Anyone have an external oil boiler? Smell

nottaotter · 27/10/2023 19:43

I don't think thats normal, I have smelt a faint whiff on a handful of occasions but thats it.

Chasingsquirrels · 27/10/2023 19:44

Mine is internal, but the flue is obviously external.
The flue has a smell, but it isn't like the oil smell (in the tank) and the boiler inside doesn't really seem to smell at all.

Original poster

chenilleblanket · 27/10/2023 19:47

Chasingsquirrels · 27/10/2023 19:44

Mine is internal, but the flue is obviously external.
The flue has a smell, but it isn't like the oil smell (in the tank) and the boiler inside doesn't really seem to smell at all.

Yes our oil boiler is internal and doesn't smell. Don't understand why one outdoors needs to smell if they can make ones that don't. Maybe it's because it's brand new but still. Very strong smell from both the flue and the boiler

OP posts:

OoohLaLaLa · 27/10/2023 19:47

I have an external boiler. There’s odour from the flue but it’s the same as the odour from next door’s internal boiler flue.

Original poster

chenilleblanket · 27/10/2023 19:47

nottaotter · 27/10/2023 19:43

I don't think thats normal, I have smelt a faint whiff on a handful of occasions but thats it.

This is more like the smell you get around the tank or when there has been a spillage or leak.

OP posts:

KievLoverTwo · 27/10/2023 19:57

No, I don't think this is normal. I think it is a leak or a dodgy fit.

We had our oil boiler in the outhouse. It stank around the flue, I could smell it walking up the drive, but absolutely not four meters away. Maybe one and a half at max. And I have a nose like a bloodhound. And our boiler was old and crap.

In our new house the boiler is about 12 years old, in the garage, with the flue out the back in the garage. I smell absolutely nothing from it.

HirplesWithHaggis · 27/10/2023 20:01

Sounds like there is a leak, then. My external oil tank never smells.

GasPanic · 28/10/2023 11:16

There are rules as to how far flues can be from other peoples boundaries. You are not just allowed to vent your crap directly onto someone elses land. Otherwise people could vent stuff on boundaries directly into other peoples (open) windows. You can check the internet for the regs, which differ depending on how the flue is orientated and whether it is close to windows and doors.

Oil burners aren't supposed to smell oily. If they do, that is probably evidence of incomplete combustion, which is inefficient.

Maybe if it has just been installed there is some excess oil on some of the internal surfaces following installation that is burning off or causing it to smell. Or alternatively as other people suggest maybe a leak or a problem somewhere.

Original poster

chenilleblanket · 28/10/2023 12:51

GasPanic · 28/10/2023 11:16

There are rules as to how far flues can be from other peoples boundaries. You are not just allowed to vent your crap directly onto someone elses land. Otherwise people could vent stuff on boundaries directly into other peoples (open) windows. You can check the internet for the regs, which differ depending on how the flue is orientated and whether it is close to windows and doors.

Oil burners aren't supposed to smell oily. If they do, that is probably evidence of incomplete combustion, which is inefficient.

Maybe if it has just been installed there is some excess oil on some of the internal surfaces following installation that is burning off or causing it to smell. Or alternatively as other people suggest maybe a leak or a problem somewhere.

Thank you. I think it is the required distance from the boundary but the placement of the properties and gardens means it is still blowing great clouds of waste at face height onto our property. I have no idea where the neighbours thought this was going to go when they installed it!

OP posts:

BurntBroccoli · 02/08/2024 19:33

chenilleblanket · 27/10/2023 19:42

Neighbour has put in an external oil boiler right against our boundary wall. The houses are detached so it's about 4m away from our house. Due to the position of our houses and difference in heights of garden, the flue is discharging right across our garden over the hedge at face height which apparently he is going to sort. The boiler has been off for a couple of hours now but almost our entire garden even a considerable way away from the boiler stinks of oil. Opening the back door you can smell oil. Is this normal for an external boiler? I would have thought the residual fumes would have gone and a bit worried this is just what they smell like!

I know this is an old thread but did you sort this OP?
Currently having a similar issue and it's really bad at mo as I can't open any windows due to the horrific smell of the exhaust fumes at ground level.