part of rigid plastic seal found in washing

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Bosch ClassiXX 1200 Express leaked badly after rigid plastic fragment appeared in wash

The problem

A Bosch ClassiXX 1200 Express washing machine, about 10 years old, was unloaded to find a rigid plastic piece in the wash and fine grey powder over the clothes. After running the clothes through again, the machine flooded within about two minutes and the electrics tripped.

Likely cause

The accepted reply said the plastic fragment was most likely from the main outer drum/tub, which is made of fibrous plastic. The strongest suggested explanation was that the outer drum had been damaged, possibly because the drum or bearings had become loose and worn through it, or because a metal object left in a pocket had damaged the drum. This was not physically confirmed in the thread.

What fixed it

The accepted advice was that if the fragment came from the outer drum, the machine was effectively beyond economical repair and should be replaced. The original poster decided not to pursue repair and ordered a new washing machine.

Checks to try

• Rigid plastic fragment found in the washing
• Fine grey powder found on the load
• Machine flooded within about two minutes on the next run
• Electrics cut out after the leak