I recently purchased a used Miele washer dryer. The previous owner said it ran great for her. She needed a larger machine and did not use this machine for a few months then decided to sell it. I hooked it up,turned it on, it filled with water but would not agitate,tried just the spin cycle,would not spin, I drained out the water, drain pump is fine. The drum will not budge when on or off, mechanically or manually. I took off the top and did not see anything unusual, took off the belt, tried the motor, motor is fine.Checked the pin trap, looked OK. Took off the rubber boot on the front, didn't see anything binding the drum. The previous owner said she never heard grinding noises or anything when she used it,said it was a great machine. She has agreed to refund my money. However, I'm curious about a few things? Could a machine bind up like this with no signs previously from just sitting for a few months? When bearings need replacing, is the drum still partially movable? I would love to get this thing going, does anyone have any ideas or does it sound like bearings ?
Miele W1903 drum will not budge
- Thread starter askemmy
- Start date
Help Support :
glenfieldmathk1
Well-known member
Thats strange, a modern(ish) Miele already gone faulty.
I would try the bearings.
The Bearings don't usually stop the drum from turning though. It sounds like it is jammed with something.
I would try the bearings.
The Bearings don't usually stop the drum from turning though. It sounds like it is jammed with something.
Miele customer service tech(via telephone) thought(guessed?) it was the bearings. They would be willing to repair for $1000.-$1200 if I send it back to them. I said "no thanks", I will look for another used one, after all, I now have a parts machine. Where in particular should I look for something jammed? I'm willing to have a look around, but need some instructions as to what I might be looking for.
glenfieldmathk1
Well-known member
You say you have taken the seal off and couldn't see anything between the drum and the outer tub?? There could be something in there that is jamming, if nothing is obvious, try removing the drum (almost like replacing the bearings, give it a good oil, then try fitting it again. Could work.
There could also be something caught (like a garment - Handkerchiefs etc) between the tub & the drum which could be jamming it too. Otherwise try replacing the bearings.
I know there are many Miele experts on this site that can help with further advice!
There could also be something caught (like a garment - Handkerchiefs etc) between the tub & the drum which could be jamming it too. Otherwise try replacing the bearings.
I know there are many Miele experts on this site that can help with further advice!
Yes, I have removed the rubber boot, but to be honest with you, I can not see very deep into the machine to see in between the drums.Do you know if I need to remove another part? As for the bearing repair, it is way out of my comfort zone.And hiring an appliance repair person would cost a lot more than the machine is worth. I have read some threads here about doing such a task and I don't think I can do it. This is the first time I have ever looked inside of a washing machine! And my husbands idea of fixing this machine is taking it to the dump. Hopefully, that will not happen.
glenfieldmathk1
Well-known member
Yes A Miele is a big ask to repair! Its very expensive to repair, I wonder if the other person had a guarantee on it, most are transferable. or if there is a local repairman in your area who can fix it, they usually cheaper.
Sorry for your disappointment
Maybe as an alternative to a dismantling, you could take a work light or strong flash light and shine it through the holes in the drum to see if a piece of fabric is lodged in between in inner and outer tubs.
Best of luck.
Maybe as an alternative to a dismantling, you could take a work light or strong flash light and shine it through the holes in the drum to see if a piece of fabric is lodged in between in inner and outer tubs.
Best of luck.
I did try the bright flashlight along with a hand mirror to look inside between the honeycomb holes of the drum, but no luck! Did not see any thing! As for a guarantee, I do not think this is covered, the machine was manufactured in 2001. The seller did give me all of her paperwork/ manuals that she had.
Hang on!
Honey comb drum? Manfactured in 2001? Odd! That drum was introduced in 2005! Something is peculiar about this machine.
Honey comb drum? Manfactured in 2001? Odd! That drum was introduced in 2005! Something is peculiar about this machine.
Sounds Odd
But IIRC these new Miele washers either display fault codes when something is wrong. That and or qualified techs can plug their computers into the washer for diagnostic work.
Did either you or the previous owner reinstall the shipping bolts at any point? Or for that matter anything else to stablise the drum during transport?
Replacing the bearings on a Miele washer is a vast undertaking for even an experienced repair person. It can be done but is quite costly and should only be reserved if one knows everything else in the unit is running fine.
But IIRC these new Miele washers either display fault codes when something is wrong. That and or qualified techs can plug their computers into the washer for diagnostic work.
Did either you or the previous owner reinstall the shipping bolts at any point? Or for that matter anything else to stablise the drum during transport?
Replacing the bearings on a Miele washer is a vast undertaking for even an experienced repair person. It can be done but is quite costly and should only be reserved if one knows everything else in the unit is running fine.
cfz2882
Well-known member
kinda sounds like the bearingsmay have been just starting to get water into them
then rusted up when the washer sat unused...Could try to forcefully rotate the
drum back and forth to see if rusted bearings"break free"and drum starts to rotate
-of course would still need a bearing repair,but you could then use the washer to
see if you like it enough to do a bearing repair on it.Look for rust stains or
evidence of water leakage behind the drum's drive pulley that would indicate
failing seal/rusted bearings.On many front-load washers,the paddles in the drum
can be removed to expose a hole underneath through which access to the outer tub
can be gained to inspect for foreign objects between the tubs.
then rusted up when the washer sat unused...Could try to forcefully rotate the
drum back and forth to see if rusted bearings"break free"and drum starts to rotate
-of course would still need a bearing repair,but you could then use the washer to
see if you like it enough to do a bearing repair on it.Look for rust stains or
evidence of water leakage behind the drum's drive pulley that would indicate
failing seal/rusted bearings.On many front-load washers,the paddles in the drum
can be removed to expose a hole underneath through which access to the outer tub
can be gained to inspect for foreign objects between the tubs.
