Firebird oil boiler, black smoke problem

[Robster0303]

Hello guys, new member here. I have a firebird oil boiler. It has worked fine up until a few days ago. There was black smoke coming out the flue and there is a build up of soot inside the vent. Can I clean this myself ? Will I need a specialist to sort it. I have turned the system off now as I am using an immersion heater for now, but obviously we have no heating and its gonna get cold in the next few weeks.

Thanks for any help/info much appreciated

Rob

[BOD]

best to get a pro in and check it fully fella

[kimbo]

Yes get an OFTEC guy in, the boiler will ned to be cleaned and nozzle changed, pump pressure checked also flue gas readings may need to be adjusted etc. You will not be able to do these things on your own. You may want to clean it out yourself and you may be lucky but something has caused it to go sooty and only an experienced engineer will be able to find what it was.
Basically soot is unburnt fuel.

[boatfisher]

defo a oftec guy needed it could be a faulty wrong size nozzel wrong pump pressure sooted up baffles etc etc

[WHPES]

you can locate your nearest technician at Oil Firing Technical Association - registered professionals for the the oil heating and cooking industry - OFTEC, Kesgrave, Ipswich and go to the find a technician tab

Is it a vertical flue? If so, may need a chimney sweep too.

Evidence of soot means carbon monoxide being produced so be careful.

[Robster0303]

Okay guys thanks for your replies. I will get someone in then. I wanted to do it myself to save on the pennies but safety first....so thanks again guys !!!

[BOD]

if only there were more like you robster that werent willing to risk there lifes and others for a sake of a few quid. where are you located

[Jimmeh]

yup go to Oftec's website and find one of us Oftec Engineers should be a simple fix as previously mentioned, however he will need to look into the causes of the soot build up, which as mentioned above is probably due to incorrect O2 amount and maybe an incorrect nozzle fitted. The oftec engineer may well want the original boiler manual if available too.

:-)