Oil Furnace Problems

My oil furnace is still having problems after 4 visits from repair man. Initially, we called for service due to chimney switch tripping. He came, replaced filter nozzle and left. The filter was dirty and we assume the nozzle needed replacement as it had been 4 years since last service. Since then we have had trouble with the chimney switch tripping. It would run sporadically for several hours at a time then trip. Always tripped at least a few times/day. Finally, he replaced the switch and it worked for at least a couple of weeks (maybe 3). Now, we are back to problems again. He came out replaced filter, nozzle. Now it trips on an even more regular basis. My husband thinks there may be air in the line as the filter was leaking. He tightened it up, and the time span between trips decreased. So, the tech came out and replaced filter seals, filter, and nozzle. It didn't work. He indicated that he could move the chimney switch but it may not cure problem. I love the guy, he has been doing this for years, but I am starting to think I should call in another brain. Any suggestions? It has also been maybe 4 years since furnace cleaner (and chimney sweep) came. Could this be the problem?

astronaut welcome to the forum

yes, definitely call in another 'brain'. also I would advise you to indeed call in a person that can do a 'chminey sweep', cause it all might be connected to eachother.

It's been a long time since I've worked on Fuel oil furnaces but I will try to help. First of all call in another company. You can't just replace the nozzle and call it good. You have to run a Combustion Test on the furnace to see if is burning as much of the fuel as poss. Say the primary air is off. The CO2 will be off as well and sooting will insue. If the Tech adjusts it "by eye" and he's 5% off, guess what, he's increased your fuel bill by 5%! See where I'm going with this? It's cheaper to call out a co. with the right equipment and the training to use it than to use some one who isn't and is just guessing. I used to work for a major national service chain and all the old timers ridiculed me after I got out of training because I used a Combustion test kit in EVERY furnace. But I never went out in the middle of the night on a recall, and sooting, missfires etc were less of a problem. They Learned! Spend the money Fuel Oil is too expensive

In addition to changing the nozzle, the first guy changed the chimney switch even though he was dubious as to whether that was the problem. Subsequently, I had a furnace cleaner come out and then called in another company. The tech they sent also checked the oil pressure (like the first one did) and also did a 'smoke' test. He said that the mixture was too rich and leaned it down. He also said the electrode gap was a little tight and he lengthed that out. He also suggested that I change out the burner unit, regardless of whether what he did worked. He said the one I have is inefficient. This flies directly in the face of what I have had other people tell me. Others have said that the unit we have is very efficient and will 'run forever'. I am not sure who to believe. Neither side has really given me any 'fact's' as to why I should or should not change burners. I have a wesco oil furnace with the old type chimney switch on it. It is not electronic, but I don't find that a reason in and of itself to change. The tech that came out was young and probably has some bias toward newer technology. I am pushing 40, not opposed to new technology, but would really like some real questions to ask these people so they don't send me down a long and expensive road chasing efficiency while losing money in the long run.