Advice on a washing machine with bearings going out.

AdamPD

About 7 years ago I purchased a rather expensive Hotpoint WMUD942K washing machine.

In the last month or so I notice the drum sounds a lot noisier than it used to, comparing it to the noises on youtube videos, it does indeed sound like the bearings are going.

I'm just wondering what to do about it, given the initial cost of the machine and what it would cost to replace it with a similiar spec (drum size primarily)

The machine does have a 10 year parts warranty, but I know that is basically a rip off and I don't think it's worth paying the excessive £100+ labour charge to fix (I could be wrong)

Does anyone know how much it might cost to fix?
And, if it isn't, what will happen? will it just seize up?

So I'm open to advice/suggestions!

Doozergirl

Ooh. We have a hotpoint washing machine. It's 4/5 years old. I had to have it fixed recently, separate issue. The engineer asked if it had been getting louder as he thought the bearings were going.

My instructions from him were to put up with it until the point that the noise wasn't bearable for us and then to get rid of it. No point in calling him out because of the cost. I hadn't noticed it, particularly, but I do now realise it isn't as quiet as it was.

My next washing machine will be a Miele.

EachPenny

AdamPD wrote: »

Does anyone know how much it might cost to fix?
And, if it isn't, what will happen? will it just seize up?

So I'm open to advice/suggestions!

The first thing you need to find out is whether the bearings are replaceable - a lot of machines now come with bearings that are cast-in to the drum, or the drum is (plastic) welded shut, making it impossible to change the bearings. If that applies to you then the only option is a new machine as a whole new drum assembly will probably cost more than the equivalent model brand new.

If the bearings are replaceable, then is this a job you'd consider doing yourself? If not, then you probably need to buy a new machine as the labour charge could easily equal the cost of a new (low end) machine.

Next it comes to personal choice. I understand Doozergirl's plans for a Miele . However, I'd buy a low-end Beko (or similar) and be ready to buy another one in less than 2 years time (depending on use). The use factor is important, especially the kind of washing you do. Washing work clothes full of plaster and cement dust is a very good way of killing a washing machine (just saying Doozergirl ).

As for the mode of failure, the most likely thing to happen is the bearings get increasing amounts of play until the inner drum is able to rub on the outer drum. Expect lots of noise and vibration, the machine literally trying to dance across the floor.

At this point the vibration is likely to shake loose lots of gunk from inside the outer drum, so your clothes will come out dirtier than they went in. Sensible people will stop using it at this point, but in my experience, the next step is usually for the drive belt to break or come off the pulleys.

It is unlikely to seize up as the bearing is wearing itself away - but if the inner drum makes sufficient contact with the outer drum then it might come to a grinding halt.

AdamPD

Thank you both for your advice, yea I guess I'll look into a new one

I did read about the hotpoints having a welded drum, so I don't think it's an option for me.

Doozergirl

EachPenny, point taken! :rotfl:

Definite food for thought. It's such a shame that things don't last. I understand that as a family we give our entire house an industrial style beating with work clothes, dogs and rugby gear. I keep thinking our washing machine is new, but it isn't. I'm starting to feel sorry for it.

EachPenny

Doozergirl wrote: »

Definite food for thought. It's such a shame that things don't last. I understand that as a family we give our entire house an industrial style beating with work clothes, dogs and rugby gear. I keep thinking our washing machine is new, but it isn't. I'm starting to feel sorry for it.

Perhaps semi-retire it to the garage or somewhere to use for the work stuff only, and have your shiny new Miele in the house for the things that never really get dirty?

Jonesya

It's got a 10 year parts guarantee?

In which case it doesn't matter if the bearings are part of the drum, so making the parts cost for a repair very expensive, because that should be covered. In which case, you're just paying the labour.

I'd ring hotpoint and see what the labour cost is likely to be.

AdamPD

Unfortunately from what I've read on this forum, it's usually £100+ for a call out.

I don't honestly know if it's worth it, given its age.

casper_g

The bearings failed on the Indesit that came with our house recently. The part alone would have been c. £200 (sealed unit drum assembly), and we'd have had to wait almost a week for a repair. On the other hand, a combination of special offers meant I could have a brand new Beko from John Lewis delivered the next day for £119 including disposal of the old machine and a 2-year parts-and-labour warranty.

I know Miele are supposed to be very good, but they can easily be £800+. For that money I can afford to replace the £119 Beko many times over, and have the benefit of keeping the change in the meantime. I don't like this disposable culture, but the costs spoke for themselves this time!

AdamPD

I do hear a lot of good things about Miele I must admit.
I'm also somewhat (only somewhat!) tempted to use my credit card to buy one of those big Samsung machines
They cost about £1500, but, they also come with an 11 year parts and labour warranty.
Most machines comes with, at most, a 5 year warranty, so it might be a good deal in the long run, as we DO have lodgers in our home, so it will take a beating (as our current one has)
I also saw a commercial grade washing machine by the brand called Cater Wash? (For £1200), it has an 18kg drum, but I couldn't find anything about them on the net.

https://www.caterkwik.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_CK8518

EssexExile

I only bought the Miele because it came with the 10 years parts & labour warranty. I wouldn't pay that money without that & a quick look suggest the 10 year warranty isn't available at the moment.