Black smoke coming out of chimney
#1
12-18-22, 06:55 AM
Black smoke coming out of chimney
Hello all, my rental property has a Thermopride oil furnace with the Beckett burner. The renters just notified me that the neighbors near the rental have said they have been noticing black smoke coming out of the chimney. I believe this chimney has never been cleaned. The furnace was cleaned by myself as best as I could. I'm guessing something needs cleaned or the furnace needs adjusted to burn cleaner? Any help is appreciated as always! Thanks!
#2
12-18-22, 07:13 AM
Member
What do you mean cleaned as best as you could?
Oil needs annual maintenance and cleaning using a soot vac.
When was the burner last tuned up with a nozzle, filter, pump strainer and such?
It’s also required to use a combustion analyzer to set the burner up.
Oil needs annual maintenance and cleaning using a soot vac.
When was the burner last tuned up with a nozzle, filter, pump strainer and such?
It’s also required to use a combustion analyzer to set the burner up.
#3
12-18-22, 07:21 AM
I changed the nozzle, oil filter, air filter, checked the electrode gap, removed the burner, vacuumed the inside there with my ash vacuum. I then vacuumed out the cleanouts.
#4
12-18-22, 08:17 AM
Member
How did you set the flame? You really should use a meter.
You also could have fouled the nozzle.
What’s pump pressure?
You also could have fouled the nozzle.
What’s pump pressure?
#6
12-18-22, 10:21 AM
Group Moderator
There are so many variables with oil that it makes it important to have the burner serviced yearly.
Try to get a company you can rely on and schedule a yearly service in the fall.
Try to get a company you can rely on and schedule a yearly service in the fall.
#7
12-18-22, 11:16 AM
UJ,
With black smoke I would suspect not enough air for the oil being delivered as a starting point if black smoke is constant. If at the beginning It could be a delayed ignition which could be wrong electrode settings or possibly a transformer problem. Previous comments from posters should always be observed.
With black smoke I would suspect not enough air for the oil being delivered as a starting point if black smoke is constant. If at the beginning It could be a delayed ignition which could be wrong electrode settings or possibly a transformer problem. Previous comments from posters should always be observed.
#8
12-18-22, 02:24 PM
Thanks all. I got thinking. This furnace is located inside of a small closet that had a louvered bi fold door. I replaced this door this last summer with a solid bifold door. Do you think this would contribute to the furnace not getting enough air? Just a thought.
#9
12-18-22, 04:05 PM
Member
Here’s an article by Beckett on combustion air supply.
You cannot seal off a room that contains any fuel burning appliance. A constant supply of combustion air is required.
https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Combu...rs-Beckett.pdf
You cannot seal off a room that contains any fuel burning appliance. A constant supply of combustion air is required.
https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Combu...rs-Beckett.pdf
#10
12-18-22, 05:20 PM
Thanks!!! I read this. The only thing that has changed to my knowledge is me changing the louvered door to a solid door. I believe I need to go back to a louvered door to get more air.
#11
12-18-22, 09:02 PM
Member
If the unit is putting out visible smoke it likely needs cleaned again. They soot fast when they are burning dirty.
The burner cone can soot as well. Has that been checked?
What’s the overfire draft while the unit is running?
The burner cone can soot as well. Has that been checked?
What’s the overfire draft while the unit is running?
#12
12-19-22, 02:12 AM
I wish I knew the answer to your questions. I assumed too that it will need cleaned again. I'm going to call the HVAC company today from work and try to explain to the service guy what's going on. Hopefully, he relays the info correctly to the tech. Thanks again!
#13
12-19-22, 06:48 PM
The HVAC guy came today and did say the furnace was burning dirty. He did say it wasn't getting enough air. He adjusted the air and got it to burn cleaner, according to the tenants anyway. The tenants opened up the furnace door a little to give the furnace more air and from what they said everything seems to be ok now.
