If your a registered engineer or not, there is really no excuse when it comes to undertaking an oil boiler service. Do it right or don't bother! Is that harsh? I don't think so. Just because its oil does not mean that serious harm or evn death can occur if things are not done correctly.

Here's how it it often goes. (imaginary scenario!!!!!)

Customer makes contact
Engineer books appointment for a particular time
Engineer turns up at some point during the day
Engineer dumps his tools in front of the boiler and hints about a cup of tea!
Engineer removes burner, inspects nozzle maybe replaces it if he's got one that size, failing that he just puts it back
Fires up burner
Lights up ok, so he is happy
Writes some combustion figures on a service sheet maybe, a presents an invoice to customer and demands cash.
Packs up his tools and never seen again!
Ok, this is all a bit harsh you may think, but i know it happens on a daily basis. I even know of large boiler manufactures where this takes place. One boiler engineer who works for a well known boiler manufacturer admitted to me that he had never actually removed his vacuum cleaner from the box it was delivered to him in three years earlier.

Here's how it could go
Customer makes contact
Engineer books fixed time and enquires what boiler make and model they have. He then enquires if the boiler installation manual is still present?
customer states that they have just moved in and cant find it.
Engineer states that this is not a problem as he can obtain a manual online and print one off.
Engineer undertakes web search and find site such as boilermanualsfree.com the required manual
If the engineer is not familiar with that particular appliance he can check what nozzle is required and go to the job prepared
Engineer then arrives ON TIME at the customer premises
Greets the customer with a smile and announces who he is and what he has come to do
Dust sheets are put down
Engineer visually inspects installation including flue
At this point the oil tank and oil line/filters are inspected (filter cartridges replaced)
The tank and installation is then checked for compliance with building regulations
The boiler service is then carried out as per manufacturers instructions, including full strip down of the boiler removing all baffles and cleaning, all seals/gaskets checked for wear, internal combustion chamber brushed and vacuumed and checked for any potential corrosion problems
The burner service is then carried out replacing correct nozzle, checking electrode spark gap, remove fan housing and clean fan wheel, check drive coupling between the motor and oil pump and replace if showing signs of wear, clean filter on oil pump and check for contaminates in filter which could indicate oil tank/oil line corrosion. Replace Flexible oil line if age is not known. Braided oil lines should be replaced on an annual basis.long life hoses can be changed every two years (check date code usually stamped on the ferrel)
The burner mounting gasket and blast tube seal is checked for deteriation, the burner is then remounted onto the burner
The burner/boiler is then recommissioned as per manufacturers instructions, including fitting a pressure gauge to check oil pump pressure is correct, Smoke number is correct as per manual, Co2 levels, CO levels (acceptable) using a combustion analyser and also flue gas temperature
Once the engineer is happy with the combustion performance a printout is undertaken and clipped to the service report.
Any recommendations or faults are then noted on the service report.
The customer is then advised on findings.
Engineer then clears up, taking any rubbish away.
He then informs the customer that an invoice will be sent in the post and they would be contacted the

following year to book service.

Simple and professional