Oil boiler yearly maintenance ?

I have an oil powered boiler that hasnt been serviced in a couple years. It seems to be working fine but I want to give it a tune up and change anything that needs to be changed. I am familiar with servicing gas boilers, but not with oil. Other than the usual air bleeding, vacuuming out dust and grime, etc., what should I check on and replace? It is a 4 zone system, utica boiler.

 

On a typical installation, I would start with a thorough cleaning/ vacuuming /brushing of the inside of the boiler. Soot builds up much more easily in an oil boiler than in a gas unit. Then changing oil filter at tank and cleaning or replacing the screen in the pump (if it has one). Replace nozzle, check/clean/ adjust electrodes to spec. Check air pressure in the expansion tank. And last but definitely not least, combustion analysis. That should get you started. Good luck, Steve (I'm in the mid Hudson valley of NY. 35 degrees here this AM- heating season is here! Almost forgot- check chimney for obstructions/ bird nests/ critters/ etc.

 

One simple thing is cleaning the adjustable burner openings where air comes in. Often dust/lint accumulates that changes air/fuel ratio.

The rated nozzle gph varies by +/-10% so if replaced flame should be checked and adjusted if necessary.

Combustion analyzers are very expensive for DYI's. The key thing you need to know is there is zero smoke. Smoke test kits are simple to use and widely available for $110 and up: https://www.patriot-supply.com/produ.../MITCO_N27_16M

Years back I pumped gallons of sludge and water out of my tank. Since then I add oil treatment before each fill.32 oz. Fuel Oil Sludge Treatment-35310 - The Home Depot

 

Thanks for the replies guys, i will take a look at the boiler this week

 

So I took an initial look at the boiler. The expansion tank looks really old and bent, almost as if something wacked into it. All of the air removing floats are corroded and look awful, and the oil filter looks ancient as well. I ordered all new parts and will replace everything soon. My next question is, when I fill the boiler back up with new water, will water that has either sulfur in it or chlorine cause any problems in there? If I turn down the chlorine on my well pump, it starts to smell like sulfur, and turning up the chlorine will make it smell like chlorine and it seems to clean out corrosion and built up gunk in my water pipes. Basically, which one is better for the boiler, less chlorine and more sulfur, or more chlorine and less sulfur?