Quite often at the beginning of a cycle the "Check Inlet" light on my Miele W828 machine flashes. I have checked the supply hose for kinks and blockages and all is OK. I have cleaned out the detergent drawer which was blackish with some built up scum etc. I seem to be able to trick the machine to complete a cycle by slowly opening the water supply tap when the machine is in a fill mode as oppossed to having full water pressure sitting against the machine solenoid waiting for the valve to be commanded open by the machine. When this is done for some reason I end up with a better flow of water through the machine than there was if I leave the tap on full against the machine solenoid. It appears like I have some sort of water flow regulator problem. Does the machine have a flow regulator and maybe this is faulty.

DaveR, September 2008

I had a simialr issue.
The 3 way valve can be dissassembled. Need to gently prise off the solenoid body from the plastic valve assembly. There is a locking type assebley at the top of the solenoid. Squeeze the tabs in. Prise up the solenoid until it clears the valve assembly. I used a lubricant as it was tight. If you exert too much unequal pressure you will snap off the end of the valve assembly. Once you have the solenoid off you must screw off the long stalk part the the solenoid was sitting on. This houses the metal plunges that closes and opens the valve. The bottom half of the assembly houses the washer. mine was split and I was able to purchase a $5 replacement from a repair shop.( appears to be a common part)

Dave from Oz, July 2010

I've had the same problem with my W828 since I bought it.
He's my suggestion. The W828 expects water to be fed in at a certain pressure. You water should flow at 5 litres per 15 seconds (according to the user manual). Mine only flows at about 2.5 litres every 15 seconds. The result is that the machine thinks the inlet is blocked because it isn't getting water fast enough.

As the W828 is computer controlled then this can be reprogrammed to let the machine to wait longer for the incoming water to arrive before deciding there's a blockage. These are the steps you need to take to make this change;

With an empty machine

1. Turn the machine off
2. Move the selector knob to the 'Finish' position
3. Whislt pressing the 'Short' and 'Water Plus' buttons, turn the machine on
4. The 'main wash' indicator should flash
5. Turn the selector to 'Drain'
6. Press the start button. The rinse light should come on.

This indicates that you have changed the fill time from approx 60 seconds to 155 seconds.

7. Turn the machine off

Woodyrvf750, February 2010

There are regulators but they are in side the 3 way inlet valve which is a sealed unit. you will need a complete new valve which will cost you about £80

sercs10@aol.com, February 2009