Washing machine leaking

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

Hotpoint washing machine leaked during rinse from detergent drawer area

The problem

A several-years-old Hotpoint washing machine began leaking only during the rinse cycle. Water was seen on the floor directly below the detergent drawer. On inspection, there was a large build-up of black slimy mould around and inside the pipe leading from the detergent drawer towards the drum.

Likely cause

Build-up of black slimy residue and mould in the detergent drawer area and associated pipe, described by the poster as likely linked to long-term conditioner residue. This is a user-reported explanation rather than a confirmed engineering diagnosis.

What fixed it

The poster cleaned the detergent drawer and the pipe leading to the drum using a bottle brush and dilute acid, then also cleaned the filter after debris had been dislodged. After this cleaning, the leak had not repeated.

Checks to try

• Observed leak only during the rinse cycle
• Water found on floor below the detergent drawer
• Removed detergent drawer for inspection
• Found black slimy mould around and inside the pipe leading to the drum
• Cleaned the filter after loosened debris was dislodged

Parts or tools mentioned

• Bottle brush
• Dilute acid