Washing Machine Motor Brushes - A Query

[launderess]

Well have the Miele service repairman coming on Thursday to work on the washer. Originally called him out because the unit would not spin at high speed, but once on the scene he stated the pump wasn't long for this world so it's being replaced as well.

Spent a good part of the afternoon having the Miele pulled out from it's area, then dusting, washing and otherwise cleaning behind and on the sides of the unit to get things ready, when a tought came to my mind: while the man is here is it wise to have him change the motor brushes as a precaution?

Now, to my knowledge and according to the repairman on his previously mentioned visit, the brushes are "fine". If they weren't I'd have problems more than just no high speed spin. However since the man is going to have to open up the machine anyway.....

OTHO have been told that a pump replacement is rather a straight forward affair, and should be done in about an hour or so. OTHO motor work on a Miele is NOT easy and the unit will require either being raised or tipped back to gain access. In otherwords a good afternoon work of work.

 

[ronhic]

Laundress...

You could ask him to 'have a look' at the motor and give you his professional opinion on its condition.

If he says it is in good condition, get him to 'jot it down' on the invoice that he inspected it and it is 'in good condition'. If you need to spin him a line about 'remembering when it was looked at for next time' - do so.

..and if it is on the invoice, you've technically paid him to look at it.

If it does decide to depart this world not too long after it was looked at, you may be able to bargain the next service call down as you "paid for someone to 'look at it' and trusted their professional opinion or you would have had it sorted then and there"

 

[launderess]

Thanks

Will see how things go tomorrow. At $100,for the first hour and $70 for each additional, am not keen to keep the repairman around longer than he has to be! *LOL*

Still may have him take a peek "under the bonnet" as it were for future potential problems. I mean long as the front is off the machine, what can it hurt?

L.

 

[ronhic]

Exactly....

It would be the same as getting the car serviced before a holiday and then not checking the tyres

 

[gizmo]

I replaced brushes on a Miele I fixed up - the worn brushes were its problem. They were about AU$56 a pair, and were very quick and easy to replace - on several other machines you have to remove the motor to change the brushes, on the Miele the brushes are mounted in a plastic carrier on the rear of the motor, which is easily accessed from inside when you hinge open the front panel of the machine.

I'd do it, and hang on to the old pair as a spare set.

Try watching over the shoulder so you see how it's done, so you can fit the spares without a service call if needed. (you can always post here for help, too.)

Chris.

 

[launderess]

AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGG!

Is Miele a racket or what?

Technican arrived today,and installed the new pump and switch, only to find neither was the cause of the machine not spinning at full power.

After going back and forth it was finally narrowed down to a broken wire in the wiring housing. To trace the offending wire would require moving the washer out, opening up the back, then finding the wire out from the motor, once the broken spot is found, one assumes a new wire would have to be run in or some other repair. This was more than the current tech's job was worth, so we must put a call into Miele for another.

Apparently the older one's Miele unit is, both Miele and it's authorised technicans are reluctant to put time and effort into doing major repairs. Hav already been put on notice that finding someone to change the brushes and or motor is probably going to be difficult, and as for the bearings (should the worse ever come to the worse), is O-W-U-T, out.

Also changing the pump did not stop the leaking from the drain area, this is caused by the seal no longer holding. A simple rubber black ring part is $22 from MieleUSA plus $11 shipping. Could have ordered it with the previous order of parts had one known, but noooooo.

"Immer besser", my bloody ..........

 

[bertrum]

Miele service engineers

Hi Launderess (La Pomme Grande),
All manufacturers engineers are expensive, Miele are no exeption, the best thing to do is call an independant engineer.
Advantages are Cheaper costs, an engineer who actually cares for the machine and is not on a strict time scale..

Miele engineers want to fit Miele parts, most would add spare wire.

I have worked for manufacturers and as much as I wanted to fix machines my heart always sunk when a customer would say the "and also".
"can you also check the pump /sump isnt blocked?"
"can you also check the brushes?"
"can you also check the bearings?" etc etc

Anyway good luck with the repair

 

[launderess]

Independant Engineer.

Is what we had over today.

Nice young lad who started out with Miele, but has left them and set up his own shop.

Guess being independant allows one to pick and choose what work he will do versus what is more than his time is worth. Afterall it's not like we're going to get onto Miele and complain about him. Very likable fellow, can see he will go far.

Will wait and see what Miele dispatcher says on Monday. All things being equal, having only 900rpm spin speed is not the end of the world, and may even help the machine last longer. Can always bung things into the Hoover Twin Tub spin basket for a bit if need be. Am also seriously thinking of having a spin drier sent over from the UK or Europe. Something along the lines the larger 8lb or 10lb units.

L.

 

[ronhic]

Bloody hell Launderess....

I consider that to be truely dreadful service you've had. Any repairman worth his salt should have just done it...especially since he was there to repair that particular fault.

If it is as simple as a wire, is there a local person that may be able to sort it for you...i.e. retired electrician with a multi-meter that could locate the offending wire and replace?

