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WATER HEATERS

AGE of WATER HEATERS
AIRBOUND HEAT SYSTEM REPAIRS
ALTERNATIVE HOT WATER SOURCES
ANODES & DIP TUBES on WATER HEATERS
ANTIFREEZE for BOILERS
ANTI SCALD VALVES
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions

BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT
BACKFLOW PREVENTER VALVE, HEATING SYS
BACKFLOW PREVENTER, HEATER WATER FEEDER
BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
BLEVE EXPLOSIONS
BOILERS, HEATING

CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY
CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPING
CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING

DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater
DRAIN a WATER HEATER TANK

ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS

FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR
FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GAS BURNER Flame & Noise Defects
GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS
GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS

HEAT TAPES, Heat, Insulation prevent Freeze-Up
HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HEATING SYSTEMS

HOT WATER SUPPLY
HOT WATER IMPROVEMENTS
HOT WATER DELIVERY SPEED UP
HOT WATER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT
HOT WATER PRESSURE EXPANSION RATE
HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS
HOT WATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS
HOT WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT
HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS

INDIRECT FIRED WATER HEATERS

MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES

NO HEAT - NO HOT WATER: HEATER DIAGNOSIS
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS
NOISE, PLUMBING CHECKLIST
NOISE, WATER HEATER

ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODORS IN WATER

PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types
PLASTIC HEATER VENT
PLUMBING FIXTURES, KITCHEN, BATH
PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES
PUMPS, CIRCULATOR
PUMPS, HEAT PUMPS
PUMPS, OIL BURNER
PUMPS, PONY PUMPS
PUMPS, SEPTIC PUMPS
PUMPS, SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS
PUMPS, SUMP PUMPS
PUMPS, WATER PUMPS
PUMPS, WATER REPAIR

RANGE BOILERS
RELIEF VALVE LEAKS
RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers
RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES
RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters
RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks

SAFETY, HEATING INSPECTION
SCALE REMOVAL, WATER HEATERS
SEWER GAS ODORS
SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
SOOT on OIL FIRED HEATING EQUIPMENT
SPILL SWITCHES - Flue Gas Detection

TANKLESS COILS
TANKLESS WATER HEATERS
THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
THERMOSTATS, WATER HEATER
TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS

VALVES, PLUMBING

WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS
WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
WATER HEATERS
WATER HEATER ALTERNATIVES
WATER HEATER ANODES, DIP TUBES
WATER HEATER AIR INLET
WATER HEATER DEBRIS FLUSH
WATER HEATER EFFICIENCY
WATER HEATER FLUSH PROCEDURE
WATER HEATER NOISES
WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS
WATER HEATER PROPERTIES
WATER HEATER SCALE - De-Liming Procedure
WATER HEATER SCALE PREVENTION
WATER HEATER SAFETY
WATER HEATERS for HOME HEATING USE?
WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE
WATER PIPES, Clogs Leaks Types
WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT
WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY
WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR
WATER PRESSURE PUMP REPAIR GUIDE
WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS
WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE
WATER PURIFIERS
WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT
WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS
WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Oil fired water heater with a backpressure sooting problem (C) Daniel FriedmanGuide to Oil-Fired Hot Water Heaters - Inspection, Diagnosis, & Repair
     

