Baxi Boiler 270 Fault Code
The Baxi fault code 270 dry fire Q & A or require an engineer for an emergency boiler repair.
The Baxi Boiler Fault Code 270 Error Common Q & A
Just below, we have a list of common questions relating to the 270 fault code on the Baxi boiler.
- What does the 270 fault code mean on my Baxi boiler?
- Why has my boiler developed a dry fire error?
- How do I know if my Baxi boiler has lost pressure?
- My boiler pressure is over 1.3 bar when the heating is on, does that mean it’s OK?
- What’s causing my boiler to fluctuate in pressure so much?
- Why is my boiler locking out with the Baxi 270 dry fire error?
- Is there a DIY fix to clear the 270 fault code causing the dry fire?
- I’ve topped up my boiler to over 1.3 bar, is my boiler OK to operate?
- I’ve topped up my boiler, but it’s losing pressure and showing the 270 fault code again, now what?
- Why shouldn’t I keep topping up my boiler?
- Is there a way to find leaks?
- I can’t find the leaks causing the Baxi 270 fault code, what should I do next?
What does the 270 fault code mean on my Baxi boiler?
According to Baxi, the 270 error code on your boiler relates to a “dry fire”.
A dry fire error code will be displayed when there isn’t sufficient water and pressure within the boiler.
Why has my boiler developed a dry fire error?
A sealed system shouldn’t lose any pressure. When it does the pressure gauge will drop, and the boiler won’t be able to operate.
If a boiler has been standing in a vacant property, it’s possible a tiny leak has slowly let the water pressure drop over time.
If you’ve not topped up the water pressure since moving in, topping up the boiler pressure and resetting the boiler will fix the problem short-term.
But, the leak still needs to be found and fixed.
How do I know if my Baxi boiler has lost pressure?
Boilers have a pressure gauge integrated into either the display, or beneath the boiler casing.
Most modern boilers will have an optimal working pressure of 1.3 bar. However, engineers suggest 1.5 bar, as it’s easy to remember.
If in doubt, check your owner’s manual to determine the exact pressure for your boiler.
When your boiler is significantly below the 1.3 bar recommended pressure, that’s a sign that it’s lost pressure.
No boiler engineer would leave a property without checking the boiler pressure. So, if it’s below 1.3 bar, it will have dropped.
If you’ve been your property for a while, it’s likely you’ll have seen the gauge slowly going down over days/weeks.
My boiler pressure is over 1.3 bar when the heating is on, does that mean it’s OK?
Boiler pressures will fluctuate when hot and cold. Typically, we’d only expect to see a boiler increase in pressure by 0.5-1 bar after heating is up to temperature.
If it increases more than this, that’s a sign of a faulty part.
If this is the case, your boiler might jump above 1.3 bar when the heating is on, but drop below 1 bar when it’s off.
And, dropping below 1 bar for many boilers, is a crucial pressure. This is the point where a lot of modern boilers will lockout.
What’s causing my boiler to fluctuate in pressure so much?
Depending on your exact heating system, it may be a fault with the PRV (pressure release valve) or expansion vessel.
Both units are put in place to allow excess pressure to escape when the boiler is operating at it’s hottest. It’s at this point that the pressure is at its highest.
This pressure release stops important components being damaged. A typical example would be the heating pump seals, which won’t be able to withstand this additional pressure.
At the same time, it allows the heating system to hold a little more water than it would otherwise, avoiding a dry fire situation.
When these units are faulty, they won’t relieve excess pressure. Instead, your boiler must cope with it, and that’s why the pressure rises suddenly, then drops when you turn your heating off.
Why is my boiler locking out with the Baxi 270 dry fire error?
The components inside your boiler (such as the pump and heat exchanger) are designed to heat water.
When there’s not enough water present, temperatures inside the boiler will reach their maximum.
The boiler has a lockout mechanism for two reasons:
- To protect property inhabitants from an unsafe boiler
- To protect internal boiler components from damage
In this case, the boiler is focusing on internal boiler component damage. It notices temperatures exceeding their maximum due to lack of water, and locks out.
Is there a DIY fix to clear the 270 fault code causing the dry fire?
