What E160 means on a Potterton boiler
E160 means the boiler has a problem with its fan or the wiring that connects the fan to the controls. Every Potterton user guide in our sources gives it the same description, "Fan or Fan Wiring Fault": the Promax Combi HE Plus A guide (UK Comp No 5114443, section 5.3), the Gold Combi 24, 28 and 33 guide, the Promax Ultra Combi 24 to 40 guide and the Assure Combi 25 and 30 guide (reference 7685721). Because the description is identical across old and new ranges, the meaning does not change with the age of the boiler, only the way it appears on the screen.
The Gold Combi and Promax HE Plus A guides group E160 with E20, E28, E50 and E125 as codes that "indicate faulty components". They do not tell the user to reset these codes. Their instruction is to note the code and call your installer or service engineer. That tells you how Potterton itself views E160: it is not a nuisance lockout like a gas supply interruption, and repeated resetting is not the answer.
How E160 appears on each Potterton range
| Boiler | What you see | What the user guide says to do |
|---|---|---|
| Promax Combi HE Plus A, older Promax combis | "E1" alternating with "60" | Note the code, contact your installer or service engineer |
| Gold Combi 24, 28, 33 | "E1" alternating with "60" | Same: listed as a faulty component code |
| Promax Ultra Combi 24, 28, 33, 40 | 160 with a symbol | Reset only if the R symbol shows; spanner means call for help |
| Assure Combi 25, 30 | 160 with a symbol | Same: R can be reset by the user, spanner cannot |
The alternating display on older models explains why people search for "E1 60". The screen shows two characters at a time, so a three digit code is split in half. Write down exactly what you see, including any symbol beside the number.
What sits behind the code: the fan and its wiring
A modern Potterton combi is a room sealed condensing boiler. A fan draws in air for the burner and pushes the waste gases out through the flue, and the control board will not open the gas valve until it is satisfied the fan is doing its job. When the board cannot confirm that, it locks out with E160. So the code covers three areas, and only an engineer can tell which one is at fault:
The fan itself
The fan runs every time the boiler fires, which on a combi can be dozens of times a day. Wear shows up as a new whine, rattle or grinding noise when the boiler starts, and eventually as a fan that slows or stops.
The wiring and plugs between fan and board
The code name specifically includes the wiring. A plug that has worked loose, a damaged lead or a corroded terminal can cut the fan off from the board even when the fan is healthy. This kind of fault often comes and goes before it becomes permanent.
The board that drives the fan
If the fan and wiring test correctly, the engineer will turn to the printed circuit board (PCB) that powers the fan and reads its signal.
Safe checks before you call
- Check the fused spur next to the boiler is switched on, and that the rest of the house has power.
- Look at the display. On an Assure or Promax Ultra, note whether the R symbol or the spanner symbol is next to 160.
- If the R symbol is showing, press Reset once. The Assure guide says to press it for about one second and warns that holding it for more than two seconds will not reset the boiler. Do not try more than two or three times in total.
- On a Promax HE Plus A or Gold, follow the guide: note the code and call, rather than resetting over and over.
- When the boiler tries to start, listen from outside the casing for noises that are new. Do not open it.
- Look under the boiler for drips or a damp patch, as water near the fan is worth mentioning.
Never take the casing off to look at or spin the fan. It is part of the sealed combustion system, and a disturbed seal can let flue gases into the room. Keep a working carbon monoxide alarm near the boiler, and if you smell gas call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
What a Gas Safe engineer will do
A Gas Safe registered engineer will normally check the supply to the fan, test whether the fan turns at the right speed when asked to, inspect the leads and plugs, and then test the board if the first two pass. If a new fan is fitted, they should check the combustion with a flue gas analyser before leaving, because the fan affects how cleanly the boiler burns.
Tell them the full code, the model name on the front panel, whether the fault comes and goes or is constant, and any noise you heard beforehand. Potterton is part of Baxi Heating UK, so if the boiler is still under its manufacturer warranty, contact Baxi before booking anyone else.
Typical repair costs in the UK
| Job | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Engineer call-out and diagnosis | Typically £60 to £150 |
| Fan wiring or plug repair (minor repair) | Typically £100 to £180 |
| Fan replacement | Typically £200 to £400 |
| PCB replacement, fitted | Typically £250 to £550 |
Our guide to boiler fan replacement costs explains what affects the price of the part and the labour.
Is it worth repairing an older Potterton with E160?
On an Assure or Promax Ultra, a fan or wiring repair is usually straightforward value. The question is harder on a Promax HE Plus A or Gold Combi that has had several repairs already, especially if the engineer finds both the fan and the board need replacing. Ask for a combined price and an honest view on the rest of the boiler before you agree. If the boiler has also been showing ignition faults such as Potterton E133, mention it, as it changes the picture. The same fault on Baxi boilers is covered on our Baxi E160 page, and the Potterton hub lists every Potterton code we cover.