Glow-Worm Boiler F1 Fault Code
The Glow-Worm fault code F1 relates to ignition sequence and here we have Q & A or require an engineer for an emergency boiler repair.
The Glow-Worm Boiler Fault Code F1 Error Common Q & A
Just below, we have a list of common questions relating to the F1 fault code on the Glow-Worm Boiler.
- What does the F1 fault code mean on my Glow-Worm boiler?
- If my boiler is showing the F1 fault code, is it dangerous?
- What causes the F1 fault code to be displayed on my Glow-Worm boiler?
- How can the flue cause issues that lead to an ignition fault?
- What does the condensate pipe do and how can this lead to the F1 fault code being displayed?
- How can the fan contribute to the F1 fault code being displayed on my boiler?
- Should I replace the fan on my boiler?
- How does the gas supply affect the boiler’s ability to ignite?
- My gas valve is faulty, how much is it going to cost to replace?
- How will my boiler engineer know if the burner is to blame?
- What electrical faults can cause my boiler to develop an ignition fault?
- Will I need to replace my boiler if it has an ignition fault?
What does the F1 fault code mean on my Glow-Worm boiler
If your Glow-Worm boiler is displaying the F1 fault code, it means there has been an issue with the ignition sequence. There are various ignition faults that can stop your boiler from working.
Fault codes on Glow-Worm boilers will help your engineer to figure out what the problem is, quicker than if they had to fault-find from scratch. And, when a fault code is shown on the display panel, it’s likely that your boiler will lock out. It won’t work again until the problem has been found by your boiler repair company.
If my boiler is showing the F1 fault code, is it dangerous
When your boiler displays the F1 fault code, it should lock out, so your boiler will no longer work. In some cases, the lock out after a fault code being displayed is to protect internal boiler components from further damage. However, in this case, it’s to ensure the boiler isn’t operating when it’s potentially dangerous.
The F1 ignition fault could be due to blockages, which means harmful gases aren’t escaping your property, or an issue with the gas supply.
For this reason, you should switch off your appliance, and not attempt any DIY fix. Call a boiler repair company that has Gas Safe registered engineers. They’ll be able to fix the problem, and reset your boiler on your behalf, to clear the F1 fault code from your boiler’s display panel.
What causes the F1 fault code to be displayed on my Glow-Worm boiler
Although fault codes help to narrow down a list of potential issues, they don’t always highlight the exact issue at hand. So, your Gas Safe engineer is still going to need to spend some time figuring out what the exact problem is. The problem could lie with the:
- Flue
- Condensate pipe
- Fan
- Gas pressure
- Gas valve’s condition, or adjustment
- Burner
- Electrode or ignition lead
- Spark generator
How can the flue cause issues that lead to an ignition fault
For your boiler to produce a flame, it’s not just a case of having a spark and gas. Your boiler wants to recognise that airways are clear, including the flue. It’s the flue that vents harmful gases out of your boiler.
If there’s a blockage in the flue, these gases aren’t going to be able to escape, and that means that your boiler is potentially dangerous. There are various sensors in your boiler that recognise if there’s a blockage in the flue. The second the blockage is found, it’s going to lock out.
In some cases, the issue could be as simple as debris finding its way into the flue, since a flue guard hasn’t been fitted. If you have a vertical flue (that goes through your roof), your engineer will want to inspect for debris. And, if a flue guard isn’t fitted, they’ll need to fit one to stop this happening again.
What does the condensate pipe do and how can this lead to the F1 fault code being displayed
The condensate pipe helps vent condensed gases from your boiler. Like the flue, when these gases aren’t being expelled from the boiler, the boiler can become dangerous.
And, like the flue, there are sensors that monitor the condensate pipe, in case there’s a blockage. Typically, the condensate pipe tends to get blocked during freezing conditions. The condensed gases are prone to freezing and can create a blockage.
If the problem is a frozen condensate pipe, the pipe can be thawed out. But, to stop this from happening again, your boiler engineer can lag the pipe, or fit a larger one.
How can the fan contribute to the F1 fault code being displayed on my boiler
An incredibly important part of your boiler is the fan. The fan on boilers doesn’t work as it does on cars. Instead of cooling down your appliance, it helps push harmful gases out of the flue. When there’s an issue with the fan, the boiler will lock out.
