Possible malfunctions of the Navien boiler and ways to eliminate them

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Published: March 26, 2020

Reading time: 5 min

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Korean Navien gas boilers are characterized by the highest degree of reliability. They work for many years without bothering the owners with breakdowns.

This is confirmed by user reviews and conclusions by heat power specialists, which can be found on the Internet in the public domain. Malfunctions of Navien boilers are quite rare.

This modification of heating units has good software diagnostics, so it will not be difficult for the user to understand the causes of failures and understand what to do to eliminate them.

• 1 Causes of malfunctions of Navien boilers
• 2 Self-diagnosis of Navien boilers
• 3 Error codes and how to fix them 3.1 Error 03
• 3.2 Error 02
• 3.3 Error 10

Self-diagnosis system

The purpose of automatic self-diagnosis and protection systems is to detect and correct various breakdowns at the moment they occur. After fixing any kind of defects, the equipment stops, with a breakdown code displayed on indicators or LCD screens. Finding problems in equipment that is not equipped with self-diagnosis is much more difficult, although the procedure for checking the internal filling does not change. Self-diagnosis allows you to quickly identify and find faults in the Navien boiler.

During the search process, the system sends requests to numerous sensors and nodes: all received results are analyzed and stored. If serious breakdowns are detected, a report about them is instantly transmitted to the indicator board. Initially, such systems were developed for gas workers, since they make it much easier to troubleshoot a Navien gas boiler and fix them. However, if you have minimal skills in servicing boiler equipment, you can repair Navien appliances on your own. Before you begin self-repair, you need to check whether the warranty period has expired. If the warranty is still valid, it is better to send the boiler to a service center for a free repair.

What malfunctions occur

To repair the Navien heating boiler yourself, you need to read the special manual. It will help not only decipher the type of breakdown, but also eliminate it in the most effective way.

List of problem codes with the Navien boiler and their interpretation:

• 01E. The device overheated, and this was recorded by the temperature sensor.
• 02E. Indication of an open circuit in the flow sensor and a drop in the coolant level in the circuit.
• 03E. The signal confirming the presence of a flame has disappeared. In this case, the combustion can continue.
• 04E. This code has the complete opposite meaning of the previous designation: in this case, there is confirmation of the flame, although in fact it is absent. E
• 05E. Failure of the circuit responsible for controlling the degree of heating of the coolant in the heating system.
• 06E. This code also indicates a malfunction of the temperature sensor (the circuit is closed).
• 07E. Signal about failure of the temperature sensor in the DHW circuit.
• 08E. Malfunction of the Navien gas boiler in the same unit due to a short circuit.
• 09E. Alert about fan failure.
• 10E. The appearance of malfunctions in the smoke removal system.
• 12E. Flame extinguishment in the burner.
• 13E. The heating circuit flow sensor has shorted.
• 14E. Gas has stopped flowing from the main line, which is why the Navien boiler does not turn on.
• 15E. A general indication of errors in the operation of the control board, without specifying the problematic element.
• 16E. The equipment has overheated.
• 18E. Malfunctions in the operation of the smoke exhaust sensor.
• 27E. Air pressure sensor (APS) malfunctions.

The manufacturer itself does not provide any instructions for repairing the Navien gas boiler. The calculation is made that repair activities are the responsibility of service centers exclusively. In our country, people’s thinking is somewhat different, so many of them are accustomed to troubleshooting household appliances on their own.

User manual

Navien gas boilers are operated automatically, with minimal human intervention.

The owner only needs to observe the readings on the display and respond in a timely manner to the appearance of an error code.

In addition, the user determines the operating mode - summer or winter:

• Summer mode is determined only by DHW heating.
• Winter mode starts the heating system simultaneously with the supply of hot water.

The display has a button with a corresponding icon (symbol of a snowflake or sun).

If it is necessary to adjust the extract air temperature or other parameters of the heating system, the winter operating mode must be turned on. Exhaust temperature is adjusted when the radiator icon is flashing.

If it lights up steadily, the display shows the current temperature . By pressing the “radiator” button so that the icon flashes, press the “+” or “-” buttons to change the set coolant temperature.

The icon stops flashing after a while (a few seconds), and the boiler will begin to heat or cool the coolant in accordance with the instructions received.

No need to heat

The first step is to clean the heat exchanger. At home, it is common to use citric acid, toilet bowl cleaners and special liquids (if available). Before cleaning the Navien gas boiler, you need to dismantle the heat exchanger and pour a suitable solution into it. After a short pause, it is washed out with high pressure of water.

A similar procedure should be carried out with the DHW circuit heat exchanger if problems are observed with heating hot water. In case of particularly contamination, it is easier to install a new exchanger. To prevent scale build-up, it is recommended to have a system for cleaning and softening your tap water.

Three way valve

Error 16 may occur if the three-way valve malfunctions. If there is a breakdown, then the boiler cannot switch between DHW and DHW modes. The price of a new crane is from 3 to 5 thousand rubles. But you can try to correct the situation yourself.

Reasons for failure:

• system contamination;
• microswitch is broken;
• the motor is broken (low resistance, open circuit, short circuit);
• destruction of gears of the gearbox.

Only if the system is dirty will it be enough to clean it for error 16 to disappear. In other cases, you need to buy new parts.

Troubleshooting error 03

There were some obstacles in the way of the signal about the presence of flame entering the system. The cause of this malfunction of the Navien boiler may be a cessation of gas supply or a failure of the flame presence sensor in the burner. Often, problems of this type arise after repairs to a gas pipeline. Error 03 is also displayed when problems occur with ignition.

Elimination procedure:

• Checking the gas supply.
• Testing the serviceability of ignition.
• Cleaning the ionization sensor (it often gets dirty).

When using liquefied gas, you must ensure that the gearbox is in good working order. If the boiler is fully operational, the cause of error 03 may be improper grounding.

Reasons for increased pressure

An increase in pressure in the boiler is primarily demonstrated by the safety valve, which begins to release excess pressure. This problem often confuses even experienced specialists.

The reason lies in the secondary heat exchanger. Hot water is heated from the already heated heating agent, receiving energy in a plate secondary heat exchanger. Both liquids exchange thermal energy without mixing with each other.

But, if a fistula occurs, allowing water from the hot water system to penetrate into the heating system, the pressure will increase and tend to balance with the higher pressure of domestic hot water.

If such a problem occurs, the secondary heat exchanger should be replaced, since repairing it is complicated and ineffective.

Typical Navien Ice boiler breakdowns

Although the devices in this series are famous for their impeccable performance, they sometimes fail. When installing a Navien Ice boiler in your home, it is recommended to arm yourself with information about its most typical faults (there are not very many of them). For example, for the 24 K model, the most typical error is 10. The design of this double-circuit boiler uses a closed combustion chamber, which leads to periodic problems with smoke removal. Most often this happens due to fan breakdowns, which need to be replaced from time to time.

Typical malfunctions of the Navien gas boiler also include error 02: it indicates rapid heating and equally rapid cooling of the boiler. This usually occurs due to the appearance of air pockets in the circuit system or due to a breakdown of the flow sensor. All air must be bled from the heating circuit.

Power-on problems

There may be several reasons for such a malfunction.:

• There is no voltage in the network (or it has decreased too much, it has become less than 150 V).
• No gas.
• The boiler is blocked by a protection system that was activated due to a critical error (overheating above 98°).

Other reasons for failure may also occur . First of all, you should check the voltage in the network.

The boiler is capable of compensating for fluctuations of up to 30%, but with more significant changes, it simply will not start. You can solve the issue by using a separate outlet and installing a stabilizer.

If all possible causes have been checked and eliminated, but the boiler continues to be silent, you should invite a specialist . Perhaps the cause was a failure of the control unit, a breakdown, or another serious problem.

You should not attempt to resolve the issue yourself; this may cause the final destruction of the unit.

The control board is faulty

This error, which is difficult to accurately diagnose, is designated by code 15E. It is almost impossible to understand how the control board works without special education. The most correct algorithm of action in such a situation is to invite a specialist who can use testing to determine and eliminate the causes of the problem.

The place where the Navien gas boiler is repaired is chosen by the foreman: in particularly difficult cases it is necessary to transport the boiler to a service center. To avoid problems of this type, it is strongly recommended to equip the supply networks of the Navien boiler with a voltage stabilizer.

Important nuances during repairs

When repairing a boiler, you need to know how to fill the coolant after draining. Before refilling, turn off the gas and turn off the power to the equipment. It is necessary to check the position of the distribution and shut-off valves and open them as much as possible.

The make-up tap, which is located at the bottom of the device, must be turned to the left. When the pressure gauge mark is 1.2-2 bar, close the tap. If the emergency indicator starts working, you should drain the water and repeat the procedure.

Another boiler malfunction, solution to the problem:
To ensure that the device works for a long time and properly , you can purchase a voltage stabilizer, a water and gas filter, as well as a polyphosphate or magnetic water converter.
We must not forget that installation of equipment must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. Before fixing the problem, you need to familiarize yourself with the classification of problem codes and see what a specific error may mean. When making repairs, it is important to study the instructions and follow the information provided in it. Navien gas boilers are an excellent option for both a private home and a city apartment. In case of breakdowns, it is very important to diagnose and fix the problem in a timely manner. In case of serious malfunctions, it is best to entrust the work to a specialist.

Error 01

There is no need to panic, because this code quite often indicates the appearance of ordinary air pockets in the circuit or filter. The procedure for bleeding air from a Navien boiler is carried out according to standard recommendations. Next, you need to check the functionality of the circulation pump.

It is important that it rotates and that the coolant flows well through the impeller. It happens that the reason that the Navien boiler does not start is a physical breakdown of the impeller. A more complex option is problems with the circulation pump, the elimination of which requires rewinding or complete replacement of the equipment. The most reliable model of pumping apparatus is considered to be products from the Grundfos brand.

