Worcester Greenstar boiler: EA error code
Discussion
I have a Worcester Greenstar 30CDi combi boiler (or is it a 35 - not sure), which has an intermittent but recurring fault that causes it to stop working until I reset it.
Occasionally I will get up in the morning or arrive home from work to find the boiler sulking, with the blue light on the front flashing, the reset button flashing, and the display showing an "EA" error code. Pressing the reset button always causes the boiler to restart and work normally again (after going through its 15-minute siphon-fill programme, which I believe is normal).
I have downloaded the service manual, which shows that the "EA" code means "flame not detected", and can be caused by pretty much anything. A quick Google reveals that it often means the condensate pipe is frozen - but on our installation the pipe is inside the house with only a short length of rubber tube* poking out through the wall, and in any case it hasn't been anywhere near cold enough to freeze yet.
* Actually, I recently worked out that this rubber tube is nothing to do with the boiler, it’s the overflow from the water softener. Our boiler condensate is connected to a soil pipe inside the house and doesn’t run outside at all. So freezing condensate is out of the equation.
I have had this problem before, but not as persistently. In previous years, the boiler has done this once or twice at the beginning of the cold season, but the problem has always gone away. This year though, it has happened at least 5 times in the last week or two. I need to get this sorted out before the onset of properly cold weather.
Shall I try blowing or sucking on the end of the condensate tube, in case there's a partial blockage? I suppose an insect could have nested in there. Will I damage anything delicate inside the boiler by doing that though?
Or could this be caused by a lack of gas pressure perhaps?
Before I get someone out to look at it, does anyone have any suggestions what the problem might be? It can't be anything permanently amiss, because the boiler always works normally after I've reset it - for a few days until it happens again.
Occasionally I will get up in the morning or arrive home from work to find the boiler sulking, with the blue light on the front flashing, the reset button flashing, and the display showing an "EA" error code. Pressing the reset button always causes the boiler to restart and work normally again (after going through its 15-minute siphon-fill programme, which I believe is normal).
I have downloaded the service manual, which shows that the "EA" code means "flame not detected", and can be caused by pretty much anything. A quick Google reveals that it often means the condensate pipe is frozen - but on our installation the pipe is inside the house with only a short length of rubber tube* poking out through the wall, and in any case it hasn't been anywhere near cold enough to freeze yet.
* Actually, I recently worked out that this rubber tube is nothing to do with the boiler, it’s the overflow from the water softener. Our boiler condensate is connected to a soil pipe inside the house and doesn’t run outside at all. So freezing condensate is out of the equation.
I have had this problem before, but not as persistently. In previous years, the boiler has done this once or twice at the beginning of the cold season, but the problem has always gone away. This year though, it has happened at least 5 times in the last week or two. I need to get this sorted out before the onset of properly cold weather.
Shall I try blowing or sucking on the end of the condensate tube, in case there's a partial blockage? I suppose an insect could have nested in there. Will I damage anything delicate inside the boiler by doing that though?
Or could this be caused by a lack of gas pressure perhaps?
Before I get someone out to look at it, does anyone have any suggestions what the problem might be? It can't be anything permanently amiss, because the boiler always works normally after I've reset it - for a few days until it happens again.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Saturday 6th December 19:14
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Thursday 21st December 07:18
Rickyy said:
It could be a number of different problem.
That is certainly true, judging by the service manual. It seems the "EA" code is one of those codes that doesn't really narrow the problem down - it really means "something's not right".Doing a bit more reading on the subject, it seems that a blocked condensate pipe is usually accompanied by a gurgling sound, which doesn't match the symptoms.
Irritatingly, this is an intermittent fault - so I'm probably not going to be able to demonstrate it.
I'll probably get someone in, as suggested. But meanwhile, if anyone can suggest anything that a reasonably competent person could try, I'm all ears!
Edited to add: The boiler is only about 3 years old, so I'd be unimpressed if things have started to fail due to age. Admittedly, I haven't had it serviced - but again, I would expect problems in such a short time. The boiler in my last property was never touched for 13 years apart from having a new PCB.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Thursday 18th October 13:50
I've had two free call-outs from Worcester to try and fix this, and still it has recurred - although at the moment it has been many weeks since it happened.
The first guy replaced the electrodes, and replaced a rubber flap air valve that had become sticky with squashed insects (mosquitoes are attracted to the plume of CO2). It recurred after a few days.
The second guy replaced the gas valve. It recurred once after several weeks, and hasn't happened since.
I therefore think I've still got the problem. If I can be arsed, I'll call them out again. I really should do, while the boiler is still under warranty.
I bet we've got the same problem! If I discover the solution, I'll post it here.
The first guy replaced the electrodes, and replaced a rubber flap air valve that had become sticky with squashed insects (mosquitoes are attracted to the plume of CO2). It recurred after a few days.
