Are the bearings gone ?

[MrX]

I'm renting an apartment which came with a fairly low end Whirlpool Washer Dryer (1000rpm spin) - a very disappointing machine overall.

I've had a few issues with it in the last while.

The machine's about 2 years old (it was new when we moved in)

It's developing a rattling noise which appears when the machine's tumbling at particular speeds / or on particularly heavily loaded washes. I was wondering if this is a bearing failure about to happen ? Or, just something like a bra underwire stuck in the machine somewhere?

We also had a really weird thing happen yesterday. It ran a normal 40C Cottons wash with a fairly normal sized load. The clothes came out covered in a fine coating of rubbery looking greyish/brownish gunk. I don't think it was something that was in a pocket. It seems to have come from the machine itself. As we live in a soft water area, it seems highly unlikely it's limescale.

Could it be a fabric softener / detergent build up that came off ?

We do run occasional 90C washes to make sure the machine stays gunk-free. So, it's really odd!

Detergents used normally
Persil Small and Mighty (Normal + Colour)
Ariel
Softener : Comfort pure

 

[MrX]

One other thing

The machine spins perfectly, there's no noise during the spin (other than the normal sound that a cheap washer makes!)

Also, it normally doesn't make this rattling noise at high speed, only at low speed tumbles and only in one direction!

The machine also has practically no paddles, rather there are large bumps in the drum where the paddles ought to be. It results in the clothes kind of bouncing up and down rather than tumbling if there's a very small load.

I'm thinking if it's the bearings I'm going to get a quote for repair from whirlpool and if it's uneconomic, ask the landlady to simply dump the machine. I'd rather buy my own and keep it. I just bought an Electrolux EDC77570W 7KG Condensor dryer, as the dryer function on the Whirlpool W/D is about as useless as a chocolate teapot! I'm thinking the Electrolux Inspire machine that partners the dryer might not be a bad investment ...

 

[mielabor]

Did you try to lift the drum to check for movement relative to the outer tub?

 

[2drumsallergy]

Drum Bearings

Hello Mrx,
If the machine is quiet during spin then the bearings are fine; drum bearings produce a loud rumbling grinding kind of noise. It sounds like something is trapped between the tub and drum; foreign objects tend to make a scraping noise as the drum rubs past them but it can be a bit rattle like too.
I would suggest you use a small torch against the drum holes, this should illuminate the space between the tub and drum and allow you to see any offending objects. Turn the drum from side to side and slowly move the position of the torch so you cover the entire bottom of the tub.
A small amount of play (About 1-2 mm) is normal in those Whirlpool machines. Another issue with the Whirlpool machines is the Motor mountings which can become loose, take the rear panel off the machine and check that the Motor is firmly mounted to the tub.
And of course always unplug any appliance before removing any covers.

I hope this helps.

David

 

[MrX]

There's hardly any play at all in the drum. <1mm.

I guess it could be a coin. There's a tiny bit of damage to the drum too which would indicate that there was a foreign object in there at some stage!

I don't know why they can't design a washing machine that can cope with a coin! It couldn't be that hard, particularly with the modern plastic tanks, all they need is an area for the coin / other object to fall away from the drum e.g. a longer sump.

 

[2drumsallergy]

Drum Damage

Hi Mrx,
The drum damage is a tell tale sign. I agree with what you say regarding clearance between the tub and drum but its usually foreign objects getting lodged in the heater that damage the drum. Dyson actually designed enough clearance between the heater, the drum and tub to allow coins to pass through without causing damage, any coins can clearly be seen in the transparent coin trap window. I always check all pockets and can honestly say I have never overlooked a single coin, as for under wire bras they are banned from all washers in my household. I hand wash them and hang them in the shower to drip dry, it only takes a couple of minutes and that way they will not damage my washers.

Good luck in getting the offending object removed.

David

 

[xyz]

I have found, on service calls, kids sandals all the way to Mom's dildo that has been shoved down the filter shoot on Kenmore and Whirlpool dryers and they get hung up in the blower at the bottom of the shoot. Now why would a woman shove her dildo down tha tshoot. I guess she is in love with her Kenmore? haha.

 

[zipdang]

rubbery looking greyish/brownish gunk

Is the rubbery looking stuff about the same color as the boot? There could be damage/abrasion to the boot causing the material to rub off on clothing. I've seen that happen, and unfortunately the gunk doesn't wash off the clothing very easily, if at all. Such boot damage, combined with the damage to the drum, could indicate some past abuse by previous tenants.

 

[MrX]

What is the boot ?

It was greyish rubbery stuff. It hasn't reoccured, so I suspect that it might be something that was in a pocket.

On the plus side, we're getting our landlady to take the machine away fairly soon and I'll be replacing it with a 7KG 1600rpm electrolux. I am a bit sick and tired of the 1000rpm spin which decides to abort itself quite regularly.

 

[2drumsallergy]

What is the boot ?

Hi Mrx,
The boot is another name for the door seal (Tub shell gasket), on rare occasions the laundry can protrude past the lip of the drum causing it to scrub around the door seal during spin, this results in abrasion of the door seal and the grey rubbery substance.

The Electrolux is a great choice; if your budget allows it's well worth going for the model with the Inverter Motor. The Inverter Motor system utilises a 3 Phase Induction Motor, it is so much quieter and more refined than the Universal Motor.

David