Washing machine woes

GustyGardenGalaxy

My washing machine (about 7 years old) has developed a fault (it's a Bosch WFD 2471) - loads of noise on a spin and a leak underneath.

Is it worth getting it repaired, or should I buy a new one? not sure what repair charges are these days.

If I get a new one, any recommendation as to a reliable make please?

Also, where is the best (and quickest delivery) place to buy one online? Argos seem to state 5 days delivery on average, but I'm looking for a next day (or 2 days).

Thanks

luap2411

Sorry to hear of your troubles. This sounds like the main bearing have gone.

You can usually tell because the noise gets worse over a few weeks/months. Open the door hold the stainless drum at the top, and try and lift it, if has play its a sure sign the bearings are gone. Also try rotating the drum by hand, if it feels/sounds rough again a good indication that the bearings have gone.

To be honest if its leaking water it does sound most like the bearings. Normally a WM has two main bearing and a seal. The seal fails, lets water into the bearings, which trashes them. The leak is probably due to the seal failure. If you (switch off power) take the back off the machine look at the large pulley that the belt runs round. If the leak appears to be coming from the shaft behind the pulley then it's the bearings.

On a 7 year old machine it's probably not worth paying someone to repair. Sorry, but WM are quite cheap now, think Bestbuys had a Bosch WM on special offer at about £250 ish ?

Mrs_Arcanum

Bearings went on my 8 yo Bosch. Cost around £120 including fitting and much cheaper than a new machine.

luap2411

£120 is not too bad for bearings. Yours might have been caught early, but if they are getting as noisey as the OP chances are the shaft is scored and this one would be a more expensive job.

Depends on your point of view. At 7 years old the WM is probably on borrowed time, so spending £120 to make it last a little longer can be a false economy.

It's most likely more economical in the long run to ditch it and buy a new one. So I don't agree changing the bearings on an aging WM is a false economy. It's also a peace of mind thing.

Mrs_Arcanum

luap2411 wrote: »

£120 is not too bad for bearings. Yours might have been caught early, but if they are getting as noisey as the OP chances are the shaft is scored and this one would be a more expensive job.

Depends on your point of view. At 7 years old the WM is probably on borrowed time, so spending £120 to make it last a little longer can be a false economy.

It's most likely more economical in the long run to ditch it and buy a new one. So I don't agree changing the bearings on an aging WM is a false economy. It's also a peace of mind thing.

Any other machine than a Bosch or Miele then replacement is the best option. Even the chap who fitted the parts said there were a good few years left in my machine because of the repair.

GustyGardenGalaxy

Many thanks for the advice. It does sound like the bearings have gone.

luap2411

Sorry, don't want to get into a debate here. Bosch is a very mid range machine, no comparison to a Miele, which is worth fixing.

Not sure how a white goods repair man can confidently tell you your machine had several years left in it. Did he strip and check the motor, PCB's, stats, dampers, valves, elements, rubber parts? I suspect not for £120, and even if he did it is just sales patter.

The repair engineer will be happy to take your money. It's like this, £15 parts and £105 for a couple of hours is not bad money. Now if he told you it would be more sensible to buy a new one then he would be out of pocket.

You may be very lucky and get two or three years trouble free out of yours, but generally this is unlikely especially if the machine is used frequently.

Check out UK whitegoods for more impartial views.

DCFC79

In the period of 8 or 9 years we have had the same white goods repair guy fix the washer once(i believe it was bearings then, ) and its still working, its a zanussi if it helps,