Heat Exchanger Crack?

[Jim Davis]

Originally posted by mack99199
thanks for all your input, it has been helpful.....further info...one post mentioned possible sooting up the house as well as the slight smell......as far as I can detect...it's only a slight smell, no soot that I can see, or no smoke of any kind...as I mentioned will take all your advice and get it checked

The service tech you had is totally unqualified if all he did was look at the flame. It is impossible for anyone, regardless of experience to look at a flame and determine anything except it is there! Usually if there is only an oil smell, oil is dripping on the flame cone or in the air tube. Feel under the burner to see if there is oil on it. Either there is air in you oil lines(often caused by two line systems) or the drawer assembly which holds the nozzle is not aligned properly. A combustion analyzer that measures Carbon Monoxide could determine if this is the problem very easily if the mechanic is properly trained. If not he will just be guessing.
P.S. The temperature at your registers is low. Should be about 135-140. Sounds like your furnace is underfired which will cause you to use more oil than necessary.

[Edited by Jim Davis on 10-16-2005 at 02:33 PM]

[mack99199]

I really appreciate all the input from you folks....it is very helpful to have expert people post their suggestions.....I will call the tech tomorrow and let you know what the final result is...I sure hope its not a heat exchanger.....and from what I have read..althought it could be...it could also be many other things...thanks again