Miele T230C – condensation problem

[mackeer]

Hi,
we’ve had our Miele T230C for around 10 years, and it’s given us reasonably good service (considering we’ve also had three children in that period). However, over the last 6 months it’s started to develop some issues. I’ve had a go at fixing them, with some success, but now I’m struggling and could use some expert advice.

History as follows…
1) About 6 months ago the one-shot thermostat at the top of the heating element went – I did some digging on the Internet and bought and installed a replacement. All fine, except I forgot to follow the advice of others and give the condenser a really good clean to ensure a good airflow.

2) A month later the thermostat went again – replaced it again, and this time I cleaned the condenser by jet washing it. Cleaned it out really well, followed by drying it very carefully with a hairdryer. All good.

3) Another month later, the dryer began to trip the electrics about thirty seconds after starting. Again with the help of the Internet, I diagnosed this as a faulty heating element. As experienced by others, I found a build up of condensation on the inside of the back cover plate, and inside the heating element. After drying out the element the machine would run for a while but trip the electrics before the load was finished. After removing the element I found the reflective card inside the element was failing, so I took the plunge and spent £200 on a new element, assuming that if I could get this fixed, the dryer, being a Miele, would give another good few years faithful service.

4) All fine for a while, but a few weeks ago the dryer started tripping the electrics again.

Diagnosis
1) I removed the heating element and found condensation on the cover plate and inside the element. As the dryer had been kept out in a cold and damp lean-to/conservatory, I thought this might be causing the problem. Moved it into the nice warm kitchen, dried out the element, and it ran for a few minutes before tripping out again.

2) Dried out the element again and ran the dryer, this time with the rear cover plate off (just to save time if it tripped again). I noticed that drops of water were being flicked up into the heating element from the area where the hot air fan blade is situated.

3) Using a pipe cleaner, I poked a dry towel down in to the area around the hot air fan and it came back soaking wet!!

4) After spending some time drying out the area around the hot air fan, to the point where a dry towel came back dry, the dryer would run for about half an hour, before eventually tripping out again. Checking for water around the hot air fan revealed a new build up of water.

5) I reasoned that the condensate must not be draining properly so inspected the channel that takes condensate from the condenser to the pump – all fine. Cleaned the pump out (thanks Bovril) and confirmed that condensate was being removed by putting the outlet hose into a bucket and collecting some (although not as much as I might have expected).

6) After drying everything out again, and getting about half an hour of drying done, when it tripped I checked to ensure there wasn’t a build up of condensate in the channel/tray – all clear.

7) I then reasoned that the moist air flow must not be condensing properly in the condenser, leading it to condense in the area around the hot air fan, but having checked the cold air fan that blows air through the condenser cooling fins, it’s fine, and there is a good air flow. There also appears to be a good air flow of the hot air through the drum and down in to the condenser.

8) Deciding to give it one last try, I pushed a dry towel down into the hot air fan area and either broke, or dislodged an already broken, component. I have no idea what it is for, but Googling the part number (5114451) reveals that it’s a Rohrwinkel – or curved pipe (photo attached).

9) There are no fault indicator lights on.

10) When I look inside the dryer by sticking a camera through the condenser aperture and pointing it towards the hot air fan, or by removing the heating element, there is a slight build up of damp grey gunky fluff, but nothing I’d consider exceptional (but then I’m no expert!).

Questions
1) Why is condensation building up in the hot air fan area? With appropriate flow of air through the condenser, surely any moisture from the drying of clothes should condense in the condenser and run off to be pumped away?

2) Is the broken Rohrwinkel a possible cause, and if not, can I run the dryer safely without (or does it serve some other critical purpose).

3) Should I just cut my losses and accept that 10 years is a good innings for a £500+ tumble dryer. My instinct is not, but please feel free to tell me if I’ve had my head stuck in my dryer for too long!