  • Oil fired Hot Water heaters: how to inspect, test, adjust, repair
    • How to choose among types of hot water heaters
    • Guide to inspection of electric water heaters
    • No Hot water? how to get more hot water flow, quantity, performance from your water heater
    • Repairing and restoring a flooded water heater
  • WATER HEATERS - home
  • HOT WATER IMPROVEMENTS - home page
  • HOT WATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS - separate article
  • WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS - separate article
  • Questions & Answers about diagnosing & repairing oil fired water heaters
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • OIL BURNERS - home
  • COMBUSTION AIR
  • COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings
  • COMPLETE COMBUSTION, Stoichiometric
  • DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
  • DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE
  • DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES
  • DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS
  • ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
  • NOISE DIAGNOSIS, HEATING SYSTEM
  • ODORS FROM HEATING SYSTEMS
  • OIL BURNER FUEL UNIT
  • OIL BURNER INSPECTION & REPAIR
    • Oil Burner Smoke Test
    • Oil Burner CO2 Test
  • OIL BURNER DELAY VALVE
  • OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
  • OIL BURNER NOZZLE & ELECTRODES
  • OIL BURNERS, RETENTION HEAD
  • OIL BURNER SOOT & PUFFBACKS
  • OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT
  • OIL FILTER MISSING
  • OIL FUEL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
  • OIL LINE CLOGGING FIX
  • OIL LINE QUICK STOP VALVES
  • OIL LINE SAFETY VALVES
  • OIL ODORS, LEAKY OIL TANK PIPING
  • OIL SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION
  • OIL TANKS - home
  • OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS - home
  • PUFFBACKS, OIL BURNER
  • SOOT on OIL FIRED HEATING EQUIPMENT
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

This article explains how to inspect, diagnose, adjust, maintain, or repair oil-fired water heaters including the loss of hot water or inadequate hot water supply. We include normal water heater maintenance, temperature adjustment, and improvements to hot water quantity as well as reduction in hot water heating cost. We also discuss important safety features and checks on oil fired heating equipment. We also discuss how to restore a flood-damaged water heater to service.

This article series on oil hot water heat will answer most questions about oil-fired water heaters as well as many other building plumbing system inspection or defect topics. This page contains links to in-depth articles on inspecting, testing, and repairing problems residential hot water heaters of all types, including their parts, controls, and alternative sources for hot water as well as tips for improving hot water temperature, hot water pressure, and hot water quantity. Reproduction of this web page electronically at other websites is prohibited. Our photo at page top shows an oil fired hot water system with the main components easily available, and with evidence of an oil burner operating problem.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

Inspection, Diagnostic, & Repair Guide to Electric Hot Water Heaters

How do we identify an oil-fired water heater?

Schematic of an oil fired water heater (C) Carson DunlopThe sketch at left shows the basic components of an oil-fired residential hot water heater and is provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates. It's easy to identify an oil-fired water heater:

  • An oil burner will be mounted (usually) near the bottom of the hot water tank, fed by home heating oil from a local above ground or buried oil tank. See OIL BURNERS and OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
  • A flue vent connector or "stack pipe" will leave the top or upper rear side of the water tank and continue on into a chimney (or directly outside if your water heater is a "direct-vent" or "power vent" system. See CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR and see DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS.
  • Two water pipes will be connected to the water heater: cold-water in, and hot water out. The hot water tank shutoff valve is normally installed only on the cold water supply line.
  • A pressure and temperature relief valve should be installed right on the water heater, coming off of the tank top or upper area of its side. See RELIEF VALVES - TP VALVES for details.

Watch out: sometimes an electric water heater is installed as an additional or backup hot water source, so you'll also want to see if you have other hot water heating equipment installed, such as a Tankless Coil for Hot Water. In our photo below at left an oil-fired water heater and an indirect-fired water heater are installed in tandem.

Here are a few things to check on your oil-fired water heater:

(WARNING: This is an INCOMPLE LIST and important water heater inspection topics may be omitted as we're working on this section. If you have comments, questions, suggestions, Contact Us.)

Leaks at a hot water heater (C) Daniel FriedmanCheck the pressure and temperature relief valve on your water heater: look for evidence of corrosion, leaks, improper installation, etc. A missing, modified, blocked, or leaky pressure relief valve is extremely dangerous and can lead to a catastrophic BLEVE boiling liquid vapor explosion that can cause severe damage or even fatalities at a building. See RELIEF VALVES - TP VALVES

Look for evidence of leaks in the hot water tank, or mechanical damage, or improper installation. For example most water heaters are intended to be installed in a vertical position. Installing a hot water tank horizontally or in a hole in a crawl space is likely to cause early failure of the heater, violate the manufacturer's guidelines, and may be dangerous.

In our photo at left that puddle on the floor needs investigation.

