Thanks Dave,
         I have had the drawer out, and the cover is clear, and sitting on my kitchen windowsill. The drain tube also seems to be clear, so it seems as if water is not reaching the compartment. The liquid is still there, apparently undiluted.
         I have had this problem with an earlier machine, but all the likely remedies have not solved it this time
                
 Bert Sharpe
                
 July 2010