My Firebird boiler is only 14 months old and it wont stay lit. Had two service firms out since christmas changing parts and messing with settings but it only runs for 1-2 days before the photocell carbonises and it stops it lighting. I have to keep taking it out and cleaning it.Now had 6 visits from the firebird agent but it still does it. have put boiler max in oil tank, oil has also been changed in tank. Get a house full of kersone fumes when its running which makes me think the firebox is not sealed or there is a hole in it. would that cause the problem? I wrote to Firebird in January asking for help but they have not responded. It has a 2 year warranty but its no good if it no-one can fix it.

steve, February 2009

This finally got sorted after the technical guy from Firebird got in touch with me. It needed a plume dispersal kit because it was sucking its fumes back into the flue outside and sooting up rapidly. So fitted the kit with a china hat cowl and the boiler runs perfectly. What is annoying here is that it's had three firms out to it and 8 visits in all at much expense including a Firebird agent and no-one mentioned the flue kit. I did it myself in the end and then had it serviced again to set it up right for the flue. Job done.

steve, October 2012

These boilers have a few issues not that the manufacturers will own up to it.

Sooting of the photocell is common been to many with the same issue I think they have modified the later models by modifying the burner so there is a post purge Condensate traps are another issue. In my opinion Grant Vortex are a better make of boiler.

James, April 2012

Why not try submitting the Firebird boiler for the boiler scrappage scheme! After all it must be really inefficient, I know mine is!

John, January 2010

I certainly would not reccomend Firebird!
Since ours was installed:

First they replaced the whole boiler due to having leaked acid and rusted
the entire case.

The replaced boiler broke down after a month and they would not replace the
parts due to the first boiler being installed just over 12 months. So we had to pay.

We now have all sorts of problems:
Failing to light
Noise in the pipes even after we had a service engineer clear air and check the boiler.
Now we can only have hot water or heat but not both!
I also notice that the boiler is leaking acid again.

We are now going to tear out the 2 year old boiler and replace it with a Heatslave.

Rubbish boiler replace it!

John, September 2009

If its running and you can smell kero, it probably isnt leaking within the burner or combustion chamber. Does it have a 2 pipe system and if so is there any leaks. If its sooting up the pc then its burning incorrectly. What parts did they change. If your in the Lancashire area fell free to give me a call 07881 620285

Paul Cunningham Plumbing and Heating OFTEC, March 2009

The problem could be that the Oil dripping after it has finished firing and is smouldering inside chamber .
Also the blast tube and nozzle setting could be wrong , Because the Oil could be igniting just short of the correct position.

Are there any obstructions in the flue ?

WAYNE WATKINS OIL BOILER SERVICING, February 2009