There’s one simple DIY fix which could clear the 270 fault code on your Baxi boiler.
The code has appeared because of low pressure, and you can top up the pressure using the external filling loop.
You’ll need to look for a braided hose with a small valve on it. This is usually located below the boiler’s casing.
Slowly open this valve, and that allows water into the system. As water enters, you’ll see the pressure gauge rise.
The valve needle will fluctuate until you stop filling up the boiler with water. So, it’s worth stopping, letting the needle settle, and checking the exact pressure.
What you are looking for, is 1.3 bar of pressure.
I’ve topped up my boiler to over 1.3 bar, is my boiler OK to operate?
Without knowing the exact pressure, we can’t advise if your boiler is safe to operate (in terms of being a danger to you, or internal boiler components).
There is a DIY fix for high boiler pressure. You can release water from radiators.
First, make sure you are prepared with containers to catch water, and materials to cover carpets and walls; just in case.
On a radiator, you’ll see a bleed valve. To open these valves, you’ll need a specifically designed radiator bleed key.
Slowly open the valve. There’s a good chance you’ll hear a hissing noise. That’s a build-up of air being released, and you don’t want that in your heating system anyway.
Once the hissing has stopped, you’ll see a dribble of water start to be released from the valve. You’ll need to keep closing the valve and checking boiler pressure (or have someone else at the boiler’s pressure gauge).
Once again, you are looking for 1.3 bar of pressure on your boiler.
I’ve topped up my boiler, but it’s losing pressure and showing the 270 fault code again, now what?
If you’ve topped up your Baxi boiler to the recommended 1.3 bar and it’s dropped again, you have a leak in your system.
Boiler leaks will come in all shapes and sizes.
For instance, there could be a small non-visible copper connection that’s leaking. But, anything from a pin-hole in a radiator, through to leaking heating pump seals could be causing the problem.
Any leak in a central heating system will cause a loss in boiler pressure. And unfortunately, resetting the boiler isn’t going to fix the problem.
Whilst topping up water might seem like the obvious option, we only recommend doing this once, in properties where the boiler has been standing for 12 months or more.
Why shouldn’t I keep topping up my boiler?
The first reason, is you’ll dilute any heating inhibitor that’s left in the system.
This is a fluid that helps to break down dirt and rust from the inside of radiators. If a filter is also fitted, the filter catches this debris, saving your boiler from damage.
By diluting your heating inhibitor, you’re putting your boiler at risk.
More importantly, if you keep having to top up your boiler, water is escaping. The big question, is where?
Water can cause massive amounts of property damage if it’s not cleaned up.
You could be pumping water onto plasterboard, floorboards that are likely to rot, or even creating mould in partition walls that becomes harmful to breathe in.
Is there a way to find leaks?
Leak diagnostics start with a visual inspection.
Can you see drops of water below radiators, radiator valves, or beneath your boiler?
This helps to locate the leak, so it can be fixed.
However, not all leaks are 100% visible.
More importantly, if the leak is coming from your boiler, it could be causing expensive damage to electrics.
We’ve seen in the past whereby the pump seals have blown, dripping water onto the PCB. Eventually, the PCB failed, and these can cost over £500 to fix.
If the problem was caught earlier, the pump’s seals could have been replaced for £100-125, or a new pump fitted for around £250.
I can’t find the leaks causing the Baxi 270 fault code, what should I do next?
If there is no other error code showing, the boiler isn’t immediately dangerous, as the lockout has made the boiler safe (i.e. it’s locked out the boiler so it’s not in use).
However, resetting without fixing the boiler could cause internal damage, and there’s no telling how dangerous the boiler would be at this stage.
Our advice is always to leave your boiler as it is. Do not attempt to reset the boiler.
All gas appliances need to be worked on by qualified Gas Safe engineers.
They’ll determine:
- What’s causing the dry fire
- Fix the issue
- Top up your boiler to the correct pressure
- Reset the appliance
- Test for further faults
Essentially, they won’t leave until they know the boiler is operational, but safe too.
Other Baxi boiler issues
For more boiler issues regarding the Baxi Boiler then please visit the Baxi Boiler Problems And Cures page.