Nozzle Maintenance

A new nozzle is included in every service kit we sell for your EnergyLogic Furnace or boiler, and considered a standard part of our annual service.

Sometimes, before it’s time for your annual service, it becomes necessary to clean the existing nozzle. In this blog I’ll show you how to diagnose a dirty nozzle and the preferred method for cleaning them.

The first step in troubleshooting, as always, is to watch your gauges while the machine is running, or trying to light.

EL20270183-Pressure Gauge during “normal” operation. Reading approximately 5PSI.

EL20270183-Pressure gauge indicating approximately 66PSI, indicating blockage in the fuel lines, preheater, solenoid, or nozzle block assembly.

Here are two pictures of a pressure gauge, the first one showing a “normal” gauge reading, and the second indicating a blockage. EnergyLogic Waste oil burners operate on volume, not necessarily pressure, so your pressure reading may differ from the one shown, but it shouldn’t really be more than 10-15 psi and could be as low as 1 psi. The high pressure reading shown above is about 65 psi, indicating that there is a blockage somewhere above the pump. Simple troubleshooting will tell you whether the blockage is in the solenoid valve or the preheater. If both of these parts are ruled out, then the blockage is in the nozzle block assembly, or, most likely, the nozzle itself.

To clean the nozzle, simply swing the burner open, grab your 5/8″ deep socket, and pull the nozzle out of the assembly block.

Once the nozzle is out, it can be disassembled into three pieces with a pair of soft pliers on the stem and your 5/8′ socket or wrench on the head of the nozzle.

Nozzle disassembled and laid out in the proper orientation.

Be sure, during disassembly, not to lose the little spinner. This spinner is responsible for atomizing the fuel for proper burn, and is unable to function if the vanes of the spinner or the air channels in the stem of the nozzle are blocked up. Once it’s apart, clean everything thoroughly, taking care not to damage the soft brass.

Now is a good opportunity to peek inside the nozzle block itself and address any buildup of debris that may have accumulated.

Nozzle prepped for reassembly.

Reassembly is as simple as reversing the process. The only caution is to reassemble the nozzle in the vertical position. Hold the stem in one hand, place the spinner on the top, and then screw down the head of the nozzle. Before re-installing the nozzle, be sure to lubricate the o-ring with oil or something similar. Once the nozzle is secured, with the spinner in the appropriate position, reinstall in the burner, verify your electrode condition and placement, and test fire.