Remeha E.04.13 Fault Code: Causes, Fixes & Repair Costs
What does the Remeha E.04.13 fault code mean?
The E.04.13 code appears on Remeha boilers when the control system detects that the fan is not behaving as expected. This could mean the fan is not spinning freely, is running erratically, or is operating at an unexpectedly high speed. Because the fan is responsible for moving combustion gases safely out through the flue, any deviation from normal behaviour triggers an automatic safety lockout — the boiler will refuse to fire for heating or hot water until the underlying problem is resolved and the fault is cleared. The '04' portion of the code identifies this as a fan and airflow subsystem fault, while '13' points to the specific condition of irregular or over-speed fan operation.
General guidance only — not a substitute for professional advice, and not certified by a Gas Safe engineer. Always have your specific appliance assessed by a qualified professional. Any gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.
Common causes
- Fan blade blocked or dirty Common
Dust, debris, or a foreign object lodged in the fan assembly can prevent the blades from spinning freely, causing the fan to run erratically or stall. This is the single most common reason this code appears, particularly on older boilers or those that haven't been serviced recently.
- Worn or failing fan motor bearings Common
Over time the bearings inside the fan motor deteriorate, leading to noisy, uneven, or over-speed operation as the motor struggles to maintain consistent rotation. This is more likely on boilers that are several years old.
- Poor or corroded electrical connection to the fan Sometimes
The fan receives its speed signal and power via a wiring loom connected to the PCB. A loose plug, corroded terminal, or damaged wire can cause the PCB to receive erratic feedback from the fan, triggering the lockout even if the fan itself is mechanically sound.
- Flue or air intake obstruction Sometimes
A blocked flue terminal or restricted air intake — caused by leaves, bird nesting material, ice, or nearby overgrown vegetation — can place excessive back-pressure on the fan, forcing it to work harder and potentially over-speed. The boiler interprets this as a fan fault.
- PCB fault sending incorrect signals Rare
In less common cases the PCB itself may be outputting incorrect speed commands to the fan motor or misreading the tachometer signal coming back from the fan, making a healthy fan appear faulty. This is usually only confirmed after the fan and wiring have already been ruled out.
- Burnt-out fan motor windings Rare
A complete motor failure due to burnt-out windings will prevent the fan from running at all or cause it to run far outside its designed speed range. This typically presents alongside unusual smells or a visible lack of fan movement.
How to fix it
- Check that your gas supply is working DIY safe
Turn on a gas hob burner or check another gas appliance in your home. If nothing is working, the issue is with the gas supply rather than the boiler — contact your gas supplier. If gas is available elsewhere, move on to the next step.
- Check the condensate pipe for freezing (in cold weather) DIY safe
In freezing temperatures, the condensate pipe that runs outside your home can ice up, causing a different fault that sometimes accompanies a lockout. If the pipe feels solid, you can carefully pour warm (not boiling) water over the frozen section to thaw it. This step is only relevant if temperatures have been at or below zero.
- Reset the boiler once DIY safe
Locate the reset button on your Remeha boiler — typically a flame symbol on the display panel — and hold it for a few seconds. If the boiler fires up and runs normally, monitor it closely. If it locks out again with E.04.13, do not keep resetting it; repeated resets will not fix the underlying fault and may mask useful diagnostic information for the engineer.
- Check the flue terminal outside your property DIY safe
If you can safely see the external flue outlet (usually on a wall or roof), check visually that it is not obviously blocked by leaves, a bird's nest, or ice. Do not attempt to poke anything into the flue or dismantle any part of it — simply report what you see to the engineer.
- Engineer to inspect, clean, and test the fan assembly Gas Safe engineer
A Gas Safe registered engineer will remove the fan assembly and inspect the blades for dirt, debris, or physical damage. A thorough clean can resolve the fault if the fan motor itself is still healthy. The engineer will also spin-test the fan to confirm it moves freely without any grinding or resistance.
- Engineer to check all wiring and electrical connections to the fan Gas Safe engineer
The engineer will inspect the fan wiring loom, connectors, and the plug at the PCB for signs of corrosion, looseness, or heat damage. A poor connection can produce intermittent tachometer readings that trigger this code, and re-seating or replacing a connector is a relatively low-cost fix.
- Engineer to test fan speed and tachometer signal Gas Safe engineer
Using diagnostic equipment or the boiler's own service mode, the engineer will confirm whether the fan is operating within its designed speed range and whether the speed feedback signal reaching the PCB is accurate. This distinguishes a genuine fan fault from a wiring or PCB signal issue.
- Engineer to replace the fan if required Gas Safe engineer
If the motor bearings are worn, the windings are burnt out, or the fan cannot be cleaned to a satisfactory standard, the engineer will fit a replacement fan unit. Given labour costs, full replacement is usually more economical than attempting motor repair on older units.
- Engineer to assess the PCB if the fan tests satisfactory Gas Safe engineer
Should the fan and all associated wiring check out correctly, the engineer will investigate whether the PCB is generating incorrect speed commands or misinterpreting the tachometer signal. PCB testing and potential replacement is a specialist task requiring proper diagnostic tools.
- Call a Gas Safe registered engineer if the boiler has not already been attended to Gas Safe engineer
The E.04.13 fault will not resolve itself and cannot legally or safely be repaired by anyone who is not Gas Safe registered. Contact a registered engineer, mention the exact fault code, and ask them to note it before carrying out any work. You can verify Gas Safe registration at gassaferegister.co.uk.
Parts you may need
- Boiler fan and motor assembly (Remeha) · from £130
- Fan wiring harness / loom · from £25
- PCB (printed circuit board) · from £280
The exact spare depends on your boiler's GC number (on the data badge). Check this against the part before buying.
Typical repair cost
Expect to pay roughly £150–£375, depending on the underlying cause.
Frequently asked questions
Is E.04.13 dangerous — do I need to leave the house?
The boiler has shut itself down safely, so there is no immediate danger. You do not need to evacuate. However, you should not attempt to bypass the lockout or repeatedly reset the boiler, and the fault must be properly diagnosed by a Gas Safe engineer before normal use resumes.
How much does it cost to fix a Remeha E.04.13 fan fault in the UK?
If a simple clean or a loose connection resolves the issue, you might pay £150–£200 including the call-out and labour. A full fan replacement typically comes to £225–£375 all-in, covering parts and labour. If the PCB also turns out to be faulty, the PCB component alone can add £250–£400 on top of that — though a combined fan-and-PCB failure is uncommon. Most homeowners with this specific code end up paying in the £200–£350 range.
Can I reset a Remeha E.04.13 fault myself?
Yes, you can attempt a single reset using the reset button on the boiler's control panel. If the boiler fires up and stays running, keep an eye on it over the next day or two. If it locks out again with the same code, stop resetting it — the underlying fault needs a Gas Safe engineer to inspect and repair. Repeated resets without a fix will not clear the fault and can wear components further.
My Remeha boiler is over 10 years old and has this fan fault — is it worth repairing?
Remeha boilers are generally well-built and can last 15 years or more with good servicing. If yours is 10–12 years old and only needs a fan replacement, repair usually makes financial sense. However, if the boiler has already had several repairs, is approaching the 15-year mark, or requires both a fan and a PCB, getting a replacement boiler quote alongside the repair quote is sensible — a new A-rated boiler could save on energy bills and avoid further call-outs in the near term.