Clicking noise on Midea (Logik) washer

[jjne]

I have a Logik L714WM23 washer. It has developed a weird issue - when the wash starts it is silent, but part way into the cycle it starts clicking, only when the drum is spinning anticlockwise (as seen from the front). 

At first I thought this was a balancing issue but it does it even when run empty. It seems to be when there is a good amount of water in the drum so it still could be balancing (and therefore a clicking shock absorber? I'm not sure). 

The click continues into the spin cycle when the drum is full of clothing. It appears to be once per rotation of the drum itself. The machine, other than this appears to be working fine. 

Does anyone have any idea what this would be? The click isn't loud but is concerning. It's 

[jjne]

Here's a video of it; unfortunately the problem is intermittent so I could only catch it on this occasion (a express wash) when other noises were around. It's the higher pitched tick that's the problem - I think the rest if it us just water slosh. 

[Whitegoodshelp]

Hi. All I can hear is the high-pitched "tick" of the water being tossed onto the door glass, which is normal when there is no laundry and detergent inside. Can you get the noise when laundry and soap sudds are present?

[Whitegoodshelp]

A clicking once every rotation could be a suspension or chassis problem. If the sound isn't there when you move the inner drum by hand the machine would need physically checking. An engineer would try to replicate the noise by carefully moving the drum and actual washing machine around. You would need to pull the washer out and disconnect from mains. Then rock the washing machine from side to side to see if it's a wheel, or loose chassis clicking. Then take the lid off and move the tub around. Bounce it around, up and down, side to side to see if anything clicks.

[jjne]

The problem, unfortunately, seems to be intermittent as well - I just put the same load back in that I washed earlier and the machine has been completely silent throughout. 

This might be a pattern in itself I think - I've noticed that the noise tends to go away after it has been run through a spin cycle, but will come back if the machine had been left for a few days. 

My assumption was some sort of suspension issue however what confused me was the fact that it *always* appears to be on anticlockwise movement, and not apparently related to load (as it will sometimes do it empty as well where I'd assume the machine is near enough perfectly balanced). 

I will try to get a recording of it the next time it plays up, but this probably won't be for at least a few days. Many thanks for your help so far. 

[Whitegoodshelp]

If it only does it on one direction of the motor, it could be suspension, or a wheel, or a crack in or loose rivet in the casing. When the motor runs clockwise, it rocks the whole machine on one side, but rocks everything on the other side when it turns anti-clockwise.

[jjne]

That would be the casing of the unit as opposed to the casing of the drum itself right? 

[Whitegoodshelp]

Both. The issue could be caused by the casing or a wheel. Or the suspension or drum and motor inside. 

[jjne]

Right, think I'll be taking the back inspection panel off then and have a quick look around for obvious issues before I call someone in then

[jjne]

Oh dear. The cause is now obvious... 

I took the back off and immediately noticed damage on the inspection panel (first photo). Then I took a look inside and discovered that the pulley is sheared. It is a certainty that this is the cause. 

I acquired this machine from a relative at about a year old, and have now been able to determine that the machine was run with the locking bolts fitted, "briefly" according to the person concerned. 

Any idea how much a replacement pulley would cost? Lol. 

[jjne]

One last question for now - looking at the video below the wheel/pulley seems to be significantly "warped" here - yet the sheared arm is positioned correctly. 

So the question is - is the warpage what caused the failure rather than the initial run? Or would the warpage (and breakage) have all been caused by running it with the bolts attached? Is that level of wavering considered normal? 

[Whitegoodshelp]

The drum pulley won't be expensive. The fixing bolt could have a left hand thread although I don't know. The bolt should have a locking tab, or could have loctite on the thread. Whichever it is the bolt needs re-locking after or it will work loose. 

I‘ve seen those pulleys crack like that before. Normally, running with transit packaging causes washing machine  to bounce and shake about a lot as the transit packaging stops the suspension from working. It may not be anything to do with the crack in the pulley. 

[jjne]

7 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

The drum pulley won't be expensive. The fixing bolt could have a left hand thread although I don't know. The bolt should have a locking tab, or could have loctite on the thread. Whichever it is the bolt needs re-locking after or it will work loose. 

I‘ve seen those pulleys crack like that before. Normally, running with transit packaging causes washing machine  to bounce and shake about a lot as the transit packaging stops the suspension from working. It may not be anything to do with the crack in the pulley. 

Thankyou sir! I will look into the part number and get one ordered tomorrow - looks like it's around the £20-30 mark. 

[jjne]

Part replaced, fitted, loctite applied, no longer clicking. Thanks!