AEG-74600 loose pump "propeller" -how to reattach?

[tumbler]

I'm happy to have just found this forum as my AEG-74600 started to emit this rattling sort of sound when pumping the water out. After a while it stopped and a "C2" message showed up in the LED display. Apparently this indicates a fault with the pump:
 

Quote

 

F2: Single flasing LED (1000 spin) or F2 in the display (C2 on some models) – this usually means that the machine is detecting that the water is not pumping out. This is often due to foreign objects finding their way into the pump and jamming it. Follow the “Cleaning the Drain Pump” section in your user guide, which should also refer you to the “emergency draining” procedure first. Note that this could also be a sock or similar blocking the lower (sump) pipe that leads to the pump. Follow the draining procedure and tilt the machine on its side (no more than 45 degrees) to get at and inspect the sump hose. If not that, then remove the pump and test it on a test bench, replace if faulty.

 

So I did an emergency draining by with the emergency emptying hose followed by unscrewing the drain pump cover. I discovered that the green "propeller" or "fan" if you like was completely loose, and my first thought is that this is the cause of my problems. I assume its job is to "push" the water through that area and out, and being loose it probably won't pump the water out properly.

Anyway, I guessed it was broken off, but upon closer inspection it appears just to have loosened but I can't seem to just screw it in place (the pump just spindle just moves if I try). Is there a special way to do this?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello tumbler. Normally you cannot repair the pump any more. If the impeller has come off you would normally need to fit a new pump. The pump impeller may be pressed or moulded onto the shaft and once it is off it will be impossible to fix back. However, if the impeller is screwed onto the shaft and there is a thread on them both then theoretically it could be screwed back on but as you have found there is no way to hold the shaft whilst it is tightened. Older pumps used to be able to be repaired easily but now they are all designed to be cheap and thrown away if any fault develops.

The pump impeller is most likely screwed on tight earlier on in its assembly before it is inserted inside the main body. Unless you can strip it apart you will not be able to tighten it up and even then you risk the pump leaking after being stripped down. It is probably best to just buy a new pump, which aren't too expensive. You can buy new washing machine parts from 4Washerhelp - Washing machine parts - AEG pumps

 

[tumbler]

Thanks for your reply and link.

Your description sounds correct regarding the difficulty of re-attaching the impeller. Mine appears to be threaded, but I'm barely able to fit my fingers inside the drain and much less holding the impeller at the same time, though I've succeeded -but as you say, tightening it doesn't seem possible that way at least. In any case, if I need to replace the pump I have to remove it (and if I get that far I might as well try to tighten the impeller) -but how do I access the actual pump?

As you can see from the photo I've managed to remove the lower front panel, but are there screws underneath I have to remove to by tilting the whole unit to its side to access it? I haven't been able to find any service/repair manual for it -do you have any suggestions on how to proceed?

UPDATE: never mind the above as I managed to open up the unit by removing screws at the bottom front, top sides, removing the top panel by unscrewing the screws on the back, and screws holding the plastic front panel in place.

OK, so I've removed the pump (taking pictures as I go along is a good idea so I know what tube goes where etc.) and even disassembled it in order to try to refit the impeller. It doesn't seem to be damaged, but I can't quite figure out the puzzle, expecting it to fit the threads and lock on. Can someone help? (see photos below).

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

It looks like it's got rings and not a screw thread. My guess is that it's a push fit. It looks like it pushes on and the strange metal shaft fits inside the impeller and is what stops the impeller spinning round on the shaft?

[tumbler]

I think you're right about not being able to fix it. I assume the impeller has been attached to the shaft before some of the other pump parts. So I gave in and ordered a new pump instead.

Do you know if I need to reset the unit in some way after attaching the new pump?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Once the fault is fixed it should hopefully work ok. Errors in theory should only be triggered by faults.

[tumbler]

The washing machine's been working great ever since I changed the pump! Thanks for your suggestions and comments which saved me a bundle to do myself

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Many thanks, it's always very useful to have a proper update.