Thanks so much for all your invaluable tips.
Sorted the problem out today. I did get help from a male friend, who got the front panel off for me with a drill.
The pipe from the detergent unit to the fan was gunked up. So I rinsed it through with warm water and got a plastic cocktail...
I have a 16 year old Miele Dishwasher and don't want to replace it. It's worked so fine for so long.
However, now I have the same problem as you have been experiencing. The water coming out of the vent, the same weird noises coming from the vent, etc.
I did apply a toothbrush (not my...