How to Clean Out a Burnham Oil Boiler

[@Iwolffeman]

One of the things you missed was the bracket that holds the electrodes in place. As you look at the part of the video showing their placement, notice the bracket partially blocking the two holes that the CAD cell needs to see the flame on the end of the nozzle assembly. As the electrodes are removed and re installed, the tightening of that bracket bends it and blocks the holes; this needs to be straightened before being re-installed. Another problem I see is the way the squirrel cage was cleaned. For proper cleaning the motor should be removed with the squirrel cage attached and cleaned outside the oil burner chassis. Brushing the blades while still in the chassis leaves any dust and dirt to be blown through the nozzle assembly into the chamber. This dirt and dust then coats the electrodes and nozzle and possibly causing a flame out due to the CAD cell not being able to see the flame. It is also necessary to remove the motor during a cleaning in order to inspect the “pump coupling”, which will eventually start slipping and not turn the fuel pump causing a no heat scenario.

[@oldironsfury]

Wow a video that is straight to the point and doesn’t involve patting yourself on the back while doing it! Much gratitude for this, thank you for the straight forward information 👍👍

[@livewire2474]

Very much agreed!!

[@cosimanuki]

I paid a mechanical service company $300 for do maintenance on my boiler a few years ago. Complete rip off. He didn't do a cleaning of the coils, he didn't open the combustion chamber, and vacuum it, he didn't clean the exhaust pipe. He patted himself on the back about how he could gauge the combustion by "eye' but didn't do an actual combustion analysis. A year later I realized that he had noted on the bill that he hadn't even replaced the nozzle because it was 'clean'. WTF he did do during that hour or so? He replaced the filter and gaskets on the oil filter, but not the next filter that's on the Beckett. Besides that I think he sat in the basement and watched youtube and then added some new cement around the exhaust pipe that he made sure he pointed out. Never again. I do still need to do the combustion test and see if it needs adjusting. I'd much rather do it myself. I'm much more thorough and do the complete job for free compared to some knucklehead who doesn't give a shit about doing the job thoroughly.

[@shawnnelson9228]

One thing to note, you should replace the flex drive coupler that drives the oil pump. A badly worn coupler will cause problems, at some point the coupler when cool will contract and grip the shaft and run the oil pump, after the boiler heats up the out of tolerance coupler will relax its grip when warm and the boiler wont get oil and quit and go into lockout. So if your boiler runs all year long to supply hot water, its best to replace the flex coupler when you replace the nozzle and reset the igniter gap. I usually file new point on the igniter if its blunted. Cleaning the combustion residue is important. Be sure you keep a rain cap on your stack, rain combines with that soot to make a very corrosive and rot out your stack pipe.

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

Hot dang! Thanks for the heads up. Guess I need to go source one of those things now.

[@dhowar]

I have a 3 section Burnham with a Becket burner installed in 2009. The fan comes on 15 seconds before the burner starts. That blows the smoke out. The smoke is when the burner comes on and when it goes off. I time the running time of the boiler when it's running. It's been the same. I haven't cleaned it since it was installed. But I will replace the filter as the weather gets warmer. I learned to service it because when I first moved in to my new home in 1972, I had a Revco that always needed cleaning. This one is great and much faster heating.

[@Liberallez]

Good stuff!! Simple, clear and straight forward!!😊

[@phifedig34]

great video, very straight to the point. it’s sad i don’t trust anyone to do it right. thanks for this info!

[@josephmigliaccio5341]

Excellent video. The only thing you missed and did not change or clean is the little round filter where the fuel goes into the burner. It is right where you bleed it and has four little Allen keys to remove it. Under that is the little screen. That could get really ugly because it usually never gets changed. 🤔

[@striker851]

Excellent video. Already knew how to service my boiler, but this is very well put together for a newb

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

Great to hear!

[@bradc7254]

And you have to put new sealant on the chimney flue where it meets the wall to the external chimney for c02 and manoxide

[@livewire2474]

Excellent tutorial well explained.. I'm about to tackle my own service on my Burnham v8 model thanks to youre vid😎

[@alickyellick1028]

Nicely done Video. Well detailed. Thanks, Al

[@lkw5699]

That was concise and good video. I wish you didn't fast foward parts of it. What kind of wrench removed the nozzle?

