DIY washing machine repairs (part 4)

• Washing machine smells (gives off bad odours)
• Washing machine won't spin or drum won't go round
• Washing machine is leaking
  • Full list of DIY washing machine help (parts 1 - 8) (Click the link then look on the right column)

 

Please feel free to use small quotes - as long as there is a link to the original source. The contents of Washerhelp are protected by Copyright. Please don't Plagiarise.

Washing machine smells (gives off bad odour)

Various possible causes of washing machine smells

If there is a bad smell or odour in the kitchen near the washing machine, particularly first thing in a morning, which smells a bit like an outside drain, one cause could be that your waste water pipe (on the plumbing) doesn't have a proper U bend.

The U bend is designed to trap water, which acts as a barrier to prevent bad odours coming in from the drains outside. Without it, if the plastic waste water piping goes over an outside drain, then you have, in effect, an open tube leading from over the outside drain into your house.

Another possible cause for smells like this is if the drain hose is connected directly to the sink plumbing instead of having a separate plumbing arrangement. If there is a direct run down from the sink connection to the washing machine it can allow some of the dirty water running down the sink to run down the drain hose into the washing machine. A drain hose that is connected to a sink u-bend should first go up 3 or 4 inches high (it may need tying up) before running down to the washing machine. Make sure that the drain hose is connected correctly

Build up of grease and slime causing smells?

If the washing machine itself smells bad when you open the door, it could be that it's covered in a horrible grease and gunge inside all the hoses and the tub. This particularly affects older washing machines and is common with washing machines that have only really been used at 40 degrees or where only liquid detergent has been used (see Causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machine)

Not using enough soap detergent over a long period of time can cause a build up of grease and therefore bad smells.

Get rid of washing machine smells

Read the advice and carry out the maintenance wash mentioned in this article - Causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machine

Also, you could try to clean the washing machine inside using soda crystals which dissolve grease. I recommend putting half a packet inside the drum and washing on a boil wash (or follow instructions on the packet) Using this method every month or so, or using ordinary detergent if no soda crystals are available can help prevent smells from your washing machine. If your washing machine is badly affected by grease and slime, it may be very difficult to remove it.

Get rid of washing machine odours using vinegar

White distilled vinegar has an array of uses. For bad washing machine smells, try putting half a cup of white vinegar inside an empty machine and put it on a boil wash. Because the first bit of water goes into the sump hose and is sealed off, I recommend that you wait until the washing machine has been filling for about 30 seconds and then pour the vinegar into the soap drawer to let it wash down into the machine. I've had reports back from people that this does actually work.

Go to top of page 

Washing machine won't spin or drum won't go round

A washing machine that is just filling and emptying, but the drum doesn't revolve is one of the most common washing machine faults. Most people suspect that the drive belt has come off (or has broken) but this is surprisingly rare compared to the most common cause of a washing machine not turning the drum - which is a fault with the motor. This doesn't necessarily mean there's a major fault on the motor, and in fact it may be relatively easy to repair. However, there are other components that can also cause a washing machine's drum to not agitate on wash or spin so this fault potentially requires the most fault-finding.

It's easy enough to check that the belt is still on. In fact this can be done without even disturbing the washing machine (if necessary). Just turn the drum by hand from the front. If the belt has come off, then there will be a lot less resistance than usual when turning the drum. The best person to test this, is the one that usually empties the drum of clothes when it's finished a wash. They are used to the resistance on the drum as they turn it to check for items of clothing stuck to the drum. The best method though is with the washing machine unplugged and the back panel removed to see if the belt has come off or not.

If the belt has come off, then there are usually reasons for this. It's rare for a belt to come off for no reason although it can happen. Clearly if it comes off again after being refitted, there is likely to be a fault. Here are some possible causes of a washing machine belt coming off :-

• The drum pulley is loose
• The drum bearings have gone (collapsed) causing the drum pulley to wobble
• The drive belt was to slack
• A motor fixing bolt or bracket securing the motor to the tub has broken or come loose
• Water has got onto the belt causing slippage
• An obstruction or item of clothing temporarily jammed the drum causing the belt to spin off

How tight should a drive belt be on a washing machine?

Fairly tight. You should be able to pluck the belt and get a nice resounding "ping". The belt shouldn't be over tightened though. Roughly speaking there should be some sideways play, you should be able to move the belt from side to side approximately a quarter of an inch.