Thanks if you’ve made it this far – I appreciate that this is a very long post. All thoughts, comments and suggestions welcome. I’m a bit old fashioned in that I’d rather spend a bit of time, effort and money on fixing what I think is a quality appliance, than go out and buy a cheap, disposable one.

[Seamy]

Re: Miele T230C – condensation problem

Not only have you had you head stuck in the dryer for too long but you have actually had you fingers on the keyboard for too long.
Many people will not be bothered to read through paragraphs of post as long as this.

Is’nt it about time you called Miele to look at it. Or at least an appliance Engineer, if you spend £500+ on a top of the range dryer you should expect to have it serviced correctly, not stabbing in the dark & fitting parts that “someone” suggested may be faulty, a £200 part at that, that may not have been necessary if the problem was corrected initially, or prevented by cleaning the filters & not letting the condenser get blocked up.
If a thermostat only lasts a month then you have a serious problem, it is most likely down to a poor airflow or blockage somewhere, most likely the condenser & drainage.
Advise you to cut your losses, if you are not prepared to pay to have the appliance serviced properly then don’t buy these expensive machines.

[jackrussel]

Re: Miele T230C – condensation problem

Seamy wrote “Advise you to cut your losses, if you are not prepared to pay to have the appliance serviced properly then don’t buy these expensive machines.” What would a ‘service’ consist of? Seems to me, the original poster has carried out most of it in cleaning and checking. I don’t reckon a ‘service’ would check other than visual things, certainly not voltages, currents, airflows etc? Unless I’n wrong? Also, IMHO the post was good, detailed, and comprehensive. And not too long. Much better than ‘ I get a burning smell’, or ‘it won’t run, the fuse is ok’, or even worse, over brief answers like ‘get it serviced’…..and such. Info is king.

[Andy jones]

Re: Miele T230C – condensation problem

Whilst it’s nice to get as much info as possible sometimes too much just confuses the situation. Just a brief description of the fault is all that’s needed, the number of times I’ve politely had to stop a customer after they couldn’t decide which day it went wrong and where they had been before is mind boggling
Hope you get it sorted but as seamy said best get an engineer to look at it

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Seamy]

Re: Miele T230C – condensation problem

mackeer wrote:
but please feel free to tell me if I’ve had my head stuck in my dryer for too long!

Thanks if you’ve made it this far – I appreciate that this is a very long post. All thoughts, comments and suggestions welcome.

Sorry did’nt mean to offend but was just trying to make the point that most engineers would’nt read such a long post or even reply.

Again i’d reiterate that there is likely a blockage in the air-path, the steam is either not condensing properly and most certainly condensate seems to be not getting away, best to fit drain hose as stated on pages 31, 32 & 34 of operating instructions, also need to check that condenser is clean, air ways are cleaned out & filters are clean too.
Having some knowledge of the issue and having been trained by Miele on these products it does seem like there is not enough air passing through, this is likely causing the high limit t’stat popping out on over temp’ and the heater getting damp also suggests poor airflow.
(it is common on condenser driers no matter what make)
This can be a build up of dirt/dust after years of use in the air path ducting, on the fan impellor blades, filters etc.
Take out filters and wash with washing up liquid etc, sometimes scum can form on the gauze of the filter from over use of softener, the filter may look o.k but the airflow may be reduced.

Miele do offer a few service options which may suit and perhaps should still be considered . Pricey but the product was pricey to begin with. I’d opt for a good local independant guy, they should be able to do the job too most likely at half the labour cost.

1)Miele Remedy Service Plan

£117 inc VAT (£123 inc VAT within Central London)

Call out and charge and first hour of labour. Additional time required will be charged at £72.00 per hour charged in 6 minute increments.

2)Miele RemedyPlus Service Plan

£249 inc VAT

Price includes call out, labour and replacement spare parts plus 12 months additional cover subject to Miele Service Certificate terms & conditions. Covers any electrical or mechanical faults for the term of the plan.

[Author]

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