Hotpoint Wdl 540 G - Soap Drawer Removal
The Hotpoint manual provides guidance and a diagram for removing the detergent dispenser tray, which says to lift up and pull forward.. I've not seen one of this type before, instead of the usual tray that pulls forward, it has a swinging grey front door opening to 90degrees revealing the white plastic soap and conditioner tray. As the external parts are all grey, it is easy to see which bit of the white innards should be lifted and pulled forward as instructed, but no amount of tugging and wiggling has got it to move.
Am I missing something here? I can't see any obvious clip or spring device.
Anyone know how to get this tray out?
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Hotpoint WDL 540 G detergent dispenser tray difficult to remove
- The problem
- The detergent/soap drawer on a Hotpoint WDL 540 G would not come out using the manual’s instruction to lift and pull forward. This model has a quarter-circle hinged grey front rather than a conventional pull-out drawer, which made the published removal method unclear.
- Likely cause
- The manual appears to describe a different dispenser design. On this version, the tray is retained at the rear by a clip attaching to a metal hinge spindle/rail, so it will not release by simple lifting and pulling.
- What fixed it
- Open the quarter-circle door slightly beyond its normal position, then lift the front at an angle so the rear clears the top/interior and the inner tray clip snaps free from the metal rail/spindle. Once released, the tray can slide forwards for cleaning.
- Checks to try
- Manual instruction to lift and pull forward did not work
- User confirmed the rear was clipped onto the steel hinge spindle
- Later reply confirmed there is a small internal clip attaching to a metal rail
- After opening the door a little further, the tray lifted at the back and slid forwards
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Detergent dispenser tray
- Internal clip
- Metal rail/steel hinge spindle
6 Answers
Pull the drawer out fully then grip it by the sides just over half way down and pull it out as you lift it slightly. There's usually a bit sticking out at the bottom stopping it from coming out, see if you can see it. They are sometimes designed to not come out too easily so you may just need to be a bit more forceful. If there was a clip (as there often is) it would be mentioned in the instruction book so it probably just needs to be pulled out over the stop at the back.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks. This design is a quarter circle so there are no 'sides' to squeeze. However much lifting you do it makes no difference. I found out why when it finally gave way. The rear is clipped onto the steel hinge spindle, so it has to be released not by lifting and pulling, but by lifting the front at an angle causing the cover to hinge in and the inside snap loose. Phew! What 'genius' thought that was a good design for something the manual says should be done 'frequently'.
Maybe they didn't update the instructions for the new design? The instructions sound typical for a normal dispenser drawer.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Having come to this same problem years later, and seeing no solution on line, though it was worth a response. They key step here is to open the quarter circle door a little too far, so that the tray is able to lift a little bit at the back clear of the top of the interior then the tray will easily slide forwards (separating from the door). There is a little clip inside, which attaches to a metal rail, this needs to separate before the drawer will slide away. See photos.
Thanks for that.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
I just wanted to say a sincere thanks to HCF for this very useful advice. It's the only useful thing on the internet about this bloody drawer! Finally got it open thanks to this and cleaned out a horrible amount of gunk. Service wash now happily working away.
Your Answer
Sign in to share your expertise and post an answer.
Related Questions
Hotpoint BI WMHG 81484 UK
1 answer • 2 replies
Hotpoint WMFUG942 Door Issue
1 answer • 1 reply
Knocking sound in vintage Hotpoint First Editions 1000 - suggestions please!
1 answer • 3 replies
hotpoint wmxtf 842 - Door Interlock screws
1 answer • 1 reply
Hotpoint WM51 motor armature query
1 answer • 3 replies
Hotpoint selling split tubs again?
1 answer • 7 replies
Hotpoint WD21 "Starter Edition" question
1 answer • 5 replies
Hotpoint rd966j screen not working
1 answer • 3 replies
Hotpoint Washing Machine spins but rubs
1 answer • 4 replies
Bleep from Hotpoint Washing machine
1 answer • 1 reply