[01YZF6]

twice this weekend I noticed white smoke coming from my chimney. I have the chimney and oil furnace serviced every august/september, and this is the first time I have noticed this. the only time the oil furnace kicks on is when the need for hot water is demanded.( during the summer)


the house is circa 1910, and the chimney is as old, but appears to be in great condidtion according to the sweep.

any ideas? I dont need my house burning down in the middle of the night and before I go and dish out $$$ for any type of overhaul, any help is appreciated.

thanks

[Josephd14]

If is a furnace it is forced hotair, if it is a boiler is has water in it and it's forced hot water or steam or a hydro air system.. depends on which one, if it is a boiler, you have a cracked jacket and it's leaking water in and burning off, if it is a furnace, then it might have a coil for the hot water, and that is leaking either way something is leaking water into the combustion chamber, that is the problem no doubt.. If it's abioler SHUT IT OFF BY THE SWITCH that should be around the boiler or top of celler stairs, take the side pannels off and take alook inside and see if you see a wet spot in the water jacket..

[Josephd14]

BTW your house will not burn down most likely but it will be very ineficient, and at todays oil prices thats as bad as your house burning down, the bright side is with that steam running through the inside it is cleaning everything out very nicely.. Unfortunetly you need a new boiler, what state are you in? If it's new hampshire I might be able to help you out.. no license needed in NH..

[JeffL]

Boiler is cracked, you can buy stuff to seal it up like a leaky radiator, but thats just a short term fix, and ultimately, the only real solution unfortunately is a whole new boiler.

The white smoke you are seeing is steam, and its like when you blow a head gasket in a car, and start burning coolant, you get the white exhaust.