Belt Snapped

[Curious]

I have an old washing machine and I think I probably overloaded it a bit a few weeks ago as the drive belt snapped. I bought a new drive belt, fitted it, put the washing machine on a spin and the belt promptly snapped again. Is there anything I should be aware of when fitting a new drive belt? Do I need to move the motor? Thanks for any help you can give.

[Whitegoodshelp]

It used to be common for a new belt to be too tight, so when fitting one the motor had to be slackened off and the tension re-adjusted. However, many modern washing machines now have stretch belts that are designed to be only just tight enough to fit on and cannot be adjusted.

The drive belt should be tensioned tight enough to just "ping" nicely when plucked, and there should be a bit of play either side when you move the belt (in the middle) from side to side. Probably about quarter of an inch movement either side.

It's possible you had the tension too tight, but it's strange that your original belt snapped. If the belt tension is too slack, it can cause the revolving motor to cut into it as the belt slips when water and a wash load are added.

Another cause of a snapped drive belt on a washing machine (apart from wear) is if the drum seizes up while on spin. If the drum seized up, the ends of the belt (where it snapped) would show signs of friction burning as the revolving motor end cut through it. Although similar evidence would be present if the belt was cut through because it was too slack as mentioned above.

Before buying a new belt, make sure the drum revolves freely and there isn't a lot of play in the drum bearings. An obstruction inside the washing machine could cause a drum to seize up (sometimes temporarily)