4 INSPECTIONS, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
4.1 INSPECTIONS
If there is reason to believe that the heater does not get
enough fuel (power reduced, change in combustion),
check the amount of fuel going to the heater.
The easiest way to measure the fuel feed is to put the
fuel line in a measuring cylinder filled with fuel while the
heater is running on full power setting (the fuel filter
should be removed before starting, as it may cause
measurement errors). Let the heater suck fuel from the
measuring cylinder for e.g. 6 minutes. Multiply the
measured value by ten in order to calculate the fuel
consumption per hour. A model
3200
heater
consumes 300-340 ml/h on full power setting, and 370-
390 ml/h for a model
3800
heater. If the measured
result is different from this, the reason for the
difference has to be investigated upon. If the fuel
consumption is too high, it is usually caused by:
erroneous placement of the fuel tank (or measuring
cylinder) above the heater, increase in the basic
frequency of the pump. The normal frequency for a
model
3200
heater is 160 strokes/min on full power
setting, 190 strokes/min for a model
3800
heater, and
45 strokes/min on minimum power setting for both
models.
4.2 MAINTENANCE
If abnormal symptoms appear during operation: a
smell, loss of power or ignition problems, the reason
for the symptom has to be eliminated.
Too much fuel supply may cause impure burning
and overheating.
If the overheating is caused by a defect in the
electronics or pump,
always
contact product
service.
The formation of a smell is usually caused by a fuel
leak or accumulation of soot in the burner.
The reason for reduced power is usually a reduction
in the pumping volume or a blockage, or impurities
in the pump.
A low fuel consumption may be caused by a
blockage in the fuel system. If the filter has been
found clean, the fuel line is worth checking. The
most common reason for a fuel line blockage is
paraffin formation, which occurs when the fuel is in
cold temperatures. If the fuel line is not completely
blocked, the blockage can be removed by adding
isopropanol to the fuel (gasoline car antifreeze),
which dissolves the paraffin blockage rapidly.
Isopropanol can also be forced through the lines by
using a syringe or e.g. a bicycle pump while the
heater is on (start-up phase).
A small air leak in the suction line (before the pump)
can cause low fuel consumption as well. Check
whether there is a significant amount of air bubbles
in the lines.
Blockages can also occur at the fuel inlet line near
the burner when the heater is used for a prolonged
time. In this case it should be replaced or cleaned.
The cleaning can be performed with a 1.5 mm drill
or by heating the end of the line with a gas flame
and by using a needle etc.
If the mixture of the combustion is too lean e.g. due
to paraffin formation, soot is formed in the inlet line
quickly.
WINTER
If the heater is left unused for a long period in the
cold, there is a risk that the lines and the fuel in the
tank form paraffin (this is a risk in very cold weather
conditions, even when using winter-quality light fuel
oil, and especially if using summer-quality light fuel
oil). In order to avoid starting problems in the spring
NESTE
kerosene should be used when using the
heater for the last time before the pause so that
kerosene is left in the lines, pump and filter.
The fuel should be replaced in the spring.
Battery connectors
should be disconnected for the
winter.
Check from time to time, especially if the flame in the
burner has changed, that:
1. the heater is supplied with enough power
2. combustion air enters the heater freely. Blockages
can be caused by e.g. spiders, mosquitoes, snow,
water, ice etc.
3. flue gases can leave the heater freely
4. there are no leaks in the fuel lines
5. there are no impurities or water in the bottom of the
fuel tank
6. the fuel filter in the fuel tank is not clogged
7. the vent pipe of the fuel tank is not clogged
8.
Also make sure that dust has not built up inside the
heater, which may cause a smell and a fire hazard.
