Nicci

Not sure if this is NSR or DIY.

My washing machine has started to make a tapping noise on a spin.

I guess something is beginning to fail on the machine or an item is trapped.

Is it safe to try and look at the insides of the machine myself or best to get a repair person to take a look?

Buzzer

Washing machines are simple things Nicci (but she makes a nice Shepherds Pie though) only joking

Unplug it first

The lid to the whole machine will come off after you've undone the screws

Check that a spring or something hasn't jumped off the drum

If the paddles come out (from inside the drum) take them out and rotate the drum as something may have got inside.

A washing machine is just a drum attached to a motor with some electronics boards in it. My bets with the spring (or similar) type thing.

Apart from the noise (tapping) is everything okay with it?

David Lock

Note washing machines only completely pack up the day after the Warranty expires

Chip

Mine a did when it was 1 week out of warranty. Bearing in drum went.

Chip

Nicci

Thanks for the tips Buzzer.

I will try to work through your instructions at the weekend and hope for a happy machine.

Yes everything else on it is ok.

David, the machine is 2.5 years old.

Buzzer

How true is that

The only electrical appliance that i get extended warranty on is a washing machine and the thing still ***** up a day after the warranty expires

richiewong

My guess would be bearings as well, bloody Hotpoints

Chip

Yep, hotpoint it was. They said the whole drum would need to be replaced. So I threw it out and bought a Bosch.

Chip

C h a z II

Buy a Miele next time. Bomb proof.

Chip

Should be at that price

Chip

Jap2Scrap

NO!

leave it plugged in but switched off at the wall. This keeps the machine earthed while you poke around inside. A friend of mine blew the joint of his elbow off poking inside his machine as he accidently touched one of the capacitors inside. Capacitors can store current for a long time after the machine is switched off. His elbow was touching the stainless steel sink unit and the current earthed out there. Very nasty mess. He'd have been ok if the machine had been earthed but he'd unplugged it.

Seriously.

Buzzer

I only fixed my Dads last week fookin ell

Peccant

If it's making a tapping noise and vibrating a lot when spinning, then just sit on it and make the most of it while it lasts lol

Buzzer

Amy

Your timing is im-peccantable


I'll get me coat

Peccant

mj

Not neccessarily,and that is bum advice IMHO. If the machine had been earthed he would have picked up the shock via the metal casing of the washer or the sink, either would have given the same result, in truth he would have been better removing the earth path from the washer ( i.e unplugging it ) as this is closer to the Capacitor. It was bad luck or lack of knowledge that he touched the sink.

leaving an appliance plugged or unplugged does not make it safe to work on, if you don't what to do then pay someone that does.

pslewis

My money would be on a loose motor, its fine with the slow speed movements but a spin would pull it in toward the drum.

The motor lug then taps on the drum ....... and I leave mine plugged in and switched on so I can run it up with the covers off (sometimes the easiest way to see whats happening!)

BUT, if you don't feel confident, unplug and be safe!

Pete

Or simply buy a BOSCH!

C h a z II

Or a miele

Jap2Scrap

Yeah ok.

Leaving any appliance plugged in but switched off at the wall is not a bad idea. You tell me where else they earth to? The guy who got hurt was told this in direct relation to the washing machine and I was told it's good practice when I used to work on 415v 3phase drilling machines.

Not really IMHO because they were both the opinion of professionals but I'm glad to pass it on. In many circumstances it may not make a blind bit of difference (I once leant across the terminals of a 600v transformer and it being plugged in didn't help ) but it might, just might make a difference to someone. Unplugging it is only of value if the socket isn't switched.

Nicci

Hmm, thanks for the bit of confusion there.

And to some of the others, I am not buying a new machine.

mj

All I was saying is that your post kind of read that leaving it plugged in and switched off renderered it safe to work on, and that's not the case.

Jap2Scrap

Fair enough. The words 'safer in certain circumstances but certainly not less safe' should be substituted.