Neff model W4380X – liquid left in conditioner compartment

[jinjerdad]

Can anyone suggest what to try next please?

At the end of a wash there is some fluid left in the conditioner compartment. Sometimes it is nearly full, other times nearly empty. The fluid is thicker than water but not as thick as conditioner – presumably a mixture of both.

I have tried a hot cycle with soda crystals and I have checked behind the pump cover at the base of the machine. The washing appears to been done as well as ever!

It’s been used 3 or 4 times a week for 5 years now, about half the time at 40°, and hotter the rest of the time.

Many thanks

[eastlmark]

Re: Neff model W4380X – liquid left in conditioner compartme

assuming you have had the draw out and cleaned the syphon cap in the fab con compartment then the problem will be a lack of water reaching the compartment. Check the holes in the section of the dispenser top that spray into this compartment are clear. It is possible to carefully lever down the centre section with 2 small slotted screwdrivers to gain access inside to clean it out properly. If this doesnt work then it will require a new dispenser top section.
You need to post a full and correct model number for any further assistance.

[jinjerdad]

Re: Neff model W4380X – liquid left in conditioner compartme

Thanks for the your help.

Yes, I’d cleaned the tray. By the way it’s a mystery how the tray empties – there’s no obvious way liquid can fall below the top of the syphon tube! I thought a syphon could only draw water from below the level of the overflow pipe in a system that’s closed to the air. And yet it seems to work!

I didn’t dare lever down the centre section of the roof of the compartment for fear of breaking something important. The whole roof flexed downwards but it didn’t look as though the centre section would separate. Presumably I should have poked the screwdrivers through the rectangular water inlet holes and eased downwards with a bit more confidence.

Instead, I used a small brush and a pipe cleaner to try to clear the narrow channel leading to the 4 rectangular holes above the tray. There was black sludge here. I’m not sure I reached it all, but the tray was empty after the next wash.

Can you say where the water in the conditioner tray comes from? Is it direct from the tap or is it recycled from the wash? What I’m after is whether soda crystals added to the powder tray would ever reach this channel.

Thanks again for helping, I think it’s great that you guys do this for us amateurs.

By the way the model number shown on a sticker inside the door is W4380X1GB/01.

[nomadPaul]

you’ve cleared the blockage yourself by using the pipe cleaner to clean the 4 small square holes . A long electrical cable tie can also be used . Pushed up into the holes and towards the back will break up the blockages (mildew) . Then run a rinse cycle which will flush out any disturbed gunge .

The water comes straight in from the water inlet valve.

Good tips to help prevent a recurrence are –

Leave the drawer pulled out slightly and the appliance door open when not in use . This allows the machine to dry-out better

Regular 90*C service washes – once a month , empty , run a 90*c cycle to help kill off the bad bacteria/bugs that cause the black mould/mildew build up.

Its not advised to use soda crystals in these appliances and they will make no difference to the dispenser tray anyways.

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