Boiler breakdowns always seem to happen at the worst time – either mid-winter when you are relying on the heating or, the hot water goes just as you need to run a bath!

When it comes to Vokera boilers, although they are very popular due to their price point, unfortunately, the brand does not have the best track record for reliability and therefore some issues are very common.

This article will aim to identify the most common Vokera boiler issues along with providing some troubleshooting to help get the heating system back up and running again.

Most Common Vokera Boiler Issues

Issue 1 – Fan Problems

Unfortunately, as a budget brand, the manufacturer often uses low-cost components including fans resulting in a common issue of a broken fan. A fan issue is often represented on the boiler by displaying error code: A03.

Due to the nature and location of a boiler’s fan, the boiler unit itself will need to be opened up to investigate further and therefore you will need the assistance of a specialised Gas Safe engineer to undertake this procedure safely.

Often with Vokera fans, the bearings wear out easily and can require replacing. A Gas Safe engineer should be able to source the necessary replacement parts and therefore it shouldn’t cost too much to fix if this is the issue, however during the investigation, the engineer should the overall condition of the fan to establish if it would be more cost-effective to replace the whole unit, which obviously would increase the costs,

If upon investigation the fan wasn’t the source of the problem, other issues that could be linked to an error code: A03 are wiring issues which can be checked by an Engineer by using a multimeter.

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Issue 2 – Low Boiler Pressure

Over time, most boilers will suffer from low or no pressure within the system which causes problems. On a Vokera boiler the error code associated with low pressure is usually; 40, 41 or A04, depending on your particular model, to be certain check the user manual.
It had been reported that the Vokera models that frequently suffer from pressure issues are the Vokera Linea and the Vokera Compact models.

When a boiler is in use the pressure will naturally rise and fall due to the process of heating water as this causes expansion which in turn increases the pressure within the boiler. However low boiler pressure can cause issues inside the boiler such as part failure and therefore often there is an inbuilt safety mechanism to shut down the boiler if it detects low pressure to protect the internal parts.

The common cause of low pressure can be a leak within the boiler itself or throughout the heating system pipework, therefore the first port of call would be to inspect the system for any signs of a leak. Leaks can occur in a number of different places including the heating pump, the auto vent, the expansion vessel, in valves or throughout the system such as in radiator valves.

If a small leak is detected it can sometimes be resolved yourself by applying some DIY sealant to the pipework however, if there is any doubt in the location or size of the leak, always seek the advice of a specialist engineer to review the boiler and heating system.

If no leak is suspected, the pressure can be adjusted in the boiler itself by using the filling loop. Always check the boiler’s manufacturer manual for the re-pressurising process and locate the source of the pressure taps before making any adjustments. This adjustment may solve the problem however if the error messages are shown frequently there may be another underlying issue and an engineer may be required to investigate further.

Issue 3 – Water not Heating to a warm Enough Temperature

A very common issue with Vokera boilers is that water is not heated to a sufficient temperature level, or only gets hot enough when the heating is also running. These issues are often caused by a problem with the boiler’s diverter valve, which is the part in the boiler that directs the water between the heating system or water system, for example, radiators or taps. In this case, a Gas Safe engineer would need to be called to investigate the matter.

As we have already discussed the parts inside Vokera boilers are often low cost and quality and therefore are prone to failure. The Flowmatic and Unica HE Vokera boilers models are commonly affected by the diverter valve failing. In some cases, the diverter valve becomes stuck due to limescale build-up within the system which can be cleaned, however, if the valve is broken a replacement is likely to set you back around £250.

However, if the boiler is ageing and out of warranty, you may wish to consider upgrading the whole boiler to a more reliable brand.

Issue 4 – Ignition Problems

Ignition issues could be caused by a range of things within a Vokera boiler, however, common faults are found by the ignition leads or gas valve faulting. Ignition issues are often identified with error code 10 or A01 depending on your model of Vokera boiler.

Another cause could be a failure within the printed circuit board or PCB. A PCB is an electrical component in the boiler that monitors and controls each of the other parts and therefore is crucial to the functioning of the boiler however is also a very high-cost part, typically around £500.

Any ignition matter would require a call out of a Gas Safe engineer to explore what could be the cause by running some tests to diagnose the matter. As we have discussed, Vokera boilers are not known for their reliability and therefore any large quotes for replacement parts should be considered heavily before committing as often it may be more economical to replace the entire unit with a more reliable unit by a different manufacturer.

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Issue 5 – Condensation Blockage

The final common fault we will discuss is a condensation blockage which is often displayed as error code 92, 93 or 95 depending on the model of Vokera boiler.

Blockages often form either in the condensation trap inside the boiler or within the condensation pipe and usually occur in the colder months by the formation of ice. As you imagine the condensation pipe is fairly accessible and easy to check. If an ice blockage is found, run some warm water over the pipe to melt the ice which should resolve the matter. However, if the matter is inside the boiler or the weather isn’t cold, a Gas safety engineer would need to be called to investigate safely.

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Troubleshooting Common Vokera  Problems Summary

There are a number of reasons that can cause a Vokera boiler to stop working however in this article we have reviewed the most common concerns and provided some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issues.

If there are any doubts regarding the diagnosis of the matter, always call a qualified heating engineer to assist safely. Also bear in mind that the age of the boiler when assessing the value of any works to be undertaken as often a replacement boiler to a more reliable brand would be worthwhile.