Miele W3740 Waterproof Fault

[Teri]

My Miele W3740 keeps flashing up 'waterproof fault', this is the first problem I have and the machine is nearly 7 years old. Any help or advise would be most appreciated. Many Thanks. Teri

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I have exactly the same model around the same age and never gone faulty yet too. I would instinctively suspect it's detecting a leak somewhere. There's likely to be a float switch in the base of the machine which can detect water. Disconnect the washer from the mains and take off the back panel to see if any water is in the base. If it is, it needs mopping up and the source of it needs identifying. (General advice on washing machine leaking)

[Teri]

Hi Andy, Thank you for your reply, I will go and find a star driver! I know you have the same machine, that is why I purchased it, you very kindly replied to my emails back in 2007. Many Thanks. Teri

[Teri]

Hi Andy, sorry to bother you again. I just wanted to check something, it appears the I need to remove the control panel, front and

then side panels to be able to remove the back panel - is that correct?

I also came across a You Tube video that suggested there was a design fault with a small piece of plastic that rubbed againt the filler hose from the detergent dispenser, which over time can cause a small hole. I am pretty sure it was a different model and probably an older machine but wondered if it was something that you were aware of?

Many thanks again, Teri

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I don't think I've ever had course to take off the back panel as it's never broken down but it may be more complex than most as it looks like it's behind the edges of the side panels. I'd be cautious about starting to strip it down unless very confident. It's one thing taking off a back panel to look inside, (what can go wrong?) but it's another starting to take off control panels and side panels. It shouldn't be really difficult but just more likely for things to go wrong.

You should be able to take the lid off very easily though and check the hose you mention. You could also try tipping the machine back to see if any water comes out but as I'm sure you know these are very heavy machines so great caution is needed not to drop it over!

[Teri]

Hi Andy, thanks again for your reply.

I think I miss understood yesterday and thought you said to take the back panel off, but realised very quickly that wasnt necessary.

I was on my to my desk to tell how pleased I was that I thought i had temporarily fixed it but unfortunately its doing the same thing again.

I did tip the machine yesterday before taking it apart and there was a fair amount of water. I eventually managed to get the front and side panels off and it appears that it has been leaving for sometime. It think it has been leaking from around the seal where the water leaves the machine.

I cleared up all water and put the necessary bits back together to test the machine and it seemed fine. I was hoping this would give me another couple of months or at least time to take out an extened warranty on the machine.

But unfortunately one wash later and I have the same fault. I have taken photos of the inside the bottom of the machine and where I think the leak was if you would like to see.

Although I know they should last much longer I think I may buy a new one, is there a model that you could recommend now and assuming I am sucessful in pursuading my husband to buy a new one would you be interested in my old one for spares, FOC of course.

Many thanks again

Teri

[Teri]

Here are the photos

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I did mean to take the back panel off, that's by far the easiest way to investigate a leak. I'd just forgotten that it wasn't straight forward with the Miele. If you haven't fixed the leak it's likely to give the same error straight away. A Miele W3740 is far too expensive and good a machine to just scrap the first time it develops a fault. Miele claim they are designed to last 20 years and there's no reason why it shouldn't have plenty of life left in it. However, sadly Miele repairs can be very expensive but it should only be half way through it's lifespan and should be worth repairing. If it isn't I'd say it's a very bad indictment for Miele.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The first photo clearly shows the water has been running down the side of the tub from somewhere up top.

[Teri]

Oh yeah so it does, I suppose thats the difference between 30 odd years experience and me looking at one machine! I was hoping that it was slowly leaking over a long period of time and if I moped the water up then the sensor would stop showing a waterproof fault. Does the amount of rust suggest that is has been leaking for a while?

To be honest I have so many other things to deal with at the moment that arranging an enginner and waiting for it to be repaired is something I could really do without. I will ring Miele and see but still think I wil probably buy a new one.

Many Thanks

Teri

[Teri]

Hi Andy, just wanted to say thank you for your bit on facebook about the Samsung fridge freezers, after completing the checker thingy on the Samsung website, I have been informed that mine needs a home visit and samsung will contact me with 14 days to arrange. Many thanks again. Teri

[Teri]

Hi, going back to the washing wachine, I have spoken to Miele and their technical department said that it would be very unlikely that the water was coming from the drum.

They can either come out for £117 plus parts plus additional time at £72 per hour after the first hour etc etc., I am sure you are aware of how it works. Or they can send an Engineer out on a fixed price of £249 which includes an additional 1 year warranty but this is only if the cost of the parts is within £450, if the parts came to more then they wont fix it and it will cost me £75, this option sounds pretty good but they can't get here for a week. As I mentioned before the waiting is an issue for me but would maybe consider it if I was pretty sure that the parts would be within the £450 limit.

I know that you can't possibly tell me how much but I would really appreciate your thoughts.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks again. Teri

[Teri]

I have arranged for an engineer to come next Thursday but decided to remove side panels so I could clear away the water after each wash to keep me going until then.

I have now found the leak it, the small hose that goes into the top of drum is coming away from the drum. Is that part replaceable as I can't find it anywhere?

Thank you

Teri

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Yes it's highly unlikely it would leak from the stainless steel tub but the water has run down the side of the tub from a hose. If the hose is worn it just needs replacing but if it is leaking from where the hose fits into the tub they can be sealed with special flexible sealant. I'd either seal the hose, ask them to send you the hose as a spare part or try getting a Miele dealer or book the Miele engineer just to fix it.

[Nicwray]

Hi

I have read your problems and I have the same issue. I decided to take out the filter at the bottom and give it a clean to improve efficiency and then the problem started. All I did was remove the filter and drain the machine with the small hose at the front. It now bleeps and the same fault message as yours appears. I contacted Miele and they said to leave it unplugged etc and it should dry out in about 3 days, it is now days and each time I plug it in it still bleeps and the same message appears. I cannot afford to have an engineer out so I am going to have to fix it myself!! has you found any solution yet to your problem?

Thanks

Nicola

[Nicwray]

Hi

I have resolved the issue. My husband took the front off the machine (easy and didn't have to take it out of the kitchen or take sides off) he took the front off and the filter that you unscrew out had a hole at the bottom of the tube that was blocked, so much so I hadn't even noticed it. he cleaned this with a cloth and detergent. He also found a small amount of water, almost moisture really at the bottom on the metal plate of the machine. he cleaned out the blocked hole, wiped away the water/moisture and then put it all back together again. Switched it on and the display said "Cottons!" so thank goodness it works now and I haven't had to call out an engineer. This shows the problem could be just a simple one, the sensor at the bottom of the machine detects moisture or a leak so as there was a small amount of water, that set the sensor off.

It now works fine.

Just thought you might appreciate my sharing the experience.

Nicola

[mrs j]

I had same problem every time put on wash cycle went to start and then service bleep came on with message about water could still hear pump propeller going round and clicking rang meile said remove filter leave off, leave door open for 72 hours and should dry out . I removed filter and excess water that came out put back still same problem . I decided to pull machine out removed filter again  but tilted machine forward loads more water came out put back filter and tried again and it worked . Thought worth a try to anyone other than Miele's advice or taking machine to bits.