Ideal Boiler F3 Fault Code
The Ideal fault code F3 Fan Fault Q & A or require an engineer for an emergency boiler repair.
The Ideal Boiler Fault Code F3 Error Common Q & A
Just below, we have a list of common questions relating to the F3 fault code on the Ideal boiler.
- What does the F3 fault code mean on my Ideal boiler?
- What can cause the F3 fault code to be displayed on my Ideal boiler?
- Is a boiler showing the F3 fault code dangerous?
- How can loose or damaged connections contribute to the F3 fault being displayed on my boiler?
- Will I need a new boiler if the connections are damaged?
- If the fan is faulty due to old age or water damage, how much will it cost to replace?
- How can water damage occur on a boiler?
- Will my boiler engineer test the heat exchanger for leaks?
- What do I need to do if my heat exchanger is leaking?
- Are leaking heating pumps easy to spot?
- What could have caused the pump to leak?
- Can I release pressure from the boiler?
- What does the fan speed have to do with the F3 fault code on my Ideal boiler?
- What does the air pressure switch have to do with the F3 fault code on my Ideal boiler?
- Can the boiler engineer test the PCB to see if that is causing the Ideal F3 fault code to be displayed on my boiler?
What does the F3 fault code mean on my Ideal boiler
The F3 fault code on Ideal boilers is a common one. When it occurs, you’ll see the fault code displayed on the boiler’s display panel.
The F3 fault relates to a fan fault.
What can cause the F3 fault code to be displayed on my Ideal boiler
The F3 fault code will most likely be displayed when the fan has:
- Loose or damaged connections
- Water damage from a boiler leak
However, as boiler fault codes are not always specific, there are other things worth checking out like:
- Fan speed
- Air pressure switch faults
- PCB problems
Is a boiler showing the F3 fault code dangerous
Your boiler should’ve locked out after displaying the F3 fault code, meaning that it isn’t dangerous.
However, if your boiler hasn’t locked out for whatever reason you should turn it off.
The boiler’s fan vents harmful gases from the boiler and up the flue (the large white pipe on the external of your property).
If the fan isn’t working correctly, there’s a good chance that these gases are not being vented. That could mean that your property is dangerous.
How can loose or damaged connections contribute to the F3 fault being displayed on my boiler
Over years, connections can become loose due to boiler vibrations. If the vibrations are extreme (for instance, the pump is faulty and vibrating excessively), this can lead to these connections getting damaged.
A boiler engineer will be able to inspect the fan and determine if loose/damaged connections are what is causing the fault.
Will I need a new boiler if the connections are damaged
Typically, we find that the connections are loose rather than damaged. When this is the case, the connections can be re-secured. At the very worst, sections of wiring and individual connections can be replaced to fix the fault.
It’s rare that a new boiler is needed, or even a new fan, if this is the only fault on the boiler.
If the fan is faulty due to old age or water damage, how much will it cost to replace
The cost to replace a fan can vary.
A quick search on Google sees fans for different Ideal boilers ranging from £50-125. And, that’s going to have a bearing on the total replacement cost.
As a rough guideline, you should expect to pay £200-250 for a fan replacement.
The job, including diagnosing the problem and fitting a replacement is likely to take a full working day.
How can water damage occur on a boiler
Water damage is a real killer of boilers, both new and old.
There are two common suspects when it comes to this type of damage:
- Heat exchanger
- Pump
The heat exchanger can crack due to limescale build up. These cracks produce tiny leaks. When this water drips onto electronic components in the boiler (such as the fan), these parts break, or start to work intermittently.
The pump on your boiler has seals that hold the water in. Over time, these seals can wear and produce minor weeps. Any water leaking from the pump will also cause damage to the fan and other internal boiler components.
Will my boiler engineer test the heat exchanger for leaks
A visual inspection is enough to determine if the heat exchanger is leaking.
What do I need to do if my heat exchanger is leaking
Heat exchangers are not parts that are usually repaired. The most cost-effective solution here is a replacement part.
However, the cost of a new heat exchanger will run well into the hundreds of pounds. So, it’s important that you get the boiler engineer to check the condition of other expensive parts in the boiler.
If other parts look like they’re not going to last too, unfortunately the better option is a full boiler replacement.
Are leaking heating pumps easy to spot
Like the heat exchanger, the leaks on heating pumps are easy for a boiler engineer to spot with a quick visual inspection.
What could have caused the pump to leak
Old age is a possibility, but we find on many occasions that property owners have topped up their boiler with too much water, and therefore too much pressure.
You want to see your pressure gauge at around 1.3 bar. However, as anything in the 1-3 bar range doesn’t lock out most modern boilers, people assume that’s fine.
And, it’s not necessarily dangerous. Instead what this does, is put excess pressure on parts in the heating system.
A typical example would be weak copper joints and of course, the heating pump seals.
Effectively, the higher the pressure is in a boiler, the more likely it is to leak.
Can I release pressure from the boiler
Heating systems can be completely drained via the drain cock. All you need to do is attach a hose, route the hose outside and open the drain cock until the boiler drops to 1.3 bar. Once it does, you can tighten the drain cock again.
If you’re not sure where the drain cock is in your property, you can release pressure (a lot slower) from the radiators.
Make sure you have towels (to protect walls and carpets from dirty heating water) and a container to catch water. You’ll need to open the radiator bleed valve (either the top right or top left of the rad) slowly.
You may hear hissing to start with (this is air being released). This will be followed by water. Keep releasing water until the system pressure drops to 1.3 bar.
If it goes below 1.3 bar, that’s not a problem. You can top up the pressure using the external filling loop.
What does the fan speed have to do with the F3 fault code on my Ideal boiler
Fan speed can be set to ensure that flue gases are being properly vented from your boiler.
If the fan speed is too low, your boiler will lock out. Simply because it won’t be venting these gases from your property correctly.
What does the air pressure switch have to do with the F3 fault code on my Ideal boiler
One of the air pressure switch’s jobs is to ensure the fan is running correctly. If it doesn’t recognise the correct air pressure (i.e. the fan isn’t running), it will feed back that information to the PCB and the boiler will lock out.
If the fan isn’t to blame, there’s a good chance that it’s the air pressure switch instead. So, you’re engineer should test not just the fan, but the air pressure switch too.
Can the boiler engineer test the PCB to see if that is causing the Ideal F3 fault code to be displayed on my boiler
Any electrical fault could be related to the PCB, as it controls all electrical components in your boiler.
The boiler engineer will test the fan, air pressure switch and the PCB to determine where the problem really lies.
If the PCB is the issue, it’s an expensive fix. Typically, you should expect to pay £400-500 for a replacement.
Other Ideal boiler issues
For more boiler issues regarding the Idea Boiler then please visit the Ideal Boiler Problems And Cures page.