How do you test a transformer on a Wayne oil gun?

My dad's boiler has a wayne oil gun that is misfiring on an intermittent basis. It has been cleaned in the last 6 mos and is only used for domestic hot water so at this point I'm discounting the nozzle and electrodes. I haven't witnessed the missfiring but he say he can smell oil when it does so I'm thinking a bad or weak transformer but I have no idea how to test this type of oil gun. Any ideas how to test or trouble shoot this "wayne" oil gun?

flame sensor ok?

don't discount the nozzle. don't discount anything. Who "cleaned" this boiler last? was a full burner service done? did you see the service get done with your own eyes? if not, don't assume anything was done. Right now it could be the primary control, nozzle, flame sensor, filter(fuel supply), pump, electrodes/ electrode placement, transformer, or burner head in addition to the air band and stack draft settings. you can take a screwdriver and see if the spark will jump the terminals on the transformer with out first making a hard connection - but you might get shocked if you don't know what you're doing.

All these are pretty cheap (not necessarily in this order):

1. change filter, if there's not a filter JUST before the burner add another one JUST before the burner.
2. change nozzle - anything less than 1gph is going to need good filtration
3. make sure overfire draft is set low to avoid flame-stripping from the head (-.02 on a plumb and level baro is a good start with most setups)
4. make sure burner head is clean and intact
5. make sure electrodes aren't burned out and are in good shape
6. check electrode gap and placement in relation to the nozzle (different with different burners, heads, firing rates etc.)
7. many others, but this is a good start.

Also check that the proper nozzle is installed. Often the techs install what they have in the truck instead of what's specified.

jpen1 wrote:My dad's boiler has a wayne oil gun that is misfiring on an intermittent basis. It has been cleaned in the last 6 mos and is only used for domestic hot water so at this point I'm discounting the nozzle and electrodes. I haven't witnessed the missfiring but he say he can smell oil when it does so I'm thinking a bad or weak transformer but I have no idea how to test this type of oil gun. Any ideas how to test or trouble shoot this "wayne" oil gun?

Everything Berlin said. Also it would be helpful to know if the flame is dropping out or failing to fire on start up. Does it go onto safety? A partially clogged nozzle can make oil and or sulfur smells.