How to change the nozzle and filters on your oil fired heater

[@williamstapp3882]

Best non-nonsense illustrated sequence of replacement of pump screen, removal of electrode assembly and replacement of nozzle together with clear, non-jargon commentary. I have checked out a lot of these and believe me I have plenty of points of comparison. Kudos to this man.

[@Askmediy]

Thank you very much. That means a lot.

[@johnsmith7676]

Absolutely. This is how it should be done. Best I've seen.

[@daylanrichards]

I just want to thank you. I watched your video as a refresher to tuning up my furnace before attempting it today. (I couldn't afford to pay someone this year and had to do it myself... pretty darn strapped for money... and so I'd put it off for so long it had gotten so bad it would trip every time it ran. so, really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you and i really appreciate this. it made a difference in my life today when i was freaking out about my own ability to keep my family warm.

[@Askmediy]

And that's why I make these videos. Always my pleasure to help you out.

[@MartyEmerick]

This video saved me some troubleshooting time today! Furnace wouldn't fire after bleeding the oil line. Took the nozzle out and cleaned it. FIred right up on first try. Thank you!

[@Askmediy]

Awesome, so glad I could help you out.

[@oddojaggins]

Thanks Uncle Dom, before this I watched 3 different "plumbing company" videos that were all terrible angles and at least 100 "ums". Now I know what to do and the hardware store I work at should have all the replacement parts I need.

[@Askmediy]

Awesome, love knowing that I was able to help you. Thank you so much.

[@mikemarcus8676]

thanx for showing us on a dirty furnace. All the other vids are showing how to with new, unused burner assemblies.

[@roberty5265]

I don’t have a boiler issue but watched it anyway to understand how mine worked. I’ll also be changing my filter to keep mine running well. Awesome video. Thank you.

[@Askmediy]

Thank you very much.

[@TheWeekendMedic]

Thanks - I've cleaned my burners before, but don't do it often enough to remember. This jogged my memory...

[@Askmediy]

I know what you mean lol

[@donacs2434]

Thank you for your awesome video, I'm new to this type of heating but you made it very easy for me to do the service on the furnace

[@sweetybean1]

Yep. 5 am Christmas eve. I'm doing this. Thank you for the video. Exactly what I need. Wish me luck.

[@Askmediy]

You got this.

[@sweetybean1]

@@Askmediy done and fired back up.

[@evoryda]

Been having issues with my oil burner. wouldn't come on at all last night, I got the temp to climb from 52 to 59 degrees(brrrr) with my 2 plug in radiant heaters. So today I replaced the parts that you replaced, bled the line and it cut right on. Thanks for the vid.

[@Whatsgoingjohn]

Great video! People watching don’t forget to turn off the power before you take anything apart!

[@jefferyweigand1337]

great video dominick... am not mechanically inclined...but even I got it done, then cleaned blower fan and motor...put in new air filter on door....this is a mobile home one btw...saved me a 125 bucks for a cleaning...solid, simple video that gives all the info...thank you for putting up.

[@Askmediy]

Awesome, always glad to see I'm helping somone

[@brucedeleskey8540]

I've had a lic in this for years but this guy gets right into it in good detail

[@tallerthantreetops]

Thanks as always! I'd also recommend keeping a couple nozzles and filters on hand. I change it them every fall, but if it is gonna clog up, it will never be at a convenient moment. Today's No2 oil seems so waxy anymore even after cut with kerosene. The durn heater only ever quits at 3am Sunday morning of a 3-day holiday weekend in a howling blizzard. I keep the exact tools, nozzles and filters in a box right by the heater so I don't even have to open the garage door. For you fellow DIY'rs, do not try to wash any cloths you used to wipe up with your laundry unless you want everything to have the lovely odor of fuel oil. Left my wipe rag in my jeans pocket. Bathtowels and all smelled like No2 oil. "Ummm, Wow! Ummm, I'm really Sorry Honey!" :-0 BTW, Dom, I know we're too old to worry about brain damage and such. But disposable gloves are probably safer for folks handling fuel and sludge.

