Ideal boiler showing an L2 fault code? It's not your fault... or is it?
The L2 error code is a regular feature on an Ideal boiler and makes a little too many appearances, like the over-eager lollipop man you often debate clipping... just a little bit though.
Want to know what the Ideal L2 Boiler Fault means?
In this guide, we explain what the Ideal L2 Boiler Fault Code means and what you can do to resolve the issue and get your boiler back in action.
Key points:
L2 Fault Code: Indicates that the boiler has failed to ignite, often due to a flame loss.
Common Causes: These can be caused by issues like a blocked flue, a faulty gas valve, or problems with the ignition electrode.
Basic Troubleshooting: Check the gas supply, reset the boiler, and ensure there are no obstructions in the flue.
When to Call a Professional: If the problem persists after troubleshooting, it’s important to contact a gas-safe engineer for further inspection and repair.
What Causes the Ideal L2 Fault Code?
The L2 fault code is related to a problem with your boiler causing the flame to go out, as a result, your boiler will lock out and not be usable until the underlying issue is resolved. Boilers generally have an aversion to leaking gas into your house without igniting it.
This problem will usually be related to a gas supply issue or a component failure, both of which require the assistance of a Gas Safe engineer. Please note that the engineer (hopefully) doesn’t supply the gas, but could enable it.
The best way to resolve the Ideal L2 Boiler Fault Code is to seek the help of a registered Gas Safe Engineer, who has been trained in diagnosing and repairing whatever is causing the code to be displayed in the first place.
Either way, we will now cover some of the most common reasons for this issue and how a registered Gas Safe engineer may resolve it. If you are a Gas Safe engineer reading this, it’s probably time to brush up your skills.
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Why is my Ideal Boilers Flame/Ignition Faulty?
There is a multitude of potential causes to consider and indeed several causes could be at play that have resulted in your boiler's flame not being established.
Here are the most common causes of a flame failing to light, aside from your resentful ex blowing out your pilot light:
Flame Sensor Failure
The number 1 cause for the L2 boiler fault code is the flame sensor on your Ideal Logic boiler.
Where the boiler is controlled by the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), if it doesn’t receive a signal from the flame sensor that a flame is existing, it will inevitably shut off the gas stream.
Your boiler has lost its essential flame, in this case – and the error code will soon appear. And this time, not even the Pointer Sisters can bring back the fire.
Ideally, your heating system engineer will need to test the flame sensor to ensure it’s working correctly.
If it isn’t, the fix can be applied by switching out the old sensor for a new one.
Gas Valve Fault
The cause of L2 fault code could also have been caused by a disabled gas valve. Thankfully, this disability doesn’t stem from a terrible accident.
Where the gas valve regulates the flow of gas into your boiler to make your water hot, a faulty valve could mean L2 alarms.
Where the relative gas valve comprises moving parts, they may become immovable over time. This makes the gas valve about as useful as a bicycle without wheels.
If you are having to deal with the L2 fault code from your Ideal Logic boiler, there is a possibility that the gas valve is stuck in the area that should be open for the gas to sieve through.
Since the gas demand cannot keep up with the burner in this instance, the flame will die, like its Olympic counterpart at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Quebec.
In this case, the valve may be freed by a professional boiler repair company.
However, the cost of labour for a repair may run high, in other words, it makes more sense to replace the entire gas valve which generally sets one back around £300.
If you know that your gas valve is failing in addition to other parts, it might be well worth your time and budget to consider a complete replacement.
You can get prices on your screen for a replacement Ideal boiler by using this clickable form.
PS You can check out Gas Engineer Allen Hart explaining the most common boiler problems and how you can resolve them in the video below:
Low Gas Pressure
If you are the owner of a large-capacity boiler, it’s always wise to confirm whether your main has or hasn’t been upgraded to the most advanced versions. And we all know the importance of passing gas the right way.
Your boiler may not be getting the gas it needs and is thus showing the L2 error. If this is indeed the case, the best thing to do would be to upgrade the gas pipe to one with a larger diameter.
Moreover, the gas pressure should always be checked. It could also be that your gas supplier isn’t providing gas to your property at a high enough pressure.
If this is indeed the case, you’ll need to contact a gas supplier such as Heatable.
Condensate Pipe Blockage
Typically, during the winter season, condensate pipes tend to freeze over. This allows condensed and harmful gases to escape from your heating system and into the air around you.
If gases cannot be let free from your boiler system, the boiler becomes dangerous, like a worse version of a boys’ locker room without ventilation.
This is an important and typical reason that your Ideal boiler might be displaying the L2 fault code.
If a frozen pipe in the boiler system is causing the problem, it can be solved by thawing it out with warm water which has to be done by a certified gas engineer. If your engineer is frozen, first thaw them out using warm water and perhaps a hair dryer.
Once done, the engineer will be able to route the pipe as close vertical as possible in order for condensed gases to flow more quickly.
As an extra precaution, lagging can be used to further protect the pipes from freezing.
Gas Meter Blockage
Much like the condensate pipe, the gas meter is prone to problems during the winter, especially. It’s why Gas Safe Engineers are such big fans of the Disney movie Frozen - it reminds them of all the extra work.
This is another potential cause that could be the reason for the L2 fault code on your Ideal Logic boiler.
Your professional boiler repair company will ideally pay extra attention to the regulator on the gas meter.
And as with the condensate pipe, they’ll want to lag the meter or box it in to provide protection.
Once this has been done and the meter’s regulator thaws out, the L2 fault code on to Logic boiler can be cleared.
Ideal L2 Boiler Fault Code fixes
If you are experiencing the Ideal L2 Boiler Fault code, try turning the power off on the boiler and then switch it on again. A method so proven it is rumoured the inventor of the wheel tried to switch off his prototype.
If this doesn’t clear the fault code, it means further investigation is needed.
If you have an ‘L2 – Ignition Lockout’ code on your boiler during the winter period, it’s likely that the problem is with a frozen condensate pipe. During the summer, you can take your mind off of frozen pipes for a few months and stop worrying.
When diagnosing the cause of the Ideal L2 Boiler Fault Code on your boiler, it’s recommended that you get the help of a registered Gas Safe Engineer to inspect the components that relate to a gas supply issue or a problem that requires the boiler to be taken apart.
In this regard, you’ll need to contact a registered Gas Safe repair engineer to solve the problem at hand, as things can get dangerous.
With that said, if gases are not escaping because the condensate pipe is frozen, your boiler becomes dangerous. And that's another reason why it may be displaying the L2 fault code.
If pipe freezing is the problem at hand, it can be fixed by thawing it out with warm water. Even in this case, an engineer should be doing the job.
Fixing the Ideal L2 Boiler Fault Code
If you’re getting an L2 fault code, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace your boiler. However, there are some instances where it might be the best option.
For instance, if the gas valve has failed, other parts are deteriorating and your boiler is out of warranty, a better, more cost-effective long-term solution would be opting for a replacement.
After all, you wouldn’t replace a flat tyre on a car with an engine that is on fire.
Note, where the Ideal L2 Fault Code is mostly triggered by flame loss problems, it can only be properly dealt with by a certified gas engineer.
Once again, we are reminding you that you are strictly advised against fixing the problem on your own. It’s dangerous.
It is an official fact that only certified gas engineers are technically equipped to diagnose and fix the L2 Fault Code.
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