Zanussi 1257S won't dry - where's the condenser?

[nacorn]

My Zanussi 1257S goes through a dry cycle and the clothes come out very hot (steamy) but still damp. From the other posts it sounds like it could be a blocked condenser. Does anyone know where the condenser is on this model and the procedure to access/clean it?

Also, I've read another post that said check that the resevoir is not full. Can anyone advise on this? Where is the resevoir and what do I have to do?

Could do with some help as I have 2 kids under 4 years old - That results in major washing machine use!

Thanks in anticipation

Nick

 

[Sleepyhead]

OK, it's a WJD1257S. Complete model helps when searching for it.

That aside, you have to split the machine casing apart and remove the rear half of it to see the condenser. Large plastic unit right rear when viewed from the front. Stripping the machine apart isn't a job for the faint hearted.

Water bottle is only on a tumble dryer, not on a washer dryer.

 

[nacorn]

Thanks for the info. Do you know of any schematic diagrams available on the net that show how the machine casing comes apart ie which bolts have to be undone etc?

 

[fidom]

Take off the lid and there are 4 screws along the side edges that need to be removed. There are 2 or 3 screws along the back near the bottom edge and another near the top edge. The remaining 2 screws are recessed and are behind plastic covers that you prise off. These are on the sides near the bottom edge. You will also need to unclip the water inlet pipe bracket from the back panel.

 

[nacorn]

Thank you both for your help

I'll give it a go and hope I don't come unstuck

Thanks

 

[nacorn]

Well, I managed to take the casing apart and clean the clogged condenser. However, I am still experiencing the same problem.
The drier runs through a complete cycle but the washing is hot and damp. When I try to run the cylce again I get an E10 error message which is apparently to do with the water supply. The water tap is open and the hose is not kinked. The user manual says to check that the filter in the inlet hose is not blocked - if the machine wash programme runs with no problems then I assume that the inlet filter can't be blocked!Has anyone got any ideas

 

[assuhors]

Check the inlet valve coils with a meter,you may find the condenser valve open circuit.

 

[nacorn]

I took the coils / valve off, had them checked by an engineer and they are in good working order. There is also 240volts going to the coils during the cycle so the valve will be opening. I still have the problem & I'm really stumped now! Has anyone got any further ideas that I can check out

 

[fidom]

The condenser works by having water slowly trickling through to cool the hot, moist air and condense out the moisture. The pump has also got to operate, either continuously or periodically to remove the coolant / condensate. You could try disconnecting the drain hose from the household waste plumbing and run it into a bucket so you can observe if water is being expelled. If the heater box is heating, the drum is tumbling, the fan is circulating air, the coolant water is flowing and the air circuit is not blocked the clothes will be dried.

 

[nacorn]

I ended up taking into a repair shop and they checked evrything and couldn't find the fault. They said it must be in the programming/electronics and I may as well buy a new machine considering how much it would be to replace the programmer. Oh well, I had a go!

 

[fidom]

Did they say which part was not working? From what you say the heater box is heating and the water should be flowing so that just leaves the fan and the pump. The fan you should be able to hear as it runs continuously during drying. The pumping you could check with the hose in the bucket, though you have to make sure the hose is high enough not to drain by gravity.

 

[nacorn]

The fan was working (as I ran the cycle with the lid off and watched it)and the pump was discharging the water (I put the drain pipe into an elevated bucket as you suggested). The repair guy said it must be the programmer/electronics not operating things at the right time and as the replacement cost was so high I may as well buy a new machine.