I have a 12 year old Beckett oil burner with a Utica boiler and tankless hot water. I have almost half a tank of oil, but the burner isn't working. I hit the reset button this morning and it came on for about 20 seconds, then went right off. I'm thinking it's the pilot light, but am not sure. Can anyone tell me how to re-light it, or if it sounds like the problem is something else? Thanks.

Could air have gotten in the line and it needs to be bled? I have only enough HVAC schooling to get myself into trouble ;)

flamer sensor could be dirty or bad. There's no pilot light in any oil burner I've ever had. DO NOT keep hitting reset...it causes oil to build up in the firebox...bad juju

boom

Call your service guy, it's time for a cleaning anyways. Stinks to not have hot water

I don't think residential oil fired systems are offered with a standing pilot.
I would have say that the cone has just enough sediment debris so the cone is not spraying at the proper angle of degree which can cause a miss fire and the thermal sensor is not detecting flame so it's locking it out.

The flame sensor will get more and more carbon build up with each miss fire making it harder to sense fire up.
I would highly recommend getting it serviced,which should include a new oil filter new jet cone cleaning of the firing electrodes oiling the bearing of the motor check the seals on the pump clean the firring chamber and clean out the stack ect....

I have a Buddy who's been doing this for 15 yrs and has his oil burners license.

Thanks, guys. I have a service tech coming by tomorrow afternoon to take a look at it. I guess it will be a cold shower after fishing in the am.

While your furnace tech is there ask him about,"home heating oil law."
This year anyone with a oil tank needs to replace oil safety valve and will maybe need oil line replaced to meet new specs.

Also anyone with an oil tank may have a oil spill rider attached to their home insurance policy.

While your furnace tech is there ask him about,"home heating oil law."
This year anyone with a oil tank needs to replace oil safety valve and will maybe need oil line replaced to meet new specs.

Also anyone with an oil tank may have a oil spill rider attached to their home insurance policy.

The guy on the phone mentioned those things to me yesterday. I guess I need a new line installed because mine is underground. Another unexpected expense:smash:.

John I can replace the line for you??? Save you some coin! PM me.....this is what I used to do for a living! I am licensed!:uhuh:

John I can replace the line for you??? Save you some coin! PM me.....this is what I used to do for a living! I am licensed!:uhuh:

Thanks, Larry! I'll find out exactly what needs to be done today and I'll pm you later. Hopefully I'll be able to take a hot shower tonight.