Washer leaks from dispenser drawer .... help plzz ....

[Gizmonster]

I've had my washing machine aaages (Hotpoint 9545 - it's a dinosaur lol) and I love it, so I'm trying to save it from going to the scrapheap.
The problem is, it leaks water from the dispenser drawer. The strange thing is - it only leaks when it's filling up to rinse; not when it's filling up to wash. I've had this machine in bits countless times .... I've checked the pipe that goes from the dispenser drawer into the drum and this does not appear blocked. There are 3 (I think) pipes that feed water into the top of the dispenser compartment - I've taken these off and blown them through to make sure they're not blocked (although I can't really see how this would have fixed things). I've cleaned the top of the dispenser compartment, as it was fairly caked in gunge, but this didn't fix things.
I've turned the water pressure down on the cold water feed - but it still leaks aaaarrrggghhhhhh.
It doesn't leak everytime, but when it does, it's just when it's filling up to rinse (not on the wash cycle). It leaks for approx 5 - 10 seconds - but it still makes a nice large puddle on the floor.
Any suggestions plz ?????

[Prudentia]

Take the drawer out and wash it thoroughly, particulatly the syphon tubes, they often get clogged, it should then work OK.

[Gizmonster]

Thanks for the reply - but I've tried that.
There's one pipe that leads from the dispenser compartment into the drum (approx 1" diameter) - I've taken it completely off to see if it was blocked - but it's ok.
I've had the drawer out and cleaned the drawer as well as the dispenser - all to no avail.
What I can't understand is why it doesn't leak when the washer is filling up with water to wash the clothes - only when it's filling up to rinse - after all the water is coming in the same way and going out the same way in both cases ..... what am I missing ???

[deggers316]

it might be using hot water to fill if it fairly old so not a lot of pressure there unlike the cold fill
rather than sling it id put an old towel down to catch the spill
but i admit i'm not one for putting up with faults from anything.drives me to distraction on many an occasion lol

[KARL]

Are you certain that it is not a case of water being thrown up during the early part of spinning ? This can happen if there are waterlogged items in it (such as towels) and when the spin cicks in there is so much water sloshing around that it gets forced up into the soap dispenser. This is particularly likely if pumping out is not complete before the start of spinning, as can sometimes occur if the pump is inefficient and needs longer to empty the sump, or if there was too much water in the machine to begin with (more than the cycle assumes).

[gingejbee]

This is Nature's way of saying " time to replace". Had problems recently with a 16year old AEG - burning insulation smells (first problem ever!). Very sad to see it go - but my nice new Miele is fantastic (if ridiculously expensive) and has a 10year warranty. So, you may just have to let it go to that re-cycle heaven.....

[Pea Pod]

The spin bit has pushed your drawer just a fraction out so when it fills for the rinse it is forward the tiniest of bits. Try pushing it in after the wash and see if this helps.

[Gizmonster]

@ Karl - the drum has no water in it. It's right at the beginning of the rinse cycle. The machine is filling up with water ready to rinse - the drum doesn't move until there's enough water in it.

@ Pea Pod - I'm sure I've tried that, but I'll keep an eye on it on the next wash.

@ gingejbee - I think you might be right. I've got a few more things to try, then i think I'm gonna have to accept the inevitable :o(

I've been told that the drawwer might have been slightly warped over time - my local washer repair man kindly donated a 2nd hand one free of charge ..... keeping my fingers crossed with this one :o)

[Rockin]

Hi, The same thing happened to me. I had been putting washing tablets in the soap dispenser instead of in the drum. Some washing tablets have a conditioner [usually blue] attached to the powder. The little blue discs dont dissolve and had blocked up the inside of the machine, the area vacated after you pull the soap dispenser out.
You may have tried this already though. Good luck.

[mazaa]

Hi, I know this may sound obvious, but have you tried cleaning the pump filter?

[Gizmonster]

Someone else has suggested the pump and filter may be at fault but I can't see how - it's leaking from the drawer - the water isn't draining out into the drum quick enough. It seems to be when it's rinsing ...... I'm fairly sure it's when it's taking the conditioner out so I'm thinking that there's a fault with this part of the drawer. I now use powder and conditioner all in one so I don't use this part so my next step is gonna be to take the bit out that holds the conditioner - I've cleaned it and made sure it's unblocked etc but that didn't seem to help so the next time it leaks I'll remove this bit and see if that makes any difference!!!

[Cogitare]

This post is in relation to a Miele W1712, but may apply to other front loader machines.

During the wash and rinse fill, water was flowing out of the detergent dispenser. It was not obstructed, nor was the interior.

Water is dispensed from above through a series of jets set at angles to each other, washing the pre wash detergent, detergent and through separate jets conditioner out of the dispenser down to the rear of the bay into a rubber hose connected to the drum. I reasoned that there was a partial obstruction, with water back filling after a time. The pump filter was checked and cleaned - no help.

Disconnect power.
To open it up, remove the dispenser, remove 2 oval screw covers located on the tops outside edge near the front of the machine - find yours for other models. Back the screws out 6 or so turns but don't remove, this action pulls a catch away from its locking slot. Remove screws at the rear of the top. Lift the top from the front, to around 45 degrees then unhook the rear, lifting the top away. You can now see the tube. Tilt the machine up, wedging a support under it. Half fill a bucket. The next bit is easier with 2 people but 1 works. Poor water down the dispenser, quickly grab the tube and rapidly squeeze several times, repeat several times. Lower the machine.

Open up the pump drain, drain out the water, you should find slime, foreign object or whatever was blocking the inflow tube. Clean up the mess you have invariably made.

Replace dispenser. Power up and test. If no leaks, disconnect power reassemble unit. Hope this helps.

[Esistsehrkalt]

Did you find a solution? I have exactly the same symptoms :(