Bosch E13
Drain Too Long
Medium severityExpert Guide
SeverityMedium
What Your Machine Is Actually Telling You
E13 (sometimes E:13) is Bosch's drain failure code. The board activated the drain pump but the pressure switch didn't register a water level drop within about 5 minutes (Bosch uses a shorter timeout than many brands).
How Bosch draining works: After the wash or rinse phase, the board powers the drain pump — a small impeller motor that pushes water through the drain hose. Bosch uses the pressure switch to confirm water level is decreasing. Some newer Bosch models also have a flow meter on the drain path for additional confirmation.
The coin trap filter: Bosch washers have a debris filter (Flusensieb in German) accessible through a small flap at the bottom-front of the machine. This is the single most important maintenance point on any Bosch washer. Over time, it collects lint, coins, buttons, and debris. Approximately 70% of E13 cases are resolved simply by cleaning this filter — but many owners don't know it exists.
Bosch's engineering note: Bosch recommends cleaning the coin trap filter every 4-6 weeks in the user manual. Very few people actually do this. If you haven't cleaned it since purchasing the machine, there's a very high chance this is your problem.
E13 vs E18: E18 is a more specific Bosch error — it means drainage is taking too long but some water IS flowing. E13 means drainage has essentially stopped. If you see E18, treat it the same way but know the blockage may be partial rather than complete.
How Bosch draining works: After the wash or rinse phase, the board powers the drain pump — a small impeller motor that pushes water through the drain hose. Bosch uses the pressure switch to confirm water level is decreasing. Some newer Bosch models also have a flow meter on the drain path for additional confirmation.
The coin trap filter: Bosch washers have a debris filter (Flusensieb in German) accessible through a small flap at the bottom-front of the machine. This is the single most important maintenance point on any Bosch washer. Over time, it collects lint, coins, buttons, and debris. Approximately 70% of E13 cases are resolved simply by cleaning this filter — but many owners don't know it exists.
Bosch's engineering note: Bosch recommends cleaning the coin trap filter every 4-6 weeks in the user manual. Very few people actually do this. If you haven't cleaned it since purchasing the machine, there's a very high chance this is your problem.
E13 vs E18: E18 is a more specific Bosch error — it means drainage is taking too long but some water IS flowing. E13 means drainage has essentially stopped. If you see E18, treat it the same way but know the blockage may be partial rather than complete.
What You're Probably Seeing Right Now
- The cycle stopped with standing water visible through the door glass.
- You hear the drain pump humming or buzzing but water isn't dropping — the pump works but flow is blocked.
- The pump is completely silent — pump motor has failed.
- Water drained partially — a partial blockage.
- A bad smell from the machine — trapped water behind blocked filter starts to decay.
DIY Fix — From Easiest to Hardest
1
Emergency Drain (5 minutes)
Drain standing water before diagnosing:
1. Open the **small flap** at the bottom-front (push, pull tab, or coin-release depending on model).
2. You'll see the filter cap and usually a **small emergency drain hose.**
3. Pull out the drain hose, uncap, drain into a shallow pan.
4. This takes 3-5 minutes for a full tub. Have multiple containers ready.
**Some Bosch models don't have a separate drain hose** — in that case, lay out towels and very slowly open the filter cap, catching water as it flows out.
1. Open the **small flap** at the bottom-front (push, pull tab, or coin-release depending on model).
2. You'll see the filter cap and usually a **small emergency drain hose.**
3. Pull out the drain hose, uncap, drain into a shallow pan.
4. This takes 3-5 minutes for a full tub. Have multiple containers ready.
**Some Bosch models don't have a separate drain hose** — in that case, lay out towels and very slowly open the filter cap, catching water as it flows out.
2
Clean the Coin Trap Filter — Fixes 70% of E13 (10 minutes)
Once water is drained:
1. **Slowly unscrew the filter cap** counter-clockwise. More water will drip.
2. Pull filter out. Expect: coins, lint, buttons, bobby pins, debris.
3. **Look into the pump housing** — shine a flashlight. Spin the impeller. Should rotate freely.
4. Feel inside the housing for stuck objects.
5. Rinse the filter under hot water with a toothbrush.
6. Check the filter cap **O-ring** — replace if cracked ($5-10).
7. Reinstall hand-tight.
8. **Test with short cycle** and check for leaks around the cap.
**Bosch-specific detail:** Bosch filter housings often have a small drain channel molded into the bottom — make sure this isn't blocked with residue.
1. **Slowly unscrew the filter cap** counter-clockwise. More water will drip.
2. Pull filter out. Expect: coins, lint, buttons, bobby pins, debris.
3. **Look into the pump housing** — shine a flashlight. Spin the impeller. Should rotate freely.
4. Feel inside the housing for stuck objects.
5. Rinse the filter under hot water with a toothbrush.
6. Check the filter cap **O-ring** — replace if cracked ($5-10).
7. Reinstall hand-tight.
8. **Test with short cycle** and check for leaks around the cap.
**Bosch-specific detail:** Bosch filter housings often have a small drain channel molded into the bottom — make sure this isn't blocked with residue.
3
Check the Drain Hose (5 minutes)
1. Pull machine forward.
2. Inspect drain hose for kinks, especially near the wall.
3. Check standpipe insertion depth — max 15cm.
4. Disconnect from standpipe, aim into bucket, run Drain cycle.
5. If water flows freely into bucket — hose and pump are fine; clog is in your plumbing.
2. Inspect drain hose for kinks, especially near the wall.
3. Check standpipe insertion depth — max 15cm.
4. Disconnect from standpipe, aim into bucket, run Drain cycle.
5. If water flows freely into bucket — hose and pump are fine; clog is in your plumbing.
4
Test Your Plumbing — Standpipe Pour Test (3 minutes)
Pour a bucket of water directly into the standpipe.
**Fast drain** = plumbing fine, problem in machine.
**Slow drain** = plumbing clogged — call a plumber.
**Fast drain** = plumbing fine, problem in machine.
**Slow drain** = plumbing clogged — call a plumber.
5
Check the Pump (5 minutes)
If pump is silent:
1. Start a Spin/Drain cycle.
2. Put your ear near the bottom-front — listen for hum or vibration.
3. No sound at all = pump motor dead or wiring issue.
4. Check the pump wiring connector — accessible from behind or below.
**Most common: wiring connector vibrated loose.** Reseat and test.
1. Start a Spin/Drain cycle.
2. Put your ear near the bottom-front — listen for hum or vibration.
3. No sound at all = pump motor dead or wiring issue.
4. Check the pump wiring connector — accessible from behind or below.
**Most common: wiring connector vibrated loose.** Reseat and test.
6
Hard Reset (2 minutes)
After cleaning filter:
1. Unplug 10 minutes.
2. Run short cycle through drain phase.
3. If E13 clears, filter blockage was the cause.
**Success indicator:** Drain should complete in 2-3 minutes, not 5+.
1. Unplug 10 minutes.
2. Run short cycle through drain phase.
3. If E13 clears, filter blockage was the cause.
**Success indicator:** Drain should complete in 2-3 minutes, not 5+.
When to Call a Pro
- •Pump completely silent with good connections — pump motor failed. Replacement: $150-$280.
- •Impeller spins freely without resistance — impeller sheared from shaft. Pump replacement: $150-$280.
- •E13 + E06 together — both drain and leak detect triggered. Professional assessment needed: $80-$150.
- •Standpipe keeps clogging — recurring plumbing issue. Plumber: $100-$200.
What It'll Cost You
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