Ok, this worked for me BUT....take note: when you take the front base panel off, if the large 'plug/screw' doesn't open, it's because there is there is loads of stuff blocking it inside! Mine is an Ariston AQGF121 'Aqualtis', bought in France, about 3 years old.
When I couldn't unscrew the plug, I took the back panel off but still couldn't access the pump assembly (it's at the front!). So....I tipped the machine backwards against a wall (about 45 degrees) so I could access the pump assembly from underneath. I took the two screws out at the front bottom (that secure the pump assembly) and this gave me better access. I then took off both pipes (there are only two / one entry and one exit). When I loosened the larger pipe pf the two (entry) I could see inside the filter. OMG, what a mess!!
16 coins, a large button, a hairclip, two hair bands, a belt buckle, random plastic, a badge and a WHOLE LOAD of unidentifiable gunk. It's a minor MIRACLE that this machine was pumping any waste water anywhere. I cleaned out the filter, put the two pipes back on, re-fixed the pump assembly to the front base of the machine, and put the back panel back on. Plugged it in and it works a treat. Trust me, I am no DIY'er but this was pretty much a common sense operation (though I would not have attempted it without the above suggestion as a prompter!) Make sure you check the inside of the larger pipe for coins etc that haven't yet made it to the filter, just shake it and they will fall out!
I can access the pump/filter from the front now The 'screw/plug' unscrews/opens okay now, and Iguess it makes sense to take a look every few months, rather than years! Thanks for the post, saves me 2 weeks waiting for a Frenchie to come fix it!
Jonas
January 2011
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