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Burnam oil burner not heating both zones

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snickers
snickers Member Posts: 10
edited January 24 in Oil Heating

I have a 35+ year old Burnam boiler that had been working well. It is not heating one of the zones. Temperatures are freezing cold with blizzard on the way. I am hoping to troubleshoot. It is set to automatic. Oil tank full. The filter is relatively new. Thermostat is 1 year old and basic. It may be zone valve. I just switched to open and heat pipe heated up. Any suggestions?

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  • bburd
    bburd Member Posts: 1,267
    edited January 24

    Is this hot water or steam?

    How many thermostats do you have? Usually there is one per zone.

    What exactly is set to "automatic"? A switch on the thermostat?

    —
    Bburd
  • snickers
    snickers Member Posts: 10

    bburd: hot water. Two zones I just opened the zone valve on the one that had cold pipes. It is heating up now. I think I might have found it. But why in open position? Thermostat room temp is currently 50 when set to 68

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  • snickers
    snickers Member Posts: 10

    I meant the zone valve

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    switch from open to closed?

  • snickers
    snickers Member Posts: 10

    bburd- Good news. The heat is on now in both zones. Thanks.

  • bburd
    bburd Member Posts: 1,267

    Most likely the zone valve power head has failed, or it could be a problem in the thermostat circuit or zone valve end switch circuit. You can check these things with a multimeter if you are handy with electricity. If not, it might be best to call for service.

    For now, since the weather is very cold, I suggest you leave the zone valve manually opened. That zone will heat at the same time as the other zone, so you should be protected from frozen pipes.

    —
    Bburd
  • snickers
    snickers Member Posts: 10

    bburd- Thank you. I will leave it manually open. It is extremely cold outside. Yes, frozen pipes was my concern. Thanks. I have a multimeter and will check.

    bburd

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