How to trace the source of a strong oily smell

[sammywhisker]

For 4 weeks now I have had a smell of oil in the utility room where my oil-fired boiler is, and in other rooms too. After two service visits the boilerman cant find anything wrong with the boiler or tank [both only two years old]. The Local Council sent some environmental officials but they couldn't find anything; they suggested it might be a dead rat decomposing! It definitely smells of domestic oil not something dead,and its worst when the boiler is off. Do I have to have a professional firm come to do tests? I would like to solve this myself if possible.

[buildersmate]

You've called in the experts - not sure what more we 'remote experts' can offer. It doesn't take much vapour (in the air) to get a whiff - happens occasionally around my tank.

[naz_nomad]

I'd say you definitely have a leak on the boiler somewhere ... what make is the boiler?

[sammywhisker]

The boiler is Warmflow Whitebird 70/90.

[sddsddean]

Bit of a long shot, but when I was a student the house I shared with 2 mates had a really oily/turps/gassy smell. We even called out the Gas board! Turned out it was the Bakelite electric junction box 'under the stairs' smoldering. It burst into flames about 5 days later(thats how we found what the smell was!), just before we went down the pub. Now I know all Bakelite boxes should have been replaced by now, but if you live in an oldish house, might be worth checking.