Washing Machine Help

basil92

My washing machine decided to stop working on New Years Day:(...Great start to the new year eh!:o

It still fills and empties but does nothing else. On closer inspection *I think* the actual drum seems to have become detached from the rim next to the rubber seal (if that makes sense:o). Can anyone tell me if this is easily/cheaply mended?

It is an old Hotpoint which I got 2nd hand about 6 years ago...so has seen better days, so my other option is a new one:eek:. I certainly can't afford anything much over £200, but was wondering if anyone could recommend any machines around this price. I have been looking online but just seem to be going round in circles:o

Many Thanks in advance.

Ebe_Scrooge

It's difficult to know without seeing it, but a couple of things I've experienced over the years are the suspension struts going ( not all machines have these ), or the seal itself going. The bearing is also a possibility. Or it could be something as simple as the drive belt snapped / come adrift. A clue would be whether you hear the motor turning, but failing to turn the drum, or does the motor seem completely dead. A dead motor can often be cured very simply by new brushes.

If you're reasonably OK with DIY, a lot of washing machine repairs are actually pretty easy - and not too expensive ( certainly the mechanical rather than the electrical / circuit-board type stuff, which can be more difficult ).

Take a look here :

http://www.espares.co.uk/

They hold spares for pretty much any appliance you can think of, and also have some useful tips and "how-to" videos. I'm not affiliated to them, just a satisfied customer :-)

Rikki

When mine stopped spinning it was 'worn brushes' and not too expensive to replace.

Look Here

Worth a look first to see how yours look.

basil92

Thank you both

Ebe ~ I'm not the best at DIY:o and my first problem is going to be actually moving the thing. I can still hear the motor but the drum just isn't turning. Thanks for the link.

Rikki ~ Thanks for that link it looks like it'll be very useful if I can work out what's wrong,

WestonDave

When you say the motor is still turning - is that the pump you can hear (tends to be a quieter motor) or the normal drum turning motor. If its the latter its probably the belt snapped or off, if its the former I'd be looking at the brushes on the main motor.

In terms of moving it - a bit of washing up liquid on the floor in front of the corner (they tend to have "feet" down the sides) makes them much easier to slide! Just make sure you don't make the whole floor slippery so you can still stand to pull it out!

basil92

WesternDave....I'm pretty sure it's the drum moving motor I can hear, it's just the drum isn't turning at all.

Thanks for the washing up liquid tip, I'll have a go.

ormus

take off the rear panel, and see if the drive belt has come off or snapped.
drive belts are cheap enough and easy to replace.

basil92

Since I first posted my washing machine has decided to work on occasions:huh:

But today the drum has decided to not turn again, but I can hear it clicking when it's supposed to be turning.

However I am struggling to pull it out from under the work surface so wondered if it was worth getting someone round to do that seeing as it may only be the brushes or drive belt etc as you have all suggested above.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated:D

Myser

Seems like worn motor brushes to me - occasionally making contact.

ormus

to be honest, with a 6 yr old machine (plus) id be buying a new machine.
about 200 quid if you look around.

tesco has 4 washing machines less than 200 quid.

Myser

basil92 wrote: »

It is an old Hotpoint which I got 2nd hand about 6 years ago...so has seen better days, so my other option is a new one

Given it is a second-hand machine which is probably older than 6 years, it may be best as Ormus says to buy a new one.

Especially, if you are unable to check/replace the motor brushes yourself.