Well if i was u graham i'd replace that black tube....
Spares suppliers:
http://www.easyspares.co.uk/
www.4directelectricals.co.uk
http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk
www.ukapplianceparts.com
http://www.domesticspares.co.uk
http://shop.ezee-fix.co.uk
http://www.espares.co.uk
or simply go into google and type in "washing machine spare parts" - selecting "pages from uk".
Repair and service your own washing machine. Go to www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html
dannyboy
January 2009