[@Askmediy]

Thank you. Yeah I know all about those rags and clothes going into the wash. Brain damage, yeah too late lol

[@jcstevegigs]

Love your videos, Dominick. I get freaked out when I have furnace problems, but your like an old friend to calm me down and show me what to do. Thanks, man!

[@ericmyron2238]

Thanks a lot for this video. Serviced mine for the first time and only $16.00.

[@Askmediy]

Yeah that's the way it's done.

[@rogerbedardjr8135]

I used this video and replaced my oil burner nozzle today. I can't believe how easy it was, thanks! House is warm and toasty again! Plumber wanted $150 just to come out to the house.

[@Askmediy]

Yeah that's what I'm talking about. I saved someone a few bucks. Awesome. Glad I was able to help.

[@Mardasee]

I'm a burner tech. Due to a serious injury I haven't been back to work for almost four years except for a few small side jobs. After watching this video I don't miss repairing burners! Who in heck put that oil filter inside that furnace cabinet! If it was a webster fuel pump "which doesn't have a strainer" I'd say okay. But not with a sunstrand er suntek pump like here in this video. I bet that strainer hadn't been replaced in years because of that crowded filter situation.

[@ahirst1622]

Thank you for the video. My oil heater was clogged up after running out of fuel and wouldn't start after filling the tank again. I cleaned/replaced the filters as you described and it started right up. Thanks again!

[@islandoflong56]

Thanks Dominic for making this video I ordered oil this afternoon because I was running low and it's 3 o'clock in the morning now I just ran out of oil. Hopefully I can prime it myself. Thank you

[@kevincpearce]

Huge help - thanks Dominick. really clear descriptions made it so simple. did fuel filter and nozzle in about 15mins. I've been paying $165 a year for this!

[@larryhatfield1588]

Nope, You have been paying for a guy with a license and in surance to remove and replace those parts, brush and vac the interior of the equipment, remove and check the smoke pipe, and test the efficiency of the equipment, and to put his license on the line with every home he goes into. That's what the $165 is for.

[@DAS-Videos]

Great video. I do mine myself. I didn't know about the pump screen I will have to check that. In your video I didn't see any oil shut off valves. They work strange, you turn them counter clockwise to close them. Also sometimes you have to back flush the oil line with a hand pump if it is clogged up. I like oil burners over gas as strange as that sounds.

[@timothybemis]

Thank you alot. I find myself as extremely mechanically inclined and I can do anything with some know how. I called to get a service man out as furnace was cycling alot and puffing white smoke. They stated it would be 3 weeks to get here and be $190.00 after your Video it cost me $8.63 for a new filter,screen and nozzle and 2 hours labor including the drive to local Plumbing supply to get the parts. Thank You again.

[@davejohnson497]

Sometimes I was told white smoke is a cracked heat exchanger on a water system.

[@backtohali]

you make some great videos Dom, just began my apprenticeship, still in school for oil and gas in HRAC,beckett burners are just the start but you know what you're doin with that camera, not easy to get good shots when you're getting the pump off and such. Keep em comming you've got the best ones on the net I've seen so far.

[@davidharris3823]

Excellent, I learned a lot, last year the service man left the old filter gasket on (the old and new together) and it eventually started to drip leak, would of been bad if I was away on a trip etc., but the smell of furnace oil alerted me.

[@highlinertours2913]

I love this guy. I feel like he is my spirit guide in the plumbing world.

[@carltoncopp3032]

You’re a brave man doing that without gloves. The smell of fuel oil is tough to remove from hands and clothes so be careful handling it.

[@irinapivtchev7036]

i worked contstruction for 10 years but never had to do a oil boiler, i was checking your website out painting!

[@NathanHarrison7]

Done. Easy peasy lemon squeeze thanks to you. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@Askmediy]

Awesome, thank you so much.

