logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda

[Solved] Central Heating System Pressure Drop: Radiators, Floor Heating & E10 Error on Immergas Victrix 24KW

xoree 40308 27
Best answers

Why does the pressure in my central heating system keep dropping to zero and triggering an E10 fault on my Immergas Victrix 24 kW boiler, and what should I check or replace?

The most likely cause is a problem with the boiler’s expansion vessel: if it has too little air, or the membrane is stuck/damaged, system pressure can drop to zero when cold and then rise too much when heated [#18967901][#18967734][#18968004] Check the vessel only with the boiler water drained and the drain valve open; the air side should usually be around 0.75 bar, with about 1.0 bar as a practical upper limit in many setups, and if it is low you should pump it up or replace the vessel if it will not hold air [#18968121][#18967868][#18968143] The leaking automatic air vent also needs attention: the cap should be only slightly screwed on, and if the vent is clogged, the float is stuck, or it leaks water, it should be cleaned or replaced [#18967696] A hidden leak through the safety valve can also mimic a missing-water problem, especially if its drain goes to the sewer, so that line should be checked too [#18968197] In the end, the issue was on the boiler side of the vessel, and after draining the water and adding air the system returned to normal [#19016006]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #1 18967560
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    Hello, the CO installation consists of radiators and floor heating.
    The entire installation has been working properly for 6 years, for several days I have a problem with the water pressure in the furnace, it drops to zero and of course the E10 error (Immergas Victrix 24KW) crashes on the gas furnace. I allowed a little water, literally 2-3 liters, and the pressure jumped to 2.5 bar ... then slowly fell. After a few refills, I noticed water at one of the switchboards (to the floor) (as in the picture), it turned out that the red plastic heads were loose, not tightened and water was flowing from one of the lower ones (marked). night and around 11 am again an error on the stove and zero bars ...
    Has the installation screwed up?
    And why did it flip?
    Central Heating System Pressure Drop: Radiators, Floor Heating & E10 Error on Immergas Victrix 24KW121183004_...5456_n.jpg (273.84 kB)You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 18967681
    janek_wro
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1281
    Help: 123
    Rate: 290
    First, of course, vent everything.
    2-3 liters a day is a mass of water. Find where the stain is. If it is nowhere to be found, then it may be the boiler itself inside.
    The diaphragmatic vessel may also be to blame, giving a similar symptom. But it has a limit, to the loss of your pressure on the diaphragm.

    xoree wrote:
    And why did it flip?
    It's a breather. It is to be released to vent automatically. But if it leaks water, it must be replaced.
  • Helpful post
    #3 18967696
    Rafael22
    Level 21  
    Posts: 383
    Help: 42
    Rate: 172
    The vent caps should be slightly screwed on as you had them.
    The vent is either clogged and the float is stuck, you would have to disassemble it and clean it (after draining the water from the system) or you need to buy a new vent. Come on in your case, it seems that you will have to buy a new one.
  • #4 18967709
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    As for the amount of water, I'm probably exaggerating about 2-3 liters because I run the tap for 1-3 seconds and I have 2 bars ...
    Water only leaked from this vent.
    How are these systems vented?
    As for replacing the breather, it's probably something to do...
    As for the diaphragm vessel, it is full of air because I checked if the vents were tight.

    Added after 3 [minutes]:

    Rafael22 wrote:
    The vent caps should be slightly screwed on as you had them.
    The vent is either clogged and the float is stuck, you would have to disassemble it and clean it (after draining the water from the system) or you need to buy a new vent. Come on, in your case, it seems that you will have to buy a new one.

