Hi, Thanks for your reply..The pump after removing the impeller cover will spin by hand ,,, the filter is clear..indeed out of the machine.. Its really difficult to get the the black rubber outlet from the drum..( it looks like its only accessible from the front?? But on squeezing it, there appears to be a ball shaped object inside..I presumed this was some sort of floater device to stop the water just running away?? and that it was normal for it to be in there.. any other offers ??