How to unscrew and remove the filter in a washing machine
Small items forgotten in laundry pockets do not disappear without a trace, but settle in a specially designed garbage filter. All foreign objects that fall into the drum are collected here, which must be periodically removed, and the element itself must be thoroughly washed.
Knowing how to unscrew the filter in a washing machine and clean it of accumulated dirt can prevent many problems with a clogged drain. But the issue is not always resolved by simply unscrewing, since often the catcher “sticks” tightly to the snail and does not give in. Below we will figure out what to do even in the most advanced cases.
How does the problem manifest itself?
At first, cleaning the filter is not difficult. It is enough to pry up the drain hatch located at the bottom of the front side of the case and unscrew the plastic part with a round top. The main thing is to be prepared for the water remaining after washing to pour out of the vacated hole and have time to place a container or rag under the stream.
Note! Manufacturers recommend cleaning the drain trap at least once every 2-4 months.
But not all owners of washing machines follow the operating rules.. Therefore, after opening the hatch, users are often faced with a “blocked” filter. We are talking about the following situations:
- the lid handle does not turn, and it seems that it is welded to the body;
- the handle scrolls, but not all the way, and stops at half or a quarter of a turn;
- The part has been unscrewed, but still cannot be removed from the hole.
Most often, the filter is blocked by objects accumulated in it: lint, wool, hair, paper, children's socks and other small objects. Particularly dangerous are long hairs that wrap around the walls of the part and the pump impeller. Another reason is excessive scale on the trap threads, which has a superglue effect. All this often occurs if more than 6 months have passed since the last cleaning.
What should I do to remove the filter?
If you cannot unscrew the filter in the usual way, you should pay attention to other methods. But before actual dismantling, it is worth preparing. First of all, disconnect the washing machine from the power supply and turn off the water, and then cover the surrounding area with rags and prepare a container for collecting water. Then we proceed sequentially according to the following instructions.
- Prepare pliers or round nose pliers.
- We hook the handle of the filter plug.
- Carefully try to unscrew the filter.
You should not press with all your might - you must act carefully and not break the spare part.
If it does not twist out, we change tactics: we tilt the body of the machine back by 45 degrees so as to lean the body against the wall. We clench our hand into a fist and knock on the filter several times. There is a high chance that blocking debris, bra wires, coins or hair clips, will move out of place and make it easier to unscrew.
When the previous options do not work, we turn to the most difficult and effective method: clean the filter from the other side - through the hole under the pump. To do this, you will have to get to the snail itself and remove the drainage pump. You will need knowledge of the machine's structure, so if you are unsure of your abilities, it is better not to experiment and contact service professionals.If the upcoming manipulations do not frighten you, follow the instructions below.
Cochlea extraction methods and pumps
Before cleaning the filter through the snail, you need to find the pump. Its location in various modern washing machines can vary greatly depending on the type of load and manufacturer. And knowing where the pump is located, you can save time on removing it. It is best to refer to the factory instructions and find the center of the drain system on the page describing the internal structure. If the manual is not at hand, we navigate as described below. So, owners of frontal automatic machines will have to choose from three possible options.
- Through the bottom. Many washing machines have no bottom or can be easily removed. In such cases, the easiest way to get to the cochlea is to tilt the unit body back 45-60 degrees and find the pump immediately behind the filter.
Important! This method is not suitable for Bosch models due to the presence of a metal strip at the bottom that secures the dampers, and for those machines at the bottom of which there is an “Aquastop” sensor, designed to protect against leaks.
- Behind. If the drain pump is located closer to the back wall, then it is better to disassemble the washing machine from this direction. For example, this is done with machines from Ardo, Indesit, BEKO and Haier. To do this, just move the machine away from the wall, unscrew the four screws and remove the panel.
