Error E160

Safety precautions:

1. If you smell gas, leave the property immediately, avoid operating electrical switches, open windows/doors, and call the gas emergency number from a safe location. Do not attempt any repairs.

2. Turn off the boiler electrical supply at the isolator before doing any visual checks near the appliance. Do not remove the boiler casing or attempt internal repairs unless you are a qualified Gas Safe engineer.

3. If you have symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure (headache, nausea, dizziness), get fresh air and seek immediate help. Make sure you have a working CO alarm installed.

Initial checks a homeowner can safely do:

1. Note the error exactly (E160) and any flashing pattern or lights. Record when it happens (on demand for heat, hot water, intermittent).

2. Reset the boiler: switch off the boiler at the isolator or use the reset function, wait ~30 seconds, then restore power and try to restart. A reset can clear a temporary fault but will not fix an underlying fan or wiring failure.

3. Check that the boiler has power: confirm the isolator/fuse is on and any external timers/room thermostat are calling for heat. Check that the household fuse for the boiler is intact.

4. Check gas supply at other appliances (does the hob or gas fire work?) to rule out a total gas supply failure. Do not turn gas valves inside the boiler on/off yourself.

5. Visually inspect external vents and the flue outlet for obvious blockages (birds’ nests, debris) and ensure the area around the boiler and its air intake is clear.

6. Listen to the boiler when it attempts to fire: you should normally hear the fan spin. If you hear nothing or grinding/scraping noises, note that for the engineer.

7. Check system water pressure (visible gauge on the boiler) and top up per the manual only if you know how; extremely low pressure can cause other faults, but E160 is fan-related so pressure is a secondary check.

8. Document any symptoms (noises, when fault occurs, recent works, water leaks) to give to the engineer.

If E160 remains after the safe checks and reset: call a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Do not continue to reset repeatedly as a long-term solution.

What a qualified engineer will check and do (diagnostic and fix steps performed by a professional):

1. Isolate and make the boiler safe, then remove the casing to access the fan and wiring.

2. Visually inspect the fan assembly, harness, and connectors for water damage, corrosion, rodent chewing, burnt connectors, or loose plugs.

3. Manually check the fan for seizure or physical obstruction and inspect bearings for wear.

4. Use appropriate test equipment (multimeter/oscilloscope/tachometer) to check wiring continuity, supply voltages from the PCB to the fan, and the fan’s speed feedback signal. Compare readings with manufacturer specifications.

5. Inspect the boiler control PCB for faults and voltages; confirm the PCB is commanding the fan correctly. Test related components such as the air pressure switch and flue path if needed.

6. Clean or remove any debris if blockage is present and determine whether cleaning will restore reliable operation.

7. If the fan motor, internal fan electronics, or harness is faulty, replace the fan assembly and any damaged wiring with manufacturer-approved parts.

8. After replacement/repair, the engineer will reassemble, run combustion and safety checks (including gas tightness and flue/CO checks where applicable), check modulation across operating ranges, and confirm the boiler is commissioned to safe operating standards.

9. Provide you with a clear report of work done and any recommendations for further action or preventative maintenance.

Final advice: E160 is a fan or wiring fault that can often only be properly fixed and safely tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt to replace the fan or bypass safety systems yourself. Arrange professional servicing and mention the E160 code and any observations you have made (noises, smells, recent leaks) to help the engineer diagnose the fault quickly.