---
title: "Rational Service 40: the iCareSystem is short of care liquid"
description: "What Service 40 means on Rational Service 40: the iCareSystem is short of care liquids, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all."
url: "https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-40/"
---

# Rational Service 40: the iCareSystem is short of care liquid

On an iCombi Pro with the automatic dosing version of the iCareSystem, care liquid protects the steam generator from scale.

## What Service 40 actually means.

On an iCombi Pro with the automatic dosing version of the iCareSystem, care liquid protects the steam generator from scale. Service 40 reports that the amount it drew was too low. Rational lists cooking as possible.

Rational commercial appliance display · also shown as 40

What to do when Service 40 shows on the commercial appliance

### Kind of code Water, fill and drain

Water is not arriving, not reaching its level, not heating or not leaving on time. A dish machine may be short of fill because a supply valve is half closed or its line strainer is clogged, it may drain slowly through a scrap basket full of debris, or its booster may be too scaled to heat the rinse; a combi's steam generator may be scaled or its water treatment exhausted; a washer-extractor may time out on a slow drain. Opening the supply valve, cleaning strainers with the unit off and checking the drain line are fair; a pump, a fill valve, a heater or a leak near wiring is a visit.

### Usually leads to Dish machine repair

Undercounter, door-type and conveyor dish machines: tank heaters, boosters, wash pumps, fill and drain valves.

### Shows up as Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display

A commercial appliance error code appears as letters or numbers on a combi, fryer, reach-in controller, dish machine or laundry machine display, or as a flashing light or an alarm tone.

### Make Rational

A Rational visit is timed after the evening cleaning cycle, when the cabinet is cool and the display can be read without a load inside.

### Source RATIONAL iCombi Pro floor units 20-1/1 and 20-2/1, original instructions for use (US English)

Listed in the error message tables of the iCombi Pro floor unit instructions for use (models 20-1/1 and 20-2/1, US English edition).

## Before you book, in this order.

Each step comes from Rational's own guidance for Service 40 on its commercial appliances. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit.

01

Look at the care product container or cartridge and swap it when it is empty or close to it.

02

Make sure the suction line sits properly in the container and is not kinked.

03

If the container is full and Service 40 keeps appearing, book a visit to have the dosing checked.

### Still there?

It usually turns into [dish machine repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/dish-machine-repair/). Book with the code and the model number.

### What not to do

Service 40 is not a water supply problem; low water during cleaning is Service 25. It also does not mean the steam generator is already scaled, though running without care liquid for long makes that more likely.

## What you may notice with it.

The commercial appliance problems Service 40 tends to arrive with. Answer these at the commercial appliance before anyone is booked.

[All problems](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/)

Before you call

### [Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/)

[All 8 causes, cheapest first](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/)

It also comes with

- [**Combi Oven Steam Problem: Weak Steam, Scale or a Dry Cavity**](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/combi-oven-steam-problem/)

Problem

### Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display

8 causes, cheapest first

Where Service 40 usually leads

## Dish machine repair.

**Dish machine tank heater or booster element, thermostat, fill valve, float switch, drain valve, wash pump seal or motor, conveyor drive · moderate.**

Book a visit [What the job involves](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/dish-machine-repair/)

## Rational commercial appliances.

A Rational visit is timed after the evening cleaning cycle, when the cabinet is cool and the display can be read without a load inside.

[Rational commercial appliance repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/brands/rational/)

More Rational codes

[Service 10](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-10/) [Service 11](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-11/) [Service 20.1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-20-1/) [Service 25](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-25/) [Service 28.2](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-28-2/) [Service 29](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-29/) [Service 31.1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-31-1/) [Service 32.1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-32-1/) [Service 41](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-41/) [Service 42.1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-42-1/) [Service 47.1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-47-1/) [Service 50](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-50/)

[All 15 Rational codes](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#codes-rational)

Water, fill and drain on other makes

[Alto-Shaam E01](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/alto-shaam-e01/) [Blodgett Water Level Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/blodgett-water-level-error/) [Cleveland LOW WATER light](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/cleveland-low-water-light/) [Dexter F2](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f2/) [Frymaster E33](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/frymaster-e33/) [Hatco LO H2O](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/hatco-lo-h2o/) [Hobart 019](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/hobart-019/) [Miele Professional F18](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/miele-professional-f18/)

[All 43 codes of this kind](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#family-water)

Rational builds this

### Commercial cooking equipment

Fryers, griddles, charbroilers, restaurant ranges, convection and combi ovens, steamers, kettles, holding cabinets and toasters, on gas or electric, that make up the hot side of a kitchen line.

## In Rational's own words

> The quantity of care liquid required by the iCareSystem is too low.

[RATIONAL iCombi Pro floor units 20-1/1 and 20-2/1, original instructions for use (US English)](https://hcms.rational-online.com/hcms/v1.7/entity/documents/155435/storage/MTU1NDM1LzAvbWFzdGVyLy8vMTAxNTcwMzIw/download/manual_original_instruction_icombi_pro_20-1_1,_20-2_1_english_usa.pdf) [RATIONAL iCombi Pro floor units 20-1/1 and 20-2/1, original instructions for use (US English)](https://hcms.rational-online.com/hcms/v1.7/entity/documents/155435/storage/MTU1NDM1LzAvbWFzdGVyLy8vMTAxNTcwMzIw/download/manual_original_instruction_icombi_pro_20-1_1,_20-2_1_english_usa.pdf)

Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Listed in the error message tables of the iCombi Pro floor unit instructions for use (models 20-1/1 and 20-2/1, US English edition).

## Rational Service 40 commercial appliance repair, where we come out.

The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered.

[All service areas](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/)

[Tampa Bay](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas

- [Hyde Park](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/)
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For the heart of your home.

## Questions about Service 40.

### Can I clear Service 40 myself?

Look at the care product container or cartridge and swap it when it is empty or close to it. If it comes back, it needs a visit.

### Can I cook on a Rational with Service 40?

Yes. Rational lists cooking as possible; top up or swap the care product so the steam generator stays protected.

### Why does Service 40 appear with a full care container on my Rational?

The liquid may not be reaching the oven, for example through a kinked or loose suction line. If the line looks fine, the dosing pump needs a technician.

### What happens if I ignore Service 40 on a Rational?

The steam generator loses its scale protection. Watch the care status indicator; red means heavy limescale buildup.

---

**[Read on the site: Rational Service 40: the iCareSystem is short of care liquid](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/rational-service-40/)**

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