Ty for the reply FOXY, I asked a friend to take a look at it (They repair and supply washing machines) He took the phone a friend option (An engineer familiar with dish washers) and apparently it was condemmed.... As it came from MFI ??? Admitidely I would not buy another appliance from them. However is there a systematic diagnosis my husband can follow, to dissassemble and hopefully reassemble to identify the fault ??? He can turn his hands to most things and dont really want to just let it die. However if it is truely beyond economic repair, then so be it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.... Ty
Jane

Jane, October 2008

Hi there,

I've had several messages on my Diplomat dishwasher over the 12 years I've owned it, E1, E7, you name it and in both cases, it is down to the unit not emptying due to either:

a faulty drain pump or
a blockage somewhere

To clear the blockage, the best thing I've found is a hose through the kitchen window and to spray water into various orifices of the unit! Obviously, you can only do this for so long untill the unit fills up. You then have to empty it with some kind of pipe (I used a length of normal garden hose) and start again until you get clear water. I've also spilt salt into the unit when filling the salt reservoir, and thought it would just wash away. Don't make this mistake because I've just had to go through the entire unblocking process to clean this out. Am sitting here with crossed fingers as we speak, hoping I won't hear that dreaded beep.

I've had to do this 3 times in the past so would agree with the previous comment that generally, the unit is OK. The drain pump, touch wood, seems OK.

Don't give up - I've had a situation where after a clean-out, the washer goes for up to 15 minutes and then beeps. You just need to get the hose out again and keep plugging on.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

Tony (NOT a plumber), December 2008

Hi Jane, I never know why it is so easy to pick on MFI as having shoddy goods.This dishwasher was manufactured by SMEG and is an expensive machine.E1 is water in the base.If your other half can take the machine out.Take off the right hand side panel and look at the air break.If it is white,look at the seals where it goes into the salt pot.Has there been water leaking from these seals.If so, this may be the E1 fault when it fills.You can replace these seals, they are £4 each plus vat and postage.These dishwashers do not leak many other places.If the tank is leaking then it will be scrap but it is unusual.all other parts can be bought quite easily.All the best.

FOXY, October 2008