[twiddler]

I just purchased a new modular home this past summer. I had a furnace guy install a new boiler "new yorker". Everything seemed fine till the winter months when I started get a smell of kerosene up near the basement door. I asked my furnace guy about this, he told me that the nozzle drips a little. He set the blower to its max 15min after the furnace shutsdown but it didn't help much. I have direct vent going outside the side of my house, its all been adjusted accordingly. I usually have to open a crack in my basement window to ventilate the smell. My furnace guy now tells me I need to purchase additional venting for my boiler which could cost me another $200-$300. What should I do? Is this normal for the nozzle to drip like this on a new furnace? I live in Maine, we get a lot of cold months and I hate to leave a crack in my window.

[hvac1000]

He put it in for a price and he should fix it. No it is not normal for the nozzle to drip. Usually that is caused by a bad check valve in the oil pump. He might get by installing a solenoid valve in the oil line to the nozzle to chop oil flow when burner is off..

[Eric D]

Twiddler,

Did the original installer try anything to correct the issue with your boiler? Did he replace the nozzle or check the flame pattern? I'm a little confused why you would need additional venting. Did he explain what exactly is needed and more importantly why? How would venting have anything to do with a dripping nozzle?

Bottom line, as already suggested, the original installer should correct anything that was lacking from the new installation without charge to you. You hired them to do a job, if the job was not carried out correctly with the right equipment it seems this should be their responsibility.

NO, Not normal for the nozzle to be dripping.

Just my humble opinion.

Eric D

[twiddler]

I didn't think it was normal. When he first installed the furnace, there was a problem with the nozzle in which the boiler would shut down for no reason. My furnace guy came over and said he had to replace the nozzle. But now that I get this smell of kerosene, he tells me that it's normal. He tells me that when the furnace shuts off, it will sometimes drip a little. The only adjustment he made after was increasing the direct vent fan timming. That didn't help much. I try calling him but he never returns my calls. It's hard to find good service these days. When I purchased this house, I had lots of headaches with contractors. They are eager to make money from you, not so eager to provide service.

[Eric D]

Twiddler,

If you are getting no response from the installer I would start getting after New Yorker directly. Your unit is still under warranty if less then a year old. I'm still interested on the added cost for venting. How was this explained to you and did the installer tell you this would correct the problem you are having? Might be time to get a different company to help you out.

Regards,

Eric D

[twiddler]

He told me that I would need some kind of vent going from the chamber where the smell is coming from - to my direct vent going outside. I'm not sure of the specifics, but that was my understanding. It was going to cost another few hundred dollars to install this venting. I'm wondering if he put the wrong nozzle in my furnace, or maybe he sold me a cheap unit. It's a New Yorker model: AP-590U-BT4. Funny thing is, I don't smell the kerosene much near the furnace, but up near the stairwell, the smell is very strong.

[Eric D]

Where is your tank?

[twiddler]

There is no hot water tank, just an oil tank.

[Eric D]

I guess I should have been more clear with my question. Where is the oil storage tank located? Is there a chance you are smelling fumes from a miss placed oil tank vent?

Eric D

[twiddler]

The oil tank is about 8 feet from the furnace. There is no smell coming form the tank, and no oil spill nearby. It only smells after the furnace shuts down.

[hvac1000]

Contact the customer service department here. BTW all manuals for your boiler are here also.

New Yorker Boiler