negative pressure. A house overall can act like it’s a chimney as well, drawing air in on the lower floors and venting out the upper floors and attic. In any case, connecting outside air is usually the simple and clear solution.
Roger.
President
Energy Kinetics, Inc.0
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