Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Bosch Washing Machine Fault Code F04
The fault code (error code) F04 on a Bosch Washing Machine means that the machine hasn't been able to pump out. Most likely this will be because of a small foreign body making it into the pump housing - but it is worth a visual check for a kink in the drain pipe as that would be even easier to fix.
Before doing anything, remove the mains plug.
The key is to remove the access and drain plug. But unless you can cope with 10 litres of detergent-laden water all over the floor, first you need to drain most of the water from the machine. Pull down the flap at bottom right hand corner, look for black flexible hose (approx 1cm diameter) with rubber plug in the end. Take a plastic carton (a 3-litre washing liquid carton is ideal) and drain into that - placing a drip tray underneath (eg a shallow baking tray). This is a slow job!
When there is no more liquid coming out of the small pipe, replace the bung. Then undo the big (10cm diameter) access plug by unscrewing it. See my other note about using Polymorph to improve grip if you can't turn it by hand. Be ready for quite a bit more liquid when you remove it.
Check again that the power is off, then feel inside the pipe that you've just exposed - there are two pipes entering the chamber, and a four-blade impeller at the back. This is where that small coin will be if that is the problem.
If you need to explore further, you can remove the pump entirely - and it's not too scary a job (well done Bosch). Turn the machine onto its side and remove the eight Torx screws holding the centre access panel on the bottom of the machine. Remove the plastic moulding that covers the access knob at the bottom of the front face of the machine (1 Torx screw) and then remove a very small Torx screw at the bottom of the access pipe (ie the bit the access knob screws into): note how this fits for when you put it back. Removing the screw will allow you to remove the pump from the body of the machine, and that makes it easier to remove the two pipes that fit onto it (spring clips around the rubber pipes).
POSTSCRIPT
Having hit increasingly frequent F04 errors (opened up, found no blockage but a residue of rather thick washing liquid), I feared that there was something seriously wrong - perhaps the impeller slipping on its shaft.
But in fact I have banished the errors by moving to use a "wash-ball" (plastic container the size of a tennis ball with a slice cut off - washing liquid goes into this which then goes into the load) rather than the drawer.
Before doing anything, remove the mains plug.
The key is to remove the access and drain plug. But unless you can cope with 10 litres of detergent-laden water all over the floor, first you need to drain most of the water from the machine. Pull down the flap at bottom right hand corner, look for black flexible hose (approx 1cm diameter) with rubber plug in the end. Take a plastic carton (a 3-litre washing liquid carton is ideal) and drain into that - placing a drip tray underneath (eg a shallow baking tray). This is a slow job!
When there is no more liquid coming out of the small pipe, replace the bung. Then undo the big (10cm diameter) access plug by unscrewing it. See my other note about using Polymorph to improve grip if you can't turn it by hand. Be ready for quite a bit more liquid when you remove it.
Check again that the power is off, then feel inside the pipe that you've just exposed - there are two pipes entering the chamber, and a four-blade impeller at the back. This is where that small coin will be if that is the problem.
If you need to explore further, you can remove the pump entirely - and it's not too scary a job (well done Bosch). Turn the machine onto its side and remove the eight Torx screws holding the centre access panel on the bottom of the machine. Remove the plastic moulding that covers the access knob at the bottom of the front face of the machine (1 Torx screw) and then remove a very small Torx screw at the bottom of the access pipe (ie the bit the access knob screws into): note how this fits for when you put it back. Removing the screw will allow you to remove the pump from the body of the machine, and that makes it easier to remove the two pipes that fit onto it (spring clips around the rubber pipes).
POSTSCRIPT
Having hit increasingly frequent F04 errors (opened up, found no blockage but a residue of rather thick washing liquid), I feared that there was something seriously wrong - perhaps the impeller slipping on its shaft.
But in fact I have banished the errors by moving to use a "wash-ball" (plastic container the size of a tennis ball with a slice cut off - washing liquid goes into this which then goes into the load) rather than the drawer.
Broken drain knob on washing machine - a solution
Our Bosch washing machine occasionally fails with an "F04" code, which relates to a blockage on the pump impeller. There is a nice big access knob that gives access to the impeller - but the flanges for you to hold are very thin, and of brittle plastic. After a couple of attempts with the extra help of a Mole wrench, I ended up with flanges too weak to turn with a wrench, and a plug too stiff to turn by hand.
The solution? Buy a tub of Polymorph plastic granules - melt an egg-sized lump of the material (it's a plastic that melts in hot water) and force it on top of whatever remains of the filter/impeller access knob, forming a ridge on the top to give you a comfortable grip. Let it cool down and then turn. You can even re-use the Polymorph for another project if you are sure you won't need to remove the drain knob again.
The solution? Buy a tub of Polymorph plastic granules - melt an egg-sized lump of the material (it's a plastic that melts in hot water) and force it on top of whatever remains of the filter/impeller access knob, forming a ridge on the top to give you a comfortable grip. Let it cool down and then turn. You can even re-use the Polymorph for another project if you are sure you won't need to remove the drain knob again.
