Ideal Logic Boiler F2/L2 Fault

[BennyC]

Afternoon,

I have British Gas currently working to remedy this fault but thought I would consult some of the knowledge on the forum as a solution seems to be illusive at the moment.

The boiler has been fine for just shy of 6 years (from new) until a few weeks ago the 'F2' (Flame Loss) fault was showing. I have a Homecare policy for convenience so called them out for a visit to investigate. After switching the boiler off for a while and allowing things to dissipate it would fire and function fine for a short while before locking out to 'F2' again.

A few new parts were fitted including the condensing trump/sump (which had a slight crack) and my Annual Service completed but success was short lived. They have since revisited again, checked electrodes, the condensing pipe and drain itself and confirmed everything is A-ok. I have no slow flowing drains for that matter in the house, no gargling noises or bubbles coming from the boiler either and to our knowledge no air-block in the condensing pipe.

Having back-filled through the flue the condensing trap does drain but there is a delay/slow causing the F2 fault and/or the L2 fault (Flame Loss).They are re attending tomorrow with another new condensing trap/sump and new electrodes to be thorough.

I have thought of asking to try by-passing the existing condensing pipe and just run something temporary in to the adjacent sink, to guarantee flow is not restricted upon exiting the boiler assembly, but this isn’t an area of expertise for me.

I don't expect the engineers to be a walking encyclopedia for all boilers but if anyone has any suggestions I could share that might help pin-point the issue I'd be grateful, especially as a cold snap has arrived

Thanks,

BennyC

 

[FlyingFish]

I've replaced a few spark generators on these. Also lots of leaking traps and sump doors. I did come across one of a similar age to yours that was very sensitive to needing a clean primary heat exchanger when fitted to several meters of flue pipe. Otherwise initial ignition wasn't very clean.

I'm sure BG will sort it eventually

 

[BennyC]

I've replaced a few spark generators on these. Also lots of leaking traps and sump doors. I did come across one of a similar age to yours that was very sensitive to needing a clean primary heat exchanger when fitted to several meters of flue pipe. Otherwise initial ignition wasn't very clean.

I'm sure BG will sort it eventually

Thank you, I will run these suggestions past them if they have no joy tomorrow works perfectly, when not tripping itself out

 

[a1ex2001]

intermittent faults are the worst, makes getting a diagnosis a nightmare and nothing is worse than the engineer showing up when everything is working and it packing up 10 minutes after they leave!

 

[BennyC]

I've replaced a few spark generators on these. Also lots of leaking traps and sump doors. I did come across one of a similar age to yours that was very sensitive to needing a clean primary heat exchanger when fitted to several meters of flue pipe. Otherwise initial ignition wasn't very clean.

I'm sure BG will sort it eventually

This evening's visit appeared to be fruitful but hasn't yielded any lasting function. 30 minutes or so and the F2/L2 "Flame Loss" lockout shows.

I've watched it during a firing cycle, the pilot light remains on the first attempt, doesn't struggle at all and it heats perfectly fine. The condensing trap empties successfully too but then after 10 minutes or so it locks out again, even if the trap has just emptied.

What else could cause flame loss? It seems to need time for things to dissipate before functioning again, short lived for around 30-40 minutes. Case on or off makes no difference.

Edit:

 

[FlyingFish]

To be certain of what's at fault your BG man needs to witness the boiler going to fault and test what's happening when it does. Which can be awkward if it's happening random. Could be spark generator, gas valve, pcb. If you have their insurance, just get stroppy until they throw parts at it

 

[BennyC]

To be certain of what's at fault your BG man needs to witness the boiler going to fault and test what's happening when it does. Which can be awkward if it's happening random. Could be spark generator, gas valve, pcb. If you have their insurance, just get stroppy until they throw parts at it

Thing is, it isn't random, it's persistent and in a fairly uniform pattern. I've reason to believe it's now the Gas Valve having spoken with a specialist who doesn't cover my locality but kindly shared his expertise, he's not certain but these sorts of things can always be a bit of trial and error.

Having more or less verified the flame fault isn't as a result of the output it's more likely to be an input... I think...

 

[The_One]

pretty sure you've got a faulty gas valve fault mate

sounds like once its getting up to temp and modulating down its dropping out on the detection probe

once its cooled a bit and you reset it does it then fire up and heat fine again?

