Neff w/m won't drain. Can't remove pump

SallyCinnamon

Hi Everyone, my washing machine stopped working this morning with error code F18. I have drained using the drainage hose and want to remove and clean the pump. However, I just can't shift it.

I'm reasonably strong but it won't move at all. It looks to be in the exact opposite position to the manual (tip pointing down rather than up). I took some photos but no upload option on the mobile. Will try desktop in a sec. The machine was here when we moved in and I haven't done this before, so perfectly feasible that I'm missing something that would be blindingly obvious to others! Thank you

SallyCinnamon

I

I am gripping the grey vertical er 'thing' and trying to turn it clockwise. I've also tried anti-clockwise just in case. Am I doing the wrong thing or is the fact it won't turn symptomatic of the breakdown?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you need to turn anti clockwise, maybe try turning with pliers, here's a wee VIDEO.

SallyCinnamon

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

you need to turn anti clockwise, maybe try turning with pliers, here's a wee VIDEO.

Thank you so much! I will give it a go!!

Ebe_Scrooge

Mine looks exactly the same, though it's a different model.  It always seems to be really stiff.  If you can get 2 hands on it, one each side as it were, you may be able to shift it.  But, as Frugal says, it's often easier if you can get some pliers on it just to get it started.

Put down some old towels underneath it first - even after you've drained the water out using the emergency drain tube, there'll still be a good mugful or so that comes out when you undo it.

diamond_dave

Had this a few months ago on a beko machine. I was unable to turn the knob as it was jammed by a mask. Had to list machine, release the hose them remove obstruction. You dont say whether you have managed to access the pump by removing drain plug.

Bendy_House

After the initial tightness when trying to undo it, it should progressively loosen. If it doesn't, then it sounds like what DDave found - the object could be caught in the actual inner part of that grey plug.

So, try turning it clockwise again - a turn, a half turn, fully in, whateves, and back again. Keep moving it, and hopefully the item will dislodge.

As also said above, get ready to catch some spill!

When it stops turning, does it scrunch to a halt, or go 'clunk'? Ie, it is something softish or solid?

Do you have anyone to call on for help? If so, and the above doesn't work, then the next thing would be to try laying the W/M down on its LH side - it'll obviously need pulling forwards first, and then you unplug the power cord! If you can get it on its side, then repeat the back-and-forth with the grey plug, and hopefully gravity will move the object sideways out of the way (the supply hose from the drum most likely approaches from the LH side).

If that doesn't work, you at least should have access to the bottom of the W/M - there may be a cover plate there to undo first, but the pump should be easy to access. The large concertinaed hoses will likely be held on with spring clips, so squish the two ends together with large pliers to expand the spring, and ease off.

Oh, and imo every home should have a tube of silicone 'grease' lubricant - clean up the grey plug and the inside of the pump hole, and smear some sili grease (not silicone sealant!) on the rubber washer.

outtatune

Look at the bottom left of the image where the purple barb tab thingy rests up against the white housing. So you have to move the purple thing away from it - anticlockwise. Chances are that's not just a cap, it usually extends backwards about 150mm.

Could be something caught in there, which might explain the error code.

If you can't get it open without breaking it you should be able to get a replacement for about £20 on espares. It's called a drain pump filter.

Mutton_Geoff

Lefty loosey, righty tighty. For almost everything that you screw.

Ebe_Scrooge

Mutton_Geoff said:

For almost everything that you screw.

Ooohh Matron!

JohnB47

Just a thought - you might try heating that area up using a hair drier. Not too hot mind, try a gentle heat up first, then try turning the cap anticlockwise, then a bit more heat and try again.

I find that plastics can become stiff and brittle over time. The heat might help soften things and break the seal between the different plastics.