[@bindersmokdat]

Tip: Drain a little oil into a clean container when you first disconnect the fuel line to perform service. Then when you replace the filter, add that oil to your spin-on or felt filter. It will greatly reduce the time needed to purge the fuel line later.

[@lunarmoon1969]

Thank You!! And my Mother thanks you as well. Changed Filters and nozzel, the nozzle was the worst. We are warm and toasty again in Northern PA.

[@paulo1149]

Dominick - I had a couple of curves to deal with. The electrode extensions were too long and I had to find out that I could cut them. The different brand nozzle was an AS rather than a B, but the guy said that was ok. And then the gasket to the filter was too small, so I ended up reusing the original. But after that, everything went perfectly. Thanks so much, you saved us some money. Blessings.

[@buff985]

You do an excellent job of showing that this process is not nearly as difficult as it might seem, at least for someone with a little DIY knowledge & experience. Thanks so much!

[@drizler]

You ought to be a teacher. I have been doing mine for 30 years and I learned a couple things I didn't know about . That pump screen and lifting out the burner nozzle from the top were new to me and much easier to work on. Great job and great camera work.

[@melsibley5191]

Great video Dom thanks With all that crud in the filter I think I would be looking at the tank and possibly a secondary / primary filter near the tank

[@ClausPetersen]

I didn't have anything to do with oil burners for a long time, he is excellent very good old school, thank you so much! 11.29.20 He caught everything at the right time!! Thanks Dominique!

[@Askmediy]

Always my pleasure. Thank you very much.

[@lizozturk5615]

Thanks so much for this video. I was able to replace the filter, the strainer, nozzle and electrodes without too much difficulty tho I was a bit scared. It didn't seem like the lines needed to be purged of air bec as soon as I loosened the bleeder valve fuel started dripping out. Maybe bec it is gravity fed? Anyway it started right up, had some air bubbles and best of all - Heat!

[@Askmediy]

Heck yeah Liz. You’re a pro now. Glad I could help you do it.

[@donlane2610]

Here we are in 2021, and I want you to know how thankful for this video I am, (While it didn't solve my floor furnace issue) I was able to get everything apart and clean it to learn how it works and I sincerely appreciate that!!

[@Askmediy]

Awesome, glad I could help out in some way or another.

[@apsychoalso]

Great video. Just serviced my system instead on relying on the local heating guys that are too busy to return a call. Thanks!

[@peterhawryluk8430]

Great video Tom. What you showed us worked very well. Not to mention I saved $250 bucks . I was all worried it would cost a fortune to get fixed. $15 bucks and about half an hour and it fired 🔥 right up.

[@Askmediy]

Hot damn, good deal. Glad I could help you out.

[@mrtrek64]

Hey...that was a darn good video...If I may make a suggestion, to avoid the burner from locking out while you're bleeding it, you can place a jumper across the FF terminals (on relay) to keep the burner running until you achieve a good bleed.

[@BobBerardjr772]

Ok. Lol. I spoke waaay too soon cause u just mentioned turning the power. Mt bad..great tutorial pal.. thank u....Bob

[@15ryancloak]

Good video. One thing I did notice is that you had a return line on the oil pump. In a two pipe system it is not necessary to bleed the pump, Just a FYI

[@Askmediy]

It really sounds like it's a fuel issue. Did you change the filters ? There are so many things it can be. Try bleeding the fuel line at the fuel pump. Do you get any air ?

[@heatherlee7534]

This was great and I did the oil filter. The nozzle is a little more intimidating. My boiler keeps turning off.. runs a day or two then I bleed it a little and it starts but.. does a 1 second sort of squeal before it kicks on. Air? something in the nozzle that's burning up? Should I try tightening the screws on the filter? Trying to avoid a service call since I"m not working.

