Bosch WVG30461GB. Removed filter plug to find wire ring broken.

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

Bosch WVG30461GB filter plug would not reseat and leaked after wire found in filter area

The problem

On a Bosch WVG30461GB, the filter plug needed a lot of force to remove. A wire ring with white pieces attached was found in the filter area and was thought to be part of the machine. The plug then would not refit properly in the correct position and the machine leaked when used. The user also queried whether the filter impeller should spin freely.

Likely cause

The strongest supported diagnosis is that the wire was not a machine part but a foreign object, specifically a bra underwire, wedged in the pump filter area and preventing the plug from seating correctly.

What fixed it

The discussion concluded that the wire was a bra underwire rather than a broken appliance component. Once this was recognised and removed from the filter area, the plug went back in properly. No replacement wire ring or pump part was confirmed as needed.

Checks to try

• Filter plug was removed with difficulty
• Foreign wire ring with white pieces was found in the filter area
• Filter plug could not initially be returned to the proper vertical position
• Machine leaked when used with the plug not seated correctly
• User later confirmed the wire was from a bra
• User confirmed the plug then fitted properly