I'm back! Same problem, new cause! Washing Machine.

[Neeky]

Hello again. I posted a while back about a problem I had with my 6th sense washing machine (fricken no sense I say).

Front loader.
I have to use soap flakes as my daughter has severe allergies to any other type of soap. I've been religiously cleaning out the dispenser after every use and pour hot water down to help keep it clear. I dissolve the flakes in hot water before pouring in.

But my husband (he was the culprit last time too!) didn't clear it properly or didn't dissolve the flakes, so when the water entered the dispenser, it started rushing out of the machine down the front.

FA and F09 error came up which I knew was fixed by tipping the machine forward to drain out.

Problem is, it is still partly blocked and more than half the intake water is still pouring down the front causing the same problem and error. I can see there is some water going into the drum, but when I pull the dispenser out there is a pool of water sitting there that isn't going down.

Is there 2 water inlets? One from the tap and one that goes through the soap dispenser? Does this explain why some water appears to be getting into the drum?

How can I clear the soap canal into the drum? I've tried hot water and coat hangers but can't clear anything. I've tried going down the soap dispenser canal and also up from inside the drum, but can't reach around all the bends which must be where the blockage is.

Can you take the front panel off these machines? Or the table top?

Any suggestions on what I can use? I'm assuming caustic soda (what I use for blocked drains) wouldn't be good for the machine, but is there something similar I can use?

Thanks guys! Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Monique, Sydney Australia.

EDIT: Ok I've taken the top off the machine and I can see the soap pipe and a big clog of soap in it. How do I get to it though? I tried squeezing the blockage with my hand but the plastic is not flexible. Any ideas on how to clear it/get at it?

Model Number: AWM 8143 6kg

[Repair-man]

Here's a technique that I use from time to time on stubborn  condensate drains...I don't see why it wouldn't work here. I use compressed air and shoot it into the suspect drain line. In my case, I have refrigeration gauges which make the transfer easier, but lots of auto parts dealers have supplies that will work. By inserting the hose in one end of the drain (canal in this case) and covering any gaps with your fingers, you should be able to blast a healthy stream of air thru the line. A good shop vac with a blower might accomplish this task as well.

Pour a pint of white distilled vinegar into the canal opening before making the clearing. This will loosen the residue somewhat.

[Neeky]

Thanx Repair Man!

I ended up using a long line of pipe cleaners to loosen it and lots of flushing it through. Eventually a big glob came out and all is well. Good tip bout the vingegar though.

Cheers!

[JWWebster]

Their is a product out ther on the market called Drain Blaster. They sell it at HVAC stores.

[Neeky]

I thought of drain clearing things, but worried about putting the harsh chemicals into the machine as it would end up in the drum and then through the drainage system of the machine. Wouldn't these things end up corroding it?