I have a Hotpoint Ultima 1200, that is about 3 years old.
We have noticed that it doesn't seem to be drying our clothes very well any more. The washing is getting very hot, but when you open the door, you get a facefull of steam. The clothes are very hot, but take hours to dry. There are no outlet pipes that I can find that might be blocked. Can anyone suggest anything else I can check?

Neil Porter, March 2006

I tried to clean the condensor unit as suggested, but this didn't help. I finally gave up and called in an engineer. He diagnosed a faulty 3 way valve (Where the cold water pipe connects to the rear of the machine). Apparently a small amount of cold water is fed into the condensor unit, just to keep it cool. When the valve jams the condensor gets hot too, and the washing stays hot and very steamy. Replacement valve and labour cost £70, and the machine is working great now.

Neil Porter, May 2006

Hi Neil,

I have the exact same problem with a machine that is about 2 years old, I have rung Hotmpoint and they said they will send an engineer if I want for £89.98 and he will fix it, as it is still within the 5 years free parts warranty - I only have to pay the fixed callout and labour charge of £89.98!

BUT.....I have been searching around the internet and although I haven't had time to take the machine apart yet, think that it is the condenser unit that is blocked?? Apparently this is on the top right hand side of the machine as you look at it from the rear after taking the back off!

I was also wondering if you had found the fault and managed to fix it, as any other suggestions would be greatly received.

Many Thanks

James

James Hodges, April 2006