Smell of oil
A weeping fitting or incomplete combustion. Have it checked soon.
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Oil Boiler Breakdown: Burner Repair
Red light on the burner, a smell of oil, black smoke or a boiler that won't restart after a delivery? Our heating engineers repair oil boilers of all brands, 7 days a week. They give you the price before repairing and advise you when it is time to change fuel.
5,0on Google· 22 years of experience
Oil burnersAll brands
7 days a weekEvenings and weekends
Price given firstBefore any repair
Honest adviceRepair or replace
Empty tank, filter and supply line
Many oil boiler breakdowns start at the tank. When the level gets very low, the burner pump draws sediment from the bottom, which blocks the filter and sometimes the nozzle. The boiler stops, even if you have oil delivered the next day.
The line between tank and burner can also draw air: a loose fitting, a filter bowl not screwed tight, a foot valve that no longer holds. The burner sucks in bubbles, the flame goes out mid-cycle and the boiler locks out again and again.
The engineer replaces the filter cartridge, bleeds the line until oil arrives without bubbles and checks the fittings. If the tank holds a lot of water or sludge, he recommends a tank cleaning so the fault does not come back.
Nozzle, photocell, pump: repairing the burner
The burner is the hardest-working part of an oil boiler. The nozzle that atomises the oil wears and clogs, the photocell gets sooty, the electrodes drift out of adjustment, the pump loses pressure and the motor tires.
Each part gives different signs: black smoke and smell when atomisation is poor, lockout on start-up when the photocell no longer sees the flame, a whining noise when the pump struggles to draw. The engineer compares these signs with his measurements.
He replaces worn parts with ones matching your burner, sets the pump pressure and combustion air and checks the flue gases with his analyser. A well-tuned burner starts smoothly, fouls the boiler less and uses less oil.
Replacing oil with a heat pump
When an oil boiler is thirty years old, its body is leaking or repairs keep coming, it makes sense to plan ahead. In a reasonably insulated house, an air-to-water heat pump can take over heating and hot water.
The engineer looks at radiator sizes, insulation, the water temperature the house needs and space for the outdoor unit. He tells you honestly whether a heat pump suits you, or whether a condensing boiler or a pellet boiler would be better.
The project also covers the old installation: the oil tank must be emptied, cleaned and decommissioned or removed according to your region's rules. We explain the steps and the grants that may apply.
A pellet boiler in the old plant room
For rural homes, less insulated or with radiators that need hot water, a pellet boiler is another way off oil. It behaves much like a conventional boiler.
The space freed by the oil tank is often used to store the pellets, in a fabric silo or a dedicated room. An auger or a vacuum system carries pellets to the boiler, which lights and regulates itself.
The engineer studies access for deliveries, storage volume, the flue and the connection to your radiators before quoting. We then take care of the yearly service.
Signs that an oil boiler is struggling
Some signs announce a breakdown. Spotting them early means less risk of a cold house in winter.
Black smoke
Burner out of adjustment or worn nozzle: the boiler soots up and burns more.
Noisy starts
Delayed ignition, often down to the electrodes or nozzle.
Frequent red light
Repeated lockouts: filter, photocell, pump or fuel supply.
Higher consumption
For the same comfort the tank empties faster: service and tuning needed.
How the repair works
Your call
Tell us whether oil was delivered recently, the burner brand and what the boiler does.
Diagnosis
The engineer checks supply, burner and boiler and gives the repair price.
Heating back on
He repairs, sets the combustion and hands you the job sheet, followed by the invoice.
What our customers say
Where do we work?
Our heating engineers repair oil boilers throughout Belgium, in Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia, including remote villages.
BrusselsWalloon BrabantFlemish BrabantHainautNamur provinceLiège provinceLuxembourg provinceAntwerpEast FlandersWest FlandersLimburg
The brands we work with
Our technicians work on all brands: they install, service and repair appliances from the major manufacturers. For a new installation, we recommend the model that suits your home and budget.
We buy our equipment from all the major Belgian wholesalers and suppliers, including Facq, Van Marcke and Desco: genuine parts, quickly available.
Frequently asked questions
My oil boiler stopped just after a delivery. Why?
The delivery stirs up sediment at the bottom of the tank, which blocks the filter. The cartridge must be replaced and the line bled.
Can I reset the burner myself?
Once. If the red light comes back, stop pressing and call us on 0477 03 88 98.
Is servicing an oil boiler compulsory?
Yes, regional rules require periodic servicing with a certificate. We carry it out and give you the document.
The plant room smells of oil. Is it dangerous?
A slight smell on start-up can happen, but a strong or constant smell means a leak or poor combustion. Ventilate and have it checked.
Can I still install a new oil boiler?
Regional rules increasingly restrict oil in new builds and renovations. We tell you what is allowed in your case before suggesting a solution.
What happens to the old tank?
It must be emptied, cleaned and decommissioned or removed by a specialist company, with a certificate. We explain the procedure.
Do you repair all burner brands?
Yes: Riello, Elco, Weishaupt, Buderus, Viessmann, De Dietrich, ACV and the other common burners.
Oil boiler out of action?
Call us for a repair, book a slot online or request a replacement quote.