Candy RapidO - blocked filter?

[Lurcher726]

Hi, I have a small problem hopefully you can help

I have a Candy ROW4956DWMCE-80 (it's a washer dryer so I hope ok on this forum!)

I thought the app would tell me when to clean the filter but after almost a year (of 1/2 washes a week) I decided it was overdue.

But it won't open. It will only turn about a quarter/third of the way whereas the video on YouTube of a Candy RapidO filter clean shows it turns a couple of full circles to open fully. 

So I guess it's jammed/something is stuck in it. I've tried rocking the machine a bit gently to see if that dislodged it  but no luck so far. 

Is there any way into it myself? It's not obvious what those two screws in the picture are doing. The back of the machine is all sealed up so I wouldn't open it without a clear idea of what to do. The manuals are (quite reasonably) aimed at normal use/maintenance.

Appreciate any thoughts! I did check the FAQ and I don't really know what the below means and how I could retrieve the obstruction- is this something reasonable to do myself or should I get someone in? Is it actually a problem if the washing machine is functioning well? 

Washing machine pump filter stuck

I’ve had cases where the filter appeared to be jammed and wouldn’t come out. It proved to be an under wire from a bra or another obstruction that was entangled in it preventing it from unscrewing. I had to remove the main sump hose leading into the pump and retrieve the obstruction from there, which then allowed me to get the filter out.

Edited April 3, 2022 by Lurcher726
To confirm I have read the FAQ

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi. If it has something stuck inside it can jam the filter and stop it coming off, though it’s usually something long like an underwire from a bra. 
 

In such a case there is usually some resistance when trying to undo the pump filter rather than it stop solid. It’s unusual for something more substantial to be in there without it having caused a lot of noise previously. 
 

If you are sure the filter should unscrew a lot more (what does it say in the instruction manual?) then it must be jammed. If it were me I would get some strong pliers (not narrow nosed) and carefully try to exert a bit more pressure. You do of course risk breaking it. But if it won’t come out it may prove necessary. 
 

I have an article on pump filters which contains advice about what to do if one is jammed but it involves taking the sump hose off. 
 

If you aren’t having any problems, and don’t have to take out the pump filter, there’s a school of thought that says just leave it alone. But there’s another school of thought that says sooner or later you may well need to take it off, so it needs sorting. 

[Lurcher726]

Thank you Andy, that's really helpful and reassuring - and such a quick reply!!

I  only seem to have narrow nosed pliers so perhaps I should save more attempts for another day.

It's reassuring that you suggest some would be happy to leave it. Perhaps curiosity will get the better of me if the pliers don't work  but for now I am content to leave it be as long as it isn't a dead cert that it'll cause some more expensive part to break. I'll keep it in mind when I've got a quiet day free to fiddle with it...

Thanks again

[Lurcher726]

Apologies I forgot to add. This is the manual, it doesn't say how much it should turn but this YouTube video of a similar model shows it turning much more (at about 1:15)

https://youtu.be/NIB2dy4U8js

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The potential problem to consider, is if in the future the washing machine breaks down full of water because the pump has failed, or because the pump filter is blocked. 
 

In this situation you will be in trouble because you will have to try and get the washer out, which is hard when full of water and very heavy, and you can’t open the door. Then you will have to drain the washing machine before trying to get the pump filter off. 
 

So although there’s no panic, my advice would be to try and get it off when in the right mood. Alternatively you can hope it doesn’t cause a problem, which is possible of course. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The diagram looks like it just turns until horizontal. Have you tried turning it anti-clockwise as far as possible and then pulling it firmly out?

[Lurcher726]

8 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

The potential problem to consider, is if in the future the washing machine breaks down full of water because the pump has failed, or because the pump filter is blocked. 
 

In this situation you will be in trouble because you will have to try and get the washer out, which is hard when full of water and very heavy, and you can’t open the door. Then you will have to drain the washing machine before trying to get the pump filter off. 
 

So although there’s no panic, my advice would be to try and get it off when in the right mood. Alternatively you can hope it doesn’t cause a problem, which is possible of course. 

OK that possibility makes it worth trying to sort out! Thank you! I looked into the "sump hose" mentioned in the FAQ and I am hoping that my washing machine has an open bottom so it will be easy enough. And will encourage me to get more tools...

I might need to get a friend in to help with the bite moving the washing machine onto its side, I'm not the strongest, but hopefully a small barrier.

Thanks again

[Lurcher726]

30 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

The diagram looks like it just turns until horizontal. Have you tried turning it anti-clockwise as far as possible and then pulling it firmly out?

Here's a quick video - I have tried pulling it out from this position  but if I pull hard enough the entire washing machine comes towards me. It starts horizontal and I manage to turn it a bit more than a quarter anti clockwise. You can hopefully see in that position it's not letting me turn it further than this (I've tried harder than this but for the purpose of the video I was trying to be short)

 

 

[Lurcher726]

Hmm that video doesn't show for me. Here's a gif: 

 

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Thanks for the video. Yes it looks like it ought to turn further. Good chance something is in there. 

Both videos work for me. 

[Lurcher726]

2 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Thanks for the video. Yes it looks like it ought to turn further. Good chance something is in there. 

Both videos work for me. 

Thank you - good to be sure! I'll follow your guide to try and take out the blockage. Really appreciate your help

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Please let us know how you get on. 

[Lurcher726]

On 03/04/2022 at 12:23, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Please let us know how you get on. 

Hi Andy

Thanks again for all your advice before. I wanted to let you know I managed to get it sorted!

I wasn't able to get the washing machine onto it's side by myself (too heavy! Wondering how I ever managed to install it by myself...) so while waiting for a relative to come help  me out with it, I have been trying to get the filter off every now and then. And it finally worked! It turned a bit more than usual and with some gentle back and forth it eventually opened all the way - as well as the usual fluff there were three or four tiny bits of cotton towel (two inch circles).  Which explains why they were stuck before but also possible to thankfully squeeze out of the way this time - they were wet so more flexible! Glad it didn't turn out to be a bra wire or something more damaging. It does also explain where a damp smell in my kitchen was coming from- the cotton was retaining water. I'd checked for leaks under the sink tonnes of times, but it was this!! This is maybe all gross explanation but I'm so relieved to have found it.

 

And now I'll add "empty filter" to my once a month maintenance list so I don't let it build up to that state ever again! 

 

Thanks so much

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Thanks for the update. Arguably it's a poor design when a part designed to catch obstructions and blockages is rendered inaccessible because of - obstructions and blockages.