I have a Carrier unit with a Becket Model "AFG" oil burner. Unit was installed 5/2002. It was given its maintenance service on 11/15/07 by Carroll Ind. I was delivered 100 gal of oil the week before Christmas around the 18th. System has been working fine until 2 weeks ago when the Honeywell R8184 G 1427 switch tripped. After resetting the switch the system came on (blew a lot of soot for a minute but settled down) ran for 2 days, did it again. So I cleaned the eye, reset the switch and worked fine for 2 - 3 days again. Neighbor suggested replacing the eye. Is this the problem? COuld there be water in the fuel (this started within days of the unexpected delivery). Was the maintenance done improperly ( seems unlikely, the service was performed 5 weeks before problem started, however it was not that cold in MD yet.)

Please help with any ideas. Thank you

It doesn't sound like the cad cell is bad. Typically when the cad cell goes bad it just goes bad, it won't let the burner stay running at all. I would try a new nozzel and fuel filter.

I also see very many contractor who don't align everything properly. Ask them how they aligned the electrode probes, i.e.. With a nickel or a Z gauge.

good luck

I agree with Northernheat a cad cell is good or bad. If it trips it is usually a nozzel/filter/weak transformer situation but water can and does get into the oil tanks.

Thank you Northernheat and hvac1000, I changed the fuel filter on the 5th and so far so good. Although it has gotten a little warmer lately. If I need to replace the nozzel. It looks like I need to disconnect the fuel line from the burner and loosen and twist the burner to detach it and access the nozzel. Does this sound right?

Make sure you stop the flow of oil to the burner when you chage the nozle or it will be an adventure with the EPA. At the same time, replace the strainer and gasket found under the six allen head screws on the oil pump itself. Very cheap to do and can save you lots later. Pull up the manual from the Beckett website for reference.

Two screws hold down the ignition transformer. You need to flip that out of the way to be able to slide out the nozzle assembly. Only remove the small 1/8" copper oil line on the left hand side of the burner not the 3/8" line from the oil tank.