The second guy replaced the gas valve. It recurred once after several weeks, and hasn't happened since.
I therefore think I've still got the problem. If I can be arsed, I'll call them out again. I really should do, while the boiler is still under warranty.
I bet we've got the same problem! If I discover the solution, I'll post it here.
OP here!
My boiler once again went into an "EA" hissy fit the other day, and needed resetting several times before it started working. So my problem is still not solved.
It always happens in autumn, and lasts for a few days (perhaps a week or two at worst), before the boiler sorts itself out and works perfectly for the rest of the winter. It's very odd that it has happened now, because the heating has been active for at least 6 weeks already this year. So it isn't related to the heating firing for the first time after the summer; my suspicion is that it's caused by a particular combination of outside temperature and humidity (cold and damp, for example). It also can't be the cold on its own, because the boiler is working fine this morning and it's -2C outside (but judging by the blue sky the humidity is not very high).
My boiler once again went into an "EA" hissy fit the other day, and needed resetting several times before it started working. So my problem is still not solved.
It always happens in autumn, and lasts for a few days (perhaps a week or two at worst), before the boiler sorts itself out and works perfectly for the rest of the winter. It's very odd that it has happened now, because the heating has been active for at least 6 weeks already this year. So it isn't related to the heating firing for the first time after the summer; my suspicion is that it's caused by a particular combination of outside temperature and humidity (cold and damp, for example). It also can't be the cold on its own, because the boiler is working fine this morning and it's -2C outside (but judging by the blue sky the humidity is not very high).
No, I'm certain it's not that. Every time it has thrown the "EA" code it has been well above freezing. This morning it was -2 and it is working perfectly. Also, the condensate pipe is inside the house with only half an inch peeping out of the wall outside.
It's a mystery. I've had new electrodes, gas valve, some kind of rubber air flap thing. But still, when autumn or early winter comes, it goes through this routine for a few days and then seems to snap out of it and runs faultlessly for the rest of the winter. It has now been running fine for 2 or 3 days, so I'm hoping it has sorted itself out now.
I'm considering just living with it to be honest. It's only a minor irritation coming home or waking up to a cold house and having to reset it - although it slightly undermines my confidence about going away.
It's a mystery. I've had new electrodes, gas valve, some kind of rubber air flap thing. But still, when autumn or early winter comes, it goes through this routine for a few days and then seems to snap out of it and runs faultlessly for the rest of the winter. It has now been running fine for 2 or 3 days, so I'm hoping it has sorted itself out now.
I'm considering just living with it to be honest. It's only a minor irritation coming home or waking up to a cold house and having to reset it - although it slightly undermines my confidence about going away.
chil84 said:
I would go with the meter governor sticking on first demand after a long rest time, as above.
But it doesn't happen after a long rest period. We use our shower every day throughout the year, so the boiler fires frequently. Also, the problem tends to happen in autumn after the central heating has already been firing successfully for several weeks - it's definitely not a "first demand" problem. And our cooker hob is gas and gets used all year round as well. It can't be something sticking at the meter.For me, I think it has now been several weeks since the EA code has popped up, so I'm hoping the problem has gone away for another year - as it typically does.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Monday 5th January 06:19
I'm going to try an experiment next autumn.
It seems to me that there are two things we don't know:
I'm wondering whether it's the action of resetting the boiler and letting it go through its "-||-" routine multiple times that gradually reduces the probability of the problem happening again. So I'm going to try resetting the boiler (and letting it go through the "-||-" cycle) over and over again one day in October, to see if that might prevent the issue.
My boiler seems to have stopped doing the "EA" thing for this year so I won't produce any meaningful results if I do it now. Maybe somebody else who is currently experiencing it could do the multiple reset test - I'd suggest doing it at least 5 times, and better still 10 times if you can stand the tedium.
It seems to me that there are two things we don't know:
- what causes the problem to arise,
- what causes the problem to go away.
I'm wondering whether it's the action of resetting the boiler and letting it go through its "-||-" routine multiple times that gradually reduces the probability of the problem happening again. So I'm going to try resetting the boiler (and letting it go through the "-||-" cycle) over and over again one day in October, to see if that might prevent the issue.
My boiler seems to have stopped doing the "EA" thing for this year so I won't produce any meaningful results if I do it now. Maybe somebody else who is currently experiencing it could do the multiple reset test - I'd suggest doing it at least 5 times, and better still 10 times if you can stand the tedium.
I have had a WB engineer call-out twice, with a new gas valve, electrode, some kind of rubber flappy thing, etc. I agree they're good and helpful, but alas so far have not solved the problem. To a certain extent I've reached the "can't be arsed" stage - for me it's a relatively minor inconvenience that seems to go away after a while each year.
How has your boiler been behaving over the weekend, Tony?
I have to say, your description of the part theyreplaced removed sounds like the rubber flap that the first WB engineer changed on mine, and it had no effect. But fingers crossed for yours...
