Washing machine broken after using the instructions!

hdunni

I have had my Zanussi washing machine for two years so is out of its warrenty. Anyway, I lost a button in the wash and thought that I would remove the filter at the bottom to find it. Having never done this on this machine I got out the manual to check what to do. It said that after draining the water to remove the filter cover to clean and there are several pictures illustrating the procedure. It shows to remove the filter cover by turning clockwise which I did but it wouldn't move, so on double checking I got both hands around it and gave it some welly.....Crack! The plastic cover is now broken rendering the machine unuseable.

I phoned up Zanussi and told them about this and said it is my fault as it should be turned anticlockwise, yet I told them the diagram for undoing this clearly shows a clockwise arrow. He told me as they hand't written this down in the text the diagrams are just an illustration!!!! I did ask then what happens for the poor person who cannot read and relies on the diagrams for which he said he couldn't comment further on this matter , argghh.

Now I have a machine with a 'jammed on' and broken filter cover that cannot be used with 7 month old twins and a toddler who produce alot of washing. Zanussi will not help or compensate me for the cost to get someone out to repair and replace the damaged part. As their instruction then and now are incorrect do I have any way to claim this money back without it costing me to do so, big company and little people scenario?

Would be grateful for any words of advice as money is tight for us.

nomoneytoday

Can you buy a replacement part at your cost?
I would imagine a plastic cover not being too expensive

PHYTHIAN

Is this what you're after??

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sp-2-10057-74604-filter-cover-round-zanussi.asp

Seem to have a few bits and bobs....good luck

neilmcl

What model is it?

hdunni

Thank you for your advice, we have managed to remove the filter cap and have ordered a new part for about £14. I was so miffed with the Zanussi helpline as they won't admit that the instructions are wrong only ambiguous, arggh! The model is ZWF16070W1 so is a current machine.