Washing Machine Takes Softener Early

[Bobadiyer]

Hotpoint Aquarius WF640 (getting on a bit now) has suddenly started flushing the fabric softener into the drum too early, during the initial fill cycle, leaving the compartment with only a little clean water in it. The syphon tube is clean and clear (water runs through easily) and the blue insert which caps it is in place.

 

[gblades]

Have you taken a look while it is filling to see what is happening?

Limescale on one of the other outputs causing spray to go across into softener compartment.
Damage inside the water guide from the valve to the output nozzle allowing water to leak from one section to the other.
Faulty water valve.
Faulty electrics causing power to be applied to valve at wrong time.