Potterton Flamingo RS40 RS50 Fault codes & diagnostics

18 fault codes with plain-English explanations, severity ratings, DIY guidance, and repair cost estimates.

Regular Natural Gas 11.7-14.7 kW 1970s-1980s Discontinued
GC Numbers 41-591-1841-591-19

Replaced by: Suprima

The fault code is already on your display

Note it down before pressing reset — resetting clears the code immediately. How to read fault codes →

Severity at a glance

Each cell = one fault code. Hover to identify.
1 Emergency 13 High 4 Low
Just want the most common Potterton Flamingo RS40 RS50 faults?
The top 6 problems in plain English — with causes, DIY checks and repair costs.
Fault codes

All 18 documented codes

Tap any card for details

A(1)

Your boiler is not receiving the gas it needs to light, meaning it cannot provide heating or hot water.

High DIY-safe £100-250

What to check first

  1. Check if your gas emergency control valve is turned on.
  2. If you have a prepayment meter, check that you have enough credit.
  3. Try lighting another gas appliance, like a hob, to see if the gas supply is active.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Gas Valve
  • Spark Electrode
  • Ignition Lead

Related codes

Full explanation for A(1)
A(2)

Your boiler's ignition button hasn't been pushed in far enough or held long enough to start the pilot light.

Low DIY-safe

What to check first

  1. Locate the gas control knob or button on the front of the boiler.
  2. Press the button down firmly and fully to ensure it makes complete contact.
  3. Hold the button down for approximately 20 seconds after the pilot light ignites to ensure the safety sensor stays active.

Parts commonly replaced

  • None

Related codes

Full explanation for A(2)
A(3)

Your boiler is struggling to light because the small pipe that starts the main flame is clogged with dust or debris.

High Engineer only £90-160

Parts commonly replaced

  • Pilot Injector
  • Pilot Assembly
  • Gas Valve Filter

Related codes

Full explanation for A(3)
A(4)

Your boiler is struggling to stay lit because the small starter flame is being blocked by a buildup of soot or debris.

High Engineer only £90-160

Parts commonly replaced

  • Pilot injector
  • Thermocouple
Full explanation for A(4)
A(5)

Your boiler is unable to create the spark needed to light the flame, which means your heating and hot water will not work.

High Engineer only £120-£240

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition Generator Unit
  • Spark Electrode
  • Ignition Lead

Related codes

Full explanation for A(5)
A(6)

Your boiler is unable to create the spark needed to light the gas because the ignition part or its wiring is faulty.

High Engineer only £90-180

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • HT lead
  • Ignition generator

Related codes

Full explanation for A(6)
B(1)

Your boiler has failed to light because the start-up button was released too quickly during the ignition process.

Low DIY-safe

What to check first

  1. Locate the grey gas control button on the front of the unit.
  2. Press and hold the button down firmly while ignition is occurring.
  3. Continue to hold the button down for at least 15 to 20 seconds after the pilot light is visible to ensure the flame stays lit.

Parts commonly replaced

  • None
Full explanation for B(1)
B(2)

Your boiler's pilot light is likely going out because a safety sensor has lost its connection, preventing the unit from staying lit.

High Engineer only £90-160

Parts commonly replaced

  • Thermocouple
  • Gas Control Valve Refurbishment Kit

Related codes

Full explanation for B(2)
B(3)

Your boiler's small starter flame is either too weak or not staying lit, which is preventing the main burner from firing up to provide heat.

High Engineer only £90-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • Pilot injector
  • Thermocouple
  • Gas valve

Related codes

Full explanation for B(3)
B(4)

Your boiler's small starter flame is struggling to stay lit because of a buildup of dust or debris, preventing the main heating from firing up.

High Engineer only £90-160

Parts commonly replaced

  • Pilot Injector
  • Pilot Assembly
  • Thermocouple

Related codes

Full explanation for B(4)
B(5)

Your boiler's pilot light has gone out and will not stay lit, meaning the system cannot fire up to provide heating or hot water.

High Engineer only £90-180

Parts commonly replaced

  • Thermocouple
  • Gas Valve Power Unit
  • Magnetic Latch
Full explanation for B(5)
C(1)

Your boiler is currently turned off or the temperature dial is set too low to trigger the heating.

Low DIY-safe

What to check first

  1. Locate the thermostat control dial on the front of the boiler
  2. Turn the dial clockwise to a higher setting or to the 'On' position
  3. Check that your wall thermostat is also turned up to call for heat
Full explanation for C(1)
C(2)

Your boiler is working fine, but your external thermostat or timer is not telling it to turn on.

Low DIY-safe £0-120

What to check first

  1. Check that your wall thermostat is turned up higher than the current room temperature.
  2. Ensure your programmer or heating timer is set to 'ON' or 'Auto'.
  3. Replace the batteries in your wireless room thermostat if the screen is blank or fading.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Room thermostat
  • Programmer/Timer
  • Thermostat batteries
Full explanation for C(2)
C(3)

Your boiler is unable to light the gas burner because a safety control valve inside the unit has stopped working.

High Engineer only £180-320

Parts commonly replaced

  • Honeywell Control Valve
  • Solenoid Coil
Full explanation for C(3)
C(4)

Your boiler's temperature control dial is no longer reading the heat correctly, causing the system to shut down or behave inconsistently for safety.

High Engineer only £90-180

Parts commonly replaced

  • Control Thermostat
  • Overheat Thermostat

Related codes

Full explanation for C(4)
C(5)

Your boiler is unable to light because the small nozzle that delivers gas to the main burner has become clogged with debris.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main burner injector
  • Burner assembly gaskets
Full explanation for C(5)
D(1)

Your boiler's internal temperature control sensor is failing or reporting incorrect information, preventing the system from heating up properly.

High Engineer only £120-210

Parts commonly replaced

  • Control Thermostat
  • Thermistor
  • Overheat Stat

Related codes

Full explanation for D(1)
D(2)

Your boiler's gas valve is not closing properly because of debris, which could lead to an unsafe gas buildup within the unit.

Emergency Engineer only £180-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Honeywell gas control valve
  • Gas valve seals

Related codes

Full explanation for D(2)