I have to say, your description of the part they
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Monday 19th January 06:39
Over the summer, I added a brief 15 minute "hot as you can" programme to the central heating so that it always came on early in the mornings, mainly to warm the towel rails in the bathrooms and dry the towels. I switched other radiators off around the rest of the house so as not to waste too much heat.
I had also hoped that the daily "exercise" might somehow prevent the EA code from recurring, come the autumn.
But it has recurred a handful of times over the last couple of months, so it doesn't appear to be prevented by regular use.
Starting to think I might just shrug my shoulders and live with the slight nuisance.
I had also hoped that the daily "exercise" might somehow prevent the EA code from recurring, come the autumn.
But it has recurred a handful of times over the last couple of months, so it doesn't appear to be prevented by regular use.
Starting to think I might just shrug my shoulders and live with the slight nuisance.
Mine has done it a handful of times through December.
I am convinced it is something to do with a particular combination of temperature and humidity that usually happens in autumn, but has happened later this year due to the unusually mild start to the winter. It seems to be temperatures in the range of 5 to 10 degrees, and perhaps higher humidity that causes it.
All very mysterious.
I am convinced it is something to do with a particular combination of temperature and humidity that usually happens in autumn, but has happened later this year due to the unusually mild start to the winter. It seems to be temperatures in the range of 5 to 10 degrees, and perhaps higher humidity that causes it.
All very mysterious.
Apologies for resurrecting a dead thread, but I thought I’d provide an update due to the fact that it has now been several years since my boiler has thrown an EA hissy fit.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve had this fault since I made changes to the programming of my thermostat. I inserted a daily early morning blast at the highest central heating demand temperature for 15 minutes, simply in order to force the towel rails in the bathrooms to dry our towels, otherwise they remain damp during the summer when the heating doesn’t otherwise come on.
And, as I say, I’m pretty sure I’ve not had the EA problem since.
So whatever this problem actually is, it seems to be a good workaround to force your central heating to come on briefly once a day throughout the summer.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve had this fault since I made changes to the programming of my thermostat. I inserted a daily early morning blast at the highest central heating demand temperature for 15 minutes, simply in order to force the towel rails in the bathrooms to dry our towels, otherwise they remain damp during the summer when the heating doesn’t otherwise come on.
And, as I say, I’m pretty sure I’ve not had the EA problem since.
So whatever this problem actually is, it seems to be a good workaround to force your central heating to come on briefly once a day throughout the summer.
Well, that’s the closest we’ve had to a remedy, so thanks for posting! 
As the one who started this thread, I can say that I haven’t now had the EA issue on my boiler for quite a few years - I’d say 4 or 5 years at least. My boiler hasn’t been touched by an engineer in all that time, and has been working perfectly. Edited to add: I’ve jinxed it now, haven’t I? And this is roughly the time of year it’s most likely to happen.
The only thing that I now do differently is I have a 10 minute early morning cycle in my programmable thermostat that demands maximum central heating temperature. This is purely so that the towel rails in the bathroom get warmed up, even in summer - otherwise the towels remain slightly damp. I turn down the TRVs on other rads during the summer to reduce the gas burned during this cycle.
When I first put this measure in place, I think I did still get the issue briefly - but given how regular the problem was it is remarkable that it hasn’t happened for such a long time. I can only presume that the constant exercising of the boiler’s central heating function over the warmer months (when it would otherwise not do central heating at all) somehow prevents the issue.
How that relates to the spade connector and component pictured above, I’m not sure. I wonder if that component is only involved in central heating (not hot water), and that maybe this is the component that benefits from the “exercise” I’ve been giving it? Does inactivity accelerate a tiny buildup of corrosion on the contacts?
As the one who started this thread, I can say that I haven’t now had the EA issue on my boiler for quite a few years - I’d say 4 or 5 years at least. My boiler hasn’t been touched by an engineer in all that time, and has been working perfectly. Edited to add: I’ve jinxed it now, haven’t I? And this is roughly the time of year it’s most likely to happen.
The only thing that I now do differently is I have a 10 minute early morning cycle in my programmable thermostat that demands maximum central heating temperature. This is purely so that the towel rails in the bathroom get warmed up, even in summer - otherwise the towels remain slightly damp. I turn down the TRVs on other rads during the summer to reduce the gas burned during this cycle.
When I first put this measure in place, I think I did still get the issue briefly - but given how regular the problem was it is remarkable that it hasn’t happened for such a long time. I can only presume that the constant exercising of the boiler’s central heating function over the warmer months (when it would otherwise not do central heating at all) somehow prevents the issue.
How that relates to the spade connector and component pictured above, I’m not sure. I wonder if that component is only involved in central heating (not hot water), and that maybe this is the component that benefits from the “exercise” I’ve been giving it? Does inactivity accelerate a tiny buildup of corrosion on the contacts?
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