OIL FURNACES AND BURNERS
Oil Furnace Repair Quincy MA
Heating oil averaged $6.23 a gallon in Massachusetts at the end of October 2026. A burner that runs dirty burns that money and gives you less heat for it.
Most oil burner lockouts trace back to one small part that costs less than a tank refill. The mistake that turns it into a $700 repair is pressing the reset button a second time. We explain why below.
We repair oil furnaces and burners across Quincy, from older Wollaston basements with a 275 gallon tank to the shoreline homes on Houghs Neck. Call (617) 555-0132. A technician can tell you what to check while we are on the way.
What does oil furnace repair include?
Oil furnace repair means finding the step where your burner stopped, fixing or replacing that part, and testing the flame and exhaust before we leave. Most visits involve the nozzle, oil filter, fuel pump, ignition electrodes, ignition transformer, cad cell, primary control or burner motor. A combustion test and carbon monoxide check come with every visit.
WARNING SIGNS
Signs your furnace needs a technician
Oil burners usually warn you before they quit. Watch for these.
● The thermostat calls for heat and the burner does not start
● The burner runs a few seconds, then shuts off and the red reset button pops
● Black smoke, soot or a heavy oil smell near the furnace
● A thump or bang at startup
● The blower runs, but the air is cold
● The furnace starts and stops every few minutes
● Rumbling, squealing or a high whine from the burner
● Uneven heat from room to room
● More oil used each month with no change in how you live
Smoke, soot or a bang means turn the burner off first and call second. Everything else on the list is worth a call the same day.
THE BURNER CYCLE
What happens inside your oil burner when you call for heat
An oil burner runs a short, fixed sequence. If one step is weak, the rest never happen. Each failed step has its own symptom, which is how a technician finds the problem fast.
1
The thermostat calls for heat, and the primary control starts the burner motor.
2
The motor spins the fan and the oil pump.
3
The pump pressurizes the oil and pushes it through the nozzle as a fine mist.
4
The ignition transformer sends a spark across the electrodes.
5
The mist lights inside the combustion chamber.
6
The cad cell, an electric eye, sees the flame and tells the primary control the fire is on. If it sees nothing within seconds, the control shuts the burner down and locks out.
7
The heat exchanger warms, the blower starts, and warm air reaches your rooms.
Why does my oil burner keep shutting off?
The primary control shuts the burner down when it does not see a flame. Common causes are a dirty cad cell, a clogged nozzle or filter, water or sludge in the oil, or air in the fuel line. A technician finds which one with a combustion test and a look at the flame.
READ THIS FIRST
1×
The reset button rule: why one press is the limit
The red reset button on the primary control restarts the burner after a lockout. Press it once and wait for a full cycle.
If the burner locks out again, stop. Each extra press sends more oil into a chamber that is not burning it. That oil can pool and then light all at once.
How many times can I press the reset button on an oil furnace?
Once. If the furnace locks out again after one reset, turn the burner switch off and call a technician. Repeated resets can flood the combustion chamber with unburned oil, which can cause a puff back.
What is a puff back?
A puff back is a small explosion in the combustion chamber caused by delayed ignition. Oil vapor builds up and lights all at once, pushing soot out of the furnace and into the house. If you hear a bang and see soot, turn the burner off and call us. Do not restart it.
What should I do if I ran out of oil?
Filling the tank is not enough. Air in the fuel line must be bled from the pump, and the sludge stirred up by the fill often clogs the oil filter. Press reset once after the delivery. If the burner will not start, call us before you try again.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom guide: what you can check and when to call
| What you see | Likely cause | Safe to check yourself | Call us when |
|---|---|---|---|
| No sound, nothing starts | Burner switch off, tripped breaker, empty tank, failed primary control | Burner switch, breaker (reset once), tank gauge | Breaker trips again, or the tank has oil and nothing runs |
| Starts, then locks out | Dirty cad cell, clogged nozzle or filter, air in the line | Reset button, one press only | It locks out a second time |
| Black smoke or soot | Worn nozzle, dirty chamber, draft problem | Nothing. Turn the burner off | Right away |
| Bang at startup | Delayed ignition, weak electrodes or transformer | Nothing. Turn the burner off | Right away |
| Blower runs, cold air | Burner never lit, or the limit switch tripped | Filter, supply vents open | Cold air after 5 minutes |
| Short cycling | Clogged filter, dirty cad cell, restricted airflow | Replace a dirty air filter | It continues after a new filter |
| Whine or rumble | Failing burner motor or pump, loose coupling | Nothing | Right away |
| Furnace dead after a delivery | Air in the line, sludge in the filter | Reset button, one press only | The burner does not start |
Never open the burner compartment or bypass a safety control. Those controls exist because oil and flame are involved.
FUEL COST
What a dirty burner costs you at $6.23 a gallon
275 GALLON TANK
$1,713
at $6.23 a gallon
A 275 gallon tank holds about $1,713 of oil at the late October average. A burner that burns poorly sends part of that up the chimney.