Look for the draft regulator/barometric damper. If your conventional oil fired water heater does not have its own, personal draft regulator installed, it is impossible for the heater to have been tuned for optimum performance - you may be wasting money and heating oil. See DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS

Check the settings of the water heater temperature: See Temperature of Hot Water is Too Low

Look for insulation that has been improperly added to the water tank - it may be unsafe. See Insulate Hot Water Tank?

Oil fired hot water heater showing visible signs of improper, possibly unsafe operation (C) Daniel FriedmanLook for signs of improper oil burner operation: such as sooting, draft problems, or back-pressure burns around the oil burner or around the combustion chamber inspection port.

Soot blowing out of the barometric damper or flue pipe, soot and burn marks, oil leaks, stumbling, rumbling, noisy oil burners, odors, are examples of improper oil burner operation that need prompt service.

Our page top photo and our photo at left show examples of improper oil burner operation on an oil fired water heater: both systems show soot blow-out at the water heater's combustion chamber inspection port. Our photo at left also shows that the discharge tube is missing from the relief valve - a safety concern.

Often these soot marks are a symptom of excessive pressure or "back pressure" inside the combustion chamber.

This problem can be caused by an oil fired water heater that is way past due for cleaning (soot blocks the exhaust flue), by a blocked chimney, by improper draft regulator adjustment, or other defects.

See OIL BURNERS and OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS

Check the hot water piping and control valves connected to the water heater for leaks, support, and for proper location of shutoff valves. An improperly installed shutoff valve on a water heater can be very dangerous, risking an explosion. Usually the "hot water tank shutoff valve" is installed only on the cold water pipe coming into the water tank. There should be no shutoff valve installed on the hot water line leaving the water tank.

Check for leaks at the water heater drain valve. Most water heater manufacturers recommend that their water tank be drained periodically. This process will help remove sludge and debris or mineral deposits that may have accumulated at the bottom of the water heater tank. Removing this debris can extend the life of the hot water tank, especially where electric and gas fired water heaters are involved. But since few people remember to open and drain the tank it may be that the drain valve does not open easily, or worse, it won't close.

  • Tips On Draining the Oil-Fired Water Heater Tank: Don't try opening the hot water tank drain valve without first noting these warnings and tips:
    • The water heater heat source should be turned off and the water tank cooled down (or run hot water out through building fixtures) before attempting to drain the tank - there can be a serious scalding hazard otherwise
    • You can connect a garden hose to drain the water heater tank to a suitable destination
    • If it's a Sunday - you may have trouble obtaining spare parts or emergency plumbing service if a problem occurs
    • Be sure to have a spare garden hose cap to install over the end of the drain valve in case it drips and won't shut off completely
    • If you have trouble turning the water heater tank drain valve to open it - don't force it - if break off the valve stem you may have a leak that you cannot shut off except by turning off cold water supply to the water heater
    • After opening the heater drain valve, if you forgot to turn off the cold water supply coming into the water heater, you may find that water just shoots out of the drain forever - you'll need to turn off the cold water supply to the water heater.
    • You will probably need to open a nearby hot water tap to let air into the plumbing system and through it into the water heater tank so that water can drain out at the tank's bottom. We don't recommend opening the pressure/temperature relief valve for this purpose as you may find that the TP valve won't shut successfully afterwards.

Check for heating oil leaks and oil piping defects: see OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS

If plastic water piping is installed, such as polybutylene water supply piping, it should be at least 18" from the water heater.

Vacuum relief valves are required at water heaters in some communities, to protect against collapse of the water storage tank and to prevent backup of hot water into the cold water piping should cold water pressure drop. Here is Carson Dunlop's sketch of a vacuum relief valve.

