Worcester Bosch [EA 229] fault codewhat it means and how to fix it

EA 229 is worth separating carefully from EA 227, because the two get treated as the same thing and they are not. EA 227 means no ionisation was detected after ignition — the burner never established a flame. EA 229 means an established flame was subsequently extinguished, or that ionisation was lost during the burning phase. So on an EA 229 the electrode sparked properly, gas arrived, the valve opened and combustion started.

Something then interrupted it. That rules out a good deal and points at a shorter list: a gas supply that sags under load rather than being absent, condensate backing up once the appliance starts producing it, or disturbance at the flue. Worcester's own literature mentions a blocked sump and strong wind into the flue as causes, and both are worth taking seriously. Wind in particular is under-appreciated — an exposed terminal on a gable end can genuinely blow a flame out, and the fault will track the weather rather than the clock.

1. 1

   Time it over two or three attempts. Note how long the appliance runs before the code appears. A consistent interval points at condensate; an erratic one points at gas supply or wind.

2. 2

   Check whether it fails sooner with a gas hob running at full rate. If so, the supply is the likely constraint and needs an engineer with a manometer.

3. 3

   Note whether it is noticeably worse on windy days. Only you can observe that over time and it is genuinely valuable to whoever attends.

4. 4

   In cold weather, check the external condensate pipe for ice and thaw it with hand-hot water if you find any.

   Never use boiling water or any form of heat gun on a condensate pipe. Cold plastic cracks readily.
5. 5

   Reset no more than twice, and give the engineer your timing observations. It will very likely save a return visit.