Candy RapidO - blocked filter?

Thank you Andy, that's really helpful and reassuring - and such a quick reply!!

I only seem to have narrow nosed pliers so perhaps I should save more attempts for another day.

It's reassuring that you suggest some would be happy to leave it. Perhaps curiosity will get the better of me if the pliers don't work but for now I am content to leave it be as long as it isn't a dead cert that it'll cause some more expensive part to break. I'll keep it in mind when I've got a quiet day free to fiddle with it...

Thanks again

Apologies I forgot to add. This is the manual, it doesn't say how much it should turn but this YouTube video of a similar model shows it turning much more (at about 1:15)

https://youtu.be/NIB2dy4U8js

The potential problem to consider, is if in the future the washing machine breaks down full of water because the pump has failed, or because the pump filter is blocked.

In this situation you will be in trouble because you will have to try and get the washer out, which is hard when full of water and very heavy, and you can’t open the door. Then you will have to drain the washing machine before trying to get the pump filter off.

So although there’s no panic, my advice would be to try and get it off when in the right mood. Alternatively you can hope it doesn’t cause a problem, which is possible of course.

The diagram looks like it just turns until horizontal. Have you tried turning it anti-clockwise as far as possible and then pulling it firmly out?

OK that possibility makes it worth trying to sort out! Thank you! I looked into the "sump hose" mentioned in the FAQ and I am hoping that my washing machine has an open bottom so it will be easy enough. And will encourage me to get more tools...

I might need to get a friend in to help with the bite moving the washing machine onto its side, I'm not the strongest, but hopefully a small barrier.

Thanks again

Here's a quick video - I have tried pulling it out from this position but if I pull hard enough the entire washing machine comes towards me. It starts horizontal and I manage to turn it a bit more than a quarter anti clockwise. You can hopefully see in that position it's not letting me turn it further than this (I've tried harder than this but for the purpose of the video I was trying to be short)

20220403_120941.mp4

Hmm that video doesn't show for me. Here's a gif:

VID-20220403-WA0000.mp4

Thanks for the video. Yes it looks like it ought to turn further. Good chance something is in there.

Both videos work for me.

Thank you - good to be sure! I'll follow your guide to try and take out the blockage. Really appreciate your help

Please let us know how you get on.

Hi Andy

Thanks again for all your advice before. I wanted to let you know I managed to get it sorted!

I wasn't able to get the washing machine onto it's side by myself (too heavy! Wondering how I ever managed to install it by myself...) so while waiting for a relative to come help me out with it, I have been trying to get the filter off every now and then. And it finally worked! It turned a bit more than usual and with some gentle back and forth it eventually opened all the way - as well as the usual fluff there were three or four tiny bits of cotton towel (two inch circles). Which explains why they were stuck before but also possible to thankfully squeeze out of the way this time - they were wet so more flexible! Glad it didn't turn out to be a bra wire or something more damaging. It does also explain where a damp smell in my kitchen was coming from- the cotton was retaining water. I'd checked for leaks under the sink tonnes of times, but it was this!! This is maybe all gross explanation but I'm so relieved to have found it.

And now I'll add "empty filter" to my once a month maintenance list so I don't let it build up to that state ever again!

Thanks so much

Thanks for the update. Arguably it's a poor design when a part designed to catch obstructions and blockages is rendered inaccessible because of - obstructions and blockages.