Ideal Boiler Troubleshooting

Ideal boilers have been trusted across the country for years now. However, there may be times when your Ideal boiler isn’t performing the way it should. In this guide, we’ll discuss common Ideal boiler issues, how to fix them and some common error codes you may experience.

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Ideal boilers have been trusted across the country for years now. However, there may be times when your Ideal boiler isn’t performing the way it should.

In this guide, we’ll discuss common Ideal boiler issues, how to fix them and some common error codes you may experience.

Common Ideal boiler problems

There are a few common Ideal boiler problems that you may experience, including the following listed below:

Boiler failing to ignite (L2) – When an Ideal boiler fails to ignite more than 3 times, it will lock out. This essentially means that your boiler has shut down. If you’re unsure if your boiler has locked out, an orange light will display on the boiler.
Blank display – If nothing is appearing on the boiler, it suggests there is no power. This likely means a component within the boiler has failed, which will likely require the help of an engineer.
Loud noise when igniting (L2) – Loud noises when igniting can be a sign that too much gas was in the ignition prior to lighting.
Gurgling noises (L2) – If you hear gurgling noises from your Ideal boiler, it is likely caused by blocked waterways from the boiler to the condensate.
No hot water (F1, F2, L2) – Check your Ideal combi boiler is turned up on the front, then check that the isolation valve underneath the boiler on the cold mains pipe is open. If neither of these seem to be the cause of the issue, then it is likely a problem with the appliance.
Low water pressure (F1) – Your water pressure should be sitting around the 1.5 pressure bar mark.
Flame loss (F2, L2, FN or LN) – There are many causes behind a flame loss, including a faulty fan, insufficient gas supply, issues with electrical components and low gas pressure.

Ideal boiler warranty

Ideal boiler warranties can vary between 2 to 12 years, but this may be limited to 12 months if you don’t register your boiler within 30 days of installation.

Ideal heating warranties offer customers full parts and labour repair services, or boiler replacement free of charge if the boiler has any mechanical or electrical breakdowns due to fault with materials or installation.

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Why is my Ideal boiler not firing up?

There are some common reasons why your Ideal boiler may not be firing up.

Insufficient gas pressure

Sometimes, the gas pressure is insufficient, which could be what causes your boiler to fail to ignite. The gas pressure should be tested by a Gas Safe engineer to determine where the problem lies.

Blocked burner

When a boiler burns, it produces CO2. This can clog the burner, making the flame inconsistent and therefore, you won’t have any hot water or heating. Cleaning up the carbon dioxide build-up should fix this issue.

A fault with the fan

When you use hot water or you turn your heating on, a fan will start to operate to create a draught and push harmful gases away from the boiler and into the flue. These gases then safely exit your home.

If this fan is not operational, then the boiler will not ignite and it will force a lockout. If this is the case, you should call an experienced heating engineer to correctly establish the issue.

Tripped fuse box

Sometimes, if the boiler is functioning properly, the culprit could be a tripped main fuse box.

Electrical fault

Sometimes a boiler may not fire up due to an electrical fault, such as a faulty plug or a blown fuse. You may not be able to identify the problem on your own, which is why you should always enlist the help of a professional.

How do I reset an Ideal boiler?

The reset procedure on your Ideal boiler will vary depending on the exact model of your Ideal boiler. However, most modern models will have a dedicated reset button.

You can use the following steps to reset your Ideal boiler:

Esprit Eco 2 – Simultaneously press down the select and arrow up button together for a few seconds.
Logic – Turn the control knob to the reset position, and then immediately turn back to the setting of your choice.
Logic+ and Vogue Max – Press the dedicated reset button underneath the digital display.

Why is my Ideal boiler firing but there is no hot water?

There are a few common reasons why your Ideal boiler is firing but there is no hot water. In this situation, the best thing you can do is act quickly, and get in touch with our heating specialists at Lacey Plumbing & Heating. Being without hot water at home can cause real issues, so it’s best to call us as soon as possible.

Some of the common reasons why your Ideal boiler is not producing hot water include:

Thermostat issues
Incorrect radiator settings
Faulty diverter valves
Faulty boiler settings
Broken internal components

How do I fix the pressure on my Ideal boiler?

If your Ideal boiler is experiencing low water pressure (F1), don’t panic, this is something you can easily fix yourself using the following steps:

1
Turn off your boiler
2
Locate your boiler’s permanent filling loop. This will be beneath the boiler.
3
Open the valve on the filling loop until the pressure gauge shows 1 to 1.5 bars of pressure, and then close the valve. Do not increase the pressure to above 1.5 bars as this can damage the boiler itself and the system.
4
Use a cloth to catch any drops of water from the air break on the filling link. Don’t worry, a small amount of water appearing is normal.
5
Finally, check your central heating system and your radiators for any signs of water leaks.

If this doesn’t work, you can head over to our full guide on boiler pressure for other useful tips on how to repressurise your boiler.

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How do I find the error codes on my Ideal boiler?

If your Ideal boiler develops a problem, an error code will show on the display screen to help you identify the issue.

Each boiler has its own code, so make sure you check the guide that came with the boiler.

Ideal Logic Max and Logic Plus boiler error codes

Error Code	System Error
L1	Flow temperature overheat lockout or no water flow lockout
L2	Ignition lockout
LC	Turn power off and on
L6	False flame lockout
F1	Low water pressure
F2, FN or LN	Flame Loss
F3	Fan fault
L4 or F4	Control Fault
L5 or F5	Return thermistor fault
F6	Outside Sensor fault
F7	Low mains voltage
F9, L9, F8 or L8	Printed circuit board fault
FU	Check Isolation valves are open
No central heating	Book an engineer
No hot water	Book an engineer
No display	Book an engineer

Common Ideal boiler error codes

Error Code

System Error

Boiler is in standby mode waiting for central heating demand or hot water

Boiler has call for central heating

Boiler chip card activation fault

Boiler chip card fault

Boiler is in hot water mode

The boiler has a call for hot water but the appliance has reached the desired temperature

The boiler is operating in frost mode

Low water pressure

Flame loss

Fan fault

Flow thermistor fault

Return thermistor fault

Outside sensor failure

Low mains voltage

Unconfigured mains circuit board

Flow temperature overheat or no water flow

Flame loss

5 boiler resets in 15 minutes

False flame lockout

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