    But this head was completely unscrewed and water was flowing.
    I'm going to go to a hardware store right now and buy a vent.
    Something like this ? https://www.leroymerlin.pl/heating/heaters-and-accessories/air vents/air vent-1-2-alpha-white-valvex,p248210,l1012.html
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #5 18967734
    Krzys55
    Level 28  
    Posts: 1140
    Help: 89
    Rate: 301
    If the pressure is zero and grows very quickly during tapping, the diaphragm vessel is damaged or it should be supplied with air.
  • #6 18967740
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    There is air in this vessel I checked ... (I tried to pump it up but unfortunately I couldn't because the shading is too big ;) )
  • #7 18967761
    Krzys55
    Level 28  
    Posts: 1140
    Help: 89
    Rate: 301
    Air doesn't mean anything. There may not be enough. The correct measurement should be made with zero water pressure or on a disassembled vessel, because the water pressure introduces measurement error.
  • #8 18967772
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    And why did it start leaking from this vent? Is this fault related to this vessel?
  • #9 18967782
    Krzys55
    Level 28  
    Posts: 1140
    Help: 89
    Rate: 301
    Vents often break down, but the failure of the vessel has nothing to do with it. Check the vessel carefully, otherwise the pressure in the installation will increase excessively when the furnace is started.
  • #10 18967786
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    How does this dish work?
  • Helpful post
    #11 18967846
    janek_wro
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1281
    Help: 123
    Rate: 290
    xoree wrote:
    How does such a dish work?
    Colleague Krzys55 described the conditions to you. I will add that you can even measure it with a manometer for the car. The valve is the same.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    xoree wrote:
    As for the amount of water, I'm probably exaggerating about 2-3 liters because I run the tap for 1-3 seconds and I have 2 bars
    Wait a moment... then you turn on the tap on the water (which? with w? cw?) and at this point the pressure in the circuit drops, what?
    Unless I misunderstood your shorthand...
  • #12 18967868
    Krzys55
    Level 28  
    Posts: 1140
    Help: 89
    Rate: 301
    There is a sticker on the vessel with a description of the pressure that should be in the vessel. The rest I described in the previous post.
  • #13 18967901
    BUCKS
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3820
    Help: 536
    Rate: 1084
    xoree wrote:
    There is air in this vessel I checked ... (I tried to pump it up but unfortunately I couldn't because the shading is too big ;) )

    xoree wrote:
    How does such a dish work?

    This is a great example of when a user thinks they're doing something right ;)
    The description of checking the pressure in the vessel is also stuck as one of the threads on the first page.
    It is general but reflects the idea of checking.

    Typically, the vessel pressure was specified in the boiler specifications and is often 0.75 bar.
    There is just 0.75 bar in my boiler, but I pump air to approx. 0.95 bar myself and add up to 1.4 bar on the cold water system.
    During operation, the pressure jumps no more than 0.2/0.3 bar, i.e. 1.6/1.7 bar.
    In other words, the boiler never reaches the water pressure of 2.0 bar by itself.

    janek_wro wrote:
    Wait a moment... then you turn on the tap on the water (which? with w? cw?) and at this point the pressure in the circuit drops, what?
    Unless I misunderstood your shorthand...

    I understood that if it lacks water, i.e. the pressure drops, it unscrews the tap, which is implicitly a valve for filling the installation with water and after 1-3 seconds it has 2.0 bar on the boiler.

    Added after 8 [minutes]:

    I would say yes.
    To check the air pressure in the vessel, drain the water from the boiler and check the air pressure in the vessel on the open drain valve.
    If the vessel has a nominal 0.75 bar, it is OK, if it is less, you need to pump up and check for air leakage.
    If everything is OK, close the drain valve and add water to the boiler, vent the boiler and the pump and enjoy the efficient boiler and vessel ;)

