Big Bertha Is Ill, The People Are Ordered To Pray For Her

[launderess]

*LOL*

Here's me doing a bit of washing yesterday using the W1070. Soon as "Big Bertha" goes into spin she made a terrible racket about it.

Now those who know these old Miele washers also know they aren't exactly quiet during extract cycles, but this was something new.

So said to myself it's probably time to replace the brushes as they haven't been touched and the washer is getting on. While researching information on internet came up with this (see 2:01):



It was extremely unlikely Miele service would do a brush change on this machine. Last time one inquired was told not for love nor money would they do such things as part of a call out. Machine would have to packed up, shipped to New Jersey, work done, packed up and sent back, all at one's own expense. Bearings cannot be replaced on this motor, so a new one would have to be fitted, and Miele no longer stocks them anyway, so that is that.

Do have the other two AEG Lavamat washers, along with Hoover TT and Maytag wringer, so am not totally without options. Never the less it does look as if unless a solution can be found Big Bertha is not long for this world. Once this happens she will have to go, as have no room to store a non-working appliance.

These big Miele Moet double motors are common enough in Germany sold as used in various states of condition. But their size and weight make shipping dear, and no one is offering atm so that's me for you.

 

[foraloysius]

Sorry to hear Big Bertha is getting signs of old age. If she sounds like the machine in the video you posted, it's not very likely a change of the brushes would help. When the brushes need replacing, often the machine will just not tumble. This sound is more like bad bearings. Either the motor bearings or perhaps the bearings of the drum. My Miele W715 kept functioning for a while with this noise, but I didn't use it very much anymore, didn't want to disturb the neighbours too much. When I moved I decided not to invest in that machine anymore and had it hauled away.

 

[launderess]

Thank you Louis

Have had top and front off, noise is certainly from motor area, not the rear. There is also no knocking, play or any other signs of bad bearings. Indeed had that scare a few years ago now and it was only the suspension springs that needed replacing. But did ask tech before he started that work to check tub bearings. If they were going wasn't going to bother going ahead with repair.

Since this washer has double motor (one half washes, other spins) do have some options, long as Big Bertha doesn't manifest other woes at least.

Can use cycles that do not spin between rinses, and or abort/cancel the ones in main wash, then after all rinsing is done chuck things into the spin dryer. This or just the odd times let the washer finally spin after several rinses, but leave the room. *LOL* Also have two hand wringers......

Unless am wrong, no, cannot see putting anymore money into this washer unless or until a new (or decent used) motor can be sourced.

The girl is getting on (must be over thirty years old by now), and parts from MieleUSA are becoming more and more difficult to obtain. Mind you she does have plenty of new parts installed, so if the motor does end up causing a mortal illness, there is always the possibility of "organ donation". That is selling off bits of Big Bertha.

 

[nmassman44]

Thirty years is quite impressive in longevity. If the washer is on it way out, you might think about looking at a new Miele. I know that they are far from cheap and they are more of an investment.

 

[frigilux]

Well, my dear, before I send the non-resuscitation paperwork and organ donor card to be signed, let's hope there's an affordable double motor for Big Bertha somewhere out there. Here's to a successful treasure hunt, Launderess.

Edit: Finally had the chance to watch the linked video. If that's what BB sounds like, you should keep her as an air-raid siren! You know, doing her part and all that.[this post was last edited: 6/23/2019-12:45]

 

[whirlykenmore78]

The bearings are for sure bad:

I've heard many dish machine motors in restaurants make that noise. I may have found an option to motor replacement. Prime Electric Motor Repairs. They are a electric motor rebuild shop in Long Island City. They do press new bearings into motors. I have included the link to their website.
I hope this helps.
WK78

http://www.primeacdcmotors.com/

 

[ozzie908]

@launderess

An easy way to see if its motor or drum bearing failure is remove the belt if when you rotate the drum its quiet you know its the motor. Now these can be changed as I have done it but you need a kind car mechanic with a bearing removal/replacement service its a lot cheaper than a new motor.

If when you get the belt off its still noisy then its the drum bearing and for that you may as well purchase a dud machine with a good drum and change the lot its as easy as you have to get the drum out to do the bearing.

Do let us know how you get on

Austin

 

[launderess]

Thanks for suggestions and kind words Lads!

Had to do so a small load of shirts this morning so ill or not the Miele was pressed into service. Didn't want to wait hours on end for the AEG do to the load as things weren't that soiled.

Odd thing is spins start out roaring, but after a few minutes or so motor quiets down.

Have already tested drum by rotating, and even with belt on things are quiet as a church mouse. One hears same sounds as previously, just what comes from turning the drum this way or that. No knocking or movement (tub play).

Thanks for link to motor shop, have put it in my bookmarks.

Weather this time of year is too hot and damp to bother shifting the heavy Miele about and attempting to get the motor out. That project will wait until one has a clear head, knows something more about what one is doing. Have tried for years to lay hands on a service manual that covers w7xx, w10xx, or any other model series which matches this washer, but always come up empty handed. That or am sent/get the W19XX information which does one no good.

There are tons of these double Miele motors being offered for sale in Germany. Most for very little money (< 75 Euros), but don't know if any can or will be shipped internationally. Those on fleapay.de are certainly O-W-T out. But who knows, maybe one of the small motor/appliance repair shops will take the bait.

Haven't seen a used w1070/w1065 being offered for sale in ages. Don't see them on curb for rubbish collection either. My guess is Miele didn't sell many of the W7xx or w10xx series.

 

[launderess]

How long has this been going on?

Can it be almost eight years?

My how time flies.....

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?42978

 

[whirlykenmore78]

I have used motor shop in NE Minneapolis:

For more than one Hobart dish machine pump or commercial garbage disposal. When said unit came back in a couple of days it worked fine.
WK78

 

[launderess]

Replacing motor bearings

On the huge Miele "Moet" double motor.

Don't think have necessary skills and equipment, but just to say it can be done.

Really need to bring one of these guys from Germany over to USA, they'd make a mint repairing old Miele washers that MieleUSA won't go near.

 

[foraloysius]

What's funny about that video is that that machine is actually a W765 with a detergent drawer from a W770.

 

[askolover]

I think it's funny the video has "Sweet Home Alabama" playing.

 

[qsd-dan]

Pluck the motor out and send it to me. I've worked on hundreds of motors and quite a few brush motors.

 

[jkbff]

Launderess, please contact me.