Soot on the heat exchanger works like a blanket. It holds heat in the exhaust gases and sends it outside instead of into your rooms. A worn nozzle sprays a poor pattern, so the oil burns badly.
A yearly cleaning, a new nozzle and filter, and a combustion test keep the burn clean. See oil furnace maintenance and our guide to heating oil prices this winter.
WHAT WE FIX
Oil burner parts we repair or replace
Fuel delivery
- Oil nozzle replacement
- Oil filter replacement
- Oil pump repair
- Fuel supply line and fittings
- Tank sediment and water check
Ignition and flame
- Ignition electrodes
- Ignition transformer
- Cad cell (flame detector) replacement
- Primary control
Heat, airflow and exhaust
- Burner motor
- Blower motor
- Combustion chamber cleaning
- Soot removal and heat exchanger cleaning
- Chimney and flue inspection
Diagnostics and safety
- Oil burner troubleshooting
- Combustion analysis
- Furnace safety inspection
- Heating system diagnostics
For repeated lockouts, see our oil furnace lockout and no fire repair page.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
Where oil furnaces get stressed in Quincy
Gas is the main fuel in most of Quincy, but oil still heats a real share of homes. Census Bureau American Community Survey data shows it by ZIP code.
14.7%
Wollaston, ZIP 02170, has the highest oil share of Quincy’s three main ZIP codes.
| Area | What to know |
|---|---|
| Wollaston, ZIP 02170 | About 14.7 percent of homes heat with oil, the highest of Quincy’s three main ZIP codes. Many houses were built before 1940, so basement tanks and long flue runs are common. |
| Houghs Neck and Adams Shore, ZIP 02169 | About 13.5 percent oil. Wind and salt air off Quincy Bay corrode flue caps and tank vents. Check both after every storm. |
| North Quincy, ZIP 02171 | About 10.4 percent oil, with gas at about 58 percent. Confirm your fuel before you book, since many neighbors use gas. |
| Squantum, near Squantum Point Park | Open to wind on three sides. Check the chimney cap and outdoor tank vent after nor’easters. |
New England winters add their own problems. A hard freeze can gel oil in an outdoor tank or an exposed supply line. A nor’easter can delay a delivery, so do not let the tank drop below a quarter full in January.
SAFETY FIRST
Oil smell, smoke or CO alarm: do this first
These are safety calls first and repair calls second.
1 Turn off the burner switch. It is the red switch on or near the furnace, or at the top of the basement stairs.
2 If oil is pooling or the smell is strong, close the valve at the tank if you can reach it safely, and open windows.
3 If you see smoke, hear a bang with soot, or a CO alarm sounds, leave the house and call 911.
4 If oil reaches a floor drain, soil or a sump, tell the fire department and MassDEP.
5 Do not restart the burner. Call us. A system that smoked, locked out or leaked needs a combustion test first.
Massachusetts law, known as Nicole’s Law, requires carbon monoxide alarms in homes with fuel burning equipment. They belong on every habitable level, including the basement, and near sleeping areas. Look at the date on the back of yours. Most alarms need replacing every 5 to 10 years.
TYPICAL CALLS
How we work through three common oil heat calls
These are typical calls, shown step by step, so you know what a good visit looks like.
CALL 01 — Burner will not start after an oil delivery
The problem: The tank was nearly empty. It was filled the day before, and now the burner is quiet or locks out.
How we diagnose it: The technician checks the tank valve and gauge, then looks at the filter for sludge or water. He also checks pump pressure and listens for air in the line.
The fix: Replace the filter, bleed the pump, replace the nozzle if it is clogged, then run the burner through full cycles.
What you get: A steady flame, warm air at the vents, and a tip to keep the tank above a quarter full.
CALL 02 — Burner lights, then locks out within seconds
The problem: The flame starts, then everything shuts down, and the reset button pops. It happens again after one press.
How we diagnose it: The technician watches the flame, checks the cad cell, and looks at the electrodes and the primary control. A dirty or failing cad cell cannot see a healthy flame.
The fix: Clean or replace the cad cell, reset the electrode gap, and test the primary control. Run three full cycles.
What you get: A burner that holds its flame, plus a clear note on which part failed.
CALL 03 — Smoke smell and soot around the furnace
The problem: You notice a sharp smell, a gray film on the furnace, and soot near the burner.
How we diagnose it: The technician runs a smoke test, takes a draft reading, and looks inside the combustion chamber and flue.
The fix: Replace the nozzle and filter, clean the chamber and heat exchanger, adjust the air, and test again.
What you get: A clean flame, a passing combustion test, and a furnace that uses less oil for the same heat.
PRICING
What oil furnace repair costs in Quincy
Most people call because they fear the bill more than the cold. So here is how we price.
