Baxi E168: fan speed fault on newer Baxi appliances

Practical notes on an E168 fan speed fault

• Fan bearings wear gradually and often fault first under load
• Loose connectors cause an intermittent version of this fault
• A sagging flue run adds resistance the fan cannot compensate for
• Terminal nesting is checked before any internal part is opened
• PCB replacement is considered last, after fan and flue are ruled out

An E168 fan speed fault explained in plain terms

A degrading fan bearing changes speed characteristics gradually, so the fault often appears first under load rather than at cold start. Loose connector pins and chafed wiring loom give an intermittent version that comes and goes with vibration or temperature. Flue restriction from a sagging horizontal run or nesting at the terminal adds resistance the fan cannot overcome at its rated speed.

Where we deal with this

• Warminster (BA12) · 15 mi
• Odd Down (BA2) · 8 mi
• Wells (BA5) · 10 mi
• Westbury (Wiltshire) (BA13) · 13 mi

Questions we get asked

Does E168 always mean a new fan?

No — flue restriction and wiring faults are checked first since they are cheaper and more common causes.

Why does it only happen sometimes?

Vibration-sensitive connectors and load-dependent bearing wear both produce exactly that intermittent pattern.