How to Troubleshoot Drainage Issues in a Bosch Washing Machine

ID: 218137

Description: [youtubevideo|jLND97goulM]Use this guide to...

Steps:

1. Switch off the washing machine and unplug it from the wall outlet.
2. Turn off the cold water supply feeding the washing machine.
3. Follow the cold water hose from the back of the washer to its tap, and turn the tap 90 degrees to close it.
4. If you can't find the washer's water tap, turn off the water at the main stopcock.
5. Don't turn off a shared street supply in a block of flats, or you may shut off water for other homes.
6. Call a plumber if you can't safely isolate the water supply.
7. Open the door carefully if water is still in the drum.
8. Use a sponge to remove as much water from the drum as possible.
9. Place an old towel on the floor under the front of the washer.
10. Set a shallow tray under the drain pump filter area.
11. On this model, the filter is behind the cover at the lower front right corner.
12. Pull down at the top of the cover, and pull the cover out to remove it.
13. Pull the small drain hose out from the filter compartment.
14. Unclip the end nozzle, and let the water drain into the tray.
15. The trapped water may smell bad.
16. Empty the tray as needed until water stops flowing from the hose.
17. Put the plug back into the end of the hose.
18. Slot the drain hose back into place before removing the filter.
19. Empty the tray, and put it back under the filter.
20. Use a smaller tray if there isn't enough space under the washer.
21. Turn the filter counterclockwise a small amount to start draining water into the tray.
22. Tighten the filter again before the tray overfills.
23. Empty the tray, replace it, and repeat the loosen-and-tighten process until the water is drained.
24. If the filter is stiff, tighten it, then loosen it again to help free debris such as a hair clip.
25. Unscrew the filter fully and pull it out when water no longer gushes out.
26. Check the filter for common blockages, such as bent hair clips, coins, hair bands, and face masks.
27. Fill a bowl with hot, soapy water.
28. Use a brush or small brush to scrub the filter clean.
29. Scrub inside the filter housing with hot, soapy water.
30. Drag out any debris, mold, sludge, or residue from the housing.
31. Look into the back of the filter housing and find the impeller, also called the propeller.
32. Check that the impeller spins freely.
33. The impeller is part of the drain pump that moves water out of the washing machine.
34. Remove any visible debris stopping the impeller from turning.
35. Call a washing machine technician if the impeller won't turn freely or appears damaged.
36. Insert the clean filter into the housing without forcing it.
37. The filter should slide in naturally.
38. Turn the filter clockwise until it tightens and locks upright.
39. Line up the access cover and push it back into place.
40. Plug the washing machine back in and switch it on.
41. Turn the cold water supply back on.
42. Pour washing machine cleaner into the drum if you're using it.
43. Close the door, and run the drum clean option if the washer has one.
44. If there isn't a drum clean option, use a service option or the hottest wash program available at 90 °C.
45. Keep children away from the door glass during the cycle, because 90 °C water can make the glass hot enough to burn.
46. Foam or suds inside the drum during the cleaning cycle is normal.
47. When the cycle finishes, unlock the child lock if used, switch off the machine, and open the door after the lock clicks.
48. Check whether the washing machine drain hose goes into a wall standpipe or connects under the sink.
49. A wall standpipe usually sits behind the washer and the drain hose pulls out from the top.
50. An under-sink drain usually connects the washer hose to the sink waste pipe inside the cabinet.
51. Unplug the washing machine and turn off the cold water supply before handling the drain hose or pipework.
52. Keep a tray, bucket, and old towel ready because dirty water can spill from the drain pipework.
53. Pull the washing machine drain hose out of the wall standpipe.
54. Check the hose end and the inside of the standpipe for blockages.
55. Clean sludge from the outside of the hose with hot, soapy water.
56. Use a smartphone in video mode with the flashlight on to inspect down inside the standpipe.
57. Keep the phone secure and away from standing water.
58. Review the video to check for clear water, sludge, or a visible blockage.
59. Remove and clean the U-bend if sludge or a blockage is present.
60. The U-bend stops smells from coming back into the kitchen and can catch sludge and grime.
61. Place a tray and towel under the U-bend.
62. Undo the U-bend nuts by hand if they aren't glued in place.
63. Drain clean water into the sink, or put sludge and grime in the bin.
64. Wash the U-bend with hot, soapy water until it is clear.
65. Reinstall the U-bend and tighten the nuts.
66. Put the washing machine drain hose back into the standpipe.
67. Don't push the hose to the bottom of the standpipe; let it rest in the top about 8 inches down.
68. Forgetting the drain hose will send water onto the floor during the next wash.
69. Place a bucket and towel under the washing machine drain connection.
70. Disconnect the washing machine drain hose from the under-sink connector.
71. Check the hose and connector for blockages.
72. Clear any blockage, and clean sludge with hot, soapy water.
73. Reconnect the hose to the under-sink connector.
74. Refit the metal clip if the connection uses one.
75. Remove the sink U-bend, clean out any sludge, and reinstall it if the U-bend is blocked.
76. Plug the washing machine back in and switch it on if you haven't already.
77. Turn the cold water supply back on.
78. Run a drum clean option or a 90 °C wash program to flush the washer and drain pipework.
79. Use washing machine cleaner in the drum if desired.
80. Check that the machine drains properly at the end of the cycle.
81. Check the outside drainage if the washing machine still doesn't drain properly and you can access it safely.
82. Lift any accessible manhole covers and make sure the outside drain is running smoothly and clear.
83. Don't enter a drain or manhole, and don't lift heavy covers that you can't handle safely.
84. Arrange a CCTV drainage survey or call a plumber if you can't access or confirm the outside drainage is clear.
85. Call a washing machine technician if the drainage is clear but the washer still won't drain.
86. The remaining fault may be a drain pump fault or a control board fault.
87. Run a drum clean cycle every couple of months.
88. Leave the detergent dispenser drawer slightly ajar after a wash.
89. Leave the drum door slightly ajar after a wash.
90. Ventilation helps reduce smells inside the washing machine.