A Guide to Oil Fired Water Heater Controls & Operation

The principal controls on an oil fired water heater include the following water tank and oil burner parts and controls:

  • BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES (many controls on oil fired heating boilers are the same on oil fired water heaters)
  • Aquastat Functions - simple aquastats may be used as upper and lower limit controls on oil fired water heaters
  • Cad Cell Relay Switch Flame Sensors - turns off the oil burner if it does not achieve proper flame ignition
  • Circulator Pumps & Relays - may be used if the water heater is connected to a continuous hot water loop plumbing system or in (more rare) cases where an oil fired water heater is being used as a building area heating device (usually not code-approved)
  • Limit Switches, Boilers combination aquastats or single-limit simple aquastats may be used as upper and lower limit controls on oil fired water heaters
  • MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES - used to permit keeping the water heater at high temperature (more total hot water will be available) without risking scalding the building occupants
  • RELIEF VALVES - TP VALVES - required on every pressurized tank, including oil fired water heaters
  • Stack Relay Switch - an older safety switch used to turn off the oil burner if successful burner flame ignition does not occur

Check the Sacrificial Anode & Dip Tube of Your Oil Fired Water Heater Tank

Schematic of a sacrificial anode on a hot water tank (C) Carson Dunlop

The dip tube on many water heaters functions as a sacrificial anode, as we show here. By constructing the dip tube of a metal which is more readily corroded than the steel of a steel hot water tank, the anode protects the hot water tank from early failure due to corrosion. Here Carson Dunlop's sketch shows the location of the sacrificial anode on an electric water heater.

If your water supply happens to be highly conductive or corrosive (see WATER TESTING GUIDE) then the dip tub/sacrificial anode in the water tank may indeed corrode away until it leaks (dropping the hot water temperature) or disappears entirely.

If your hot water smells like rotten eggs, you should definitely check the condition of the sacrificial anode on the hot water heater, no matter what kind of water tank you've got installed.

For details of how to inspect or replace the sacrificial anode or dip-tube on a water heater, please see Water Heater Anodes & Dip Tubes

Check the Oil-Fired Hot Water Tank Temperature and Pressure Safety Relief Valve

Please see Testing the Water Heater Temperature Pressure Relief Valve

How to Restore a Flood-Damaged Hot Water Heater To Save Service

Question: How do I get my oil fired water heater running again after building flooding?

Flood waters rising at Wappingers Creek (C) Daniel FriedmanI am having problems restarting the water heater ever since hurricane irene slammed into New Jersey and my basement flooded. We changed the motor and oil filter, but are having problems getting oil to feed through the lines I was wondering if there were suggestions. - Antoinette

Reply: recommended inspection & repair points for flooded oil fired water heaters, heating boilers, furnaces

When an oil fired water heater has been flooded, such as by hurricane Irene that flooded the Northeastern U.S. in August 2011, there are a number of concerns that need to be addressed.

Before addressing flooded water heaters, boilers, or furnaces, if your building has been flooded, see FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP for advice about priorities of entry, diagnosis & repair of homes or other buildings after flooding from any cause.

Now to the flooded water heater: you report having taken two important post-flood steps by changing parts (motor and oil filter) but below we have listed suggestions that might help get the water heater (or a flooded heating boiler or furnace) running again and also assure its safety and forward life.

The extent of disassembly, inspection, and replacement of parts of any heating appliance (water heater, furnace, boiler) after building flooding depends on the height reached by floodwaters and perhaps also the duration of flooding. Our flood damage photo (above left) shows our client pointing to flood water markings on the heating system expansion tank - water had nearly filled the basement of this home - the heating boiler had been completely under water.

Certainly any component that was under-water or soaked needs to be inspected, and as appropriate, cleaned or replaced. On the other hand, basement flooding that did not even reach the level of the oil burner assembly may have left that component intact, but still may have entered and damaged the heating appliance combustion chamber.

We list some key post-flood inspection and repair points for water heaters, boilers, furnaces, just below.

What oil fired water heater parts are replaced after a building flood?

Chimneys & flues: In addition, a thorough inspection of the combustion chamber for damage and debris must be conducted before the equipment is returned to service. Mud, sludge, debris anywhere inside of the heating appliance (combustion chamber, heat exchanger, chimneys, flues) has to be removed and the appliance cleaned. In addition, if area flooding sent flood waters inside of chimneys or flues (don't forget the chimney base and cleanout door) those areas need to be opened, inspected, cleaned.

Combustion chamber & chamber liner: most oil fired water heaters use a masonry (fire brick) or synethetic fabric combustion chamber liner. The liner heats to very hot during oil burner operation - a condition that helps assure complete combustion of fuel oil being sprayed into the combustion chamber. Firing up a flooded oil fired heating appliance before the combustion chamber liner has been dried or replaced risks damaging that component and possibly damaging the heater itself. Ask your service technician about the condition of the combustion chamber.

