Yes you are right. It should. Check the dispenser to see if the siphon is situated properly. Also - and this might sound right daft - check it's not going in a bleach compartment. Some washers have a bleaching compartment next to the softener one!
I've read most of the posts here about replacing the bearings and they all seem to be quite prohibitive but here goes...
I have a 10 year old Hoover New Wave Electronic 1100 which has worked fine up until now. I think the bearings have now gone. I disconnected the belt and spun the drum -...
Have you tried spin cycle when empty?
Mine had the same problem and it was the carbon brushes in the motor. It happened when i had had the machine 9 years so not bad going!!!!
Carbon brushes for your motor are relatively cheap part but I had to get a repair man to actually FIT mine. £90 it...