[@chriss4169]

Great job on the video, one thing worth mentioning, even though you shut the burner down, when changing the wool filter in the cup, shut your oil line valve or dont leave the cap unplugged while you run out for the filters. I had taken my burner apart, saw no leaks but was in and out quick, got a oil delivery 2 hours later, about 3 hours after that I went and picked up the filters and came home to the house smelling of nothing but oil. I went downstairs in the basement and oil was flowing out of where the wool filter normally is since I had taken the filter off, shut the burner down and thought all was safe. I have maybe 5-7 gallons of red oil heating fluid making a mess on the basement floor. Ughhh. Anyway, great videos, just dont leave ANY filters untightened and left unattended to be safe.

[@Boobtube.]

or, don't do the job when you called for a delivery.

[@christopherfleischer3118]

I think many people dont realize how gooked up those nossles can get. great stuff

[@michaelcaldwell771]

Great video, you showed how AND explained it step by step.

[@Askmediy]

Thank you so much. I wrote a whole big article on my site that shows a lot more than this video you may want to see.

[@cinemabunny]

For a neglected furnace, would it make sense to change and clean the main filter, let it run a few cycles, then change the pump screen, let it run, then change the nozzle? This way, any residue that is dislodged in the process will catch in the old parts rather than the new ones?

[@rizzirizzirizzi]

Thanks, Dom. I get my Furnace Guy to check my furnace every year but now I understand what he is doing. Love your videos.

[@bobcolgan]

Excellent help video. Clear instruction, no bull. Thank you !

[@Askmediy]

Thank you very much

[@hunterred5664]

This was tremendously helpful. You explained this in a way that linked up for me perfectly. I was able to tackle my first furnace job thanks to you.

[@Askmediy]

Awesome glad I could help.

[@wscottb1]

Thank you for this video- question: I have what looks to be the same furnace-yesterday it started having a problem where it turns on and runs for a few minutes and then cuts out- I hit the reset and it fires up again- only now it only turns on for a maybe 25 seconds- as it's cutting out I can hear what I think is the ignition trying to trigger and the little damper door starts flapping- I checked filter & fuel looks clean- I also opened the bleeder and the pressure is strong. Your thoughts?

[@nathansadia]

Thanks for the video itis very good. I follow it and clean my heater but I miss the part of shuting down the fule value.

[@evoryda]

I use to not be able to hear anything but the pump, and every now and then it would kick on. After I replaced the filter, screen and nozzle, bled the line, it did not hesitate and fired up instantly. I do have a related question, sorry if I sound stupid but nobody else I know has fuel oil heat or could answer it. Is it normal for the reset to trip on the furnace if you use other heaters and it gets warmer than the "heat to" temp?

[@Thebowzer221]

Dom, can I add 1 thing to this very good video? The small bleeder screw on top of oil filter housing should B opened just a crack 2 bleed the air from new filter. When U see oil start 2 spurt out tighten screw. Now the filter canister is a solid column of oil, no air. Purge pump, N yer good 2 go. I did look 4 ur video on setting electrodes correctly, where is it? Nice video, keep them coming. Bowzer.

[@gem8126]

Thank you, I had to search at least a dozen not satisfactory videos before I found you. You gave me just the information I needed to clean my filters and to replace nozzle. Very informative and professional. Same guy has helped me on a gas furnace repair also.

[@Askmediy]

+GE M Awesome, glad I could you out.

[@Askmediy]

It didn't save you money, now you have to send it to me, LOL. Glad I could help out.

[@tuber2u]

What a beautiful thing Dominick, Santa did show up! Will feature you in my prayers tonight, all the best to you and your loved ones! THANK YOU!

[@SrColon309]

Excellent video, thank you very much, God Bless you my friend

[@jeremy812]

Gave me the know-how to be able to diagnose my problem and just clean off my nozzle. My family and wallet thank you.

[@MndSet]

Excellent job Dom and I just want to say, Keep up the good work. Just by watching this video, I know you do quality work. Thanks man......

[@hfxfirefighter]

Great video, thank you! I am concerned about the smell if anything leaks. Do you have any recommendations on how to clean up?