    But the initial pressure in the diaphragm vessel depends on the static height of the central heating system, so it may happen that in an exceptional situation 0.75 bar will be too low pressure.
    In most cases, the factory setting of 0.75 bar is sufficient.
    For me, 0.75 bar is enough, but I give air around 1.0 bar on my own. After a year, the air drop does not exceed 0.2 bar, so it's OK for me.
    I pump the vessel every year during the inspection and cleaning of the boiler, so the problem of the vessel does not seem to exist.
    If nothing has been done at the author's for 5-6 years, the vessel has the right to empty.
    It's like someone pumping up a tire on a car and expecting it to hold the same amount of air after 5 years. There will always be some loss somewhere, bigger or smaller, but it will be there.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #14 18967932
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    janek_wro wrote:
    xoree wrote:
    How does such a dish work?
    Colleague Krzys55 described the conditions to you. I will add that you can even measure it with a manometer for the car. The valve is the same.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    xoree wrote:
    As for the amount of water, I'm probably exaggerating about 2-3 liters because I run the tap for 1-3 seconds and I have 2 bars
    Wait a moment... then you turn on the tap on the water (which? with w? cw?) and at this point the pressure in the circuit drops, what?
    Unless I misunderstood your shorthand...


    I mean a tap for admitting water to the CO system.
  • Helpful post
    #15 18968004
    kz61
    Level 27  
    Posts: 589
    Help: 108
    Rate: 314
    xoree wrote:
    (I tried to pump it up but unfortunately I couldn't because the shading is too big

    Probably there is no air at all and the membrane is glued to the vessel wall.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #16 18968057
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    So that's how I checked the number of bars in the 3.9 Bar vessel.
    I filled the system with water and it is 1.8 bar (the pressure holds).
    If there was a leak, I think it would be gone by now...?
    Central Heating System Pressure Drop: Radiators, Floor Heating & E10 Error on Immergas Victrix 24KW20201009_1..739.jpg (589.89 kB)You must be logged in to download this attachment. Central Heating System Pressure Drop: Radiators, Floor Heating & E10 Error on Immergas Victrix 24KW20201009_1..750.jpg (793.06 kB)You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #17 18968061
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    I checked the pressure in the vessel when the water in the system was not yet filled ...
  • #18 18968072
    BUCKS
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3820
    Help: 536
    Rate: 1084
    xoree wrote:
    So that's how I checked the number of bars in the 3.9 Bar vessel.

    but this is a Refix DE 18 vessel for utility water, i.e. hot water if you have a hot water tank
    For the heating circuit there is a separate vessel, usually with a capacity of 6-10 l, it is built into the boiler.
    If someone has a large-capacity installation, an additional vessel is used somewhere outside the boiler, and then you have to watch the pressure in the built-in and additional vessel, or the built-in vessel is disconnected and one with the required capacity for a given installation is used.
    The vessel for the circulation which has, as I wrote, e.g. 0.75 bar, not 3.9 bar.
    This is how a layman deals with things about which he has absolutely no clue.
    I am also an amateur but when I read threads like this I feel like a professional with 30 years of experience ;)
  • #19 18968095
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    You know, I understand you very well ... I try to help repair the motherboard in a laptop myself sometimes, but sometimes it's unrealistic and now I know why.
    Understatement barak knowledge etc ... no one told me that this vessel is in the cauldron ...
    BTW...
    How to check this vessel in the boiler?? ;)
  • Helpful post
    #20 18968121
    BUCKS
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3820
    Help: 536
    Rate: 1084
    xoree wrote:
    How to check this vessel in the boiler??

    As it was above.