Small parts, like a nozzle or a filter, are cheap. Most of the bill is the diagnosis and the labor. Furnaces in tight basements take longer to open up.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $100 to $175 |
| Annual tune up: nozzle, filter, cleaning, combustion test | $150 to $350 |
| Cad cell replacement | $150 to $300 |
| Ignition electrodes or transformer | $175 to $450 |
| Primary control | $250 to $600 |
| Oil pump replacement | $300 to $700 |
| Burner motor | $300 to $700 |
| After hours surcharge | $100 to $250 on top of the visit fee |
These are typical 2026 ranges for the Boston area, with parts and labor included. Your written quote is the price you pay. If a quote lands far above these numbers, ask what is driving it.
Age × Quote > $5,000
Is it worth repairing an old oil furnace?
Multiply the furnace’s age by the repair quote. If the result is over $5,000, replacement usually wins. A 15 year old furnace with a $300 repair scores $4,500, so you repair it. A 20 year old furnace with a $600 repair scores $12,000, so you start comparing options. It is a rule of thumb, not a law.
At $6.23 a gallon, an old, inefficient burner costs more every winter. Read repair or replace your furnace before you decide. Our full price page is here.
THE VISIT
How a service call works
1 You call (617) 555-0132. For no heat calls, we give you an arrival window of 60 to 120 minutes.
2 The technician starts with safety: oil smell, tank and line leaks, a CO reading, and the flue.
3 He runs the burner through its sequence and shows you the part that failed and what caused it.
4 You get the price in writing. You say yes or no. There is no pressure to replace a furnace that can be repaired.
5 After the repair, we run a full heating cycle, a combustion test and a CO check before we leave.
Repairs carry a 90 day parts warranty and a 90 day labor warranty.
RENTALS
Landlords and tenants
DAY 68°F · NIGHT 64°F
In Massachusetts, the owner of a rental must provide heat. The state sanitary code (105 CMR 410) sets the minimum at 68°F during the day and 64°F at night. If the furnace is down in a rental, tell your landlord in writing and keep a copy.
Property managers can ask us for a written service record after each visit. See multi unit furnace service and no heat rules for rentals.
SERVICE AREA
Where we repair oil furnaces
Every neighborhood, from Wollaston to Squantum, plus Braintree, Milton, Weymouth, Randolph and Holbrook. Check the service area page for the full list.
Wollaston · North Quincy · Quincy Center · Houghs Neck · Adams Shore · Squantum · Marina Bay · Braintree · Milton · Weymouth · Randolph · Holbrook
FAQ
Oil heat questions, answered
How much does oil furnace repair cost in Quincy?
It depends on the part and the time of day. The diagnostic visit runs $100 to $175. Small jobs like a nozzle and filter change cost less than a pump, motor or control. You get the price in writing before work starts. The price table above lists common repairs.
Why is my oil burner not igniting?
The usual causes are a clogged nozzle or filter, worn electrodes, a weak ignition transformer, or air in the fuel line. A tank that ran low can also clog the filter with sludge. Press the reset button once. If it locks out again, call a technician.
How often should an oil furnace be serviced?
Once a year, before the heating season starts. A yearly visit replaces the nozzle and filter, cleans the burner and chamber, and includes a combustion test. Skipping it lets soot build up, and soot wastes oil and raises the chance of a lockout.
Is it normal for an oil burner to smell or smoke?
A faint oil smell at startup can be normal for a minute. A steady smell, black smoke or soot around the furnace is not. It points to poor combustion from a worn nozzle, dirty chamber or draft problem. Turn the burner off and call us.
Do you repair oil boilers too?
The burner is the same on an oil boiler, so most burner repairs apply to both. A furnace blows warm air through ducts. A boiler heats water for radiators or baseboard. Tell us which you have when you call.
How long do oil furnaces last?
Many run 20 years or more when they are serviced every year. Skipped service, a leaking tank, sludge and salt air near Quincy Bay shorten that. Age matters most when you decide whether a big repair is worth it.
What if I ran out of oil?
Filling the tank is not enough. Air in the fuel line has to be bled from the pump, and the sludge stirred up by the delivery often clogs the filter. Press reset once after the fill. If the burner does not start, call us.
Does Mass Save help with oil heating?
Mass Save has offered rebates on heat pumps and other qualifying upgrades, and a 0% HEAT Loan for eligible homeowners. Programs and amounts change each year. Check masssave.com before you replace anything, and ask us which models qualify.
Can I use the reset button more than once?
No. Press it once. A second lockout means something is wrong, and more resets push unburned oil into the combustion chamber. That raises the risk of a puff back. Turn the burner switch off and call a technician.
What should I do if the furnace dies at night?
Check the thermostat, the burner switch and the oil level. Smell smoke or hear a CO alarm? Leave the house and call 911. For a no heat call after hours, ring (617) 555-0132. Our after hours window is 6 PM to 11 PM on weeknights, and Sunday. The extra fee is $100 to $250.
Furnace down right now?
Call (617) 555-0132. Tell us what the burner does when it starts and what you see on the primary control. We will tell you what to check next.
For after hours calls, our window is 6 PM to 11 PM on weeknights, and Sunday. See emergency furnace repair for the fee and response time.