Controls on heating appliances: heating appliance (water heater, boiler, furnace) safety and limit switches and controls that have been flooded, in our OPINION, should be replaced. Other electrical components such as electrical wiring may be re-usable after inspection. Electrical panels and circuit breakers that have been flooded should be replaced as even if they "look" fine, we're not confident that internal working parts have not been damaged by water, corrosion, or even silt and debris.

Heat Distribution: Ductwork: The inspection points listed above pertain to oil fired heating devices that have been exposed to flooding or sewer backups. In addition, for building heating systems, the heat distribution system may also have been flooded, damaged, or require repairs and cleaning. See FLOOD DAMAGE in DUCT WORK for examples.

Oil burner assembly: First, you said that the "motor" was replaced. If you are not sure whether just the electric motor on the oil burner was replaced or whether the whole oil burner assembly was replaced, see OIL BURNERS for an illustration of the different parts involved. If the oil burner was submerged, and if only the oil burner's driving electric motor was replaced, additional disassembly and cleaning are probably in order to be sure that the oil burner nozzle, blower assembly, and other parts are clean and working properly.

Oil filter: it makes sense to replace an oil filter cartridge after a building has been flooded; the cartridge canister is normally air tight and thus water tight. But repair steps, movement of equipment, or other events may have contaminated the canister itself or oil tank or piping, sending more debris into the canister and filter. For this reason it makes sense to not just replace the filter, but inspect and clean the canister that holds the filter.

Oil pump (fuel unit) internal filter screen: Debris, sludge, water, rust particles are often found in the bottom of the oil filter canister. If these enter the oil burner's oil pump (properly, the fuel unit), its internal filter screen may also be clogged - I'd be sure that the fuel unit has had its filter screen replaced. Debris in the fuel unit will clog its internal check valves and the oil burner nozzle too, damaging the pump and leading to improper, even unsafe oil burner operation or total loss of heat later on. Also a clogged filter screen can prevent the fuel unit from being able to pump oil from the tank - and could be mistaken for a blocked oil line.

Oil piping: if oil piping has become contaminated with sludge, it may be possible to blow the lines clear, but if not, oil line replacement will be needed. Details about unclogging a blocked heating appliance oil line are found at OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS

Water heater (or boiler or furnace) insulation: most heating appliances (water heaters, furnaces, boilers) include an insulated outer jacket or "skin" that helps keep heat and noise inside the device and that improve its operation. If the insulation on a flooded appliance is still wet when the appliance is turned back on you might get lucky and dry it out during the next operating cycle. Or equipment might be damaged, or the insulation might need replacement. Ask your service technician about the condition of the appliance insulating jacket.

Oil piping on flooded water heaters

Oil lines between an oil tank and the water heater can become blocked with sludge, silt, mud, and even water or sewage if the lines are open to the flooding environment. But normally an oil line between the oil tank and oil burner, say at a water heater, is always full of fuel oil, and sealed against oil leaks out and air leaks in to the piping system. So dirt or water from outside the system would not easily enter the piping system. Details about spotting oil or air leaks in oil piping are found at OIL LINE LEAKS and also at OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT. Other oil piping defects and oil line clogging are detailed at OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS.

Check the oil tank: So how might debris enter and clog oil piping after a building flood? If the oil tank itself were flooded you might have water and mud or silt and dirt on the tank bottom - if your oil line feeds from the tank bottom all of that crud would enter the oil line. So a further check of the condition of the oil tank is in order.

A buried oil tank should, like the oil piping, be sealed against outside water entry (though in times of area flooding a partially empty oil tank might float-up and break lines or cause leaks).

An above ground oil tank should be ok IF flood waters never rose high enough to enter the oil tank vent or fill piping.

