Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

[silverpixie1uk]

I have a Zanussi table top DCE 5655 which was working fine until we went away last week leaving dog sitters who, for some reason don’t ever use it.
I put it on just before we left and was in it appeared to be washed on our return a week later so I put on a new wash tonight and within seconds water started pouring out from under the front of the door which was when I realised it must have still been full of water when I loaded it. I emptied loads out and put it on again but again, within seconds it started to flood.

I’ve now emptied it as much as I can, checked the drain hole in the bottom which appears to be clear ( I poked a small bit of electric cable down there and wiggled it) All around the door seems to be clean so I don’t think its a leak from there.

Could the problem be down to the programme being stopped before it finished, if so will it flood again now I’ve emptied it out?

Any suggestions gratefully received as our holiday weather was c**p and we spent a fortune so I can’t afford an expensive repair right now.

Many thanks.
Lynn

[Penguin45]

Re: Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

Water level in this machine is controlled by a diaphragm or “pressure” switch. There is an air bell in the sump, which traps air as the water level rises. The air is forced up a small hose to operate the switch. The air chamber may be full of sludge, the hose may be blocked or the switch may have failed. It is also possible that the pcb is not turning off the ater valve when the pressure switch trips.

Power off if investigating.

Penguin45.

[FlossieT]

Re: Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

I’m having exactly this problem with the same machine. The drain is definitely not blocked as the machine will empty successfully at the start of a programme, but it just doesn’t stop filling, and floods.

Is it possible to point me towards more information on how to check whether it’s one of the other things you mentioned, please? Is it fixable with a simple bit of parts replacement or is it a major issue? Like the OP, it’s an expense I could well do without this month 🙁

Thanks,

Rachael

[Penguin45]

Re: Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

The OP never came back, so we don’t know what happened. The most likely culprit is the pressure switch, which is on the back of the appliance. If pressurised gently, you should hear the contacts click over inside. Ideally, you’d need to use a test meter in continuity setting to check that the switch does actually make and break its contacts.

The last one of these which I dealt with was also run away fill and it was the pcb at fault. £100 part on a £150 machine……… Customer said no.
Stay safe, power off if you’re doing this yourself.

Penguin45.

[silverpixie1uk]

Re: Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

Many apologies for not returning sooner but I’ve had flu. 🙁

Anyway back to the machine. I think it must have been just a blockage because after bailing it out and wiggling down the hole with the bit of cable it seems to be working OK again with no further flooding.

The last one of these which I dealt with was also run away fill and it was the pcb at fault. £100 part on a £150 machine

Penguin please could you let me know where I can get another machine for £150 as my Mum would like one and I paid nearer £300 for mine. 😯

[sezicoolcat]

Re: Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

This same problem happens o my same machine about once a fortnight.
I resort to tipping machine forward (whilst kids try bravely to catch all the water with pans) and then reset the cycle and start again.

Washes fine other than this problem.

Sometimes it just sits there going pump;pump;pump;pump – power off and still it goes pump;pump;pump;pump.

This forum educated me to tipping it forward and emptying. Oh and taking both the round filter and the metal mesh and giving it a good scrub up helps too. Remove spray arm and undo its “collar” anti clockwise and remove. I find the spray arm and its collar fills wth debris/fluff/hair (how?) etc and needs to be regularly declogged.

I often wonder if its all clogged inside and I wonder if its worth buying the cleaning pot you can buy rfom supermarkets and put inside dishwashers. But I think adverts lie, so I darent try it (and waste my hard earned literally down the drain)

Sarah

[Penguin45]

Re: Help please flooding Zanussi DCE5655

The drain pump running regardless of the programme status is a sure sign that there is water in the tray under the machine. There is a float mechanism which rises up with the water level and will trip a microswitch, which in turn activates the flood protection mode. Pump, pump, pump….

If this is happening regularly, there is either a slow leak dripping into the base, or the air bell on the back of the machine is at least partially choked and causing false water level readings. Either way, you need to get the wrap-over casing off and observe what is actually going on.

Power off for anything other than observation, please.

Penguin45.

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