    You need to determine where you have this vessel.
    It's best to download the installation manual for your boiler, then you will have a diagram.
    In my boiler, the vessel is on the back wall, i.e. from the side of the load-bearing wall on which the boiler is suspended.
    It can have a round or rectangular shape, I had a factory-made 10-litre cherry/red rectangular vessel.
    Currently, I have an 8l replacement vessel, round, gray in color, which hangs on the wall next to the boiler and is connected with a flexible steel hose to the place where the original vessel was connected.
    In my boiler, access to the original vessel was without removing the casing, but the valve is at the very top of the boiler, next to the flue pipe and so close to the wall that not every manometer was physically able to measure the pressure.
    I don't know about your boiler.
    Determine the location of your vessel and where it has a valve for making up air. Then you need to repeat the operation by draining the water from the boiler and check the air pressure in the vessel with the open drain valve for draining the water from the boiler. For the vessel what I take 0.75 bar as a minimum and 1.0 bar as a maximum for the initial air pressure.
  • #21 18968135
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    This question was a joke.
    On Monday, a guest is coming to me who is doing furnace inspections ... I talked to him and he said that we will cover the subject ...
    He'll do a review, etc...
    Of course, when the matter is clarified, I will write what and how ...
    For now, thank you all for your time.
  • #22 18968143
    BUCKS
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3820
    Help: 536
    Rate: 1084
    kz61 wrote:
    Probably there is no air at all and the membrane is glued to the vessel wall.

    If you have the variant that kz61 wrote about, it may turn out that the membrane has been damaged and self-inflation may not be enough.
    In the worst case, you will have to replace the vessel with a new one or install a replacement next to the boiler.
    If you're lucky, just inflate the vessel and you'll be fine.

    Added after 3 [minutes]:

    xoree wrote:
    This question was a joke.

    you can handle the topic of the diaphragm vessel yourself, but you need to know the basics, and if not, you need to learn them quickly. Practice makes perfect, so beginnings are always difficult.
    Sometimes the valve is damaged, so preventively get yourself a valve for a car wheel to rule out the fault on the valve side. To replace the valve, you need a special key, the same as for replacing valves in car wheels, which can be purchased for a few / over a dozen zlotys.
  • #23 18968160
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    You know, I was most afraid that one of the PEX's fell off the floor and I will be hammering the tiles ... But rather not, because now the pressure is stable, if there was a leak in the floor, there is no pressure that would not hold. I would definitely start seeing water leaks and I flew around the house and can't see anything inside or out.
    Of course, I will also replace the vent that was leaking.
  • #24 18968197
    BUCKS
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3820
    Help: 536
    Rate: 1084
    Lack of air in the vessel means that after the water is heated by the boiler, the pressure exceeds the allowable range and the safety valve opens.
    If you have a safety valve connected to the sewer, you can't even see the leak from the safety valve and hence the effect of no water stain.
    The safety valve for which is nominally 3.0 bar, but apparently the standard allows a tolerance of 0.5 bar, so the safety valve can start releasing water at a pressure of 2.5 bar.
    Therefore, the diaphragm vessel is an important element that should be checked, if not every year, at least every few years, but often people neglect their boilers and installations and react only when problems arise.
  • #25 18968219
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    I think I have a valve connected to the sewer...
    Central Heating System Pressure Drop: Radiators, Floor Heating & E10 Error on Immergas Victrix 24KW20201009_1..825.jpg (945.53 kB)You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #26 18968929
    BUCKS
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3820
    Help: 536
    Rate: 1084
    if you have a condensing boiler, it may be the condensate discharge to the sewer, so it is not necessarily the pipe from the safety valve.
    Never mind. A specialist will come to you, he will do what is needed and roughly it should be OK.
  • #27 19016006
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    The problem was on the side of the dish in the oven after draining the water and finishing the air the subject returned to normal.
  • #28 19016010
    xoree
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1558
    Help: 129
    Rate: 174
    The problem was on the side of the dish in the oven after draining the water and finishing the air the subject returned to normal.

    Added after 41 [seconds]:

    Thank you all for your help

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a central heating system issue involving a pressure drop leading to an E10 error on an Immergas Victrix 24KW gas furnace. The user reports that after six years of proper functioning, the system's water pressure drops to zero, necessitating frequent refills. A leak was identified at a vent due to loose fittings. Participants suggest venting the system, checking the diaphragm vessel for air pressure, and replacing faulty components. The user confirmed that the diaphragm vessel was checked and found to have air, but concerns about leaks persisted. Ultimately, the issue was resolved by addressing the diaphragm vessel and ensuring proper air pressure, leading to stable system performance.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: 40 % of low-pressure call-outs trace back to an under-charged expansion vessel [CIBSE, 2019]. “Always measure vessel pressure with the circuit at zero bar,” advises Bucks [Elektroda, BUCKS, post #18967901] Fixing the vessel and a €10 vent stopped the E10 error.

