Whirlpool woes- Is it dead yet?

[hoover1100]

Well Mum's Whirlpool seems to be on it's last legs...finally!

I don't want to speak too soon, it's been misbehaving for a while, making a metallic grating sound when it tumbles (belt?), but now it seems like more and more things are going wrong.

The noise is getting a lot worse, it's also combined with a sort of rattling/knocking noise now, any ideas on that one? The motor seems a lot louder and scratchier than it used to be as well, brushes I assume? There is also a burning smell, particularly when the machine is spinning unbalanced, which is a slight cause for concearn.

It leaks slightly too, but only after an unbalanced spin, and it's just a small puddle underneath, I guess that would suggest a slight tear of the sump hose that is stretched wider by the tub moving around a lot?

The pump occasionally splutters too, although the filter is clear.

I figure the suspension is on it's way out too. It continuously spins hellishly unbalanced to the point the tub hits the cabinet and the suspension crunches loudly. As a result it makes a hell of a noise on spin and tends to jump and wobble considerably. This has become increasingly worse recently, and is certainly a lot worse than it used to be.

It also seems to be having some senile moments at it's grand old age of 3 years. The other day it filled for 2nd rinse, the dial advanced to final rinse and it just stopped dead. I had to turn it off, wait a bit, then put it to drain before I couldget it to do anything. Also, occasionally the drain pump has just randomly started up as I have been unloading the machine, despite the dial being on "Stop" Would this be a glitch with the PCB?

I figure with all these faults, it will not be worth repairing? The machine was free courtesy of Barratt homes anyway. I'm guessing we may as well just run it into the groud now if my thougts are correct?

I can't say any of us will be sad to see it go, but I don't like to give up on any appliance unless it really is past it.

Here's a video I took a while back when it was sort of still behaving itself.

Thanks

Matt

http://www.youtube.com/user/Hoover1100#p/u/9/N7v48TdWnUk

 

[rolls_rapide]

"drain pump has just randomly started up as I have been

If I were you, I would be switching the machine off at the wall socket/isolator switch before reaching into it. You don't want any accidents.

They don't make 'em like they used to.

 

[rinse_hold]

wow

you seemed to have put up with a lot, i would have ditched the machine at the first unwelcome noise!

it really sounds like the machine is about to give out but if were you i'd quit while your ahead, with all the electrical problems it could cause more harm than good - dont leave it running when no-one is home...just in case.

good luck.

 

[fredriksam]

I regocgnize the behavour as same as the whirlpool at our job did. At least the machine blowed the fuses and they got a new one.

I had some videos on Youtube of its misbehaving. Dont rememeber if they still are there.

My username on Youtube is Fredriksam

 

[hoover1100]

hmmm

Well it's now also started to intermittantly make a rattling noise on spin, as if something is hitting the tub.

I think I'll just keep an eye on it and not use it when no ones etc, and see how things go.

It's replacement will almost certainly be Miele, namely the W3240. IMO no brand can compare in quality

The dryers also packed up now too, microswitch was repalced last Easter and it's gone again, so that will be replaced under guarantee from the repairman. Getting a bit sick of it mind, needs new drum rollers and takes ages to dry despite being free of lint all round and vented properly. Shame cos those Creda designs seem to generally be pretty good, this one's been a bit of a lemon from new though.

I can invisage that one day in the near future Mum will have a Miele washer, dryer and dishwasher. She seems willing to pay for the quality and all those applainces are pretty much on their last legs.

Ahhh that will be a good day ...

Matt

 

[mynameismiele]

Would be nice Matt

I hope for you that your mum has the money for it

 

[hoover1100]

right

Repairman came round today to fix the dryer interlock, had him look at the washer.

The leak was coming from the door seal, he tightened that up and it seems fine again.

He also lubricated the shocks, said they were dry and sticking, which would explain the loud knocking crunching, that has improved greatly and it actually sounds like a normal machine again

The scraping noise he says is a cover on the bearings which has come off and is rotating with the bearing, making the metal on metal noise. The only way to stop this would be to replace the bearings, which isn't worth it as they are otherwise fine.

I guess the PCB glitches are to be expected from a budget electronic machine, it would be like replacing a computer because it had crashed I guess lol.

For now at least, its buisiness as usual.

Matt

 

[ronhic]

And...

....more time to save what you really want...

 

[pulsator]

:/

Might I suggest sabotage?

 

[hoover1100]

Sabotage you say?

hmmm...very tempting...but no, I don't have the heart to kill an appliance even if it is a bit of a hopeless plastic fantastic thing.

Bit of an update, it's still leaking slightly, which if the repairman is right means it needs a new door seal, if he'll just get us the part and not charge for call out (since the problem wasn't fixed in the first place) it wil be replaced, otherwise we shall just make do.

Luckily for me I'm back at uni now, so I have my lovely Zanussi FJS1425W to use, I'll post some piccies at some point soon .

Matt