 

[GazosCalvertos]

Thing is, it isn't random, it's persistent and in a fairly uniform pattern. I've reason to believe it's now the Gas Valve having spoken with a specialist who doesn't cover my locality but kindly shared his expertise, he's not certain but these sorts of things can always be a bit of trial and error.

Having more or less verified the flame fault isn't as a result of the output it's more likely to be an input... I think...

Hi, did you manage to resolve this issue? I'm experiencing the exact same problem. Did replacing the gas valve sort it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BennyC]

Hi, did you manage to resolve this issue? I'm experiencing the exact same problem. Did replacing the gas valve sort it?

Thanks in advance!

Yup, new PCB.

BG replaced almost every other part but no joy. Trap, exchanger (rinsed and also a new unit), probes etc were all fine. Condenser pipe wasn't blocked etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[GazosCalvertos]

Yup, new PCB.

BG replaced almost every other part but no joy. Trap, exchanger (rinsed and also a new unit), probes etc were all fine. Condenser pipe wasn't blocked etc.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I had a feeling that would be the case. Thanks very much for replying, it's much appreciated!

 

[Catherine Wilson]

Yup, new PCB.

BG replaced almost every other part but no joy. Trap, exchanger (rinsed and also a new unit), probes etc were all fine. Condenser pipe wasn't blocked etc.

Hope this helps.

Hi, I also am having the exact same problem with my boiler, is the PCB you are referring to the Circuit Board as this is the last option my Gas Engineer is wanting to try.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BennyC]

Hi, I also am having the exact same problem with my boiler, is the PCB you are referring to the Circuit Board as this is the last option my Gas Engineer is wanting to try.

Thanks in advance.

Yes. Printed Circuit Board.

 

[Catherine Wilson]

Yes. Printed Circuit Board.

Thank you.

 

[Catherine Wilson]

Yes. Printed Circuit Board.

I have also had a few times a F3 which is the Fan, did British gas change this also? my F2/L2 has been going on for 3 weeks now.

 

[BennyC]

I have also had a few times a F3 which is the Fan, did British gas change this also? my F2/L2 has been going on for 3 weeks now.

Never had an F3 fault but could well be related to the PCB if it's borked. See if it still occurs after that's been replaced.

 

[Catherine Wilson]

Never had an F3 fault but could well be related to the PCB if it's borked. See if it still occurs after that's been replaced.

Hopefully should be sorted by next week. My Gas Engineer has said that it's either the gas valve or the PCB but there was no way to test the PCB so he has been reluctant to order one. After reading your thread I will pass on this info. Did British Gas end up changing the gas valve or did they just go with the PCB.

 

[vince1981]

Hi guys, I'm having the same issues, L2 F2 codes randomly. Ideal boys came around and the boiler looked fine, sadly after 1 day started again.
We called them again and they started to blame the flue which sticks outside the house... as seen on other review websites they had to build the boilers with cheap pieces... I want to mention that the signs come on and off, so still able to use CH and HW. Any help please on the piece eventually to change?

 

[Catherine Wilson]

Hi guys, I'm having the same issues, L2 F2 codes randomly. Ideal boys came around and the boiler looked fine, sadly after 1 day started again.
We called them again and they started to blame the flue which sticks outside the house... as seen on other review websites they had to build the boilers with cheap pieces... I want to mention that the signs come on and off, so still able to use CH and HW. Any help please on the piece eventually to change?

Hi Vince1981
In the end I had to ring Ideal and pay for the callout charge, the engineer was brilliant, he changed the PCB circuit board, if you feel the casing where the PCB is held and it's warm to touch then it could be that again. Or it maybe the gas valve like the previous comments. I would pay for the callout or the six months pay plan, they will come out as many times to fix the problem. I really hope I do not get the L2/F2 again as it'll drive me mad.

 

[Catherine Wilson]

Hopefully should be sorted by next week. My Gas Engineer has said that it's either the gas valve or the PCB but there was no way to test the PCB so he has been reluctant to order one. After reading your thread I will pass on this info. Did British Gas end up changing the gas valve or did they just go with the PCB.

I also had that F3 a few times and mine went on for over 4weeks. But the fan was ok just think it's where thecboiler is trying to hard to work.