If you have a fault with your Vokera boiler, this is the guide for you. We are going to outline the top 5 most common Vokera boiler faults. These make up a large percentage of the issues we encounter with Vokera boilers and could get your boiler up and running in minutes as well as save you a ton of money on repairs.
Vokera boilers are very popular but the truth is they aren’t particularly reliable. The main reason you see them crop up in so many homes is because a number of big heating merchants and installation companies use them as their default budget boiler.
The clue as to their reliability comes with the warranty which is almost always no more than 2 years. This is an indication that the manufacturer doesn’t expect them to last too much longer than that.
As with all boilers, Vokera products have some issues that crop up a lot more frequently than others.
In this guide, we are going to detail the 5 most common faults that we have seen in Vokera boilers. We will explain what usually causes the issue and also detail what you need to do to fix it.
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Some repairs are simple things you can do at home yourself. Others are more complex things that you will need the help of a qualified engineer with. Either way, this guide should help you get your Vokera boiler back working as soon as possible.
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The Most Common Vokera Boiler Faults
In this section, we will identify the five most common Vokera boiler faults. In our experience, these are the issue that we see most frequently with Vokera boilers.
We cannot guarantee that your issue will be covered in this guide, but there is a pretty good chance it will. If it isn’t, don’t hesitate to leave a comment at the end of this article. We always reply to all messages and will do our best to help you no matter what problems you have.
#1 – Fan problems
Vokera boilers are budget models which means they use low-end components. So, while most boilers have no problem with the fan outliving the boiler itself, with Vokera boilers, a broken fan is much more common.
When there is an issue with the fan on your Vokera boiler you can expect to see error code A03 on most models.
How to Fix it:
This is an issue which will require the help of a qualified engineer. They will want to open up your boiler and take a closer look to diagnose the problem.
With Vokera fans, the most common cause of the problem is worn bearings. You engineer should be able to source a spares kit for this fairly easily and it shouldn’t cost too much to fix it.
It is well worth asking your engineer to assess the condition of your fan while he is looking. If it is on its last legs, you might be better replacing the whole unit, although this will obviously cost more.
If there isn’t a problem with the fan in your Vokera boiler, an A03 error can sometimes also be caused by a wiring issue. Your engineer will use a multimeter to check this and fix any damage identified.
#2 – Low or no pressure
Low or no pressure is a common problem with many boilers. On Vokera models it is usually identified with error code 40, 41, or A04. We see these errors occurring most frequently in the Vokera Linea and Vokera Compact models.
Low pressure is most commonly caused by a leak either in your boiler itself or elsewhere in your heating system.
How to Fix it:
It is possible to top up the pressure on your Vokera pressure using the filling loop. However, while this might get your boiler working temporarily, it will not solve the underlying problem.
To do this you will have to identify and fix the leak. This could be coming from all sorts of different places including:
- The central heating pump in your Vokera boiler.
- Your radiators, towel rails or radiator valves.
- The auto air vent in your boiler.
- The expansion vessel.
- Your stop taps and gate valves.
Have a quick look around your radiators and pipes yourself to see if you can spot the source of the leak. It may be extremely small but even the smallest of leaks can cause low pressure over time.
You might find that tightening a joint or using a DIY fix can solve the leak, but the most likely solution is going to be getting a qualified heating agent out to fix the leak properly.
#3 – Water Isn’t Hot Enough
If your water isn’t getting up to temperature or it is only getting hot when you switch your heating on, the most likely cause of your problem is an issue with boiler’s diverter valve.
This is the component in your boiler that directs the water to either your taps or your radiators and towel rails.
In most Vokera boilers, the diverter valve is a very low quality component and very prone to failing. The Flowmatic and Unica HE are particularly susceptible.
If you are lucky, it could be that your diverter valve is just stuck. But if the part is actually broken, this is a much more serious issue.
How to Fix it:
Sometimes the diverter valve can get blocked with sludge or debris and a good clean out can solve the problem.