[@Stacker_Actual]

Great video. When you cleaned off those “fingers” does all that gunk fall down into the burn chamber ? I would assume after a few cleanings you’d have a pile of soot.

[@williammacpherson4004]

Good video, simple and clear.

[@SumOfThePartsBand]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@cesgladdav31]

Awesome video thank you 🙏🏽

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jesuspineroarzuaga9821]

Thanks is greatly

[@tonishawaterton1895]

I wish there's a way you can help me with my boiler now. I've tried everything

[@montysonful]

Good idea to brush the heat exchanger out first before you change the nozzle so all the crap doesn't fall down on it.

[@PeterNtheWolf]

well done thank you

[@bigrimshot33]

Thanks for your help much appreciated bro

[@rioborzeli147]

Funny thing watching your very informative video. My service on my unit lasted about 15 min , Nothing like this at all . What a RIP off, a 450 dollar rip off ..... Mmmmm. years of just changing the tip . I sm you know what .Thank You

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

They should have brushed the inside, changed the nozzle, cleaned out the bottom of the chimney and changed the fuel filter.

[@curtisherschleb7891]

excellent video

[@martinneosel3403]

Hello Max. I also have a Burnham 4 section low pressure residential oil fired steam boiler with a Beckett burner. Can you vacuum out the burn chamber with a regular houselhold vacuum cleaner? How does one avoid pulling out parts of the lining?

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Burnham boiler and Beckett burner? Say that five times fast....... Thanks for this vid .very helpful

[@FU420B]

Wondering why my exact setup is short cycling. The system is off.

[@rickberglund2134]

I think the vast majority of people that offer this cleaning service, take a lot of short cuts and rip people off.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thanks. I’m couldn’t find this ANYWHERE but here. Great. I have a small drip from my (unused) tankless gasket. Does water flow past the opening? or does that mean there is a crack inside the boiler?

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

I did as well. I tightened the bolts that hold that plate and it stopped leaking. It is a sign that you will have to replace the gasket in the next few years. Good time to do that is in the summer.

[@chico12342]

You forgot to show him how to clean the fuel filter or the fuel strainer at the fuel pump That's always important

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

Yeah I know. I changed that off camera and did not have footage of it.

[@jimbee7688]

excellent video...thanks

[@nancymullaert8695]

i dont feel like doing it 2 nite ill take it apart in the am there is a new nozzle and filter i have not cleaned the boiler 4 awhile i have 2 keep hitting the reset 2 get heat

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

That is bad as it soots up the inside quicker and can make your house stink. They always seem to stop working on the coldest nights too.

[@jameschristy9966]

Cad cell never go bad lol I'm HV AC technician in about 50% of the calls I go to for no heat are cad cells sometimes they are just dirty but other times they are completely shot

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

Not never but not as often as techs say. I had 3 installed and they were all good and the unit was not working right.

[@Randy-rs1cg]

@@MakerMaxCorbett 90% of the "oil techs" out there are just parts changers not techs. They cant diagnose so they just change parts till its running than leave even though that wasnt the issue. for a cad cell its pretty simple. Check ohms first, make sure its clean with line of sight and wires aren't broken or bent. if ohms are high check flame if flame is good change cad cell normally cad cells dont go bad but its super easy too check

[@voltagesparx]

Constructive criticism. Don't down stroke when brushing this boiler type. You are damaging the burn chamber liner. You can see the stroke marks on the liner and probably why you pulled a chunk while vacuuming. I made the same mistake in past, lessoned learned

[@henryperez5404]

Wow good job

[@lf-1942]

I have a similar oil burner, same brand with green color. It heats water for the baseboard and for the sink/shower. The baseboard heat works fine but the sink/shower is only about room temp. I am not sure but it seems there is another heat exchanger for the sink/shower. Top left side of the boiler, yours does not have it. There is one one the bottom just like yours for the heat. Does my boiler have 2 heat exchangers? Any suggestions on problem? How do you heat your sink/shower water? Thanks.

