Miele W460 Inlet hose leaking beneath connector

[chickla]

I've just purchased a very old Miele washing machine (W460) as a cheap replacement for another machine that recently gave up. 

Upon connecting the inlet hose to the cold water pipe, water gushes out from beneath the copper connector, down onto the waterproof box. Could this be a simple washer problem, or perhaps corrosion on the connector? I've taken some photos but am having problems uploading.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Trying to keep costs to a minimum, so fingers crossed there's a relatively simple solution.

I have checked the troubleshooting page but can't find an answer to this particular problem.

Many thanks.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Has the fill hose got a rubber seal inside the connector at the end? If not water will spurt out.

 

You should be able to drag a photo into the editing window to attach it.

[chickla]

Yes there is a built in rubber seal. I've tried adding an extra washer, which did the trick initially, but then water started leaking from the bottom again towards the end of a rinse cycle. 

[chickla]

Do you think PTFE tape around the bottom of the connector would be an effective seal? I've put a little around there, which hasn't had much effect, but I could always add more. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I'm assuming we are taking about the fill hose leaking when it's screwed to the washing machine's water valve. If the seal is worn it should be replaced, but sometimes you can get away with taking the seal out and turning it over to use the other side. Also make sure it's totally clean, bits of grit will interfere with the seal. It's not normally necessary to use ptf tape but you could try wrapping some around the thread on the water valve. Don't over-tighten the hose, which can cut the rubber hose. This article has some related advice - installing and connecting washing machine

[chickla]

I'm referring to the connection to the water supply. I've managed to upload a photo. You can see there's a small drip beneath the brass connector, sitting on the WPS box. When the water supply is turned on, lots more water leaks out the bottom. Doesn't leak out the top of the connector. 

[chickla]

[chickla]

The previous owner had a male attachment on the connector, which I have subsequently removed. The owner said there were no leaks at all at last use (she's had the machine from new with no problems), so I tried it with the male connector (with female attachment) just for good measure, but it simply leaked in more places. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

As long as this hose assembly isn't wired into the washing machine you should be able to use any washing machine hose. This is an Aqua stop type hose which is supposed to be free from leaking (ironically). Their main use is that as a normal hose can split, these hoses are a hose within a hose so to speak so they are free from leaking from the actual hose itself.

 

If you want to keep using this one though, just make sure the whole thing is nice and clean, turn that rubber hose around, and tries some PTF tape on the male part of the thread. If you put too much PTF tape on though you will not be able to tighten the thread up enough. It could even be that the problem is you haven't tightened it up enough anyway. Another approach would be to liberally spray WD-40 on both the threads to clean and lubricate it and then tighten it up. I would not expect to get a good seal without nipping up the connection with some pipe pliers. Hand tight would probably not be enough to make the seal. If none of it works you need to buy a new rubber seal for the hose or at least try fitting a seal from another hose as they should be pretty standard in size. At the end of the day a watertight seal is made when that small black rubber seal is pressed tightly up against the male part. It needs to be tight, but as I said before if you over tighten it you will just cut into the rubber and damage it. 

[chickla]

BINGO! Your advice worked perfectly, thank you! It was a simple case of cleaning out the connector, rotating the rubber seal and securing it on the pipe nice and tight. No PTFE required. I've run it through several washes and it's dry as a bone. 

Can I just say what a brilliant service you're offering, and you've saved me more time, headache & money.

Much appreciated!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Excellent news  Thanks for the feedback.