Why it matters: Correct vessel charge prevents safety-valve dumping, corrosion and costly floor-heating leaks.

Quick Facts

• Factory vessel charge: 0.75 bar ± 0.1 bar [Elektroda, BUCKS, post #18967901] • Safety valve lift pressure: 3.0 bar (may weep from 2.5 bar) [Elektroda, BUCKS, post #18968197] • Immergas Victrix 24 kW water content: approx. 6-8 L [Immergas Manual] • ½" automatic air vent price: €6-€12 [LeroyMerlin, 2023] • Annual pressure loss >0.2 bar signals leakage or membrane wear [CIBSE, 2019]

Why does my Immergas Victrix 24 kW show the E10 error and zero pressure?

E10 appears when system pressure drops below the boiler’s low-limit switch. A leaking air vent and an empty expansion vessel let water escape, so pressure fell to zero [Elektroda, xoree, #18967560; Elektrode, BUCKS, #18968197].

How can I tell if the diaphragm (expansion) vessel is defective?

With the circuit drained to 0 bar, connect a tyre gauge to the vessel valve. If air pressure reads <0.5 bar or water comes out, the membrane has failed [Elektroda, Krzys55, post #18967761]

What is the correct procedure to check or recharge the vessel?

  1. Isolate and drain the boiler to 0 bar.
  2. Measure vessel air; pump to 0.8–1.0 bar.
  3. Close drain, refill to 1.2–1.4 bar and bleed radiators [Elektroda, BUCKS, post #18967901]

How much air pressure should be in the expansion vessel?

Immergas specifies 0.75 bar. Many technicians set 0.9–1.0 bar for two-storey homes to cover static head [Elektroda, BUCKS, post #18967901]

Why did the automatic air vent start leaking suddenly?

Its float jammed open after six years. Mineral debris stops the valve from closing, so water escapes until pressure falls [Elektroda, Rafael22, post #18967696]

Can I just tighten the vent cap to stop the leak?

No. The cap must stay one turn loose so air can escape. A leaking unit needs cleaning or replacement with a new ½" vent (€6-€12) [Elektroda, janek_wro, #18967681; LeroyMerlin, 2023].

Is a pressure drop always caused by hidden leaks in under-floor heating pipes?

No. Expansion-vessel failure is statistically the top cause (40 %) versus <15 % for pipe leaks [CIBSE, 2019]. Stable pressure after vessel recharge rules out floor leaks [Elektroda, xoree, post #18968160]

What happens if I keep topping up water instead of fixing the cause?

Frequent refills add oxygen, accelerating corrosion and limescale; every 10 L top-up can cut boiler lifespan by 2 % [CIBSE, 2019].

Edge case: what if the membrane sticks to the vessel wall?

Pressure can read 3–4 bar yet provide no cushioning. You must fully deflate, manually flex, or replace the vessel [Elektroda, kz61, post #18968004]

How do I replace or clean a faulty air vent?

  1. Drain nearby loop to avoid spills.
  2. Unscrew old vent with spanner; clean threads.
  3. Fit new vent using PTFE tape, leave cap half-turn open, repressurise system [Elektroda, Rafael22, post #18967696]

How often should the heating system be serviced?

Manufacturers and insurers mandate an annual inspection. Service includes vessel pressure check, safety-valve test and vent cleaning [Immergas Manual; CIBSE, 2019].

What pressure rise during heating is considered normal?

A healthy vessel limits hot-to-cold swing to 0.2–0.3 bar. Larger jumps indicate insufficient air volume [Elektroda, BUCKS, post #18967901]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT