Black Grease Spots?

[Spoon washer]

Hi

I have a Whirpoll AWG 338 washer dryer and all seems to work well, its about 12 years old.

Recently, on occasional washes, i am finding black spots on some of the clothes when they come out.

I am wondering if it is grease?

A friend mentioned that the bearings are sealed for life and when they wear they can leak grease in to the wash.

I have looked through other peoples posts and am wondering if this may be my probelm. Non of the other symptons seem to be evident though like the drum moving back wards and forwards or too much noise.

Given the age and relative cheapness of bearing kits I thought I would give it a go before buying a new machine.

Hope some one can advise?

Thank you

:-)

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Try this article black mould spots on washing

If it doesn't help please post again.

[Spoon washer]

Hi

Thank you for getting back to me. It isn't mould, I really think it is grease and very black as well.

I did see a post about a dryer saying ensure the watse pipe wasnt too far down the drain. I will check but dont feel this is the issue.

Other than bearings, is there any other possibility?

Thank you.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Drum bearings tend to create brown rusty spots. If it's 12 years old it could just be caked in grease and gunge inside, which is now starting to come off onto laundry. Try this article on grease and smells to see if it helps, have a good look at the underside of the door seal to see if it's got gunge on it - http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/what-causes-washing-machine-smells/

[Spoon washer]

Hey,

I thought i would post my out come to help others.

Having spent all day today taking my machine apart it is quite clear my problem was leaking bearings, letting by black grease which is finding its way in to the wash. The spare parts seem to be out £40 but given the age and fiddillyness of putting it all back together and no gaurentee of it not leaking i have decided to get a new one.

Thanks Andy Washerhelp - a great site!

Spoon Washer :-)

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Thanks for the update Spoon Washer. It's an unusual one that as in theory bearings shouldn't be able to leak and get into the machine as there's a seal between them and the rest of the machine. Plus there's nothing put thick grease inside them and only a bit unless someone's oiled them at some point. If the seal protecting the drum bearings goes it normally works the other way round, i.e water gets into the bearings and washes all the grease out, which quickly causes the bearings to rumble and tends to cause brown rusty stains especially on the back of the washing machine's drum and the floor.

[Spoon washer]

It was the front bearing by the way. I took a photo but am not sure how to upload it on to this forum?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I think if you click the "More Reply options" button you should be able to upload it using the attach files option.

[Spoon washer]

Pictures as discussed - Many thanks.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Those bearings definitely look like they've had water on them.