Bosch Exxcel WVT1260GB/01 Steam from soap drawer

[yucca]

When my washer dryer is tumbling, I get steam emanating from the soap dispenser.

I had a similar problem to this before (http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/forumsphpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=49512) which was caused by a faulty “valve magnet” which was replaced.

I’ve checked the valve-magnet again, and the resistance looks fine. I also used a cotton-wool bud down the little viewing hole to check that water was being dispensed (which it was).

Also, a reasonable amount of water is pumped down the drain.

I removed the fan and pulled out a load of fluff that was blocking the top of the condensor hoping this would fix it (I didn’t attempt to push anything down the condensor bottle after the last debacle!).

Could it still be fluff blocking the lower part of the condensor? If so, what’s the best way of clearing that?

The curious thing is that the clothes do come out dry so the steam is definitely being removed – some if it happens to be leaking into the room (which will cause a problem because the washing machine is fitted into a kitchen cupboard).

Thanks

[Martin]

Re: Bosch Exxcel WVT1260GB/01 Steam from soap drawer

yucca wrote:The curious thing is that the clothes do come out dry so the steam is definitely being removed

That proves to a greater degree that the condensing system is working for the most part so you can rule out any “valve-magnet” problems straight away. Excess vapour can indeed point to the likelyhood the condenser is getting clogged. (A common problem with this heap of junk anyway,. :rolls:). Access is a sod, especially the short hose at the bottom of the condenser matrix that leads directly into the drum.

A radical solution to cleaning that condenser involves the use of a wet vac (aquavac) and a short length of garden hose…..beyond that I don’t wish to elaborate… 8)

[yucca]

Re: Bosch Exxcel WVT1260GB/01 Steam from soap drawer

Thanks for the reply.

I kind of figured it was going to be difficult from the last time when I tipped the machine up and saw the small connecting hose from the condensor to the drum. I think there was a jubilee clip? Can I remove the whole thing or should I try to clear it in situ?

I did try flushing it out by pouring in some hot water but that hasn’t made much difference.

This seems like poor design to me – surely they could have put in a fluff filter to prevent the condensor from becoming blocked? I’m sure my old zanussi had one of those.

BTW, which way does the fan pump the air? I guess it enters the drum from the top drawing cooler air from the bottom so moist air condenses at the bottom of the condensor?

If that’s the case, then if there is fluff at the top of the condensor (which there was), then presumably that’s because the condensor wasn’t working as well as it should have been? i.e there’s a load of fluff still stuck at the bottom of the condensor?

Am I barking up the wrong tree or does this sound plausible?

[Martin]

Re: Bosch Exxcel WVT1260GB/01 Steam from soap drawer

yucca wrote:I did try flushing it out by pouring in some hot water but that hasn’t made much difference.

No effect whatsoever that way, the vac way on the other hand… 😉

yucca wrote:This seems like poor design to me – surely they could have put in a fluff filter to prevent the condenser from becoming blocked? I’m sure my old zanussi had one of those.

Nope, wrong there, no filter and their wasn’t a filter on the Zanussi either.

yucca wrote:BTW, which way does the fan pump the air? I guess it enters the drum from the top drawing cooler air from the bottom so moist air condenses at the bottom of the condenser?

You got it! :tup:

yucca wrote:If that’s the case, then if there is fluff at the top of the condenser (which there was), then presumably that’s because the condenser wasn’t working as well as it should have been? i.e there’s a load of fluff still stuck at the bottom of the condenser?

The condenser system works fine but inevitably garments give off fluff, fibres, dirt, pet and human hair. The flow of air throughout the system creates a situation where such ‘detritus’ gets stuck more often on the cool damp air side rather than the hot dry air side. Hence the problem.

yucca wrote:Am I barking up the wrong tree or does this sound plausible?

You’re gettin’ there all the while. 😀

[yucca]

Re: Bosch Exxcel WVT1260GB/01 Steam from soap drawer

Ok – I can get hold of a wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner.

So, I attach a short length of hose pipe to the vacuum cleaner and feed that down the condensor?

Is the condensor just a vacant “bottle” with cold water that runs down the sides? or is it more complicated? i.e. will the hose pipe get stuck?

Thanks

[Author]

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