The Oil Burner Vacuum Breaker Is Not Working

Symptoms

• When a vacuum breaker stops working, your oil flow may suffer. You may notice leaking around your vacuum breaker or nozzle. Your burner flame may be weak, or your burner may unexpectedly shut down in the middle of operation. The ignitor may be working correctly, but the burner may still refuse to come on. These can all indicate problems with oil pressure and oil flow in your furnace or heater.

Loose Fittings

• If you notice that vacuums may be forming in your oil pumping mechanism, the first step is to check the vacuum breaker fitting. Vacuum breakers are essentially extended nozzle devices that screw into your oil lines. They are designed to slightly break up the flow of oil in order to prevent the air-tight seals necessary for vacuums to form. If the breaker is not attached fully to the oil lines, this can create ignition and flow problems and requires re-installation.

Oil Flow Issues

• If your vacuum breaker appears to be installed correctly, take time to check the oil pumping mechanism and oil tank. These components also have an impact on oil pressure. They may be creating a pressure situation that the vacuum breaker cannot deal with. A service professional can check your pump and oil lines for signs of damage, overflow or imbalanced pressure situations.

Clogs

• Oil can carry contaminants, which may pile up in the vacuum breaker and eventually stop it from functioning. Cleaning the breaker or replacing it entirely can fix this problem. The issue also may be related to clogs in the air vent portion of the oil burner. Lack of air may exacerbate pressure problems. Inspect for clogs throughout your oil burner system and replace broken valves or lines as necessary.