Appliance Spares
Quick answer: The Bosch WAU28490A 8 kg front loader most commonly develops a split or leaking door seal ($119.95), a blocked or failed drain pump ($99.95), or a faulty pressure sensor ($39.95). All are genuine Bosch parts and are DIY-accessible with basic tools.
Shop Bosch WAU28490A parts: Door Seal 00776962 — $119.95 · Drain Pump 00145894 — $99.95 · Pressure Sensor — $39.95 · Door Interlock Switch 00638259 — $34.85 · Not sure which part? Use the Part Finder
Common faults on the Bosch WAU28490A
The WAU28490A is part of Bosch’s Series 6 front-loader range sold in Australia from the mid-2010s onward. It is a reliable machine, but four components account for the great majority of service calls: the door seal (boot gasket), the drain pump, the pressure sensor, and the door interlock switch. Bosch uses internal eight-digit part numbers for all components rather than external SKU codes. When ordering, always cross-reference the number printed or moulded on the part itself to confirm you have the correct replacement. The model sticker inside the door frame will show the full model number including the production variant suffix (e.g. WAU28490AU/01).
| Part | Symptom | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 Door seal (00776962) | Water pooling below the door, visible split or tear in rubber, mould that cannot be cleaned away | $119.95 | Buy |
 Drain pump (00145894) | Water won’t drain from drum, E18 error code, pump humming but not evacuating water | $99.95 | Buy |
 Pressure sensor (analogue) | Machine overfills or underfills, water level errors, cycle stalls after filling | $39.95 | Buy |
 Door interlock switch (00638259) | Door won’t lock, machine won’t start, E-door error on display | $34.85 | Buy |
Diagnosis guide — Bosch WAU28490A
- Check for door leaks. If water is pooling on the floor in front of the machine during or after a wash, inspect the door seal carefully. Open the door and pull the rubber boot away from the drum rim, working around the full circumference. Look for splits, tears, or sections where the rubber has perished and gone brittle. Minor surface mould in the folds is normal, but a crack or tear that you can see daylight through means the seal needs replacing.
- Check for the E18 drain error. E18 on a Bosch front loader indicates the machine cannot drain within the expected time. Before assuming pump failure, remove the filter behind the small access panel at the lower right of the front panel. Unscrew the filter cap slowly — have a shallow tray and towels ready for water spillage — and clear any debris. Refit, run a drain programme, and see if the error clears. If the error persists after the filter is clean, the pump impeller may be damaged or the pump motor itself has failed.
- Check for water level errors. If the machine displays a fault after filling, overfills to the door seal level, or stalls without beginning to agitate, the pressure sensor (also called the pressostat) is suspect. This component reads the water level in the drum via an air pressure tube. A cracked tube or a failed sensor sends incorrect signals to the main board. Inspect the thin plastic tube running from the sensor to the drum first — a crack or disconnected end is an easy fix before spending on a new sensor.
- Check the door interlock. If the display shows an E-door code or the machine will not begin any programme despite the door appearing fully closed, the interlock switch has likely failed. Press the door firmly against the frame — you should hear a solid click. If the error persists, the switch needs replacing. The switch (00638259) is accessible by peeling back the front of the door seal and removing the door frame liner.
- Confirm the model and production variant. The model sticker inside the door frame will show the full model string including the suffix — for example WAU28490AU/01 or WAU28490AU/02. The door seal listing covers both variants. Always check the Bosch internal part number on the component you are removing and cross-reference it against the listing before ordering.
Fitting the parts yourself
The door interlock switch and pressure sensor are both accessible DIY jobs. The switch is reached by peeling back the front of the door boot seal and unclipping the door liner — allow 30 minutes. The pressure sensor sits inside the cabinet, typically mounted to the side wall behind the top lid, and connects via a single wiring connector and a thin air tube — a 20-minute replacement once the lid is off.
The door seal and drain pump are more involved. Replacing the door seal requires removing the door frame, peeling the entire boot away from the drum, and fitting and clipping the new seal — allow 60 minutes and have a small flat blade screwdriver ready for the retaining spring clip. The drain pump is accessed by removing the front panel after disconnecting the hose and electrical connector — allow 45 minutes and prepare for residual water. Both jobs are within reach for a careful DIYer. If in doubt, a local repairer can fit any of these parts in a single visit using a genuine part you supply.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bosch E18 error mean on the WAU28490A?
E18 is Bosch’s drain error code — the machine could not drain the drum within the allowed time. Start by cleaning the drain filter at the lower front of the machine. If that does not clear the error, inspect the drain hose for kinks or a blockage at the standpipe connection. If both are clear and the error persists, the drain pump (00145894, $99.95) has most likely failed. A humming sound from the pump area during the drain phase, with no water movement, confirms the pump is running but the impeller is damaged or seized.
How much does Bosch door seal replacement cost on the WAU28490A?
The genuine Bosch door seal (part 00776962) is $119.95. If you fit it yourself, that is your total cost. A repairer’s labour to fit a seal is typically $80–$130 depending on the technician and your location, making a professional fitted job $200–$250 total. Given that a new machine starts considerably higher, seal replacement is almost always worth doing on a machine under eight years old that is otherwise in good condition.
What are the symptoms of a failing pressure sensor?
A failing pressure sensor typically causes one of two symptoms: the machine overfills (water rising above the normal level and sometimes reaching the door seal) or underfills (drum appears nearly empty and agitation is poor). In both cases an error code will usually appear after the fill phase. Check the air pressure tube first — if it is cracked or disconnected at either end, the sensor is receiving no signal, which mimics a failed sensor.
Can I replace the Bosch drain pump myself?
Yes. The pump (00145894) is accessed by removing the front kick panel and lower front panel after tilting the machine back slightly. It connects via two hose clamps and a wiring connector. Have towels and a shallow tray ready for water left in the hose and pump housing. The full swap takes around 45 minutes. Always unplug the machine and drain as much water as possible via the filter before starting.
How do I verify a Bosch part number before ordering?
Remove the faulty part and look for the moulded or printed Bosch part number on the component body — it will be an eight-digit number starting with 00. Cross-reference that number against the listing on our site. Bosch part numbers are consistent across markets, so the number on your part is the definitive reference. If you cannot see a number, use the Part Finder with your full model number including the suffix, or search for WAU28490AU to see all available matches.
Related
- Bosch Washing Machine Door Seal 00776962 (WAU28490AU/01, WAU28490AU/02) — $119.95
- Bosch Front Loader Drain Pump 00145894 (WAU28490AU, WAP282602W) — $99.95
- Bosch Washing Machine Analogue Pressure Sensor (WAP28482AU, WAU28490AU, WVH28441AU) — $39.95
- Bosch Washing Machine Door Interlock Switch 00638259 — $34.85
- All parts for Bosch WAU28490A
- Part Finder — find parts by model number
Ready to fix it?
- Open the door and locate the model sticker on the inner door frame — note the full model number including the suffix (e.g. WAU28490AU/01).
- Match your fault to the table above and confirm the Bosch internal part number on the component you are replacing.
- Order from the confirmed links above, or use the Part Finder for any part not listed here.
- Order before 2 pm AEST on a business day for same-day dispatch from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
- If you are unsure whether the part number matches your specific production variant, contact us with the number from the faulty component and we will confirm before you order.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