It’s the air pressure switch that recognises any air pressure fluctuation. It expects the fan to start before the boiler ignites, and there to be an air pressure change. So, when the fan doesn’t start up and there’s no air pressure change, it doesn’t give the boiler’s printed circuit board (PCB), the all clear to fire up.
Besides the fan being totally faulty, there’s a chance that it could have loose or damaged connections that need to be secured. And, on some occasions, the speed of the fan isn’t set high enough. It’s not producing the draft it needs to push these harmful gases out the flue. In this case, your boiler engineer needs to adjust the speed of the fan.
Should I replace the fan on my boiler
The fan is an incredibly important part of your boiler. And, if it’s been subject to the likes of water damage, your boiler repair company might suggest a replacement fan, rather than a temporary repair.
If your fan needs replacing, you should expect to pay in the region of £250-300, including parts and labour.
How does the gas supply affect the boiler’s ability to ignite
After checking airways, as well as the fan, your boiler engineer will want to check all aspects of the gas supply. This means checking gas inlet pressure to the meter, out of the meter and into the boiler. If any point of the supply isn’t supplying enough pressure, your boiler won’t be able to ignite.
Typically, we find that if there’s a problem with gas pressure in the meter, it’s the regulator that’s to blame. And, like the condensate pipe, it’s most likely that faults occur with the regulator in freezing conditions. The meter’s regulator is prone to freezing, and that’s going to stop it from supplying the amount of gas to the boiler that it needs to.
But, if pressure isn’t the issue, your boiler engineer will need to look at the gas valve. First, they’ll want to check that the gas valve is fully operational. On many occasions, the gas valve can stick partially closed, even when it should be fully open. That’s not allowing the correct amount of gas into the boiler’s burner.
If the valve can be freed, then a replacement won’t be needed. And, whereby sticking isn’t the issue, your boiler engineer will need to check the adjustment on the valve. If the adjustment is even a little off, the PCB will notice that the burner isn’t being provided with sufficient gas and will lock out.
My gas valve is faulty, how much is it going to cost to replace
Not all gas valve faults are fixable. If the valve is constantly sticking, or likely to fail again, your boiler repair company is likely to suggest a replacement valve.
Although the cost of repair is going to depend on the exact Glow-Worm boiler that you own, you should expect the cost to be in the region of £300.
How will my boiler engineer know if the burner is to blame
The next component for your heating repair company to check, is the burner. Burners are prone to small amounts of debris building up over time. Generally, this is going to lead to a lack of efficiency. But, on some occasions, something even more significant can happen; it can block the jet.
The jet supplies a small amount of gas to the burner, based on the supply from the gas valve. Even the smallest amount of debris in the jet, can stop its ability to supply gas, and that’s going to mean that an ignition fault like the F1 code is displayed on the control panel on your boiler.
It’s unlikely that you’ll need a replacement jet, or burner. Instead, your boiler engineer will be able to remove and clean the jet, refitting it before resetting your boiler to clear the F1 fault code.
What electrical faults can cause my boiler to develop an ignition fault
So far, we’ve talked about gas supply and airway faults. But, if none of the above are the problem, it’s likely there’s a problem with the electrical components that help to generate the spark. That’s going to include the likes of the ignition lead, probe and spark generator.
Your boiler engineer will need to test the boiler to try and determine where the problem lies. And, they’ll be able to double check their findings by using a multi-meter to check that components are getting power.
It’s unlikely that they’ll attempt a repair on the ignition lead, probe or spark generator. Instead, replacement components are going to be needed.
Will I need to replace my boiler if it has an ignition fault
You shouldn’t need to replace your boiler if an ignition problem like the F1 fault is present. However, it is worth your engineer inspecting the overall condition of your boiler.
We hear all to often of people replacing parts costing £300 or more on old boilers, only for other parts to fail soon after. To ensure that doesn’t happen to you, get your boiler engineer to check over the:
- Ignition lead, probe and spark generator
- Air pressure switch
- PCB
- Gas valve
- Fan
- Pump
If just one component needs repairing or replacing, the repair is by far the most cost-effective option. But, when multiple components need replacing, it might be worth considering a new boiler.
Other Glow Worm boiler issues
For more boiler issues regarding the Glow Worm then please visit the Glow Worm Boiler Problems And Cures page.