Washing Machine Makes a Scraping Noise When It Spins

csnann

My washing machine has started to make a scraping noise when it spins. It is a steady scraping sound, not a clunking noise so I don't think anything has come loose. Anyone know what it could be and how much it might cost to fix? It is a 12 year old Hotpoint First Edition 800 WM51 and I live near Guildford in Surrey. I know its quite old but I would like to get it fixed rather than buy a new one if possible.

basmic

From how you've described, it could either be the bearings or something like a coin trapped between the metal drum and the plastic container surround it (sorry, forgotten the proper name!).

basmic

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/diy-repair-help_2.html - have a look near the bottom of that page, "Washing machine is noisy".

csnann

I have looked at that page, the noise I have seems to be more of a light scratching rather than a loud noise. I also tried spinning the drum by hand and it wasn't noisy, nor did the drum rock when I tried to lift it up as the page suggested. Could the carbon brushes cause a noise if they wear out?

MissNobody

I don't know if this could apply to you...but this has happened to me in the past - the wire has come out of a bra and got through the holes in the drum. I managed to locate it and pull it back through and problem solved!! :cool:

dougk_2

I'd go for exactly what MissNobody has said.
If its the case you need to remove it as soon as possible as if you have a plastic outer drum the wire can heat up and melt its way through, leaving you with big puddles on your floor... its happen to our washing machine. Fortunately we fixed the drum by melting the plastic back into the whole using a soldering iron and by building it up with epoxy resin... it then lasted another 6 years (not bad for a Hotpoint!).
If you read the washing label on bras it actaully says do not machine wash, yet everyone does obviously!

MissNobody

I always put them inside one of those net wash bags now then wrap them up in a trouser leg or such, I hate hand washing!!