I have an oil-burning furnace, with an intermittent problem. Most of the time when the temperature drops below the thermostat level, it kicks in just fine. But every so often, with no particular regularity, it fails to start. I have to go down to the basement and press the manual restart button (which always works with just one push). I have found no factor that seems to explain when it fails to automatically start. (For example, it seems no worse on particularly cold days, or damp day, etc.) It is just that once every day or so, it fails to come on.
I have a service contract, and the furnace is old but has been maintained. A couple service guys have been out to look at it, and each has done a little something, but nothing has definitively solved the problem. (I am embarrassed to admit here that I am NOT the handyman type. I do not watch over their shoulders, and I do not know precisely what they have tried.)
I have a guy coming out again in a couple days, and I am hoping to be a little bit better armed with knowledge, and be more involved in the diagnosis. I was wondering if anyone has ideas on what sorts of things could cause this intermittent problem.
Thanks.