Washing machine drum lets out smoke which smells of burning rubber and let off the fire alarm

GervisLooper

Someone said in a previous thread (which I didn't make specifically about this but mentioned smoke in my machine as an aside) that it could be due to overloading the machine causing strain on the belt. Is that the most likely cause? These places are new builds, only made in 2017 I think and so it seems less likely it would be mechanical failure so soon?

I will note that the drum is way smaller than any other place I have lived which had machines. I don't know what they were (in kg) but this one is about 1/2 the capacity and says it is 6kg.

So do I just have to do double loads now to prevent the smoke? I suppose I can try and if the smoke doesn't occur then that will be it?

Does it cost a lot more to double the loads? Well regardless of what it costs it is what it is and if that is what prevents the smoke then I the cost is the cost.

Now I think of it I don't seem to recall it happening every time I do washes and this load was washing the bedding (the covers not duvets etc), which I do about once per month so that probably does put more strain on it if filled with water?

So just try smaller loads and see I guess...?

Belenus

If your washing machine is producing enough smoke to set off a smoke alarm then I suggest that you immediately stop using it until the fault is identified and rectified. Isolate it from the mains electricity and switch off the water supply.

I don't want to sound alarmist, as it may be a minor fault, but faulty appliances can and do cause fires that can destroy a house and kill people.

GervisLooper

Belenus said:

If your washing machine is producing enough smoke to set off a smoke alarm then I suggest that you immediately stop using it until the fault is identified and rectified. Isolate it from the mains electricity and switch off the water supply.

I don't want to sound alarmist, as it may be a minor fault, but faulty appliances can and do cause fires that can destroy a house and kill people.

Well, the smoke alarm also goes off if I open the shower door after keeping it closed and then the steam quickly rises out.

Both the washing machine which is in the cupboard and door to bathroom are directly under the alarm so any sudden changes in the atmosphere seem to set it off.

George_Michael

If you are being serious and not simply posting in order to elicit a response, I would strongly suggest that you ask a responsible adult to move in to your residence and oversee everything you do.

Harsh?
No, not really.
You have smoke coming from an appliance yet you seem happy to fob this off as a minor inconvenience when in fact it could easily lead to a fire.
There were close to 250 people killed in house fires in the UK last year. Do you want yourself and anyone else living with you to be included in the fatality statistics for this year?

EssexExile

It shouldn't smoke, whatever load you put in it. It may be something simple like a loose belt or it may be a motor fault which could cause a fire. Or any one of a multitude of other things. Four years is plenty of time for a washing machine to go wrong, get it looked at.

Belenus

You appear to be more worried about the cost of extra loads than the possibility that your washing machine could burn your house down.

A smoking washing machine is not normal, Get it seen to.

Please.

GervisLooper

EssexExile said:

It shouldn't smoke, whatever load you put in it. It may be something simple like a loose belt or it may be a motor fault which could cause a fire. Or any one of a multitude of other things. Four years is plenty of time for a washing machine to go wrong, get it looked at.

Ok I did not know that. I was putting too much credence on the other poster in the other thread who said it was probably only overloading of the machine.

I shall take your guy's advice and stop using it.

I just unplugged it and will wash by hand til they come and deal with it.

[Deleted User]

 This happened to my machine and guess what? I unplugged it and got rid as it was cheaper to buy a new one. 

 Why on earth would you use a smoking machine? The mind boggles 

Alanp

Is it smoke, or steam, does it happen after a hot/ boil wash.? Steam will escape through the soap drawer as a way of venting which might be enough to set off a smoke alarm, if it is smoke then what does it smell of...?, it could be a faulty pressure sensor that tricks the m/ c into thinking it’s full of water and brings in the element, if it’s a belt slipping then this has a distinctive smell, if it’s either of these two then don’t use it and isolate it as others suggest 

GervisLooper

Alanp said:

Is it smoke, or steam, does it happen after a hot/ boil wash.? Steam will escape through the soap drawer as a way of venting which might be enough to set off a smoke alarm, if it is smoke then what does it smell of...?, it could be a faulty pressure sensor that tricks the m/ c into thinking it’s full of water and brings in the element, if it’s a belt slipping then this has a distinctive smell, if it’s either of these two then don’t use it and isolate it as others suggest 

It was definitely not steam. It smelt of burning rubber and was a light grey smoke.

I have unplugged it now and will do my washing by hand in the meantime til someone comes to deal with it/replace it.