We don't have one, but our neighbor (who is a newbie) has one and I get a heavy smell of diesel when he runs it. Is that normal?
Mike,
No that is not normal. His burner is telling him he needs annual service in the not too distant future. The nozzle spray pattern is beginning to deteriorate. It will not heal itself but annual service will fix the smell for sure.
With annual service, he will make it through the winter just fine. Without annual service, he might one day wake up rather cold. But no way to guarantee when that day will occur. Just probably sooner than later.
What Rudy said!
Inside or outside? Does he have a slide? Exhaust should be clear when the burner is running properly. Very little diesel exhaust smell. If it is cold and no wind then exhaust may not dissipate quickly? White exhaust may mean the burner is not working well.
I have to admit, I snuck over this a.m. 6.00, no wind, after smelling it for a couple of mornings (it HAS been cold here, high twenties). And noticed no smoke, but knew it was coming from their Aqua Hot. No slide, maybe I'm becoming overly sensitive, wait a minute, I'm one of the last (KOOL) smokers in the world, I should have NO sense of smell!
Probably due for a service. If the nozzle isn't spraying correctly then some unburned fuel can be coming out with the exhaust. The inside of their exhaust pipe might be damp from unburned fuel.
John Carrillo (Aquahot specialist, Rudy :thumbsup: ) will be at Q. Call him for service, 970.518.3085. Maybe he can stop where you are on the way there. After that he will be near Yuma.