LG washer emitting smoke

[jeffmanley]

Hi! We have a 9 year old LG front load washer. (WM2487HM) It has been used very lightly, usually only about 1-2 loads per week.
It has started emitting smoke that has a very disgusting smell. The machine does not make any unusual noises, it does not vibrate more than usual, and the drum does not rub against the rubber door gasket. The only difference is the smoke.
Does anyone have any ideas of what it might be? A repairman told me it needs new bearings for a price tag of $650! However, I've read that bad bearings cause the machine to make loud noises, and mine does not. I'd like to get an idea of what the problem is from the members of this forum in order to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous repairmen.
Many thanks!

 

[cfz2882]

smoke

could be from a variety of sources:a loose connection heating up,a bad capacitor frying,ETC.Should be easy to find the problem once machine pulled out and back removed.What part of the cycle does it smoke?

 

[vacerator]

Jeff,

that's about what a bearing job runs on a front loader. I'd condemn the machine because of it's age.
Just my fiscal opinion for sensible budgeting.
You could have spent three times the price of your LG on the Miele with the 20 year bearings. Apples to oranges. See?

 

[kb0nes]

So does the machine still work even though it emits an odor?

Can you describe the odor, it is a burning rubber smell, just a hot smell or an acrid burning electronics smell??

Does the smell start at a specific part of the cycle or is it from the start???

It is unlikely to be a bearing problem. That sounds like a stock answer given to any problem on a 9 year old FL machine.

If the machine has been trouble free and running without odd noises it is likely worth at least finding out what the real problem is. At 9 years it may well not be worth replacing the main bearing, but if the drain pump were just overheating then it is certainly worth the repair!

 

[rolls_rapide]

I had an AEG front loader where the bearings went. I happened to open the kitchen door as it was on its final spin.

There was a smell of hot metal and particulates of metal were being shot out from under the machine. The smell was like that encountered in garage workshops, where metal is grinded down. It was stinking!

 

[combo52]

Smoking FL Washer ?

It should be checked out or just keep using while you are around, if there is really anything wrong it will probably fail soon.

 

On the GE Little-swan FL washers one of the most common calls we get on them is people saying they are making a hot smoking smell and its always the spider failing-breaking.

 

If you have caused your machine to get moldy and smelly by using poor laundry practices this may be the end of this machine.

 

[Taurn67]

heater

mine emitted smoke when the heater went fubar. worth a check.

 

[panthera]

There are so many possible reasons

For the machine to be smoking, it would be wise to find out what is causing the problem even if you intend to buy a new machine to replace it.

Here are just a things to look for:

Is a connection loose inside the machine or at the outlet? Cord?

Is something rubbing against that gigantic flywheel?

Drain pump?

Nine years would be about right for a noise suppressor or PF capacitor to go bad, that's a cheap fix.

Something crawled in there?

Dirt or detergent or fabric softener build up?

The branch circuit to that machine overloaded?

 

Yes, it could easily be the main bearing. Just, at nine years of light use, I'd be more inclined to expect a capacitor. Careful servicing them, they can carry a load even after being unplugged for quite a while.