Out of balance loads (drum turns OK on wash and rinse but just won't do a fast spin)

Many modern washing machines have electronic out of balance detection. If your washing machine reached the end of the cycle and turned off without doing a fast spin. There is a possibility that the load was out of balance.

If you suspect this could be the problem, make sure it wasn't just a bad load by trying it again with a different load, or open the door and redistribute the clothes or add more items if underloaded before trying again. You could try taking the washing out and putting the washing machine back onto a spin program. If it seems to spin OK now, it could be that the load was not balanced properly. If it spins without the load in but makes a strange crackling or grating sound this could indicate the brushes are worn in the motor.

Before calling an engineer out, if the drum turns OK on wash but it just won't do a fast spin, make sure it isn't just an awkward load that the washing machine is refusing to spin. How do I avoid out of balanced loads in my washing machine?

Hotpoint motors

Many Hotpoint washing machines are notorious for not spinning (drum stops turning), which can be caused by worn carbon brushes. Please note that the carbon brushes are only one possible cause for not spinning, and that you must be competent to carry out such DIY repairs. Free diagnostic help specifically for the most common Hotpoint motors Hotpoint carbon brushes FAQ

Finally

If the drive belt is still on, and it doesn't appear to be an out of balanced load causing the not spinning fault, then proper fault finding is necessary, which really needs the use of a continuity test meter and proper knowledge of washing machine repairs. Other possible causes are blocked pressure systems, pressure switch faults, module faults, connection faults and PCB faults, as well as motor faults other than (or as well as) worn carbon brushes.

A washing machine will also not do a fast spin if it isn't draining the water properly - Washing machine won't empty water

Go to top of page 

Washing machine is leaking

Washing machine leaks are very common. There are many places a washing machine can leak from although most leaks come from the same few places. The most common cause for a leaking washing machine is the door seal. Door seals often get holes in them and water leaks down the inside of the washing machine which then runs out under the front. Water leaking down the front of the washing machine from the door can be caused by a worn door seal (the flange part that the door glass presses against when closed) or something trapped between the door seal and the door glass which breaks the seal. If the door seal doesn't look worn, or it's too young to be worn, then try cleaning the door seal's flange and the door glass on the inside of the door. Bits of cotton, un dissolved washing machine detergent etc can cause a leak.

Soap dispenser leaks

The next most common cause of a leaking washing machine is the soap dispenser. Leaking water from a soap dispenser is often caused by a blockage, or water pressure that is simply too high. Despite seeing many leaking soap dispensers, I've never seen a soap drawer with a seal, they just rely on water not getting to the front which is not really good enough. Some Hoover soap dispensers in particular, are renowned for leaking, and over the years Hoover have had to introduce modified soap dispensers twice.

Some washing machines, can flood water out of the soap dispenser when a hose gets blocked (usually with un dissolved soap powder) Indesit, and Candy, as well as some of the later Hoover washing machines suffered from this design flaw. The hose where the water is flushed down, was right at the front of the soap dispenser on these washing machines and the hose wasn't wide enough. Un dissolved powder from a tablet or lumps of detergent through poor hot water pressure can block this hose solid. (Note: water flooding out of the front of a washing machine's soap dispenser can also be an indication of overfilling or a partial pump blockage if it does it when spinning)

Finally, black gunge in the top of the soap dispenser can cause water to spray towards the front and leak. Take out the soap dispenser drawer and look at the roof of the soap dispenser. If it's covered in black gunge, blocking some of the water holes, it could be causing problems. In extreme cases I've had to replace the dispenser.

Tips for finding a leak on a washing machine

• If you have a leaking washing machine, and you can't see where it's coming from, shove some newspaper underneath the washing machine. The slightest drop will give a clue where the water is leaking from. Pull the sheet out regularly to check for water leaks.
• Water can run round things and drip onto other parts. Be careful with your diagnosis, as water dripping from a hose at the bottom could actually be leaking from somewhere else higher up.
• Leaks usually leave marks, so it's possible to see something is leaking even without witnessing it. The soap suds that come out with the leaking water leave white trails. Rust is a good indicator of a water leak too. However, if you have had a previous leak cured, the "evidence" of a leak may still be present so be sure you don't blame a part that was repaired in the past.
• If the washing machine leaks only at the end of the wash, when water is being pumped out. Make sure water isn't backing up and cascading over the top of a blocked drain pipe in the plumbing.
• WARNING: Don't get electrocuted trying to witness a leak. It's dangerous running the washing machine with the top or back off.

Go to top of page

More on next column ...