Zanussi washing machine redesign - no drain filter

patricia1066

I have been getting the runaround by Electrolux today, with two different CS people reading me a manual they assure me relates to my washing machine, but when it is emailed to me it is a different model with a drain filter accessible in the drum.

My new Zanussi washing machine seems to have no drain filter, so now that its a week old and has had a towel wash, the fluff is being transferred to my sheets.

I have just emailed Dixons online as the retailer, asking them to advise me of my options. I have told them I would accept a refund if there is no filter fitted.

wealdroam

patricia1066 wrote: »

I have been getting the runaround by Electrolux today, with two different CS people reading me a manual they assure me relates to my washing machine, but when it is emailed to me it is a different model with a drain filter accessible in the drum.

My new Zanussi washing machine seems to have no drain filter, so now that its a week old and has had a towel wash, the fluff is being transferred to my sheets.

I have just emailed Dixons online as the retailer, asking them to advise me of my options. I have told them I would accept a refund if there is no filter fitted.

Is this the manual they have sent you?
Page 19 does show the filter accessible throught the drum.

If your machine does not have that facility, how about going to a retailer and asking them to show you the filter on one of their showroom machines?
Comet and Currys both seem to sell this model.

patricia1066

Yes that's the manual I received by email for ZWH6120, the paper manual I received does not have the relevant drain filter instructions.

Hmm, even if Comet has only the 6120 model at least I will get a chance to compare models, so not a bad idea. I do not expect salesmen to actually know how to clean the drain filter of a washing machine they are selling though I could be surprised . Not when WMs change design annually and I imagine their training in white goods is sketchy.

Electrolux are convinced my model does have an accessible drain filter, but this model is different so the instuctions cannot be followed. For instance there is no arrow to line up the filter; no clip to disengage the cap of the filter in the drum.

zoob

Whats wrong with the machine, is the filter blocked?, the machine not emptying?

patricia1066

First locate the filter, then it is a simple job.

it is a new machine so I suspect that the sump has filled with fluff, and it washes back when it gets to the hose connection.

The symptom that I mentioned above is that the washing is covered in fluff. I noticed also that it takes three rinses to remove the suds, and in some washes the suds remain on the door. But I will be using less detergent once I sort out how to access the filter.

patricia1066

Electrolux have fitted filters on some of the WM sold under this model number, according to staff in the service centre. Shame its not fitted in mine, and the absence of filter removal instruction in the manual confirms this. I am waiting for a service engineer visit to have the internal filter cleaned. A boil wash wont clear the partially blocked drain, as there is a filter within the machine which collects lint which would catch in the motor.

I have been advised by Trading Standards (TS) that as the seller did not mislead me, it has not been missold, and I have not been misled by false advertising on the part of Dixons. However the manufacturer has misled me on its website by directing me to the wrong product manual, something I could not know in advance of testing out the appliance. The lack of a feature such as a cleaning filter would not of itself be proof of it being unfit for purpose in the opinion of this TS advisor.

As I have used the WM I cannot rely on the 7 day Distance Selling Directive either according to Trading Standards. I could have returned it if I had only examined it but as I ran the machine I have accepted it.

Dixons will not assist me except as they have a statutory duty, so wont negotiate on a return and refund.

bod1467

Could you not argue it is faulty as it is not draining properly nor rinsing away the suds? (SOGA). If the filter is not user-accessible then it's also not fit for purpose - a machine should not be rendered unusable in only a week by filter blockage, unless the filter can be cleaned by the consumer.

patricia1066

I persuaded Dixons to send an engineer around. There were a few niggles but after a flush wash cycle, the fluff did not attach itself to clothes. The engineer checked the stability of the WM (ok) and re my concern on the missing drain filter - he said this model was designed with a larger bore hole which does not need cleaning. He said customers dont like the change, but its a change Zanussi brought in about 9 months ago and has not yet led to callouts.

If indeed there are blockages in future, I would expect Zanussi will change their warranty to include these incidents, as it is not something the customer can guard against.

The poor cotton cycle rinse is noted by Which - I will use the synthetic cycle in future as it does appear to be better.

I was reassured by the engineer's view that it is a reengineered machine, not just one without a filter as a costsaving.