[@Askmediy]

Thank you,. To clean up any spills I like to use a rag with either lacquer thinner or alcohol. Wait a few minutes till it's all dry before startup

[@kylefolb8638]

Great video. Very easy to follow and learn what I was doing. I was messing with my boiler for hrs. I watched it video and cleaned my nozzle and it started up. Thank u for the help. Best video on youtube by far. Ur the man

[@aminsumon]

I also have the same problem, The Filter, Nozzle and cad cell (the sensor) has been changed , still it's not firing up. for the past week, I was able to reset and it ran few hours than the thermostats shuts it off, next time it doesn't run until I reset it. However, from tonight it is not firing at all and shuts it self down automatically after 15 to 25 seconds. Please advice!!

[@erictracy82]

Wife woke me up because it was cold as hell, thanks for the video. I was able to get us warm for the night by cleaning the nozzle and electrodes. Save us an emergency maintenance call. Thanks!!!!!

[@hal12b]

Great tip Dom. Even a computer nerd like me should be able to do this.

[@kenfett7070]

Best oil furnace service post I've seen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@jpmendoza7646]

Gracias hombre,it was like going back to school... with a very good teacher.

[@Askmediy]

Glad I could help out. And thank you very much

[@thehonestcourier]

Medley, you are very good. Looked at your video to help son with his oil heater. You explained the whole process VERY WELL and Clearly... Great Job....all around. Thank YOU.

[@benzkong]

can you tell me please where to buy the screen and what band is it?

[@hamslice15164]

What is the lowest temperture the cellar can get before an oil fired furnance starts performaning poorly. Internet search is split. Some say 16 degree others 32.

[@seamusmcfadden994]

Great video! I could see u on TV with that manner of speaking / teaching. Funny dude.

[@Filmaker25]

Good video .I was thinking about the bleeding of the oil if a clear hose would work better to see the air bubbles? I cant believe you didn"t cut the juice!

[@Askmediy]

You need the "juice" to power the pump. And you wouldn't want air to get sucked right back in the line

[@BeyondLuxury]

Great job with the video and thank you so much, you really saved my butt... home sick with a fever and my boiler died... watched your vid and it turned out to be a clogged filter. you may have saved my life!!

[@mdamad1318]

Question the nozzle comes with filter or can I change filter only because its not coming off

[@IMlivinwell]

Dom,..any idea what would happen if you had a nozzle on that was too big ? Would kind of problems could it cause ?

[@physiques]

Hi Dominic, Thank you for a great how to video. I have a Riello 40 would you know if the procedure basically the same? Thank you again.

[@silverligsay4266]

Thank you for making this video, I replaced my filter after watching this. Quick question, how often you should clean or replace your nozzle and filter? Thank you.

[@Askmediy]

Always my pleasure. It really depends on how old your tank is. An older tank "Can" have more segment and rust build up which will require you to replace the filter more often. The nozzle! Again, back to thank issue. Most I would say every three years.

[@joedodge55]

Dom, Fantastic video..I knew there wasn't any magic to cleaning these. You explained this in a simple and percise manner..Now I want to see the rest of your vids. Thanks for the instruction..

[@nathansadia]

Thanks for the video. I lean a lot from it and use it. When I changed the nozzle I shake the burner gun and I hear a noise from inside. What is the moving part inside?

[@ligmaballz3584]

check valve in the gun assembly

[@nathansadia]

jeramy baez Thanks for your suggestion.But I have not idea how to do it and where to buy it.

[@nathansadia]

Nathan Sadia A lot of the people that I have asked didn't even know that there is a valve in the gun assembly

[@griesch73]

and to think that oil company's charge you an arm and a leg to do the same thing. i just spent around 100.00 not to long ago to do the same thing . i just wish that i came across this earlier Great vid !!

[@Danmaan]

Thanks - good video. I was thinking of doing it myself, but now I realize it is probably worth paying someone to do it. Well done.

[@philipcarpenter6718]

Great, great channel. I have a question for you, though. I have a sink but I don't think there is a water trap but I don't have easy access to the pipes. Is there a way to know if there is a water trap from the sink hole without opening everything up? Thanks in advance.