 

[launderess]

Thanks Luv

Well really can't complain since one got a *very* good price on the service call, main cost was the parts. Besides, one doesn't like to put anyone out.

With the above in mind, didn't press the issue, I mean what could one do? The lad didn't have wire with him, so hauling the machine out from the wall, and going through the rigrole would have been almost pointless. Wouldn't be much point in doing all that work if the proper wiring wasn't installed. Would not feel comfortable with a temporary patch job, nor am entirely keen myself on having a continued back and forth, or leaving the machine in pieces while waiting for someone to come back with the proper wire.

When Miele service contacts us on Monday, they will have the service ticket and will fill them in further on the situation. Thus upon arrival everything should be done at that time, and am going to make that quite clear.

One thing about dealing with Miele servicemen as opposed to independents, is that if one describes the problem accurately and tech support has done it's job writing up the work order properly, all parts and such should be with the service man when he arrives.

Again, one gets the distinct impression fewer and fewer Miele people, if not Miele itself want to be bothered with older units. Much easier to follow their "advice" and purchase a newer unit.

 

[ronhic]

I suppose that my issue is that Miele trade on their reliability and longevity....so unless it has really 'had it' (which it hasn't), they should be able to and be prepared to fix it.

 

[launderess]

Again, to be fair:

Miele promises to carry spares for at least 20 (or is it 15) years after a model ceases production. For the 770 and 1065/1070 series washing machines sold in the United States, that time is fast running out. One could tell from the wrapping some of the recent parts order came in, they had been on the shelf for awhile.

Have been told that once whatever Miele USA has in stock of parts for the above is gone, they will not reorder, if they are indeed available from Germany.

 

[launderess]

By The Way

Any suggestions as to what one should do with the old pump?

Thing is "dying" according to the tech that replaced it, however do not know if it can be repaired or should to into the rubbish bin. Really don't have room to store something that won't be of any use.

TIA

L.

 

[volvoguy87]

Only the best.

Miele claims to be the best, and in many ways they are. Unfortunately, making the best, longest-lasting products is only half the battle, standing behind their products is the other half. My experience has been that Saab dealers could also stand to learn that!

If they say they will support their products for X number of years, then darn it they should do what they say without making it difficult or unpleasant for their customers. If they say they will fully support their products for 15 years, then if the whole machine needs to be rebuilt at 14 years, 11 months, and 29 days they should do it without a second thought if it's what the customer wants! That means they should send out a service tech who is trained on the model in question and be able to get all necessary parts without any fuss. If a customer wants to have a washer serviced beyond that support period, then it should be done, providing there is still a service tech trained on that model and parts are available.

Give the customer what they ask for and what they expected at the time of purchase,
Dave

 

[launderess]

By The Way

New pump works a treat!

After living with all the noise of the previous, one can hardly hear the new pump at all. Only sounds are faint gurgling and swooshing of water.

With warm summer weather approaching, now can do laundry late at night (when it is cooler), without waking the dead! *LOL*

 

[launderess]

Volvoguy

While one does agree with what you are saying, can see Miele's point of view as well. Once one gets past the simple swap out repairs, such as pumps, bellows, control boards etc, the real heavy lifting for motor and bearing replacement is left. Again not every one has the space nor a spare winch lying about to get those cast iron encased drums out of the unit.

Am told normally (at least in the EU and UK), a repair person will take the unit back to his shop for such work. However one has to be fair in what it costs the person in time, labour and transport costs. Probably many consumers *think* they want the work done, but loose their bottle when the bill comes. What is the man supposed to do with the unit then?

If one could find a decent modern front loader on the market today, would consider letting my Miele go when it really goes past it's sell by date. However never have been fond of totally computer driven washing machines, nor the current fad of wet wipe laundry.

 

[sudsmaster]

This may be why

I have four Mieles.... lol... if one goes down, there's another three to pirate for parts or act as stand-ins.

They all seem to have their issues - or should I say, their personalities. All the pumps seem loud to me, so sounds like your pump replacement was a good move, esp in a multi-unit housing situation. No need to wake the zombies in lower Manhattan.

 

[launderess]

Well You Would, Wouldn't You? *LOL*

Well if one was a well versed in washing machine repair as yourself, would happily have one or two spare machines lying about. That is if one could find the room! *LOL*

While the Miele repairman was working on my machine, bent his ear about purchasing another W1070 or W1065 to have about either as a second machine or for spare parts. Idea did not go over well with him, indeed to say he wasn't keen on the scheme is an understatement.

Rationale being unless the unit was MIB, it will be just as old as my unit, or older and will likely have repair issues sooner or later as well. Putting parts from an old machine into my machine didn't make sense to him either, as the "old" parts certianly will be near the end of their service life as well. No, if one was going to do repairs (which he seemed not too keen on to begin with), for vintage Miele washers,better to purchase parts new (while they last that is), and at least have Miele's warranty on new parts.