If the diverter valve is actually faulty, it is most likely that the washers on the diaphragm of the component have worn through. These can be fixed, but the cost of labour to do so is prohibitively expensive and it is usually cheaper to just replace the entire unit.
Diverter valves for Vokera boilers are cheaper than other brands on the whole so you should be able to replace this part for around £250. But you will be replacing like for like and it is quite possible the issue could reoccur.
If your Vokera boiler is older and out of warranty, you might be wiser to consider replacing it with a whole new energy-efficient boiler from a more reliable manufacturer rather than shell out this sizable sum on just one replacement part.
#4 – Ignition issues
If your Vokera boiler has a problem igniting then the cause could be one of a number of things.
The most common cause we see in Vokera boilers is faulty ignition leads or a problem with the gas valve. These are both significant issues but can be fixed.
More worrying is if the printed circuit board (PCB) in your Vokera boiler has a problem. This is a major problem and if you need a replacement it is likely to cost you upwards of £500, which means you are more than likely going to opt for a replacement boiler instead.
If you have a Vokera Linea boiler, ignition issues will show up as error code 10. On the Vokera Compact and most other models, it will be an A01 error code.
How to Fix it:
This is another issue that will absolutely need an engineer to solve. If the problem is with the ignition leads or the gas valve, your engineer will be able to replace these without too much expense.
If it is an issue with the PCB, your engineer will need to run some tests. But PCBs on Vokera boilers are also not terribly reliable and there is a decent chance that you will need a replacement.
Discuss your options with your engineer, but it is highly likely they will recommend a whole new boiler. If they do, get a quote from them, but be sure to get several others too. Make sure one of your quotes is from Heatable. This online installation firm offers some of the best prices around on a wide range of high-quality boilers and can install as quickly as the next day.
# 5: Condensation blockage
The last of our top 5 most common faults with Vokera boilers is a condensation blockage. This can actually occur in most boilers and in Vokera boilers it will show up as fault code 92, 93, or 95 depending on which model you have,
The blockage is going to either be in the condensation trap inside your boiler or the condensation pipe that lets excess water out of your boiler. Pipe blockages are usually caused by ice and occur in cold weather most often.
How to Fix it:
If the weather is cold outside, check your condensation pipe as freezing is the most likely issue. This is something you can fix yourself quite easily. Just pour a little warm water over the pipe to melt the ice.
Check for any other blockages once the ice has gone and then lag the pipe to try and stop it freezing up again.
If it isn’t cold, the pipe can still get blocked up with debris so have a look and gently clear away any obstructions you can see.
If the issue is with the trap inside your boiler, you are best to get a qualified engineer to look at this, although it will most likely only need a clean out too.
Where to buy a new boiler?
If your Vokera boiler is beyond repair or the prices you are being quoted go far higher than you should be paying to fix an old boiler, you would be better to buy a brand-new energy-efficient boiler.
We would recommend you get several quotes and suggest one of them should be from Heatable.
Heatable is an online boiler installation firm that offers some of the lowest prices available on a wide range of boilers from all the top manufacturers.
They offer some terrific special deals, such as extended warranties, and can get your new boiler installed as quickly as the following day. Just fill in their website form to see how much you can save on a new boiler. You won’t need to enter any personal information and you can get a fixed-price quote in just a couple of minutes.
Summary
Vokera boilers have never been the most reliable and there are any number of faults that can occur with them. In this guide, we have outlined the five most common issues that we have encountered. We have explained what is likely to be causing them and how you can fix them.
We have also explained that if your boiler is beyond repair or facing a big bill, you would be better off investing in a new one. If you do, be sure to get a quote from Heatable, an online installation company that has some of the lowest prices around.
Have you had problems with your Vokera boiler? Do you have any questions we haven’t addressed in this article or any tips for our readers we haven’t covered? If so, please do share them with us using the comment box below. We always try to reply to all the comments and questions we receive.