- Front. Owners of frontal Bosch and Siemens often have to get to the pump through the front panel. This method is the most labor-intensive and will take a lot of time. First, the top of the unit is dismantled, for which the two rear retaining bolts are twisted.Then you have to loosen and remove the outer clamp on the cuff and tuck the sealing rubber inside the drum. We also disconnect the dispenser, control panel and UBL wiring. Next, close the door tightly, loosen the four screws and remove the front wall. Finding the pump will not be difficult - it will be right behind the filter.
For top-loading washing machines, the procedure for cleaning the trash bin is much simpler. Here the pump is located according to the location of the filter: which side - left or right - is the catcher closer to, that panel needs to be opened. Unscrew a couple of screws and move the removed wall to the side. Once the pump you are looking for has been found, you can get down to business:
We strongly recommend that you first take photographs of the pump and all connected wiring to simplify the process of reassembly and connection.
- disconnect the power wires from the part;
- move a deep container under the pump or lay rags to avoid flooding;
Attention! It is forbidden to remove the filter immediately after the end of the next cycle, as hot water can seriously burn you!
- Using pliers or pliers, remove the clamp from the drain pipe and disconnect the tube;
- we clean the glass through the vacated hole, removing objects that interfere with the removal of the filter, at the same time we “check” the catcher itself: if it is unscrewed, we stop and put the machine back together, otherwise we continue disassembling;
- unhook the drain hose from the volute by loosening the corresponding clamp;
- unscrew the screws holding the pump and carefully remove it along with the snail;
- We inspect the pump and, having released the latches by turning the housing counterclockwise or unscrewing three screws along the diameter, we unfasten the glass.
It is enough to thoroughly clean the freed glass from dirt and debris. Particular attention is paid to threads, wool and hair. Afterwards, the drain filter should unscrew easily and quickly. Then all that remains is to open the catcher and remove all foreign objects, dirt and scale from it.
Alternative ways to solve the problem
It is not always possible to remove a stuck drain filter even after removing the pump. In such cases, the main reason lies in a thick layer of scale or sodium deposits due to hard water. Removing them is much more difficult than removing debris and dirt.
But this is not a reason to buy a new washing machine. There are several alternative methods that will be much cheaper.
- Dissolve the lime. It is best to get rid of scale using citric acid. To do this, put 1-2 spoons of lemon juice into the drum and start a short cycle at a water temperature of 40-60 degrees. If by that time the pump has already been disassembled, then we soak the glass with the filter in the same solution in the proportion of 1 tablespoon per six-liter basin. Do not forget that the water should not be higher than 60 degrees, otherwise the rubber seal will be seriously damaged. It doesn’t hurt to weigh down the parts so that the plastic case does not float to the surface for 1-2 hours. As soon as the time is up, take it out, rinse it under cold water and try to free the catcher from the snail using any of the methods described above.
- Break out the filter. If the citric acid trick didn't work, you'll have to act more harshly. We take pliers or wire cutters and carefully break off the fragile plastic of the catcher body. Then we unscrew the remains and remove the entire part. The main thing is to be extremely careful and not damage the snail.Even a small crack will lead to leaks.
Attention! Without knowing the internal structure of the machine, you can easily damage the wiring, pump or other important parts of the washing machine, which will seriously aggravate the situation.
- Remove the snail filter. There is also a quick option - break out the glass along with the filter. Failure to execute the previous method will lead to the same end. This method is the most expensive, but it has an undeniable advantage - replacing both elements of the drain system guarantees the absence of leaks and a low probability of clogging.
If it was not possible to solve the problem “peacefully” and you had to break out the part, then it is necessary to replace the unusable elements. Find a new filter and pump volute in specialized stores using the serial number of your existing washing machine. True, the more replacement parts are required, the more expensive the repair will be.
Therefore, it is recommended to adequately assess your knowledge, capabilities and experience. And if you have the slightest doubt or misunderstanding about what to do, do not rush or experiment, but contact the service center for help.
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3 reader comments
Thank you for the useful information.
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Helpful information!
How to get a filter on a vertical Kandy? I unscrewed the plug, and he followed it.