FL - Heating Element Failure with pictures. Why ?

[jben]

Here are two pictures of the heating element that failed in my ASKO washer.

During the past few months I started getting an error code (F6 = Temp. Stop Fault. Temperature is not reached within 80 minutes) so I just replaced this element and the first test cycle appeared normal today.

This was a machine I got last year that had a significant amount of scrud/scale build up. I must have ran five heavy (1 cup) citric acid cleaning cycles and I also did a couple using Cascade "Fryer Boil Out" dish-washing powder. All at maximum 95C / 200F water temps.

Is this just an example of what happens eventually, or did I contribute to this corrosion and failure by all of the aggressive cleaning I have been doing?

I trying to learn more about why and how these elements fail; and does it make any sense to proactively pull the elements for cleaning at some point (I have never heard of such but thought I'd ask those with more experience).

 

[mrboilwash]

I think most of the damage was done from the heavy lime scale build up, not the cleaning.
If you use a good quality detergent and use enough of it according to water hardness, soil level and load size you should never have a problem with lime scale and a failing element again.

 

[launderess]

"does it make any sense to proactively pull the elements for cleaning at some point"

No, it does not.

"I must have ran five heavy (1 cup) citric acid cleaning cycles and I also did a couple using Cascade "Fryer Boil Out" dish-washing powder. All at maximum 95C / 200F water temps."

Those substances are at two different pH scales. Citric acid being acidic, and Cascade product strongly alkaline.

Normally descaling products are acidic based to break down limescale while alkaline substances bind or otherwise sequester hard water minerals so they do not attach themselves to fabrics, metal or anything else.

Any immersion heating element can suffer harm from limescale deposits. If things are bad enough and go on too long it makes heater work harder which shortens lifespan.

While many common household substances can and will deal with limescale it is important to realize hap hazard repeated use of such things may cause damage. Those chemicals will come into contact with anything water touches. Since you don't know pH level of water bath created this may cause issues.

Long story short when it comes to limescale and washing machines best offense is a good defence. Know how hard local water is and dose detergent accordingly. Detergent makers know very well effects of limescale and their products are designed even when used alone to cope.

Primary to this is not getting caught up in arms race to use minute amounts of detergent.

https://www.zanussi.co.uk/support/s...build-up-of-limescale-in-the-washing-machine/

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...t effective,used for really stubborn deposits.

https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/limescale-in-washing-machines/