It is possible to get at the filter to clean it out or retrieve coins etc stuck in it, but it is not easy. In fact there is not a 'filter' it is just a trap for things like coins to stop them getting into the pump. If you are experienced and good with DIY then this is the way. It will take between one and two hours or so using only simple DIY tools. You will need 2 people for part of this.
Please don't try to skip the first 4 steps.
You will need quite a lot of space and may need to move other things out of the way before starting.
1. Pull the electric plug out of the wall socket - do not rely on a cheap switch to save your only life - vital.
2. Disconect the inlet and waste water pipes - beware of water in them.
3. Move the machine away from the wall to get access to the rear.
4. Refit the two drum transit bolts which held the drum in place when the machine was new - risk of serious damage or injury if you don't do this. You will probably need a second person to lift the drum slightly to align the bolts with the holes.
5. Put towels or blankets etc on the floor to the left (facing the front) side of the machine.
6. With two people lay the machine down on lts left side on the towels etc.
7. Remove the inspection hatch from the rear of the machine. It is held by two small screws.
8. From the underside you will see a large (about 2 inch diameter) tapered black rubber cylinder below the drum housing. The trap/filter is inside this. The cylinder has two pipes attached to it and is also fitted to bottom of the drum housing. The 'bellows' type tube goes to the pump. The other pipe with a plastic tube goes to the dryer condenser (I think), with a little care this pipe can be left in place.
9. The housing is held to the drum by a nylon clamp, a smaller similar clamp holds the bellows pipe on the pump. Both these must be removed. According to Hotpoint a special tool is required but they can be removed without one. If you should break one during the following take it to a good hardware/plumbers store and buy a similar size 'Jubilee Clip' to replace it. The clamps are fastened by squeezing two 'crocodile' jaws over each other - they are ribbed to prevent them coming apart. Start with the pump fitting. Working from the inspection hatch at the back use two medium sized screwdrivers - use one to gently prise the top jaw open a little then use the second to separate the jaws - they should slide apart with a little force. The larger clamp on the drum fitting will probably be too stiff to open this way - in which case slide the two jaws apart sideways little by little working them alternately - take great care - you are working alongside the heating element electrical connections.
10. Once the clamps are unfastened the rubber tubes can be gently pulled off the fittings. Beware of possible water leakage at this point - protect the electrics. Support the housing from below as the last small pipe is still in place. Working from the bottom of the machine lower the housing slightly and lift out the 'table tennis ball' from inside. Then gently prise out the inner plastic container (the trap) using only your fingers. Retrieve any objects from the container and clean it and the housing.
11. Refit the trap in the housing, ensure the rectangular peg on the base of the housing fits properly into the slot in the base of the trap. Insert the ball into the trap.
12. Refit the housing on the base of the drum and re-connect the hose to the pump. Ensure the rubber tubes are fully onto the appropriate fittings and that everything is properly lined up as it was.
13. Refit the two nylon clamps, get them straight. Initially push them gently together with your fingers then check that everything is exactly as it was.
14. Ensure that the jaws of the clamps are facing towards the opening at the back of the machine so that they can be got at next time!
15. Tighten the clamps fully. This will require some tool to compress them. For the smaller one I used a 'Mole Wrench'. For the larger one I used a 'carpenters G-clamp' from underneath the machine.
16. Check it all looks as it did before then refit the rear access panel, lift the machine back upright ( 2 people ). Remove the drum transit bolts. Reconnect the water hoses. and finally reconnect to the electric supply.
Good luck.
crono99 on WikiAnswers, April 2012
