White smoke, then no hot water.

[HydroBlast]

Good evening guys,
I had hot water for three hours today when white smoke began pouring out the stack of my 12v Beckett, diesel fuelled heater. I immediately shut the heater off. When starting it up later, the heater wouldn't start. I had trouble on the last job I did, but I wasn't near the trailer to see any white smoke before the heater quit. My dealer said it maybe a low charge on the battery. I had charged the battery last night and had heat for the first three hours. Have any of you professionals had this happen?

 

[Mark]

Here are some Troubleshootings Tips:

<h2><a name="burn_diesel" id="burn_diesel">Heating Burner System - Diesel Fired</a> | <a href="#top">Top</a></h2>
<table border="1">
<tr>
<td valign="top"><h3>Problem</h3></td>
<td valign="top"><h3>Probable Cause</h3></td>
<td valign="top"><h3>Remedy</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Burner will not fire.<br>
</b></font><b><font color="#FF0000" size="2" face="Arial">WARNING: High voltage on igniter can cause electrical shock. Disconnect power before servicing.</font></b></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Burner switch not on.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Turn switch on; Thermostat on if equipped.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Diesel fuel level low.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fill burner tank with #2 diesel or other approved fuel.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Trigger on spray gun not pulled.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Squeeze trigger to fire burner.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fuel filter plugged.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Clean and / or tighten fuel filter. (Check fuel pressure)</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Spray nozzle plugged.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Clean spray nozzle.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Overload on burner motor tripped.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Reset overload, locate and correct source of overload.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Nozzle not in wand.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Install nozzle in wand.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Low water pump pressure.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">See pumping systems trouble shooting.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fuel pump or nozzle stopped.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Check fuel pressure, filter, fuel lines. Replace fuel pump and/or nozzle.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Vacuum, Flow, Pressure or Temperature switch faulty.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Check electrical continuity with pump spraying and burner on.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fuel solenoid valve faulty.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Replace fuel valve if it does not open when power is applied.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Low generator voltage output.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Adjust generator RPM for proper voltage under full load conditions.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Burner relay faulty (12-V Burner only)</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Replace burner relay.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Burner will not fire, plus diesel fumes are emitted from the exhaust port.</b></font><b><font color="#FF0000" size="3" face="Arial"><br>
</font><font color="#FF0000" size="2" face="Arial">WARNING: Replace insulation. Unburned fuel can saturate it and cause a fire.</font></b></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fuel to air ratio out of adjustment.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Set air band and fuel pressure to specs.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fuel nozzle partially clogged.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Replace nozzle of proper size.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Ignition transformer not providing spark to fuel.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Replace ignition transformer, clean and adjust electrodes.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Burner fires and smokes.</b></font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Fuel to air ratio out of adjustment.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Set air band and fuel pressure to specs.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Excessive soot on coils.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Clean soot off to improve air flow.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Improper voltage at burner</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Adjust RPM of generator (if equipped)</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Discharge water temperature exceeds recommended operating temperature.</b></font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Burner input too high for conditions.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Decrease fuel pump pressure and/or fuel nozzle size.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Water flow restricted.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Clean or replace nozzle of proper size. Descale coil and clear obstructions.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">High temperature limit switch faulty or set too high.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Replace or reset temperature limit switch.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Burner continues to fire even when trigger on spray gun is released</b></font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Faulty Flow, Pressure or Vacuum switch.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Replace switch.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top">Faulty fuel solenoid</td>
<td valign="top">Replace solenoid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Discharge water temperature not reaching maximum operating temperature.</b></font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Burner input too low for conditions</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Increase fuel pump pressure and/or fuel nozzle size.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial"><b>Battery keeps losing voltage. (For 12 volt burner systems)</b></font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Battery voltage Low.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Have battery checked and load test, charge if low and replace if necessary. Allow water to cool 2 min. before shutting off engine.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">RPM too low.</font></td>
<td valign="top"><font size="3" face="Arial">Engine RPM should be 3600 RPM w/no load.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">&nbsp;</td>

 

[dstay1]

i had a similar problem. the burner assembly came loose and was slightly out of alignment in the tube to the coil. if i lift up on the burner and blower assembly it ignites. i figured it was from bouncing down the road. there is a screw on both sides of the tube. these came loose too. i hope this helps.

 

[Scott Stone]

I have had it happen, and there are a bunch of different reasons it could have happened. Follow the checklist and go from there. I have had it happen from an alternator that was not charging, an ignitor going out, I have evenhad a pinhole in the coil that was snuffing out the flame.