Boiler fault - any ideas?

Pineapple88

Hi everyone, 

Another day, another heating/hot water fault  I have a Glowworm boiler (5 years old) and its developed an F28 fault. It's been working fine up until now (and was working this morning) and so I'm not sure what has caused it to develop the fault (particularly because today seems to be the warmest of the last few days). A quick look on Google suggests that the fault could be caused by a number of issues which isn't ideal. Any idea whether I can fix it myself, or it is a job for a gas engineer? 

Thank you 

TELLIT01

First thing to check is the condensate pipe if it has one.  They can freeze and cause the boiler to cut out.  It happened to my boiler this lunchtime.  A kettle of boiling water fixed it.

grumbler

Pineapple88 said:

Hi everyone, 

A quick look on Google suggests that the fault could be caused by a number of issues which isn't ideal.

Do you mean these guys -  https://ephg.limited/glow-worm-boiler-error-code-f28.html ?

They just want to sell you their 'expertise' : "There is a fault-finding process that your boiler engineer is going to need to go through, to fix your boiler." And, probably, to charge you for the long-lasting process of 'fault-finding'.

https://www.glow-worm.co.uk/trade/service-and-support/business-tools/fault-finding-codes/subsites/betacom-a-range-14-232585.html
F28 Ignition fault - whatever this means.

If so, I think, you do need an engineer.

Pineapple88

I assume this is the pipe running from the boiler along the outside of the house? If so it's not frozen (although I have poured hot water on it to be sure). 

I've had a text from United Utilities warning of low water pressure due to frozen pipes. Could this be part of the problem?

grumbler

AFAIK, CH has to work regardless of the mains pressure.

Rodders53

I'd always try the 'hard mains reset' as an early step.  In the hopes that a one off ignition fail won't be repeated.

The first link Grumbler posted has some possible causes that might be user diagnosable...  

Do you hear the igniter trying to spark the electrode (usually a ticking noise)? 
Is there  viewing port on the boiler where you cans see the spark (and flames when it works)?
If the gas meter regulator is outside - take a look is it covered in frost and ice?  
Ditto the boiler flue any icicles, say, potentially blocking free flow of air and combustion gasses?

Pineapple88

I've tried a hard reset and its not worked. Initially it came up with 1.2bar and then it sounded like water was running through it but no sparking noise. Now its displaying an F29 fault (flame loss during operation). I feel like this is going to need a gas engineer...

To answer your other questions Rodders: 
- I couldn't hear an ignition spark, just some rumbling starting up sounds and then sounds of water running/gurgling 
- there isn't a viewing port 
- the gas meter is inside, under the stairs no not affected by cold (plus the gas fire is working); 
- the boiler flue (from what I can see outside the house) looks free from ice

Cactus_Flowers

I can't help at all, but the exact same error code came up on my Glowworm boiler last night so there seems to be a curse on them! I've poured warm water on the condensate pipe and it seems fine but it didn't fix anything, and neither did a reset, and I can't for love nor money find an emergency boiler plumber with availability this weekend. It's meant to get warmer here from tomorrow, so my plan is to get through today with all the blankets in the house, then try again for a plumber from Monday.