If your oil tank itself checks out as not contaminated with water and dirt, and provided we are sure that the oil burner assembly was itself entirely replaced and that the oil pump (fuel unit) is working properly, and if you are unable to draw oil from the tank, the usual step employed by the service tech is to use a CO2 gas cartridge and special "gun" assembly that connects to the oil line and attempts to "blow out" an obstruction. If you are unable to make the line usable following that procedure, and provided we remain convinced that the line is the culprit, I'd have the service company run a new fuel line between the oil tank and the burner.

Check the oil supply valves: fusible link oil piping shutoff valves should be found at the oil burner (just before the oil filter) and perhaps also at the oil storage tank. A valve at the oil tank is often used for service convenience if the oil piping exits at the tank bottom. If oil piping or the oil tank were open to floodwaters debris often collects right at the control valve. See FIRE SAFETY CONTROLS for a discussion of oil piping fire safety valves.

Bleed the oil piping properly: Also be sure the service tech was following proper procedure for bleeding air out of the oil piping during service restoration.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about troubleshooting & fixing oil fired hot water heaters

Question: Why is my oil filter canister leaking oil - apparently from the bottom of the unit?

I recently replaced my oil filter (I actually replaced the entire oil canister with a new oil canister that included the filter already inside of it). The burner is working properly, the flame is on,and I'm getting hot water.

...

Any idea why the oil canister is leaking oil (from the bottom)? - Thanks, Ed Salva

Reply:

This discussion has been relocated to OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT

Question: how to get the heating oil line flowing after hurricane & flood damage

I am having problems restarting the water heater ever since hurricane irene slammed into New Jersey and my basement flooded. We changed the motor and oil fiter, but are having problems getting oil to feed through the lines I was wondering if there were suggestions. - Antoinette

Reply: clearing a clogged heating oil line by CO2 blasting, filter changeout, or replacement

This discussion has been relocated to OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS

Question: oil water heater has water leaking out of the exhaust

I have an oil water heater and at each joint of the exhaust there is a water/oil mixture leaking out of the joints. More notably when the hot water is running, it appears to be more water than oil.

Is this possibly water leaking into the burner cavity? - Shaun 5/4/12

Reply:

Shaun that's a good guess.

If you mean water is leaking out of the flue or flue vent connector ABOVE the water heater check for a chimney leak or problem - promptly as that may be unsafe or may damage the heater.

Also at the water heater itself check the combustion chamber for signs of water leakage into that space -you'll see a water stains, uneven corrosion build-up where the leak point(s) are, or stalactites of orange and white crud. Leaks therein mean that your water heater is probably shot.

Question: no hot water, don't know why

i don't have hot water , i dont know the reason , please help ?
i have oil system and a new water tank installed 4 months ago. - Fady 11/13/12

Reply:

Fady,

Make sure power is on to the heater; check and try any reset buttons. Then see the article link at Related Topics or top titled

OIL BURNER INSPECTION AND REPAIR or the HOT WATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS articles found near the top of this page for the beginning of diagnostic procedures.

Question: trouble re-priming the oil fired water heater

recently had to prime my water heater thought nozzle was clogged, i replaced it and it fired up but then when it cooled down and was comanded to refire it ran but did not fire. i primed again it fired and has done the same for the last week now it won't fire upon priming, has my pump just become to week to inject enough fuel or do u think it is another issue. I still get fuel when i prime it but it is really bubbly and it take along time to clear the lines of bubbles

I forgot to tell you that it rumbled upon start up for a few seconds then it cleared up thinking wasn't getting enough fuel or pressure? - Sean 12/14/12

Reply:

Sean,

Your note about bubbles in the fuel suggests to me that (presuming there is plenty of oil in the oil tank) you might have an air leak in the fuel line or else air was never properly purged from the oil piping system, filter canister, & fuel unit.

More stuff to check includes

- a slipping coupling driving the fuel unit - the fuel unit drive shaft is connected through the blower fan over to the electric motor shaft

- a failing fuel unit

- a dirty fuel unit internal filter screen

- a dirty oil filter cartridge

- water in the fuel

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Questions & answers or comments about diagnosing & repairing oil fired water heaters

Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below.

Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

  • Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
  • John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
  • Carson, Dunlop &
Associates Ltd., TorontoCarson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
    • Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
    • Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
    • Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
      Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
    • The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
    • The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
  • Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
  • ...

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