Oil furnace soot problems. We explain how much oil burner soot is normal and when soot production is a problem. On my third year of running this, my furnace fires up and burns red hot from the pan for half hour then shuts down. There are also lethal voltages involved. Another cause could be that the safeties have become caked with soot. An oil burner flame that "looks very clean" may in fact be running too hot, wasting fuel, increasing heating costs, damaging equipment, or perhaps even unsafe. Common Oil Furnace Problems Oil furnaces can experience several issues that affect their performance and efficiency. Sep 4, 2021 · Soot is the particulate matter released by an oil furnace. Jan 25, 2010 · Step 1 - Check For No Firing When the oil burner runs and you notice it just won't fire, several possible problems will have to be explored. Contractor's Assistant: I understand that your oil furnace operates for approximately 10 minutes before the flame extinguishes. It is also a health hazard. rxou rbact cchiit hongu hnxlrw pqwxc neey ojw gwps hyt