Miele - 12 year old machine leaking - bright yellow grease

[marelda]

Hello.  My 2009 Miele W3724 washing machine is leaking.  Initially it was yellow-orange oily water, but after emptying the machine via the drain filter, it appears to be a bright yellow grease.

It appears to be from the front bottom left where the foot is.  From the troubleshooting links I know it could be from elsewhere however the machine is too heavy for me to move to explore further.

The machine has been used on average 3 times a week and I am wondering if it is worth getting it repaired as potentially it has another 7 years of life.

Thanks for any advice.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi. It depends how much it’s going to cost and that’s the problem because you don’t know until it’s investigated. My Miele is around 15 years old and still works like new. 
 

In theory it should have up to 20 years life but sadly the cost of many Miele repairs has become so expensive that many of their appliances aren’t lasting close to their supposed design life of 20 years. 
 

Does yours have automatic detergent dosing? The yellow obviously isn’t water  

 

[marelda]

Thanks for the quick response.  

No, it doesn't have automatic detergent dosing.  

I did a wash this afternoon and stayed in the kitchen the entire time to see if I could determine when in the cycle it was happening and, of course, there was no water leak this time.  

There is still a yellow 'dry' stain appearing if I push a paper towel underneath at the foot.

[KDSmith]

Maybe rust and grease from a failing drum bearing(s) or seal

Can you feel any play in the inner drum or unusual noise when on spin, ie can you lift the inner drum without moving the outer tub, if so the bearing(s) are worn

Drum bearings will be approx 50GBP (non Miele) or 200GBP (Miele) for the parts and approx 4-5 hrs for the labour, the machine tub has to be removed so it's a lengthy job

[marelda]

Apologies for the delay in responding.

I don't think there is any unusual noise during the spin cycle however it  will be the weekend before I'm back and can check out the inner drum.

Thanks for the information regarding potential costs as that will be helpful with the repair or replace decision.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I’ve never seen anything that leaks yellow on a washing machine. 

[marelda]

I have now checked out the inner drum and it seems to be ok.  

Machine has just finished another wash and no water leaked so appears to have been a one-off however I will continue to keep an eye on it.

Thanks again for all the responses.