High Temp Error Repair for Your Tuttnauer EZ10 Autoclave

This article is a revamp of an existing article we have from 2019, which you can find here if you want to read it. 

When it comes to all of the maintenance and error codes for your autoclave, sometimes it can be hard to digest as quickly. Not that it’s hard to understand, but more so that everybody loves easy, convenient and digestible guides to help you. Taking apart the professional stylings of the manual and put it in layman’s terms. So in this article, we’re going to help break down the process of a Heat Temp error for your Tuttnauer EZ10 autoclave. The definition of this error and every other error or fault you may run into can be found in the official manual you can read here on our website. 

We also have a video to watch if you’re more of a visual learner here. And if you just want to talk to someone for any questions you may have, call our Free Tech Support at 704-966-1650 Option 3. 

Getting Into the Error

Keep in mind that this error fix can be used to treat errors on all Class E Tuttnauer autoclaves. This including the EZ9 and EZ10 models. However, this fix comes directly from the Technicians Manual for these autoclaves. Meaning, this is not something any end-user can just pick it up and get it done properly. You can follow along with the video linked above. Or if you prefer to take your guidance from the manual itself, you can find that here. The current error we will be covering is located in this manual’s pages 59 and 60. 

The Error 

High Temperature Message Is Displayed

Refers to temperature in the Chamber after the sterilization temperature has been reached. If temperature rises 9° F above the required sterilization temperature the cycle will be aborted.

This message can ALSO indicate a bad Temperature Sensor – the message will display anytime during the heat up phase. If this happens, replace the Temperature Sensor.

Reason #1: The first reason this high-temp error could be occurring is simple, lack of water in the chamber. The problem of insufficient water in and of itself can also have a few things that can be causing it. It could be that your water pump is damaged and/or not working, and isn’t getting the proper amount of water needed to the chamber. 

Solution: Inspect the water pump and assess if it needs to be maintained or replaced. If so, replace the water pump.

Reason #2: A valve somewhere could be clogged, causing the the machine to push the water back into the reservoir when under pressure. But not to worry, we have a fix for this. 

Solution: Start by emptying the reservoir of any water that’s remaining inside of it. This can be done by opening the door and looking for the knob on the bottom left of the frame, near the opening of the chamber. Unscrewing the knob there will drain the water inside, preferably into a disposal device of your choice. Or you could take the shortcut and use a shop-vac and just… suck the rest out. Your choice. 

Now we have to remove the cover, or preferably just the back plate to access the valve we need. In any other case, the entire cover would need to be removed, but not this time. We have a video here to properly demonstrate how to accomplish this. 

Once the back cover is removed, you should see a black solenoid and valve with a silver bolt on top. This is your vent valve, clogged, in need of a fix. To do this, take an adjustable wrench and take the top bolt off. this will allow you to remove the solenoid on top of our valve. Now the bolt to our valve plunger is visible. Grab either a 7/8 wrench or your adjustable wrench and unscrew it. If it becomes too difficult to remove, call a service expert, because you DO NOT want to break this. 

Should you remove it, now you can see the tip of the plunger on the piece currently in your hand, and the hole it sits on to seal. Things can sometimes get stuck between the plunger or the hole. Or in the case of older autoclaves, the hole can corrode away if not properly looked after. Inspect the plunger and the hole to see if any gunk needs to be removed. Should you have to do that, once it’s done you can reinstall the plunger and solenoid. Before that though, double check that your plunger can move as it’s supposed to, and that its O-ring is still attached. 

Making sure not to cross-thread the plunger, you can hand-turn it as far as it’ll go back in, then use your wrench to tighten it carefully. Don’t over-tighten the bolt, as it can shift the whole valve body. Then the solenoid just goes back on top, and putting its bolt back on the same way, you’ll be finished! 

You’ve fixed your High Temp error and your Tuttnauer autoclave is ready for its next full cycle. But if you have any more questions about anything Tuttnauer-related and more, call our Free Tech Support at 704-966-1650 Option 3.