Doesn't start for a long time

The boiler is started when certain conditions are reached. If the temperature or pressure of water (OB, DHW) is within the specified range, heating will not start until it cools down .

A possible cause may also be partial clogging of the water filter, which slows down the flow and changes the circulation mode. It may be difficult for the circulation pump to operate if it is clogged with lime deposits or small debris.

Download instructions

You can download the instructions here.

Error 04

A little about fault 02 has already been said: it consists of a rapid rise in temperature and an equally rapid drop. The same applies to error 03. When the self-diagnosis system detects error 04, the functionality of the flame sensor and its power supply is checked. It is strongly recommended to avoid any contact of this assembly with surrounding metal elements. It happens that this code is displayed when the system board breaks down. In such cases, it is either repaired or replaced.

Errors 07 and 08

The purpose of double-circuit boilers is to provide homes with both heat and hot water. They consist of two circuits and a set of sensors. As a consequence, in this case there is not one temperature sensor, but two. One is designed to control the temperature of the heating circuit, and the second monitors the degree of heating of hot water. The appearance of codes 07 and 08 on the monitor indicates that the hot water in the Navien boiler does not turn on. Diagnosis and elimination occur in the same order as in the previous case.

Design Features

Boiler structure

To attract the attention of buyers, the Korean manufacturer developed a perfect design of the gas unit, minimized the number of breakdowns and released its product at a relatively low price. One of the advantages of a gas unit is the clear and detailed instructions, which greatly simplifies setting up the selected mode.

The company adheres to the same principles in installing an electronic control system and regulating other parameters.

The versatility of a gas boiler can be judged by its operating capabilities:

1. The regulation circuit with a microprocessor chip allows you to both protect and smooth out voltage surges in the power supply network. In case of changes in the current parameters, the electronic system is able to maintain a mode for the full functioning of all components of the unit, which has a positive effect on the operational life of the device. The adjustment circuit also allows you to avoid possible malfunctions due to false activation of sensors. This feature of the electronic system is of particular importance for the operation of the equipment, given the instability of the voltage in the power network and its deviations over a wide range.
2. The design of the gas boiler is designed taking into account a possible drop in water pressure to 0.1 bar. This allows blocking actions and device breakdowns to be reduced to a minimum, which is ideal for its installation on the upper floors of a building.
3. The Navien boiler is capable of neutralizing possible malfunctions caused by a decrease in supply pressure to 4 mbar, which is critical for the normal functioning of many modern systems equipped with electronic control.
4. Thanks to the design features of the Navien gas appliance , the heating system will not freeze even when the gas supply is cut off. To prevent the emergency mode from being activated when the coolant temperature drops below 5 degrees, as well as the inability to ignite the burner, a built-in pump was provided for forced and continuous circulation of water.
5. There is a double heat exchanger for separate heating of hot water and coolant, which is very convenient (you can optionally adjust the preheating of water). Easy-to-use electronics allow you to precisely set the appropriate mode.

Error 09

These fault codes are the most common. They signal that the fan has reduced its efficiency or has stopped. To accurately determine the cause, the integrity of its windings and the continuity of their resistance are checked. It is also necessary to make sure that there is an interturn short circuit. If the damage is serious, it is better to change the device. If no problems were found on the fan, you should ring the control board. This procedure will require certain skills: if they are absent, it is better to seek help from specialists from the service center.

What to do if the aspirated air leaks?

For the Atmo model range with an open (atmospheric) burner, the primary heat exchanger is made of copper.

The appearance of a leak is almost always associated with its destruction. Purchasing a new heat exchanger is not an easy and expensive task, so most often the issue is solved by soldering the fistula .

To carry out repairs, you should contact a technician from the service center, since this requires a qualified specialist who can dismantle the unit, find the fistula that has arisen, solder it properly, simultaneously rinse the heat exchanger and install it in place without damage.

The work is complex and requires the participation of a trained person.

Error 10

An indication that problems have arisen with the removal of combustion products. A potential cause is a broken fan. The condition of the chimney duct, which requires regular cleaning, deserves a separate check. It is very important that its length complies with regulatory standards. Quite often, the cause of error 10 lies in a malfunction of the air pressure sensor. The most undesirable situation is regular malfunctions of the Navien boiler board. You need to check the most harmless option, when the wind simply gets into the chimney. Naturally, you need to know what to do if the boiler blows out in a strong wind, and how to get rid of this problem.

Error 16

This code indicates that the heating equipment has overheated: in such cases, the Navien boiler hums when hot water is turned on.

Potentially possible reasons:

• Exceeding the coolant heating norm.
• Lack of fluid in the circuit.
• The control board has malfunctioned.
• The three-way valve is acting up.
• The DHW temperature sensor has failed.
• The gas supply rate has been exceeded. This reason why the Navien boiler is humming is quite rare. Its elimination is carried out by simply screwing on the valve.