Hi Lamont,
I hadn't thought about the seal. If you get the seal out and it's in one piece, not perished and doesn't look too distorted it should be OK. But I guess it might be worth changing at the same time.
If the fix works on your machine, I will give it a go on mine.
Statomatic,
That's a very interesting machine. I've never seen one before with that later styling but the enamelled outer tub and original drum. It's also the first I've seen with an electronic module linked to an (old style, not inverter) induction motor on a Zanussi.
According to the technical information, the FL812V was made in the Alcala factory in Spain. Sadly, this closed a few years ago, but I read that a lot of tools and equipment from the production of the old range were transferred here from Italy in the early 90s. Many of the UK marketed Tricity/Bendix machines were produced in Spain, alongside the Zanussi "Delta" range. By this time they'd switched to a plastic tub and different drum, but other internal parts remained the same for a while.
Tom