Cleaning the drain pump of my washine machine - I want to, but DS says Noooo!

[LineRunner]

I mean, how hard can it be? DS (14) says, Get the repairman out. But I've got the destruction book, and I want to have a go.

The machine won't drain or spin since washing a cheap red Asda throw which seems to have disintegrated inside the machine - it's likely bunged up the drain pump? (Thanks, Asda.)

Anyway, what can go wrong? ??!!

[dexter73]

I clear the drain pump of my machine about once a month. It's very easy. Make sure you have a bowl to put under the hole as water will come out (not loads!).

[Booooooyhoo]

it is soooo easy to clean the draining pump. although prepare to get your feet wet if you dont have a tube on yours to drain into a bucket!

[LineRunner]

The hole is very close the the floor - I'll slide a tray underneath and apparently, accordingly the most boring book in the world (washing machine manual), there is small hose in there somewhere!

Will have bowl standing by! Thanks, Boooooooyhoo.

Hats off, dexter73 - please come and run by household....

[LineRunner]

run my household

[Booooooyhoo]

better to slide a folded towel under and have a few on standby to swap once that is saturated. my manual said a bit of water too but there was loads because the washing machine had filled up and then not drained and the door wouldn't open with water in it so you are talking a half a drum of water.

[LineRunner]

Okey-dokey - I'm going in............

[LineRunner]

OK the door opened and I've emptied the drum out via the Power Of Jug.

Emergency hose out leaking into bowl - v v slowly but steadily. Time for a wine, methinks, while I wait.

[WelshLineOutATicFringe]

Was going to suggest taking photo of assembly before moving anything as a reference for reassembling. But too late!

[Booooooyhoo]

ahh good you have a hose. makes the job so much easier. i have done this with and without!

[LineRunner]

Thanks, Welsh! To be honest, this seeping out of the hose is so slow I've still got time to paint a still life drawing.

If I were a plumber I'd already have charged myself £45. Plus call-out.

[LineRunner]

Damn. I can't unscrew the pump cover. The diagram clearly says anti-clockwise. It won't budge.

It's hard plastic. Would it be stupid to use pliars?

[LineRunner]

herbietea, I'm fairly sure that if I just just get the damn pump cover off I could at least clean out all the gunk.

I'm a strong lass, but I just can't budge the cover. It's a plastic 'dial' that you turn to the left. Apparently.

[Booooooyhoo]

it's well clogged then if you cant turn the cover. (happened to me too and i had to just persevere with a lot of elbow grease) try pliars.

[LineRunner]

Tried the pliars. Seems to be stuck fast, and I don't want to break the plastic. I've googled DIY sites. Apparently if the cover won't turn, you have to go in up through the plate at the bottom of the machine.

[Booooooyhoo]

yes that's probably the point at which i should have referred back to the manual. unfortunately i have inherited my dad's pride and continued with brute force (and very sore fingers) until it surrendered!! it wasn't the best day for my patience levels.

[LineRunner]

Boooooyhoo, I can do brute force .......

But maybe best left to the cold light of day, now!

[Booooooyhoo]

yep, i think you're right. maybe it will have had a rethink by the morning and decided it's worth complying.

[LiegeAndLief]

We had the same problem when attempting to get the drain pump cover off. Dh (who is not very mechanically minded) attacked it with a hammer, some pliers, and a lot of banging and swearing. Amazingly it worked.

I loved him very much as it was Boxing Day and I have two small and very messy children.

If you live anywhere near Oxford, I can recommend a very nice washing machine repair man...

[LineRunner]

Liege, I'm oop north, but thanks for the kind offer!

I do actually have a hammer and pliars.

And I do have A Man's details. I just wanted to do it myself!

How hard did your DH hit the damn thing??

[LiegeAndLief]

By the sound of it, really quite hard. Wouldn't like to recommend this as an appropriate way to mend a washing machine though!

If you google "washing machine repair" (you might already have done), there is a great site which gives lots of advice about all sorts of washing machine problems. There might be a handy trick on there?

Ah it's here.

[LineRunner]

Thanks, Liege.

Going-in-up-the-machine's-arse seems to be recommended.

Plumbing's a brutal occupation.

[LineRunner]

Disaster. Finally wrenched the pump cover off, and cleaned out all the crap and reassembled.

Now the machine's leaking water all over the bloody floor.

I have cracked, and called Washing Machine Repair Man. He'll be here in the morning.

[Booooooyhoo]

indeed!!

taht sucks ass after you going to the trouble of doing it all only to have to ring him anyway. ah well. needs must. hope it's not too £££.