Error E160

Safety precautions:

- If you smell gas, evacuate the property immediately and call the gas emergency number. Do not attempt any checks.

- Do not open the boiler casing or attempt to remove or replace the fan yourself. Internal work on gas appliances must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

- You can and should isolate the boiler electrical supply at the fused spur before any basic reset attempts.

Initial homeowner checks you can safely do:

1. Note any displayed messages and whether the code is steady or flashing. Try a single reset as described in the boiler manual: isolate power at the fused spur for 30 seconds, restore power and see if the boiler attempts to restart. If E160 returns, further checks are needed.

2. Listen for fan noise when the boiler tries to start (pump noise followed by fan). If you hear only the pump and no air-moving noise, the fan may not be running.

3. Check the external flue terminal for obvious blockages (bird nest, leaves, heavy ice). Do not insert objects into the flue—only visually inspect and clear small external obstructions if safe to do so.

4. Check boiler water pressure and that basic supplies (gas meter credit, other gas appliances) seem normal. These are not common causes of E160 but are worth confirming.

5. Record any unusual noises (grinding, knocking) or signs of water ingress/corrosion around the boiler casing—these are useful details for the engineer.

Diagnostic and fix steps that a qualified engineer will perform (do not attempt yourself):

1. Isolate electrical supply, gas and water before opening the boiler. Follow manufacturer guidance.

2. Remove the casing and visually inspect the fan assembly, harness connectors, tach sensor, and wiring for signs of heat damage, corrosion, rodent chewing, or water ingress.

3. Check continuity of the fan harness and earthing, and measure voltages/signals from the main PCB to the fan connector while commanding the boiler to start. Compare to manufacturer values.

4. Confirm whether the fan motor spins when supplied, and if the fan’s internal electronics/tachometer provide the expected feedback. Bench-test the fan if needed.

5. If the fan motor, fan electronics, or harness is faulty, replace the complete fan assembly with the correct OEM part. Replace gaskets/seals and ensure injector and sensing pipe locations are correctly refitted where applicable.

6. If wiring and fan are OK, test the main PCB outputs; replace or repair PCB if it is not supplying correct drive signals.

7. After parts replacement, reassemble using correct seals, restore gas and electrical supplies, and carry out safe commissioning: run the boiler, confirm fan operation and stable combustion, and perform flue gas/exhaust checks as required by the manufacturer and Gas Safe practice.

8. Clear the fault and monitor for reoccurrence; record the repair and advise homeowner on service intervals.

Final note:

- E160 is a safety-related fan/fan-wiring fault. While you can do basic external checks and a single reset, do not open the boiler or attempt to replace parts yourself. Contact a Gas Safe registered heating engineer to diagnose and repair the fault and to carry out the necessary safety and combustion tests. Annual servicing by a qualified engineer reduces the likelihood of this and other faults.