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Fortunately we have a large open fire to fall back on and more than enough free wood available.

Yo can't beat an open fire.

I think our Lord should get rid of that dirty old boiler, replace it with an Air Source Heat Pump and save the planet! 

Not while I still have breath in my body.....

They don't seem to work very well from what I hear.

Have you tried asking your favourite AI bot?  ChatGPT? Grok? etc 

I believe they're quite clever these days. 

I asked 


This sounds like a classic ignition failure issue with your oil-fired boiler. The 15-second run before lockout is typical for the safety time-out period, where the control box tries to establish a flame. Since it fails to detect a flame, it shuts down to prevent unburnt oil from accumulating, which is a significant hazard.
Given the age of the boiler and the symptoms, here are the most likely causes, ranging from simple to more complex:
🔍 Most Likely Causes of No Ignition
1. Faulty or Fouled Electrodes
The ignition electrodes are responsible for creating the spark that lights the oil spray.
• Symptom: No spark at all, or a weak/intermittent spark.
• Cause: The porcelain insulators can crack, or the electrode tips can become dirty, covered in soot, or incorrectly positioned due to wear. This prevents the high-voltage electricity from creating a strong, consistent spark.
2. Failed Photocell (Cad Cell)
The photocell or Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) cell is the "eye" of the boiler. It detects whether a flame is present.
• Symptom: The burner might spark and even ignite for a second, but the photocell fails to sense the flame, or it's simply failed. Since the control box doesn't register a flame within the 15-second window, it locks out.
• Cause: The cell itself has failed, or more commonly, it's covered in soot and can't "see" the flame even if it ignites. The photocell is a common point of failure for an older boiler.
3. Oil Nozzle Clog or Failure
The nozzle atomizes the oil into a fine mist so it can be easily ignited by the spark.
• Symptom: The burner motor runs, the pump is drawing oil, but the spray pattern is poor or non-existent, preventing a proper flame.
• Cause: The tiny orifice of the nozzle can become clogged with sludge or debris from the oil line, especially after the boiler has been sitting or the fuel filter is due for a change. Given the boiler's age, a worn nozzle is also highly probable. Nozzles should be replaced annually.
4. Air-Lock in the Oil Line
Although you see oil being drawn, there might be a small air bubble (air-lock) trapped in the pump or oil line, particularly if the oil level dropped very low recently or if the system has been opened.
• Symptom: Oil is supplied, but the pump cannot maintain the pressure needed to atomize the fuel properly.
• Fix: An engineer would bleed the pump to remove the air.
5. Failed Oil Burner Control Box
The control box (often a small black or grey box on the burner) manages the entire sequence: pre-purge, spark timing, fuel solenoid, and monitoring the photocell.
• Symptom: The cycle fails, even when all other components are working.
• Cause: Internal electrical failure. This component often requires full replacement.

I'm thinking this. You occasionally need to clean with a drop of white spirit so it can 'see clearly'

I've done this but still no go.

I could buy a new one but the whole thing is so old and creaky it may not be worth my trouble.

Can you still buy new oil boilers or have the environmentalists put a stop to this?

I think our Lord should get rid of that dirty old boiler, replace it with an Air Source Heat Pump and save the planet! 

Have you tried asking your favourite AI bot?  ChatGPT? Grok? etc 

I believe they're quite clever these days. 

I asked 


This sounds like a classic ignition failure issue with your oil-fired boiler. The 15-second run before lockout is typical for the safety time-out period, where the control box tries to establish a flame. Since it fails to detect a flame, it shuts down to prevent unburnt oil from accumulating, which is a significant hazard.
Given the age of the boiler and the symptoms, here are the most likely causes, ranging from simple to more complex:
🔍 Most Likely Causes of No Ignition
1. Faulty or Fouled Electrodes
The ignition electrodes are responsible for creating the spark that lights the oil spray.
• Symptom: No spark at all, or a weak/intermittent spark.
• Cause: The porcelain insulators can crack, or the electrode tips can become dirty, covered in soot, or incorrectly positioned due to wear. This prevents the high-voltage electricity from creating a strong, consistent spark.
2. Failed Photocell (Cad Cell)
The photocell or Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) cell is the "eye" of the boiler. It detects whether a flame is present.
• Symptom: The burner might spark and even ignite for a second, but the photocell fails to sense the flame, or it's simply failed. Since the control box doesn't register a flame within the 15-second window, it locks out.
• Cause: The cell itself has failed, or more commonly, it's covered in soot and can't "see" the flame even if it ignites. The photocell is a common point of failure for an older boiler.
3. Oil Nozzle Clog or Failure
The nozzle atomizes the oil into a fine mist so it can be easily ignited by the spark.
• Symptom: The burner motor runs, the pump is drawing oil, but the spray pattern is poor or non-existent, preventing a proper flame.
• Cause: The tiny orifice of the nozzle can become clogged with sludge or debris from the oil line, especially after the boiler has been sitting or the fuel filter is due for a change. Given the boiler's age, a worn nozzle is also highly probable. Nozzles should be replaced annually.
4. Air-Lock in the Oil Line
Although you see oil being drawn, there might be a small air bubble (air-lock) trapped in the pump or oil line, particularly if the oil level dropped very low recently or if the system has been opened.
• Symptom: Oil is supplied, but the pump cannot maintain the pressure needed to atomize the fuel properly.
• Fix: An engineer would bleed the pump to remove the air.
5. Failed Oil Burner Control Box
The control box (often a small black or grey box on the burner) manages the entire sequence: pre-purge, spark timing, fuel solenoid, and monitoring the photocell.
• Symptom: The cycle fails, even when all other components are working.
• Cause: Internal electrical failure. This component often requires full replacement.

Have you tried asking your favourite AI bot?  ChatGPT? Grok? etc 

I believe they're quite clever these days. 

Who would be surprised if Trump has promised Putin that he'll force Ukraine to agree to the peace deal, as long as Putin promises not to attack again while he is still in the White House? 

This would give Putin around three years to regroup, retrain, build up a massive stock of drones and missiles, send more Russian navy ships and subs to the Black Sea as soon Turkey reopens the Dardanelles Straight and the Bosphorus to warships, and boom he'd be ready for phase 3 of his invasion of Ukraine in February 2029 when Trump is happily playing golf in Florida. 

AI will be running things by then 

I doubt it, that sounds like alot of responsibility 

 

Some scrotes have done mum's place over again, and nicked her safe.  Sod all of value in there, but it's gonna be at least £2k for a new front door, and then the emotional costs.
……..

Sorry to hear this.     As you say, the emotional toll will never go away.     It’s not nice knowing that someone has rifled through personal stuff without giving a shit about how traumatised the home owner is afterwards.

Some scrotes have done mum's place over again, and nicked her safe.  Sod all of value in there, but it's gonna be at least £2k for a new front door, and then the emotional costs.

I suspect the old bill will muster up enough enthusiasm to give her a crime number.


The police really need to get a better handle on this shit.  Sat with thumbs up arses only encourages it to happen more.

Sorry to hear this,TB

They usually give you a crime number than do 'sweet f*uck all for a few days before deciding on 'no further action'.

Hanging is too good for them, but even if they get caught I doubt they will get more than a slap on the wrist.

Some scrotes have done mum's place over again, and nicked her safe.  Sod all of value in there, but it's gonna be at least £2k for a new front door, and then the emotional costs.

I suspect the old bill will muster up enough enthusiasm to give her a crime number.


The police really need to get a better handle on this shit.  Sat with thumbs up arses only encourages it to happen more.

Twβts. Useless, leeching twβts.