Water filling up, but spilling right out without reaching the tub at all

There shouldn't be a valve (only refrain from saying "isn't" because I'm not from your part of the world - but the laws of physics usually apply over there too, so there's still no need for a valve). Before you dismantle the machine too far, pull the drawer straight out the front of the machine (they are all meant to come out - if it doesn't seem to want to, try lifting the front endge a little as you pull) and check that the casing the drawer sits in (and particularly the hole in the bottom of it that mates with the hose down to the drum) hasn't become clogged with soggy powder. Remove any blockage, then wash what's left through with very hot water. I reckon there's a 75% chance or better that's all you'll need to do. If you draw a blank there (or you can't clear the drawer casing without dismantling), then taking that bit of the machine apart should be something you can do yourself. If you have to go that far, here are a few tips: Make absolutely, doubly, certainly sure that the water and power are both totally disconnected before you start. Allow yourself plenty of time - preferably in daylight. Don't force anything. Keep a pen and paper or a digital camera to hand. Before undoing anything, look at how it goes on, and if you don't think it will be obvious how it is going to go back together again, take a picture or make a sketch. Look out especially for places where there are several different places a screw or spring-end could go into. Try to work on a surface that will make it easier to find screws etc when you drop them. Use an ice-cube tray, or something similar, to keep removed screws etc in - don't be afraid to use little scraps of paper to label which screws belong where. When finished, inspect carefully to check you haven't made any mistakes (leaving plugs and hoses disconnected is a favourite) before you restore power or water. Good luck. A.