Washing machine help please

JuzaMum

My Bosch washing machine has come up with F18 error. I have drained the water but cannot unscrew the pump cover. I assume I should be turning anti-clockwise? It turns freely about a quarter turn but then won't budge. Should it pull out? I really don't want to call someone out so any helpful suggestions gratefully received. 

Lorian

They generally turn a quarter or half a turn anti clockwise or so then pull out. A bit more water generally comes out. They don't unscrew all the way.

Albermarle

I know from a similar experience they can be difficult to turn, especially if something is jammed in there. I can only suggest trying with even more force, or using a pair of pliers or a wrench.

Sarahspangles

I have had a couple of Bosch. And apparently I leave glasses cleaning cloths in my jeans. It’s anti-clockwise and I don’t recall it being a full turn. Some of the pump housing is rubber so it will feel like you’re ‘moving’ the pump when you firmly pull the cover.

ThisIsWeird

Hi Juza.

I don't know what model you have, but I too have a Bosch, and you do keep unscrewing that filter cover until it comes off - perhaps a good couple+ turns.

And, like you, I've had various things trapped in there, from 50p pieces, to hair scrunchies, hair grips, to lawdie knows what. And, yes, once, it was obvious that the trapped item was interfering with my unscrewing (missus!).

The knob has an extending part that goes right inside the pump area, and I guess it must help catch things, I don't know.

So, I suspect you have diagnosed the fault - there's summat solid caught in there, and it annoyingly has also become trapped in the knob (Matron!)

All I can suggest is to try repeatedly turning the knob back and forth, hoping it'll dislodge the item or move/squish it enough to allow it to fully turn. Don't over-force it, but do be 'firm'.

If you pull the WM right out, and tilt it backwards at 45o or more, safely propped, you can repeat the back-and-forths hoping gravity will assist.

Failing that, you may need to do what I had to do once, and that's WM on its side, and bottom panel unscrewed - a pain as it seemingly contains a water catcher, and has cables going to it. But I was able to prise it away enough to get my mitts in there and unclip the concertinaed hose that joins the pump from the tub. Inside there I found the aforementioned 50p, which I kept as my reward. 

Albermarle

Sarahspangles said:

I have had a couple of Bosch. And apparently I leave glasses cleaning cloths in my jeans. It’s anti-clockwise and I don’t recall it being a full turn. Some of the pump housing is rubber so it will feel like you’re ‘moving’ the pump when you firmly pull the cover.

I have a Siemens, which is very similar to Bosch and the posted picture looks identical. It does take at least two full turns to remove it, but as the OP is finding it can be difficult to begin with, when there is something stuck in there.

Rodders53

https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/customer-service/get-support/washing-machines/cleaning-filter may help and all the ones shown on Amazon are threaded, rather than 1/4 turn bayonet style.

Ganga

Also if you take the black bung out of the pipe sticking out it drains the filter/pump BUT put a container under it as you will end up with a wet floor.
Sorry that is white bung out of the black pipe.

JuzaMum

Thanks to everyone that's responded. I really cannot turn it or pull it out. I do suspect, as suggested, there is something stuck there that is stopping it turning. The tumble drier is sat on top of it so and it is in a small utility room so not the easiest to access. My adult son is going to come over to help tomorrow so fingers crossed he can sort it out.

Eldi_Dos

Don't know if it will help but try undoing it with the white bung removed from drain hose.

ThisIsWeird

JuzaMum said:

Thanks to everyone that's responded. I really cannot turn it or pull it out. I do suspect, as suggested, there is something stuck there that is stopping it turning. The tumble drier is sat on top of it so and it is in a small utility room so not the easiest to access. My adult son is going to come over to help tomorrow so fingers crossed he can sort it out.

You can turn it a quarter-turn? What then - does it stop turning with a clunk? Or just stiffen to a steady halt?
Have you tried back-and-forth?