Q&A for How to Replace the Combustion Chamber of an Oil Furnace

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Other than the filter, what other parts should I replace on an oil boiler?

Steve

Top Answerer

Annual furnace tuneups often include replacement of oil filter(s), oil strainer (inside pump), associated gasket(s) and the fuel nozzle. Nearly all the other parts remain in place unless they have failed or look like they are about to due to being worn, dirty, damaged, split, leaking or unable to be adjusted to operate as the manufacturer intended or code requires. That covers quite a bit of ground, and it is best left to a trained professional.

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Would a bad chamber make my furnace operate ineffectively?

Community Answer

Yes. Get a new one installed, it will be much more efficient.

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My furnace door is not totally sealed, what should I do?

Steve

Top Answerer

Deadly carbon monoxide gasses will escape through a poorly sealed furnace door when firing. If there are missing sections of the rope seal, or the door and opening of the furnace are not warped or cracked, replacing the rope seal should solve the problem. If you are unable get a seal between the door and the furnace you should have it serviced professionally AT ONCE. Under NO circumstances should this furnace be permitted to operate until the seal has been fixed!

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Will replacing my combustion chamber save me on oil heating expenses?

Steve

Top Answerer

No. Combustion chamber replacement is not a "scheduled maintenance" item. It will not increase efficiencies (or lower cost of operation) of the furnace if the chamber it is replacing is undamaged.

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How do I clean a flooded chamber?

Steve

Top Answerer

The chamber will need to be replaced (as described in this article) if it has been flooded.

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What does it cost to replace a firebox on an oil furnace?

Steve

Top Answerer

Assuming you already have the necessary tools and consumables (HEPA shop vac, gloves, etc.), you can purchase the entire combustion chamber kit for many popular residential furnaces (depending on make / model) for between $75 - $200. Search with your favorite engine to see offers and prices for these kits.

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How often should a combustion chamber need replacing? I am on my second one since 2006.

Steve

Top Answerer

If you've replaced it twice since 2006, that seems excessive. If using the same service company, you might want to change to see if new eyes will tune your burner better; otherwise, consult the service company for answers. If you had a chamber installed in 2006, and now you need another one, it may be normal (I don't know your furnace or setup). A call to the service company may help.

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I have a Well-Mclain oil burner. I had a tune-up done, and the tech said the combustion chamber has a hole in it and needs to be replaced for $500. Can I wait a little bit, as money is kinda tight?

Steve

Top Answerer

That depends on the size and location of the hole. Without knowing this, the best answer is: if you can't afford to do it now, you should do it as soon as you can.

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I've pressed the reset button too many times. What should I do?

Steve

Top Answerer

Excessive resets have likely put the primary control into a "lockout" condition for safety. The combustion chamber may be flooded and need replacement before safely firing the burner. The burner should also be inspected to determine and correct the cause of flame failure.

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What is a reasonable cost to perform the operations shown in the video?

Steve

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Prices vary widely due to many factors, so it's best to get quotes from at least two local service companies for an accurate estimate.

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Question

Is $900 a reasonable price to replace the combustion chamber in my Weil-McLain furnace?

Community Answer

It's hard to say without knowing more about your furnace, but $900 seems high. Get a second opinion from another service company.

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Do I need to replace the firebox on my oil furnace if it has disintegrated and a serviceman used a fiberglass wet kit as a temporary fix?

Steve

Top Answerer

If a trusted serviceman has advised you to replace the combustion chamber and provided a temporary fix, then it is likely necessary. However, you can always seek a second opinion from another service company.

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