An E18 (sometimes shown as F18) on your Bosch washing machine means one thing: it can’t drain the water away. Here’s what’s behind it and how to clear it.
What E18 means
No drainage of water. Three usual culprits: a blocked drain pump filter, a blocked or kinked drain hose, or a faulty drain pump.
Quick checks you can do yourself
Most E18s are free to fix. Grab a towel and shallow bowl, then open the small pump filter flap at the lower front-right of the machine and unscrew the filter slowly (water will come out) — clear any coins, hair grips or lint. While you’re there, check the drain hose at the back isn’t kinked, and that the sink U-bend / waste pipe it feeds into isn’t blocked.
Is it worth calling someone out?
If the filter, hose and waste are all clear and E18 keeps coming back, the drain pump has likely failed — roughly £90–£150 to replace. On an older Bosch, that’s the moment to weigh a repair against renting a serviced machine instead.
Not worth fixing? There is a cheaper way.
Rent a fully serviced washing machine from £25/month across Glasgow and the West of Scotland — delivered and installed this week, all repairs included. You speak to Alex, not a call centre.
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Old machine, or not the first fault? Don’t keep pouring money in. Is it worth repairing? · See rental pricing