Pumps keep failing - why?

[Happiness]

I have a zanussi washing machine which I bought in May 2017. It is connected to mains soft water. It serviced a family of 3. I used it on average about 4 times a week / every other day. In August 2018 the pump failed. I got an e20 message and water would not drain. Engineer came and replaced the pump, cost me £73. He couldn't find anything that would cause the pump to fail. In March 2019, 8 months later, the pump failed again. Another £71 this time as the pump was outside of its 6 month warranty.... It has failed again for a third time on 9th November 2019. I don't want to pay another £70 odd pounds for a fourth pump, nor do I feel I should fork out another several hundred quid for another washing machine when this one is only 2 and a half years old. What could be the reasons for the pump failures?

They all happen in roughly a similar timeframe. I'm putting a complaint in writing to the retailer under the consumer goods act 2015 as they fobbed me off over the phone. I cannot see this being a quick conclusion. Any information on what might be causing this washing machine to get through so many pumps would be useful. Thank you. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi. Most washing machines never need a new pump. If they do it’s highly unlikely they would need another. It’s important to know exactly what has gone wrong with the pumps? The overwhelming cause of washing machine pumps not pumping water are blockages and obstructions. 

So when the pumps apparently need replacing have they stopped running, burned out, or were running but not draining water? Unfortunately, you can't rule out an engineer fitting new pumps that weren't needed.

Also were the pumps that were fitted genuine pumps or non genuine? the retailer or manufacturer won’t be remotely interested if the replacement pumps were non genuine and possibly most engineers fit them because they are much cheaper and more profitable.
 

Finally, how sure are you that it needs another pump now? If the washing machine isn’t pumping water, the odds are still more likely it’s a blockage inside it or in the pump filter etc  

 

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Check this article carefully for help diagnosing

Washing machine not draining water

 

[Happiness]

On 22/11/2019 at 10:23, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Hi. Most washing machines never need a new pump. If they do it’s highly unlikely they would need another. It’s important to know exactly what has gone wrong with the pumps? The overwhelming cause of washing machine pumps not pumping water are blockages and obstructions. 

So when the pumps apparently need replacing have they stopped running, burned out, or were running but not draining water?

Also were the pumps that were fitted genuine pumps or non genuine? the retailer or manufacturer won’t be remotely interested if the replacement pumps were non genuine and possibly most engineers fit them because they are much cheaper and more profitable.
 

Finally, how sure are you that it needs another pump now? If the washing machine isn’t pumping water, the odds are still more likely it’s a blockage inside it or in the pump filter etc  

 

 

Hi. Thanks for the reply. No, never any obstructions found. The machine is immaculately kept and I am very careful with loads, emptying pockets and so forth.  The engineer is a registered zanussi engineer, so if the machine was in warranty, he would be the one they would send out. He has assured me that the pumps are genuine. He seemed miffed. I know when the pumps have failed because they simply fail to start on the drain cycle. The pump is silent. A knowledgable friend suggested that the programming is out, so the pump is getting damaged from a timing issue? I have always noticed a bit of a crunching sound when the pump starts up. Was like that from day 1 but thought nothing of it. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello, when I said was the pump genuine I was assuming it was out of guarantee and a local engineer being used. I've never heard of a timing issue other than in reference to mechanical things. An electrical pump just gets 230 volts supplied to it when they machine wants it to run. A sort of clacking noise, if it's always made it when the pump first starts to run isn't something to be concerned about as some do. However, once up and running there shouldn't be any crunching sound unless there is an obstruction being thrown about. Some obstructions can keep getting sucked into the pump and then tossed back out causing noises every so often. Such obstructions can be hard to find as they are usually plastic and float about inside pipes when the washing machine is laid down or tipped over to investigate.