It’s a cold evening, the radiators are cooling and the oil boiler has gone into lockout. If the tank gauge reads empty, order oil first, then don’t keep pressing the reset button. Once oil is delivered, many boilers need air bleeding from the fuel line before they’ll fire again. If it won’t restart after a single reset, give us a call on 07742 183 564 and we’ll get your oil boiler repair sorted.
First, check it really is the oil
Before ordering, check:
- The tank gauge or sight tube. Gauges can stick, so if it’s safe, dip the tank with a clean stick to confirm.
- The fire valve and isolation valve on the oil line are open.
- The boiler has power and the timer and thermostat are calling for heat.
If there’s oil in the tank and the boiler still locks out, the problem may be a blocked filter, nozzle or a component fault rather than an empty tank.
Order oil and ask about emergency options
Contact your usual supplier as early as possible. In a cold snap, delivery times can stretch. Some suppliers offer smaller emergency deliveries or drums of kerosene for collection, which can get you going until the main delivery arrives. Ask what’s available.
Don’t keep resetting the boiler
It’s tempting to press reset over and over. Don’t. With no oil reaching the burner, repeated resets can flood the combustion chamber with what fuel is left in the line, and draw air further into the system. One reset after delivery is enough. If it locks out again, it needs a technician.
Why the boiler may not restart after delivery
When a tank runs dry, air gets into the oil line and the burner pump. Oil boilers need a steady flow of fuel, and air in the line stops them firing. Some systems have a de-aerator that can clear small amounts of air on their own, but often the line and pump need bleeding by a technician.
There’s another issue. The last few centimetres of oil in a tank often contain water and sludge. When it runs low, that sediment can be drawn into the line and block the filter. A fresh delivery also stirs up sediment. Many technicians suggest waiting a while after a delivery before trying the boiler, to let it settle.
What the technician will do
A visit after running out usually involves:
- Bleeding air from the oil line and burner pump
- Checking and, if needed, replacing the oil filter
- Checking the nozzle hasn’t been affected by sludge
- Test firing the boiler and checking combustion
Oil boiler work should be carried out by an OFTEC registered technician.
How to avoid running out again
- Check the gauge regularly through autumn and winter.
- Reorder at about a third full, rather than waiting until it’s nearly empty.
- Consider a remote oil monitor, which reports the level to an app on your phone.
- Keep the tank and its base in good condition, as a leak can empty a tank faster than you expect.
- Have the boiler serviced every year, so filters and nozzles are clean going into winter.
Heating oil in rural Herefordshire
Across Herefordshire, many homes in villages around Hereford, Bromyard, Kington and Ledbury are off the mains gas network and depend on oil. Rural delivery routes and winter demand mean it’s worth keeping more in the tank going into the colder months. If your boiler is old and keeps locking out even with a full tank, it may be time to weigh up a new boiler.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait after an oil delivery before using the boiler?
It’s often recommended to give the oil time to settle after a delivery, especially if the tank ran completely dry. This helps keep sludge from the bottom of the tank out of the line. Ask your supplier or technician what they recommend for your tank and system.
Can I bleed an oil boiler myself?
It’s best left to a technician. Bleeding involves working on the burner pump and fuel line, and getting it wrong can cause leaks or flood the boiler with oil. A technician will also check the filter and nozzle, which often need attention after a tank runs dry.
Will running out of oil damage my boiler?
Not usually in itself, but it can cause problems. Sludge drawn from the bottom of the tank can block the filter and nozzle, and repeated resets can flood the combustion chamber. Getting the system checked after a run-dry helps avoid a repeat lockout.
Boiler won’t fire after a delivery?
If your oil boiler won’t restart after you’ve run out, give us a call on 07742 183 564 or drop us a message and we’ll get it bled through and running again.