Common Baxi Boiler Problems & Repair Advice 2021
This guide to the common Baxi boiler problems will help you recognise the cause of any faults and know how to quickly get your home back up and running with heating and hot water. In some cases, you'll be needing an engineer, get a free boiler repair quote from engineers near you with our service.
Most common Baxi boiler problems?
| Common Baxi boiler problems | Baxi error / fault code |
|---|---|
| Frozen condensate pipe | E28 |
| Low boiler pressure | Pressure under 1 bar |
| Water leaking | H.02 – .06 |
| Failing to ignite | E133 or 3 red flashes |
| No hot water | E50, E54, E133 |
| Broken burner | 128 |
Frozen condensate pipe (E133 or E28)
Seeing either of these error codes means that your condensate pipe may be frozen. The condensate pipe transports acidic water, caused by waste gas, away from the boiler. This usually runs outside into a drain, and because of its location it faces the risk of freezing.
How to thaw a frozen condensate pipe
Frozen condensate pipes can be thawed by having warm water poured over them, if you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, call out a registered engineer.
Low boiler pressure
When looking at your boiler gauge, the needle should be between 1.0 and 2.0, if the pressure drops below this then the unit needs to be repressurised. All boilers will gradually lose pressure over time but if there’s a sudden drop, then there could be a leak somewhere in the system. If you suspect a leak, turn off your water supply and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer right away.
How to increase low boiler pressure
If there isn’t a leak, then you can increase boiler pressure yourself to get it back to a level your Baxi boiler can operate at. Follow these 8 simple steps to increasing boiler pressure.
Water leaking (H.02 – .06)
There are several potential causes of a leak and its location will help to determine the fault. The cause in many cases is a broken internal component, such as a pump seal or pressure valve. If the leak is coming from the pressure valve, your boiler pressure may be too high. If it's coming from the pump seal, it may have become worn out and need replacing.
Fix a leaking Baxi boiler
The parts within older Baxi boilers might have worn out over time, leading to the leak, and could mean that the whole boiler needs replacing. In other cases, a part, such as the pump, might simply need replacing. Either way, you should contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to diagnose the fault that has caused the leak and carry out the appropriate fix.
Boiler failing to ignite
A Baxi boiler lockout is a common reason for the boiler failing to ignite, which happens when there’s a fault with the boiler that could lead to damage if the boiler was to continue operating. Common causes of a Baxi boiler locking out include overheating (110), fan fault (160), flue overheating (E131) and an issue with the printed circuit board (PCB) (E168).
How to get a Baxi boiler igniting again
If you’re not seeing any of the error codes we’ve highlighted above then there could be an issue with the gas supply, ignition leads or electrodes (needed to generate a flame) or a faulty gas valve.
To check an issue with the gas supply, try using other gas appliances around the home, such as the hob, to see if it works. If not, there’s a good chance the issue lies with the gas supply. Should other gas appliances be working then it’s time to contact a Gas Safe registered engineer who will be able to repair or replace faulty parts.
No hot water
Not getting any hot water from your taps suggests that the diverter valve is either worn, faulty or stuck. The job of the diverter valve is to open to let water into the heat exchanger when you turn on the hot tap, which closes off the water used for your heating.
Broken burner (128)
Loud noises from the boiler are an indication that the burner has broken but it’s hard to diagnose this with hiring a Gas Safe registered engineer to take a look inside the boiler. So, check your Baxi boiler for the 128 error code.
Fixing a broken burner
A broken burner is most common with older Baxi boilers and for the cost of replacing it (up to £450), it might make more financial sense to replace the boiler.
Which Baxi boiler problems need a heating engineer?
Some common boiler problems don't even need an engineer to resolve, but to know when you will need one, use the table below.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Do you need an engineer? |
|---|---|---|
| No heat or hot water | Can be caused by several things including broken diaphragms and airlocks, failure of motorised valves, issues with the thermostat or low water levels | Yes |
| Leaking and dripping | Most likely to be a broken internal component but it will depend where the water is leaking from | Yes |
| Banging, whistling or gurgling noises | Air in the system could be causing this, otherwise it could be that the water pressure is too low | Yes |
| Pilot light goes out | The thermocouple could be broken which is in turn stopping the gas supply | Yes |
| Losing Pressure | Could be a water leak in the system, the pressure relief valve needs replacing or due to recently bleeding radiators | No, unless there’s a leak |
| Frozen condensate pipe | This fault should be displayed on your boiler as an error code or warning notification | Yes |
| Thermostat issues | Thermostat could be turned off or not set to the correct settings (time etc.) | Consider replacing |
| Kettling | Limescale or sludge building up on the heat exchanger | Yes |
| Radiators not getting hot | Sludge or air building up in the system or an unequal distribution of heat | Your radiators will need to be bled which doesn't require an engineer but if you don't feel like carrying out the task yourself |
| Boiler switching itself off | Could be low water pressure, a problem with the thermostat or a lack of water flow due to a closed valve, | Yes |
Baxi boiler warranty
The majority of Baxi boilers come with anywhere between 2-7 years of warranty as standard. Use our complete guide to Baxi warranties so that you know exactly what to expect. To keep a boiler warranty valid, a service will need to be carried out annually, this means that you’ll need to arrange for a Baxi boiler service for every year of the warranty.
Boiler insurance and ongoing cover
For anyone whose boiler warranty has ended or is coming to end, boiler insurance could be well worth considering. This can be done easily enough with your energy supplier, but there's absolutely no obligation to do so. If you think boiler insurance is the way to go, then keep an eye out for ones that offer an annual service and safety inspections.
Is it time to replace your Baxi boiler?
If you've had your Baxi boiler for some period of time then you might be thinking about installing a new one. If you live in a detached home then you could be saving up to £300* a year. Use the table below to find out how much you could be saving depending on your current boiler rating and property.
| House Type | G (less than 70%) | F (70-74%) | E (74-78%) | D (78-82%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached | £195 | £140 | £125 | £110 |
| Detached | £300 | £210 | £165 | £135 |
| Detached bungalow | £155 | £110 | £100 | £90 |
| Mid-terrace | £170 | £120 | £105 | £95 |
| Mid-floor flat | £80 | £55 | £50 | £45 |
How to find the best engineer to replace a Baxi boiler?
Once you know that you want to replace your Baxi boiler with a brand new one, it can be tough to decide who you should get to replace it. One thing is for sure, the person you go with must be a Gas Safe registered.
Your decision will ultimately come down to either a national company or local engineer, so which one is right for you.
If you prefer the personal touch, then with a local engineer you're likely to talk to the same person throughout your communications. Local engineers can also offer very competitive rates which might sway you.
National companies will be able to offer extra services like ongoing boiler cover and big brand protection which is always a bonus.
We don't recommend going with the first engineer you talk to so it's a good idea to get a quote from up to 3 engineers to give you the best chance of getting the perfect deal for you.
For the best chance of getting the right deal for you, we recommend getting up to 3 quotes from different engineers, which you can receive with our free service.
*According to the latest figures from the Energy Saving Trust
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