On 7 Feb 2007 08:29:38 -0800, Ken Cook wrote in
ups.com

Sounds like you have some moisture in the pipes. I've not heard of it
freezing up in this area. Mine is on 24 hours and governed by
thermostats etc so there is a regular flow of oil through the feed
pipe. Some of the flow is caused by "dry cycling" just to keep the
boiler up to heat but it keeps the house warm and the system ticking
over. It is much more practical in a cold climate as is keeping the
solid fuel back boiler on low all night.

Thanks Ken (and Richard too). So water is the most likely culprit and that
makes sense, as it is the first time in the 20 odd years I've been here
that such a problem has arisen. I was finding it hard to believe a temp of
-6C could have caused the oil to go waxy.

At least I now know how to free it and bleed the boiler.

--
Mike Tullett - Coleraine 55.13°N 6.69°W posted 07/02/2007 19:22:39 GMT