My new zanussi fl812!

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zanussi1989

Member
Joined
May 17, 2014
Messages
15
Location
Scotland
Hey guys, some pictures of my new zanussi washing machine. Bought it for thirty pound of gumtree! I think it was a old lady that had it last, it's in very good condition!

zanussi1989++5-17-2014-16-11-0.jpg
 
Hello Zanussi89, welcome to the forum.

Thanks for posting the pictures of your FL812, it's in great condition! Those grey fascia Zanussis are my favourite machines. Alongside the earlier Washcraft models they were very well built (therefore very heavy!) and extremely reliable. The FL812 has a nice big induction motor being an 800 spin machine, with very little to go wrong really. Yours is probably a later example as there is no "Made In Italy" on the soap drawer and it has the protruding timer knob. Earlier ones were flush with the programme indicator dial. If you post the serial number from the rating plate I can date it for you.

I have two machines from this range, a Jetsystem ZFL1023 from 1989 and a traditional FL1123 from 1985. I also have a Z9191T from the previous Washcraft series which has an induction motor.

Tom
 
looks lovely, like it's only just been brought lol. But yeah I'm with hotpoint9534 regarding serial numbers so it'd be interesting to know when this 1 came off the production line. :)
 
I love theses machines to, one of my favorites. To me they where the best machines Zanussi made along with earlier models. I like the fact it has a induction motor to. I've used it twice and its seem to work fine apart from on the non fast colors cycle i don't think its quite reaching forty degrees! anyone got any idea what could be wrong? That would be great Tom, ill put up the serial number tomorrow, would love to know when it was made.

Lamont
 
Thanks for the information! That one was made during the 21st week of 1988.

Neither my FL1123 and Z9191T seem to make it up to 40 degrees on programme 'G' Non Fast Coloureds either, the temperature on the door glass feels more like 30 to me. Yet I'm sure similar machines I used years ago didn't have the same problem. Perhaps age affects the thermostat somehow. They use two separate dual thermostats. The first is for 30 and 40 degrees, and the second is for 60 and 90 degrees. In fact if I put the Washcraft on the wool or silk programme it just washes forever without moving on, so clearly something isn't right somewhere.

My 1989 Jetsystem uses a variable thermostat alongside a single fixed 40/90 degree stat which seems much more accurate.

I might change the 30/40 thermostat on one machine, just to see if it makes a difference. I need some sealant as well though, as I don't want it leaking!

Tom
 
@ Tom

just a thought but before you go to the bother of swapping thermostats run a descaler through a 90c cycle as it may have a build up on the heater, Also take into consideration the heater is getting on a bit so may not be as effective.

You may want to check that the solenoid on the timer is holding it still while it heats as that will make it move on before the correct temp has been achieved, sometimes they just need a few boil washes and a quick squirt of WD40 or similar on the clocks moving bits. keep us posted as to how it goes.

Austin
 
Thanks for the reply, Austin.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the solenoid as I regularly wash at 60c and the correct temperature is achieved. I did have the solenoid fail completely on the Jetsystem which unfortunately required the Crouzet timer to be changed (a job that requires a certain amount of patience). The other two machines use an AKO timer. The heaters seem as powerful as ever and don't seem to take any longer to heat up than I remember on the 60c cycle.

I've not had the FL1123 very long, but I have already run a 90c cycle with descaler. Perhaps I'll try it again. There is another slight fault with it as there's no tumble action on the last rinse (after letter 'J') unless I give the timer a bit of a nudge. I know LavamatJon had the same problem with his FL1012.

Tom
 
That's interesting to know, thanks tom. The first thing I did when I got it was run a descaler thought it, I put it on a 60 degree wash and it seemed to reach the right temperature! So I'll try changing the other thermostat, I can only assume it's that... I'll ask the engineer to. Thanks for your help guys!

Lamont
 
Zanussi

Hello Tom

Well done on getting a solid sensible well built machine, no problems with low water levels or long washes either it just gets on with the job, easy to service and should last years and years.

Maybe invest in a digital thermo thingy off ebay I bought one for about £7 and it is ideal for checking water temps.

And as already said worth giving it a good boilwash clean out, beware of some limescale removers as they can attack enamelled tubs, I am not sure if this range had them

Gary
 
As said, a very well made machine. The only weak point was the timer knob assembly so treat it gently when selecting the wash. The plastic teeth break off until eventually the knob turns without turning the timer.
 
Thanks Gary. Your suggestion to buy a digital thermometer is a good one. I didn't know about the limescale removers attacking enamelled tubs. Of course most of this range did have them (some later machines used a stainless steel tub but I've yet to come across one) so I'll be very careful in future. Fortunately I live in a soft water area so they aren't usually necessary. The Jetsystem ZFL1023 was from Northampton though and clogged with limescale. The plastic heater box under the tub was almost totally blocked and it took a long time to clear out.

Ariel bio powder in the green box is the stuff I generally use for boil washes and I find it does a good job of keeping the machine clean too.

Lamont, if you any help with parts or other information for your FL812 let me know. I have all the relevant diagrams in my Zanussi archive!

Fido, yes I've had that happen to me. Fortunately the assembly is still available and I was able to fix it. I have another as spare just in case!

Tom
 
Tom is there any chance you could tell me the part I need and forward the relevant diagrams to fix it.... Am going try and give it a go.. It can't be that hard!

Lamont
 
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