High Lockout
F.23 on Vaillant ecoMAX 618

Your boiler is struggling to circulate water properly, often because the system pressure is too low or there is trapped air preventing the heat from moving away from the boiler.

Call an engineer soon

Book a Gas Safe engineer within 24 to 48 hours. Your boiler may be unsafe or could break down completely if left.

Technical description

Water level low Temperature range too wide | Cause: Pump obstructed, pump running at lower capacity, Air in appliance, system pressure too low, flow and backflow NTC reversed

What causes this fault?

This fault occurs when the boiler detects a massive temperature difference between the water going out to your radiators and the water coming back, suggesting the heat isn't moving. The most common reasons are that the system doesn't have enough water pressure to move or there is a large pocket of air trapped inside the internal pump. In some cases, the pump itself has reached the end of its life and can no longer push the water around your home effectively.

This fault often appears in autumn when the heating is turned on for the first time after summer, as pump components can seize during long periods of inactivity.

Engineer required

This is a high severity fault. Stop using the boiler and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas-related repairs yourself.

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