Washing Machine Problems

Gemmzie

It spins but leaves clothes soaking wet, sometimes doesn't take the conditioner (so clothes smell like wet dog), and sometimes things smell like bleach (we've never used bleach).

Any ideas of what might be wrong and how much it'd cost to fix? _pale_

Barneysmom

It might be a 50p or 10p piece stuck in one of the hoses.
Unplug it and pull it out from under the work surface, the back panel should unscrew, hopefully the side panel will come off aswell.
Have a look by the pump, it'll look a bit like this.
http://www.rmsdomesticspares.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=123
The pipes coming off it, if you squeeze them you might feel a coin or something. If so, disconnect the pipe, make sure you've got an old towel on the floor, it'll drip some water.
If the pump has packed up altogether, you can fit a new one yourself, it's much cheaper than calling someone out to do it for you.
Or get someone in the give you a diagnosis?

TomsMom

Gemmzie wrote: »

It spins but leaves clothes soaking wet, sometimes doesn't take the conditioner

and how much it'd cost to fix? _pale_

This occasionally happens with my Hotpoint. Can't fathom it out other than it's just having a blip. I just set it to Rinse & Spin again and it finishes the cycle off.

As for how much it would cost to fix, can't you get a local WM engineer to come and quote? Ask friends and neighbours for a recommendation perhaps.

papalaz

this is probably a long shot, but check the waste pipe from the machine has been installed correctly. poor install can badly confuse the cycles. not sure where the bleach smell comes into it tho? unless you have the waste pipe going to the u bend under your sink and its back filling. ( do you use bleach to clean sink?)

Gemmzie

papalaz wrote: »

this is probably a long shot, but check the waste pipe from the machine has been installed correctly. poor install can badly confuse the cycles. not sure where the bleach smell comes into it tho? unless you have the waste pipe going to the u bend under your sink and its back filling. ( do you use bleach to clean sink?)

Yes bleach is used to clean the sinks, the washer is in another room though

kwatt

What machine is it and how old is it, i.e., how long has it been in the same place?

Those can give big clues as to the problem.

K.

loracan1

Have you changed the filter?

Sometimes that's all mine's needed when the clothers are still wet when I take them out. Modern ones tend to be located behind a flap at the base, I had an old candy that you had to half dismantle to get to.

dld2s

theres a good chance it's as Barneysmom says, but sometimes it may just be that some coins, kirby grips, nails etc and especilally the wire from bra's (i've lost count the number of times these have jammed the pump) are caught in the part of the pump that moves the water out (looks like a fan) this is usually wher the filter is, the filter is usually front bottom right behind a flap, usually you turn the filter to open it, as has been said put towels down as quite a bit of water comes out, check filter is clean, also check plastic housing this fits into and the fan that takes the water out , I do this by sticking my fingers in and feeling about and making sure the fan turns(probably safet to have machine switched of at plug/main when doing this)

Gemmzie

kwatt wrote: »

What machine is it and how old is it, i.e., how long has it been in the same place?

Those can give big clues as to the problem.

K.

It's about seven years old, been in the same place about five I think. It's a Hotpoint

kwatt

Riding roughshod over other advice, but never mind...

It's not likely to be a blocked filter because Hotpoint's generally don't have them. There is a possibility there's something in the sump hose but, unlikely at best, as usually you'd get a drain fault and not a poor spin.

Poor spin, motor carbons, motor and pretty much that's it generally. At 7 years or so it's liable to be a WMA machine so anything else is unlikely although WMA machines are prone to bearing failure.

Not taking conditioner, have you taken out and thoroughly cleaned the dispenser yet? There's a syphon at the back, it should be removable when the drawer is out, that should be spotless and, if it isn't, it won't work.

HTH

K.

Gemmzie

Yes the dispenser has been cleaned, says father