Miele Washing Machine problem. Any advice please?

Marg

I've got an old (about 12 years) Miele washing machine which has given excellent service so far BUT now the softener compartment isn't flushing through or emptying. I have looked on line and in the instruction book and done all that is suggested there to cure this irritating feature.
I've removed the drawer and thoroughly cleaned it and the syphon (several times) I've also run the machine on a 95degree wash several times with no clothes in just a medium quantity of powder.
Nothing seems to work - I've tried using a small amount of 'Comfort' let down as suggested but that section of the drawer remains full of water/Comfort - Thankfully it doesn't flow out & down the front of the machine!
I wonder if there is anything else I can try for myself before I consider a new machine versus a costly engineers visit?

whitegoods_engineer

Most likely a blockage in the 'shower head' directly above the fabric conditioner compartment.

Remove the soap drawer and use something flexible like a small cable-tie to clean out the holes where the water comes into the fabric conditioner section.

Putting on a hot wash will make absolutely no difference. Cold water comes in directly from the water valve to the 'shower head' so the heat will achieve nothing.

kaya

if you can remove the water inlet hoses from the back of the machine and there should be a gauze filter in them, could be mucky and dropping the water pressure so pop them out and clean them, i disagree with the above in that a hot wash would create some steam which would travel into the soap draw compartment the same way the soap powder goes down and might loosen up some gunk, bus as in the above post your best bet is to try and clean the little shower holes where the water goes into the softner compartment, if you feel confident and can get the machine out and UNPLUGGED from the mains there will be two screws in the back of the machine that hold the lid on, remove them and slide the top off of the machine pushing it towards the rear and you will be able to see the soap compartment clearly, usually the lids just pop off of them so you can get to them with some hot water and a scrubbing brush, remember to unplug the machine from the electricity supply and if you aren't confident in what you are doing get someone who is to help out, its a very simple job to do

Marg

Thank you for your replies.


I thought I'd share my latest idea in case it helps anyone else.


The water inlet nozzles are very hard to access - I've previously tried a bottle brush and a toothbrush without much joy and I was thinking how my admiration for dentist has increased (prodding about in confined spaces - LOL) Then, *lightbulb* moment - those tiny disposable toothpick-like TeePee interdental brushes you can get from the chemists are perfect for the job. They released some more black gunge so I'm hoping it's done the trick.


My DH had checked the water inlet filter thingy before I posted on here in desperation. To take the top off the machine we will have to disconnect everything again but we'll give it a go if my efforts are not successful. Thanks for the advice how to do it.

EssexExile

I don't know about your machine but some have a separate fill valve for the softener compartment, these go faulty. If there is no water getting through it could be that.