I did not use the shipping struts. The seller did not have them and the washer and dryer had to go that day, no time order the struts. I was aware that the move had to be smooth. We did support the drum with foam blocks. The machine was gently picked up by 2 strong guys, it remained level and not bumped. No stairs and no dolly. It was transported in the back of my SUV in the upright position. Great care was taken during the move. If the bearings are gone, I do not plan on spending the money to repair. Tomorrow I will look for the rust stains around the drive pulley. This model W1903 does not have the digital read out on the front panel. However, when I did plug it in and attempted to run, none of the little lights on front started blinking to indicate a fault, they remained solid as I clicked through each cycle.
Trying all suggestions
Today I tried to look behind the drum pulley for signs of rust or water stains. Again, I used a flashlight and hand mirror and could not see any evidence of rust or water. I also tried to move the drum using a little force but could not move it. Please explain how I can get the paddles in the drum of a Miele washer off.
Today I tried to look behind the drum pulley for signs of rust or water stains. Again, I used a flashlight and hand mirror and could not see any evidence of rust or water. I also tried to move the drum using a little force but could not move it. Please explain how I can get the paddles in the drum of a Miele washer off.
Paddles
Don't think you can remove them on Miele washers.
On mine at least there are no signs of screws or any other way to remove the paddles> I for one wouldn't attempt unless one knew exactly what one was doing, otherwise could cause serious and lasting damage to the drum.
As an owner of a Miele washer am here to tell you sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and arrange a service call. There is only so much anyone can tell you over the telephone. Advice over the Internet can also be found wanting without it coming from all but the most experienced sources and even then...
Miele recently changed their call out charges, at least that is what one was told a few weeks ago when speaking to their New Jersey based customer service. IIRC the new flat rate is around $100 or so for a tech just to arrive and find out what the problem is, further charges apply for parts and labour with the latter booked by the hour.
If you are going to own a Miele get used to high costs for everything from parts to service. It's rather like owning a Mercedes or BMW, things don't often go wrong but when they do the repair can be expensive.
Don't think you can remove them on Miele washers.
On mine at least there are no signs of screws or any other way to remove the paddles> I for one wouldn't attempt unless one knew exactly what one was doing, otherwise could cause serious and lasting damage to the drum.
As an owner of a Miele washer am here to tell you sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and arrange a service call. There is only so much anyone can tell you over the telephone. Advice over the Internet can also be found wanting without it coming from all but the most experienced sources and even then...
Miele recently changed their call out charges, at least that is what one was told a few weeks ago when speaking to their New Jersey based customer service. IIRC the new flat rate is around $100 or so for a tech just to arrive and find out what the problem is, further charges apply for parts and labour with the latter booked by the hour.
If you are going to own a Miele get used to high costs for everything from parts to service. It's rather like owning a Mercedes or BMW, things don't often go wrong but when they do the repair can be expensive.
I agree about getting a service call. I was just trying to avoid a $160.00 charge for a 30 min. visit, especially if they are going to tell me it's the bearings. I already decided it's not worth fixing at $1000.plus. I guess I was hoping someone would be able to tell me a quick fix or diagnosis, but it's not looking like that is the case. Thanks to all for the advice.
Call The Man
Unless times are very hard and you cannot really afford the service charges it may prove worth.
You don't know it is the bearings and quite honestly neither does Miele's telephone tech support. I've received several various answers to problems with my machine, none of which corrected the problem.
Our machine is a "vintage" unit and when it arrived we had Miele out for the install, change to rubber boot, put on new hoses, and generally give a "look under the bonnet" to see if things are alright. Unless someone in your household is a washer or dryer expert it is a good idea to have a qualified service person look at any used appliance. Just as one would a car it is good to know if there are problems lurking. In our case it was a good thing we had ordered and arranged for a new boot as the one installed on the machine was full of mould and ripped.
Finally unless someone gives you another Miele washer for free and delivers it to your door at no charge; it is going to cost you more than $160 at least.
Unless times are very hard and you cannot really afford the service charges it may prove worth.
You don't know it is the bearings and quite honestly neither does Miele's telephone tech support. I've received several various answers to problems with my machine, none of which corrected the problem.
Our machine is a "vintage" unit and when it arrived we had Miele out for the install, change to rubber boot, put on new hoses, and generally give a "look under the bonnet" to see if things are alright. Unless someone in your household is a washer or dryer expert it is a good idea to have a qualified service person look at any used appliance. Just as one would a car it is good to know if there are problems lurking. In our case it was a good thing we had ordered and arranged for a new boot as the one installed on the machine was full of mould and ripped.
Finally unless someone gives you another Miele washer for free and delivers it to your door at no charge; it is going to cost you more than $160 at least.
As a previous poster said sounds like the bearings have seized, try forcing the drum around by getting a screwdriver between the pulley wheel and cross pieice and pulling upwards. Sounds crude but this will move the drum if done coorectly.
good luck
good luck
glenfieldmathk1
Well-known member
Paddles come off?
I think/thought Miele paddles are welded on to the drum, so they can't come off.
I think/thought Miele paddles are welded on to the drum, so they can't come off.
