Hotpoint WMA46 - Advice!

[chrisbsuk]

Hey All,
my other half has a Hotpoint WMA46, with a 1300 RPM spin speed. Its about 7 yrs old (approx) and is still in perfect working order appart from the bearings appear to be on their way out. The final spin is very very loud; was just wondering if you guys have any tips on bearing replacement on this machine, and approx costs? There doesnt seem to be much sense in getting a new machine, when all the other functions on it work so well; I guess this must have been one of the last of the Hotpoint machines to be made in the UK. Attached a couple of pictures if that helps; because of the position of the machine, I couldnt get any decent shots! All help really appreciated. Chris

 

[chrisbsuk]

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[electradeluxe]

Hi mate,It might save a little cash if you use a local appliance shop instead of calling out Hotpoint,it's been a while since we had to call out for a repair but i don't think replacing bearrings is an expensive job,if you find a good repairman he'll tell you if if it's worth fixing or not

 

[aquacycle]

Bearings...

...are cheap to buy, but expensive in labour to replace. When the bearings went on my mum's old Zanussi, we were told it was cheaper and easier just to replace it, as the cost of labour was so high. This might vary for different machines. I know the top motor Hotpoints are really easy to work on, but I'm not sure about this one.

 

[electradeluxe]

the repair man who came to my last washer said that the newer machines were getting more difficult to repair!!

 

[aquacycle]

^I think thats partly the idea. Similar situation with vacuums. A lot of modern machines are glued together so you can't get into them to repair

 

[electradeluxe]

no wonder so many end up on the scrap heap!!!!

 

[aquacycle]

^Tell me about it. We've got one bunch of people yelling down our lugholes to recycle, repair appliances etc...but how the hell are we meant to do that when the manufacturer GLUES THEM TOGETHER!!! idiots!!

 

[electradeluxe]

well for what i paid for my machine i won't be payin huge bills for a repair if it breaks down

 

[bertrum]

AquaCycle Quote: "Tell me about it. We've got one bunch of people yelling down our lugholes to recycle, repair appliances etc...but how the hell are we meant to do that when the manufacturer GLUES THEM TOGETHER!!! idiots!!"

So true it deserves to be posted twice!

Welded washing machine drums, what next!

 

[keymatic3203]

Bearings

Hi Chris, 7 years, you've done well. I repair washing machines as a side line, to my main day job, I tend to do 2 machines a week on average, and have done loads of bearing changes, as has been said above, the machines are taking longer to dismantle to get to the tub, at least with the wma the front comes off, unlike the hoover nextra I'm half way through, won't want to do many of those in a hurry,lol.

So basically the job is taking longer as prices of new machines are relatively cheap, and overheads are rising.

I charge around £75 to change the bearings on a wma, basically I find if anything is going to be more than £50 people just want a new machine. I come across so many people on the verge of buying a new machine just because say it won't empty, percieve a heafty repair bill so don't consider getting a quote, so i do a no fix no fee, and find if I sort out the fault, say unblock it for about £30 then they keep the machine and my details and over the years that machine stays in use and I have work in the future for say brushes etc.

I have to say all of my customers are word of mouth and most are not on great incomes, the landlords pay a bit more lol, but I do try and be fair. I just can't do a five minute filter and charge hotpoint prices.

So if you can wait a few weeks as I'm snowed under in the day job, and fancy a trip to cardiff with the machine, as bristol is a bit far for a call out I'll do the bearings for £65.

I might add, I have insurance, electrical qualifications, tools and the electrical testing equipment required, time is the only thing I'm always short on, lol.

Anyway I'd be interested to know what other quotes you get. I'm not touting for work, I've got loads on and I just hate to see things thrown out that are repairable.

Mathew

 

[fl1012]

As much as i'm not keen on newer Hotpoints, 7 years is impressive for a modern machine i think. And it was obviously not a Friday afternoon machine, so i'd fix it & keep it.

At £75 for a bearing change, even if you only get another year out of it then it'll work out less cost per year than spending £400 on another machine, which (Miele aside) will probably only last 4 years before a breakdown. (ie £400 new machine lasting 4 years = £100 per year whereas bearing change for 1 years use = £75 over the same year).

Does that make sence?!

Liam

 

[zanussi_lover]

Well

My Zanussi is 8 years old and still working without any bearing failure so beat that lol

we bought it in October 2001 and its still going strong

 

[electradeluxe]

my Hotpoint first edition is still going strong after almost 5 years,just need to find the filter on it so i can give it a clean,then run a boil wash to give it a good clean out!!

 

[robliverpool]

pretty straightforward to do a bearing change matey, my wma lasted for 5 years before bearings went and i changed then. you do need some good tools though. With the wma models the outer drum is different from the older hotpoints as the drum splits in the middle and you pull it apart. 65 is a good price for a bearings change and you would probably get another few years before any problems. I repaired my hotpoint and used it for a few months as i really wanted and AEG washer but my friend who has it now has had no problems.

If you are going to do it yourself set aside at least half a day if your not familiar with washer repairs and have a couble of little tubs to keep all the screws seperate and in one place. Would deffo try and keep it up and running though as i really miss mine. i just cant get used to 140 minutes for and average wash time with the aeg,

If your going to get it repaired in a few weeks, best advice would be try and not let the machine go into final spin, stop it and put it on a slow spin at the end as years ago i had a whirlpool and i let it get so bad the drum broke free from the spider and destroyed the machine.