Washing machine dead? Need help please

alwaysneedhelp

Hi,

My washing machine (hotpoint aquarius wma46/ about 6 years old now) has started leaking from the back (brownish colour thick liquid) and started making a strange noise.

I opened the panel at the back and the pipes were all clean, so assume the pipes are ok.

I saw a trail of dried brown liquid coming down from halfway off the drum.

The brown liquid was also on the motor coils (i think wet).


Does anyone have any idea of what the problem could be?
Thanks in advance for any help and let me know if I need to provide more info, like model number etc.

jimexbox

If you washing machine is making a loud grinding noise, especially during a fast spin its most likely your bearings are gone, or on the way out. The brown liquid may be the water which has contaminated your rear bearings. I can only suggest you someone in who knows what they are doing.

Front and rear bearings are pretty cheap, although they can be a total !!!!!! to change. So can work out expensive with labour costs.

alwaysneedhelp

Thanks for your reply.

Would it be something I could change (if it is the bearings)?

If not, do you have a rough idea of the costs involved? if it's near or over £100 probably better off buying another one.

Any recommendations for a good washing machine with a budget of about £250, minimum workload of 6k (more is better)?

Any makes that I should avoid (only have experience of creda and hotpoint, and creda was a nightmare)?

jimexbox

You have to be pretty competent DIY'er to change the bearings. Ive done it before and can be a real pain, things tend to get seized together. You could always get a professional in to give you a free quote, it may not be the bearings after all. Until someone has a good look at it you cant be sure.

Like you said, dont throw good money after bad.

penrhyn

Hotpoints are just rebadged Indesits these days, it sounds as if the outer drum has sprung a leak and thus is beyond economic repair.
Best make is probably Meile, I've been pleased with my Siemens/Bosch machines.

alwaysneedhelp

"free quote" is a surprise, every time I call a plumber/electrician etc. there's always a charge.

Do you happen to know any professionals in the East London area that will give me a free quote? if not, I've got a lot of calling around to do.


Thanks for helping.

alwaysneedhelp

thanks penrhyn,

I've been looking around a bit just incase my washing machine isn't fixable.

The Miele/Siemens/Bosch all seem very pricey and out of my budget.

What do you think about a Hotpoint Aquarius WML560G £272/free delivery from dixons?

penrhyn

Can't comment on the Hotpoint, the Bosch I have is this one:-
http://www.hughesdirect.co.uk/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=BCH-WAE24363GB

jimexbox

I bought an LG direct drive washing machine.One of the best white goods Ive ever bought. Its very quiet and takes a huge 8Kg load. So Ive cut the amount of loads by a third. Saving electricity and water (on a meter) in the process.

alwaysneedhelp

Thank you both for the info.

I would love to be able to go for the LG or a Miele/Siemens/Bosch, but they do stretch my budget too far. If I have to buy a new machine, I'll probable end up going for the hotpoint wml560g, really am strapped for cash.

Thanks for the link to hughes direct, they do the wml560g cheaper £253 incl. delivery, didn't know of them.

Do you know anything about jualdomestics.com?

alwaysneedhelp

I've had a rethink and would want to go for an LG.
I've found 2 on jualdomestics.com;

LG WM14396TDK 7KG Direct Drive Washing Machine with Variable Spin £310 incl. delivery

LG WM12336FD - Washing Machine in Silver - 7.5KG 1200Spin £318 incl. delivery


Could you tell me;

which is the better one (if either of them are any good)?

will it last at least 5-6 years?

can you find it any cheaper?

is it a good idea considering buying from jualdomestics.com?

sorry about bold type, it wouldn't switch off.