Miele W3204 water inlet
The inlet filter warning comes on quite frequently, about every six to eight weeks. The white, plastic filter screen does have some brown discoloration, which can be washed off and the machine then runs normally for a while. I have to move the washer out from under its worktop each time, and it's a brute to move. Should I attempt to find some sort of auxiliary filter for the inlet, which might need less frequent attention and I might fix in a more convenient place? My local water supply looks clear and colourless, but I have been told that it might contain small amounts of soft, fibrous particles from peat.
Solution Summary
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This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Miele W3204 frequent inlet filter warning traced to restricted saddle valve
- The problem
- A Miele W3204 washing machine was showing the inlet filter warning every six to eight weeks. Cleaning brown staining from the white plastic inlet filter screen allowed normal operation for a time, but the warning kept returning.
- Likely cause
- Restricted water flow from the machine’s supply valve rather than a fault in the washer itself. The original self-cutting saddle valve was later found to be gradually obstructed by corrosion, considerably limiting the water supply.
- What fixed it
- The obstructed saddle valve was cut out and replaced with a proper Pegler washing machine supply valve. The filter was not removed.
- Checks to try
- Confirmed the machine was fed directly from the mains
- Observed slight brown staining on the inlet filter screen
- Noted water pressure was believed to be over three bar
- Considered whether the self-cutting saddle valve might be restricting flow
- Found the saddle valve had become obstructed by corrosion and was considerably restricting water flow
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Self-cutting saddle valve
- T-piece
- Full-bore valve
- Pegler washing machine supply valve
- Inlet filter screen
Safety: Do not remove the inlet filter, as debris entering the water valve could cause flooding.
5 Answers
It sounds like the sensor is quite sensitive but I have had a Miele washing machine for at least 12 years and never had any similar problem. I can only assume that for some reason the water supply is not very good. It shouldn't be brown. Is the washing machine cold water supply coming from a water tank as opposed to the direct mains? If unsure that could be tested by turning off the stopcock under the sink and seeing if water still runs into the washing machine or not. Mains water should not be causing discolouration and clogging of the filter. You could also try holding a white handkerchief over a tap and running water through it for a few minutes to see if any discolouration comes. At the end of the day I don't think there's anything you can do about it if the problem is being caused by the water supply. On no account remove the filter though, that could cause a disastrous flood if detritus got inside the water valve.
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Thank you Andy. The water comes directly from the mains, but the white plastic filter does become slightly stained brown in use. The area in the Hebrides does have lots of peat, but a bath full of water looks colourless. The pressure is good, I believe something over three bar. I used a self-cutting saddle valve to install the machine. I shall probably replace it with a T-piece and full-bore valve, in case the flow might be limited by the connector.. The machine is about six years old, and the problem has got slightly worse as the machine has aged.
Those self tapping taps aren’t usually very good. They only pierce a very small hole which amounts to only a few millimetres diameter. They can easily get clogged up. I would definitely recommend getting a proper tap fitted.
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Thanks again Andy. The saddle valve had gradually become obstructed by what seems like corrosion, restricting the flow of water considerably. I've cut it away and replaced it with a proper Pegler washing machine supply valve and all is back to working properly. I will add that the original saddle valve was fitted by the builder who installed the kitchen and he went out of business.
Great news. Thanks for the update. Those self tapping taps are rubbish.
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