I had the same problem on my Bosch Maxx. Taking off the top cover (undo two Torx head screws at the back, then slide the top rearwards), it was obvious that the fabric softener dispenser relies on the two streams of water from the two water inlet valves meeting and deflecting each other towards the centre of the dispenser tray. This was very clogged with black gunge, as was the dispenser tray itself. I undid the three water pipes from the top of the dispenser, then undid the three screws that hold the machine's fascia to the front of the dispenser. The fascia can then be unclipped from the chassis at the left hand end, giving access to the screw that holds the top rail to the top left hand corner of the cabinet. The dispenser unit can then be pulled clear of the cabinet so that the outlet hose can be removed from the underside of the dispenser. The lid of the dispenser unclips to reveal years of congealed detergent and fabric softener. The lid is in two parts, which are themselves clipped together. A narrow bladed screwdriver or palette knife is needed to release the underside water baffle plates from the upper part. Inside are the waterways themselves, which, if they are anything like mine, will be full of black gunge. This was cleaned and disinfected with a weak bleach solution, and the whole thing was reassembled. Normal fabric dispensing is restored. A pair of small self-grip pliers is useful for reattaching the dispenser outlet hose unless you are equipped with three hands!
Phil Hodgson
August 2009
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