Ask Me Help Desk - Heating Oil Odor

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyDO

I have a very old oil burner but a good one. I have a terrible oil smell throughout the house . I have had two repair men come out and check it )both from the same company). They said there is no crack and that the oil burner is fine. They , in a nice way, said that it was all in my head., However, my husband also smells it and it gets unbearable. Could it be bad oil and they don't want to admit that they gave me bad oil??? What else could cause the strong oil smell. I have CO2 detectors and all is fine there. Please help! Thanks.

I do not believe you have bad oil since in all the years I serviced oil burners I never heard of it as being called bad oil but I will mention there are chemicals that can be added to the tank which help clean the system and rejuvenate oil that has sat for a very long time. In my area we used to call it Lazy Oil but that was 40 years ago when I last heard those words being used. When an oil burner is operating properly there is NO smell. All byproducts of combustion go up the chimney in a properly operating oil furnace but if you have a leak or a problem with the burner a smell could develop. I suggest you contact a different company that has oil experience and get a true second opinion.

It does not take a big oil leak to cause a huge smell problem especially if it is #2 oil you are using. Have them check for spit back during operation and post nozzle drip after the burner cuts off. Also have them check for a smooth instant light off immediately when the burner activates. Sorry but smells are difficult to diagnose long distance but someone will get to the bottom of your problem you just have to find the correct service person.