Burnham Repeated Flame Failure on Oil Burner

Boiler frequently needs manual resetting on the primary control (oil-fired models)

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Dirty oil nozzle, Clogged oil filter, Poor combustion air supply, Weak ignition transformer or electrodes out of adjustment

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Do not press the oil burner reset button more than once. Unburned oil can accumulate and cause a dangerous puffback. Turn off power and oil supply before servicing.

  • Check oil supply: Ensure the oil tank has fuel and the oil valve is open. Look for air leaks in the oil line.
  • Replace oil filter: At the oil filter canister, shut off oil, replace the filter element, and bleed air from the line.
  • Inspect nozzle and electrodes: Remove the burner gun assembly and inspect the nozzle for deposits. Replace with the correct size and spray pattern specified by Burnham.
  • Clean cad cell (flame sensor): Gently wipe the cad cell eye with a soft cloth to remove soot.
  • Call a burner technician: Proper combustion setup requires instruments (smoke tester, draft gauge, combustion analyzer). Have a pro adjust air, draft, and verify safe operation.
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Repair Difficulty

Professional Required 5/5

Required Part

Oil Burner Nozzle
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