What is a couple - Washing Machines

If you oil burner motor is running and you are not getting any oil from the nozzle, the motor to oil pump coupling may be bad.

On most any oil burner there is a coupling that connects the motor to the oil pump.
This coupling is made of a hard rubber and will over time deteriorate and either break completely or strip out. The replacement of this coupling is a fairly easy repair, if you know how to do it.

First off a new coupling must be obtained. The best place would be the local HVAC Supply House. The coupling that you will get will not just fit the way it comes usually.
It will have to be fit to size and the right size shaft adapter placed in the ends. So don’t worry if it looks a bit funny, we will fix that.

The first you need to do (after turning off all power) is to remove the oil pump. On most oil burners it is the black square thing on the left side. There are two bolts at the three o clock and nine o clock positions that come out to release the pump. The coupling may or may not come with the pump. If it doesn’t then you will need to take pliers and pull it off of the motor shaft. Sometimes the coupling will come and leave the adapter on the shaft and you will just need to remove that. It can be tricky to get back to it.

Carefully measure the old adapter and cut the new one the same length. Choose the adapter you need to fit the motor shaft and the pump shaft. Insert them into the ends of the coupling. Place the coupling on the motor shaft and then carefully install the pump and tighten the bolts down. After tightening check the fan under the transformer and make sure that it turns freely and that nothing is binding. If the new coupling is too tight the motor cannot turn it and if it is to loose the coupling will wear out quickly. So be sure to carefully check everything to make the new coupling last a long time.

Now you can restore power and start the unit. It is best to verify the combustion of the unit with a combustion analyzer to ensure efficient operation and good combustion so that your unit does not soot up and lose efficiency later. Running your oil burner too lean or too rich can cause many problems both now and down the road.