Broken washing machine - is this fixable?

rainbowrisin

Evenin all.
My washing machine stopped spinning the other day, and a quick exploration with a torch and a socket set has revealed that the plastic casing which houses the engine and the "drive shaft" for want of a better word, has sheared away completely from the part of the casing which houses the drum.
This has caused the belt to come off (hence engine working but drum not turning).
It appears to me that the plastic casing is a single unit into which both drum and engine fit, and that replacing it, if it is replacable, would require removing the engine and drum, then replacing them in the new casing and fitting the whole thing back together.
I am reluctant to "get a man in" as they cost absolutely loads and as it's not a problem with the motor I would hope I could do it myself.
My questions are:
1. Is it possible to replace the plastic casing, or is this such an intergral part of the machine that it can't be done?
2. Is it something that a complete amateur can do, or does it require some sort of specialist knowledge or tools.
3. What would have caused this to happen? When I drained the machine I did find a couple of £2 coins (:mad: ) which I don't think did it any good, but obviously don't want to fix it and the initial cause of the break isn't sorted.
Any help gratefully recieved, and many apologies if advice on this has been posted elsewhere - I did search but nothing came up.
I am really keen to get this fixed if I can, not only because of the cost aspect, but because I don't want to be responsible for consigning yet another consumer durable to land fill.

imho

What model is it ? Put the model number and part of the problem in to Google and see what comes up.

jos22

Posts on these sites may get you the answers http://www.diynot.com/forums/index.php?sid=f9f8db02b6b81fda91142983fc943d22 or UKWHITEGOOS

HugoSP

You may be able to get it from a second hand washing machine spares place.

jobbingmusician

DH (ex factory trained domestic appliance engineer) says

1. It IS possible to replace the plastic casing

2. Yes an amateur can do it, if good enough and that way inclined, BUT do you have the correct test equipment to test that it is safe when you've finished? (An insulation tester 1000v)

3. S#1t happens. It's probably because the motor came loose. (At least, that's what he said)

DH says if you have the broken bits, you can often fix this with epoxy resin, and he's done this in the past.

He keeps asking what model and number....:D