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

On mine I can add a heat exchanger for hot water. It is the black plate on the right rear side. Yours might have 2 of these but I am not an expert on this.

[@krakenhits1587]

Very similar boiler and burner if my boiler was still running fine but I was getting black smoke out of my chimney can I also chimney sweep myself? Feel confident in cleaning the boiler but I don't know which I should do first?

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

The chimney should be swept every other year but if your unit is running poor then more often.

[@wadupdockandrew8609]

Did you make a video on replacing the burn chamber liner?

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

Yes search my channel.

[@petersachs2750]

How do I figure out what size brushes I need to clean a Burnham RS-110? I asked the guy at my plumbing supply store and he gave me a blank stare.

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

You can pull a side off before you go and measure with a ruler. Just get it close. Probably a medium size will work. They don't last long so if that size is wrong, order the right one after a few cleanings. They are under $10.

[@1021Adam]

Thanks 🙏

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

You’re welcome 😊

[@rickberglund2134]

5:17 But, all the soot drops to the bottom of the chamber

[@darylwyatt9173]

Didn't change the nozzle?? Don't use channel locks to remove the spline nut....flat head screw driver. To properly clean the burner blower use a 3/8 nut driver to take off the motor.

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

I did change the nozzle before I made the video.

[@sparky3869]

Why is the fusible valve being used as a service valve? Where is the service valve

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

I had no idea it was a fusible valve. I am a home owner so I don't know the biz.

[@ohger1]

Depending on local codes, lots of installations more than 10 years old use the fusible for the service valve. My house was built in '93 and the only two valves (one at the tank, the other at the boiler) are fusible. My mom's house is 60 years old and has just the fusible. Never had a problem servicing it all these years.

[@Ratman_Bejo]

Hello, this friend again, Beckett Service Burner?

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

This is a Beckett

[@Jerbod2]

My burner hasnt been cleaned in at least 10 years or longer... woops.

[@tonyf944]

You’re just making my job a lot easier I would still charge you full price to do the combustion Analysis and I wouldnt have to get dirty

[@MakerMaxCorbett]

I learned to do this because I had 4 techs come to my house and still the reset button was popping. They charged me $100 a visit. The 4th guy discovered the chimney was clogged and cleaned that out. If I could trust people I would let them do it. Besides a combustion Analysis does not need to be done yearly. Thanks for watching and I am glad I did everything ok.

[@ohger1]

@@MakerMaxCorbett Keep a lookout for an old Bacharach wet kit that includes a draft gauge and smoke pump. I picked one up off Facebook Marketplace for $75 in excellent condition. You can do as good as Mr. Furtado and do it every fall or whenever you change your nozzle. Used properly, the wet kit is just as reliable as the fancy electronic ones, and will never need expensive sensors or periodic calibration. I know several techs who use the wet kit to **verify** their electronic testers are still accurate!!!

[@oilburner9989]

@@ohger1 I can get it to burn as clean by eye as any test kit. I know, I was told It is impossible too. I have been working on burners every day for 32 yrs and have not used a kit in 17 years and have no issues with any of our customer's burners. Oh, and BIC lighters work great as a draft gauge.

[@ohger1]

@@oilburner9989 It's "technicians" like you that made me learn how to correctly service burners. Getting it to run "clean" by eye means excess air, which reduces stack temps (condensation) and reduces CO2 (efficiency). There is no difference in a flame by eye between an 8% and 12% CO2 figure.

[@oilburner9989]

@@ohger1 I'll bet my job that I will get it perfect by eye Johnny boy. After 32 yrs I can do it in my sleep.

[@AdamDaley1]

all the soo... and i just made my hands black :) ooops lol

[@davefraulino54]

Most seasoned oil burner techs start at the oil filter then strainer then the nozzle.... In that order... Not all over the place

[@theflow03]

Cant find that wire brush anywhere. Help please!

[@katman96]

Do you have a Sid Harvey or FW Webb, thats where you want to start looking..

[@theflow03]

@@katman96 i was able to find it but thanks.

[@GTSTWINCAM16]

I literally got mine at Home Depot for a few bucks, I was also lucky enough to have one left behind by a shoddy burner guy…..