Oil Furnace Parts: How to Clean an Oil Furnace Nozzle

Man repairing a furnace
  • 1-3 hours
  • Beginner
  • 0-100
What You'll Need
Metal container
Kerosene
New nozzle
Can of compressed air
Pliers
Rag
What You'll Need
Metal container
Kerosene
New nozzle
Can of compressed air
Pliers
Rag

It is important to keep your oil furnace parts clean so your furnace will be able to last for as long as possible.

Knowing how to clean certain parts of your oil furnace, such as your oil furnace nozzle, is crucial for long-term maintenance.

Step 1 - Prepare

The first thing you will need to do is take a good look at the nozzle to see how bad it is. You may end up needing to replace it.

However, clean it first. Place the nozzle in the metal container and put just enough kerosene in it to cover it. Once you have done this, get your furnace nozzle.

Ensure your furnace is completely shut off as this could be very dangerous with a running furnace.

Step 2 - Remove Nozzle

man working on a furnace

Your oil burner gun will have the oil burner nozzle. Simply remove the nozzle; this can usually be done by hand by simply twisting it free.

If you are having problems with removing it, try a pair of pliers. Use caution with these pliers as they could end up doing damage to your nozzle.

Step 3 - Soak

Drop the nozzle into the container filled with kerosene. The nozzle itself will need to sit for about a half an hour to make sure to get all of the soot and debris off of it.

Once you have taken the nozzle out of the kerosene, get out your rag and wipe it clean.

If there looks to be any debris still hanging on then use a can of compressed air to blow it off.

If your nozzle still looks dirty then you may want to allow it to soak for a little bit longer before you put it back.

Step 4 - Remove Sintered Filter

Before you put the nozzle back into place you will need to take off the filter that is at the end of the nozzle.

There is a brass screw pin that you will need to remove so you can look in to see if the steel orifice disk has any clogs.

As long as everything looks like it is clean and clear you can put it all back together.

Step 5 - When to Replace

man maintaining an oil furnace

Oil furnace nozzles are inexpensive and should eventually be replaced.

If you have cleaned the nozzle and checked the interior of it and it looks to be clogged then you will need to simply replace it.

You can usually find these nozzles at any home improvement store for fewer than ten dollars.

It is good to always have one on hand just in case you end up needing to replace it even after a cleaning.