Error E167

Safety precautions:

- If the fault persists, switch the boiler off and isolate electrical supply (turn off at the boiler isolator and ideally the household consumer unit) and do not attempt internal electrical or gas repairs unless you are qualified. Working on gas or live electrical components is dangerous.

- If you smell gas, leave the property immediately, avoid using electrical switches or phones near the boiler, and call your gas emergency number.

Initial checks a homeowner can do (safe, non-invasive):

1. Note the exact error code (E167) and any other displayed codes or LEDs and when it happened (e.g. during heating demand or on start-up).

2. Check for obvious signs of water leak or corrosion around the outside of the boiler (puddles, rust streaks, damp patches). Water ingress can damage the PCB.

3. Check the boiler display for any additional messages and check the system pressure gauge; although E167 is PCB-related, very low pressure or overheat events can cause other faults — top up pressure only if you know how and the pressure is low.

4. Try a controlled reset: switch the boiler off at the programmer and isolator, wait 30 seconds, then switch back on. Note whether the error clears and whether it returns under load.

5. Check the household fuse/RCBO or the boiler’s fused spur for a blown fuse; replace only with the correct fuse if you are confident and isolated power first.

Specific diagnostic steps you can do safely and what to tell the engineer:

1. If a reset clears the fault but it returns, do not repeatedly force the boiler to run. Record when it occurs (hot water call, heating call, first fire-up, after long idle) and any noises or smells.

2. Without opening the boiler, document visible symptoms: damp, corrosion, burn marks on the casing, unusual rattles or excessive vibration during operation. Take photos of the error code on the display and any signs of water or damage — these help the engineer.

3. If you are competent with basic, safe visual checks and have isolated mains power first, you can remove the outer cover to look for obvious signs on the PCB: burn marks, cracked or bulging capacitors, green/white corrosion from water ingress, or loose connectors. Do not touch components or probe connectors with power applied.

4. If connectors are visibly loose, an engineer can reseat and inspect them securely. Some looser faults are caused by cracked solder joints or poor connections; these typically require a professional repair or board replacement.

When to call a professional and what to request:

- Call a Gas-Safe registered heating engineer or the boiler manufacturer’s authorised service if the fault does not clear after a reset, if you see evidence of water damage, burning or corrosion, if the error returns intermittently, or if you are not comfortable performing the safe checks above.

- Provide the engineer with the boiler model, serial number, exact error code (E167), when it occurs, what checks you’ve already done, and photos if available. If the boiler is still under warranty, contact the installer or manufacturer first.

Repair notes and final safety advice:

- PCB faults usually require professional diagnosis and often PCB replacement or component-level repair; this is specialist work that involves live electrical, control and gas systems and must be undertaken by a qualified technician.

- If the fault persists, leave the boiler switched off to avoid unsafe operation and potential further damage. Do not attempt to bypass safety interlocks or jury-rig fixes.

- A qualified engineer will inspect for root causes (water leaks, vibration, failed components), advise whether repair or PCB replacement is appropriate, and perform safe commissioning and testing after repair.