Are you concerned about your faulty Worcester Bosch Greenstar boiler?
If you own a Worcester Bosch Greenstar, the chances are your boiler is probably under 10 years old, as most of these models were first introduced around 2004/2005.
As a heating engineer, I know it can be particularly stressful for my customers when their boiler is playing up – especially when you don’t know what’s wrong and how big a job it’ll be to fix.
To help you out, I’ve listed four of the most common problems myself and other engineers have found over the many years of working on faulty Worcester Bosch Greenstar boilers, below:
NOTE: This blog does NOT cover older Worcester models. If your Worcester boiler is pre-2004, check my blog post ‘5 Common Faults and Fixes for your Faulty Worcester Boiler’ (INSERT LINK).
Common fault 1: Low boiler pressure
The Cause: If you’re done all the usual checks (including checked the radiators for leaks and looked at the pressure relief valve without finding any faults), it could be the automatic air vent. You’ll be able to tell by taking off the plastic bottom panel and seeing if there is rusty water.
The Fix: This is usually just a case of dropping the pressure, pulling out the retaining quick release pin, and replacing the air vent. Then all we’d need to do is refill the system and test.
Common fault 2: EA error code
The Cause: This is by far the most common problem we’re called out to, and it’s caused by the condensate pipe becoming frozen or blocked. This is usually down to installer error rather than a fault with the boiler.
You can confirm it’s a problem with the condensate pipe by pressing the reset button and when the boiler fires up, it should make gurgling noises before cutting out again.
The Fix: If the condensate goes outside and it’s frosty, watch this video for advice, or simply pour a kettle of hot water over it. It may be the condensate trap is blocked and the boiler needs to be serviced.
Common fault 3: Boiler failing to ignite
The Cause: If your boiler refuses to ignite, and you can hear it going through the sequence before making a ticking noise (trying to ignite), it could be that the gas has been turned off or a fault in the ignition leads.
The Fix: Check there is gas coming into the house, as it may have been turned off outside. If you have a prepaid meter, check it is topped up. Alternatively, your ignition leads may need replaced or the boiler serviced.
Common fault 4: Strange banging noises
The Cause: If you hear a strange banging noise when your boiler fires up, this is usually a problem with the gas valve communicating with the fan speed.
The Fix: Call a Worcester Bosch service engineer or an accredited engineer, who will be able to take a look at it for you.
Call an experienced Worcester Bosch engineer
Worcester Bosch Greenstar boilers are very reliable, well-built boilers. However, if you do experience problems, I’d recommend either calling in a Worcester Bosch service engineer or Worcester Bosch accredited engineer.
It’s definitely better to call someone with specific product knowledge, rather than just going straight to your local gas engineer.
Conclusion
Sometimes there’s nothing worse than having to deal with boiler faults and error codes. If you have a faulty Worcester Bosch Greenstar boiler, follow my tips above for solving some of the most common faults these boilers experience. Including:
- Low boiler pressure
- EA error code
- Boiler failing to ignite
- Strange banging noises
Remember, if you’re in any doubt, call an experienced Worcester Bosch service engineer or accredited installer.
Good luck!
Greenstar 37 CDi showing EA when reset fires up makes strange noise runs on low flame but won’t go on full burn will run like this for 5 mins then goes back on EA.
hi,i keep getting ea 227 message,my heating water switch off after about 5 minutes
Hi. Did you get this sorted? I am also having this problem?
Hi there I am experiencing problems with the pcb in my boiler I can get hoy water and central heating but it takes a few attempts for the boiler to kick in its as though it’s trying to find the programme and it can’t find it so it keeps trying until it finds the right one unfortunately it seems to be getting worse I would appreciate some input from some of your engineers if that’s possible yours sincerely. Ronald Thomasson
Hi I recently had a fault with my greenstar 18ri and called a local company to fix it. They finally found the fan had gone and replaced it and it worked fine. However, we’ve just noticed water dripping from the bottom of the boiler and took the casing to look inside to find a build up of what appeared to be condensation around the gas valve/burner (the metal block in the bottom left of the boiler). It’s been suggested by a friend this is being caused by flue issues. Is it possible the fan has been fitted incorrectly or has disturbed the flue in some way?
Many thanks.
David.
Thanks for your advice I was experiencing the boiler making noises and locking out so I tried the condensate trap before I rung an engineer and found it to be blocked running good now thanks again
Boiler cuts out after 50min
My wocester Bosch green star Junior boiler will not reset works for 2 mins then goes out it went off I found the water pressure was very low topped it up now it won’t reset any ideas do you think the condensate pipe will be blocked
Hot water and heating come on (30si) after about 10 secs goes off. Continues for about 5- 6 times then goes to reset.
My boiler is won’t stay on it’s firing up but after 5 seconds it goes off
Greenstart 30si
Worcester Greenstar 24 Ri gas condensing boiler with independent controller. Central heating will not come on unless the hot water is on as well.
Thanks for the advice, 28i junior was gurgling and vibrating, I emptied the condenser trap that was full of sandy water, I also noticed a small hole within the trap which I poked with a cotton bud and released another half litre of sandy water and bits of moth! All working perfect again! I hope this helps someone else
I have started to get heavy pluming from my boiler flew
Hi there
I have a Worcester 37cdi boiler which makes a constant droning noise all the time even when the boiler is switched off , my kitchen is above the bedroom so as you can imagine it not pleasant at bed time , can you please help
My 24 i junior works well on the central heating raidiators but the hot washing water is only warm. Whats the problem?,, John
Red lights flashing on my Worcester 25si boiler .
My green star boiler kept cutting out .I lowered the temperature alittle and it was ok for a week our two then started cutting out again so I lowered it again alittle more . As before it ran ok for a week or two then started cutting out again .And so on. Have you any ideas please
Hi we have recently had a greenstar i fitted. I wasn’t in when they fitted it. How do you top up the water pressure if needed?
Greensted 38cdi, error code each showing, checked flue all clear, emptied condensate trap that was full, also condensate line outside seems clear, tried resetting boiler and tries to light as u can see the flame flicker a few times before going back out, checked gas from meter vent is coming in and seems fine, could this be a fault with the gas valve?
my worchester bosch greenstar is 5 years old. never ha d any issues,however the heating is coming on overnight roundabout 2-4 am, it is not cold enough to come on and has never been set to come on at these times ,when trying to get it off it takes ages but after an hour it kicks back on again, we have rechecked thermostat times and set degree lower but this keeps happenning, any ideas
Greenstar 37CDi emits several a low short rumbling sounds when gas burners shut down. Initial vent connection has been changed – but has not solved the problem.
Had a Worcester Bosch green star 30si fitted approx 2 weeks ago. Everything ok, except the hot water tap when turned on makes a noise like a loud motorbike running its engine and the noise only stops approx 15-20 seconds after turning the tap off. Is anything wrong. I don’t think I can live with this noise.
We have a green star Ri recently installed. We get an intermittent smell like gas/fumes coming from flue gas sample point. Engineer came out and said nothing wrong but of course the problem is intermittent and smell was not there when he arrived. Can go a week without smell and then maybe occurs 4 times another day.
What does. Fo 265mean on a green start green 12/8 erp please, did run out of oil. Now oil coming through but won’t light, only been fitted about six months ago. Thank you
evry time we run hot water which is set to be on twice a day, we get awful rattling noises in the radiators..Should we call our Engineer?
The thermostat is near to 3 is this dangerous
How can I lower the thermostat
Thank you