[@patrickcordery1635]

I like you vitioe my pump bltsds good and I changed the filter and spray nozzle. But it won't fire up what coul be the problem can u help me

[@excelprocess]

Awesome viedo!!!! Im tuning my boiler today.

[@garritye]

During a filter change, don't forget to shut off the Fuel valve. Even shut off, mine leaked during the filter replacement and made a mess, even though I used a foil tray under the filter. I still have to send about 1/2 gallon to the hazardous waste facility. Lots of paper towels available and a safe gallon container will help. Also, the smell dissipates pretty quickly if wiped down quickly.

[@tribulation138]

Ed Garrity just burn it

[@steveshea6148]

Ed Garrity no need to go to hazardous waste facility for drained oil. Pour your clean drained fuel back into your oil tank from outside the house.

[@frank289frank]

Thank you you saved me a lot of money on a service call and I'm pretty sure I did it right instead of wondering if the furnace tech did it all so thanks for the great vidieos

[@paulo1149]

Dominick - it is important to use thread compound on the nozzle? I didn't, and I'm wondering if there's a possibility of leakage. The threads and seating seemed pretty tight.

[@PaulHVAC1]

I heard you say, that after you tighten up the bleed nozzle, while its running, you will now hear the flames light up. Does this mean when you open the bleed port, the oil will now by-pass out the bleed port and no oil will be flowing out the nozzle. Am I correct on this?

[@Askmediy]

Not really. It really just lowers the pressure to the nozzle. Don't just assume there won't be any coming out of the nozzle.

[@PaulHVAC1]

@@Askmediy so will the burner light up while you are bleeding it or will oil be spraying inside the heat exchanger then? Sorry for what seems like a dumb question- but I have no oil in my part and just trying to learn about this

[@Askmediy]

@@PaulHVAC1 No it will not. When you open the bleed valve it reduces the amount of pressure a ton. With it open, there isn't enough pressure to create the spray at the nozzle needed.

[@PaulHVAC1]

@@Askmediy Thank you for explaining this to me. As I mentioned earlier oil heating is very rare in my part of the world. I never come across a oil furnace so I do find watching videos on oil burning furnaces quite interesting. And I appreciate your video along with your reply to my questions. Cheers👍

[@mikepike8569]

just changed all three of mine because of your video. very good information. thank you!

[@Askmediy]

+mike pike Awesome, glad I could help you out.

[@elijahlyke4870]

Thanks man. I let my tank get low in Fairbanks Alaska. What do ya know it was a clogged nozzle. You rock!!

[@John00065]

Thank you for this video: you just saved me a $250.00 service call!

[@Askmediy]

Thank you very much. It's always nice to hear.

[@patriotsongs]

Beckett burner, filters clean,getting fuel through the bleeder valve but i don't think it gets to the nozzle. it try's to start but shuts down after 20-30 seconds.

[@aminsumon]

The Tank has over 100 gallons left, fuel filter was changed few weeks ago, this trouble has been started for a month, before it stopped firing once a week, then once every other day, and now once every other cycle. And yesterday it won't turn on at all, then after 2 hours I tried again around midnight and it fired up again until the thermostat shuts it off once the temperature was reached.

[@modernrustics5069]

Thanks a ton. You saved this Military family about 300 bucks!

[@323keny]

How do I know what size of nozzle do I need, is my first time doing oil burner cervice

[@Askmediy]

The best thing to do is take your make and model # to a real plumbing supply. They will know what to give you. Many times, someone already replaced it with the wrong one.

[@323keny]

@@Askmediy thank you, I will do that.

[@user-rw3qq2sr1z]

can 2 oil filters be installed on the oil line, approx 10 feet apart? i have 1 at the oil tank, but want to install one more closer to the furnace, which is approx 10 feet apart.

[@261Pro]

I have the same.. one filter at tank and one close to pump.. never opened yet . Looking to try and maintain my own boiler..