Common problems guide

The most common Keston C36 problems

The faults most likely to send a Keston C36 into lockout — with plain-English causes, what to check first, estimated repair costs and whether you need a Gas Safe engineer.

This model is discontinued. Parts can be harder to source and expensive. If repair costs are mounting, a new A-rated boiler may be the smarter choice.
30 documented codes
6 most common
6 DIY-safe checks
0 engineer needed

The 6 most common faults

01
E03 High DIY-safe

Your boiler has become too hot and has shut itself down as a safety precaution to prevent damage.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the water inside the heat exchanger reaches a dangerously high temperature, triggering a safety sensor to cut the power. The most common reasons are a lack of water flow caused by a failed pump, a blockage in the pipework, or air trapped within the system preventing heat from being moved away from the burner.

What to try first

Check that the boiler pressure is between 1.0 and 1.5 bar on the gauge.Ensure all radiator valves and internal isolation valves are fully open.Bleed your radiators to remove any trapped air pockets from the system.

Est. cost
£100-£350
Parts
Circulation Pump, Overheat Thermostat, Thermistor (NTC Sensor)
Full guide for E03
02
E23 High DIY-safe

Your boiler has stopped working because it cannot correctly detect the water pressure, often due to a low water level or a faulty sensor.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler's internal computer is unable to detect a stable reading from the water pressure sensor, which is essential for safe operation. The most common reason is that the system water level has dropped too low, but it can also be triggered if the sensor itself has become blocked with debris or has failed electronically.

What to try first

Check the pressure gauge on the front of the boilerIf the pressure is below 1 bar, use the filling loop to top it up to 1.5 barReset the boiler by pressing the 'Reset' button

Est. cost
£120-220
Parts
Water pressure sensor, Pressure switch, Wiring harness
Full guide for E23
03
E24 High DIY-safe

Your boiler has shut down because it keeps losing water pressure and likely has a leak somewhere in the heating system or the unit itself.

Why it happens: This fault occurs because the boiler has detected a significant and repetitive drop in water pressure, forcing it to shut down to prevent internal damage. It is usually caused by a physical leak within your radiators, pipework, or the boiler's internal components, such as a failing pressure relief valve. If the system cannot maintain a steady pressure four times within a single day, the software triggers this safety lock to alert you to the underlying leak.

What to try first

Check for visible water leaks under the boiler and around your radiators or valves.Top up the system pressure to 1.5 bar using the external filling loop.Reset the boiler and monitor if the pressure drops again.

Est. cost
£100-350
Parts
Expansion Vessel, Pressure Relief Valve, Automatic Air Vent
Full guide for E24
04
E26 High DIY-safe

Your boiler is struggling to keep its flame lit, which often happens because the drainage pipe is blocked or frozen, or there is an issue with the air supply.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the boiler's internal computer detects that the flame has unexpectedly gone out during operation. The most common reason is that waste water cannot escape the unit due to a blockage in the drainage pipe, which causes the system to flood and extinguish the burner. It can also be caused by a lack of fresh air reaching the boiler or an unstable gas supply preventing a consistent flame.

What to try first

Check the white plastic condensate pipe outside for signs of ice or blockages.If frozen, gently pour warm (not boiling) water over the pipe to thaw it.Ensure the external flue terminal is not obstructed by debris or garden foliage.

Est. cost
£100-280
Parts
Flame Sensing Electrode, Gas Valve, Condensate Trap
Full guide for E26
05
E34 High DIY-safe

Your boiler has stopped working because it isn't receiving enough electricity from your home's power supply to run safely.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the electrical voltage entering the boiler drops below a safe operating level of 180V. The most common reason is a fluctuation or brownout in the local regional power grid, though it can occasionally be caused by a fault within the boiler's internal control board after a power surge.

What to try first

Check if other appliances in your home are flickering or underperformingEnsure your fuse box / consumer unit has not partially trippedContact your electricity network provider to see if there is a brownout or power fluctuation in your area

Est. cost
£0-120
Parts
No parts usually required, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) - if damaged by surge
Full guide for E34
06
E37 High DIY-safe

Your boiler has detected that the water pressure is too low, which has caused it to stop working to avoid damage.

Why it happens: This fault occurs when the system lacks enough water to circulate safely, triggering a safety shutdown. The most common reasons are a slow leak in the pipework or radiators, or having recently bled your radiators without topping the pressure back up.

What to try first

Locate the filling loop (usually a silver flexible hose) underneath the boiler.Open the taps on the filling loop slowly until you hear water entering the system.Watch the pressure gauge and close the taps once the needle reaches 1.5 bar.

Est. cost
£0-120
Parts
Filling loop, Expansion vessel, Pressure sensor
Full guide for E37

on the Keston C36

Circulation PumpOverheat ThermostatThermistor (NTC Sensor)Water pressure sensorPressure switchWiring harness

Based on parts cited in our fault code database. Your engineer will confirm what's actually needed after diagnosis.

Call a Gas Safe engineer if…

  • You can smell gas or see signs of a leak
  • The Keston shows an Emergency or High severity code
  • The boiler keeps locking out after repeated resets
  • You've tried the DIY checks and the fault hasn't cleared
  • There's visible water leaking from the boiler
  • The flame is yellow or orange instead of blue
See the full 30-code list for the Keston C36