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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 22 June 2023, 14:48:59

Title: Washing Machine woes
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 22 June 2023, 14:48:59
I have a Hotpoint washing machine, WMFUG742PUK.

I put a load of washing in it the other day, and upon spin, it sounded like a bag of spanners - almost needed ear defenders!

I let it finish, and emptied it. I then checked the drum, and as suspected, the bearings at the back of the drum have fallen to bits, you can feel the drum shaft banging around in the bearing races.

I started to strip down the machine today, and upon removing the top, noticed that the drum is a bloody sealed unit!

You always used to be able to uncouple it with screws/bolts, to take the drum apart and get to the bearings. Now it's all one mould!

This is absolutely criminal - if I could get to the bearings, I could replace them for a tenner. But instead, I have to buy either a new "integrated drum unit" which is almost £300, or, at that price, avoid the hassle and just get a new machine dropped off.

I've never seen so much nonsense, what an absolute throwaway society.

I've looked at the drum unit, and I do quite fancy my chances of cutting along the seam with a fine saw blade, and drillling a load of small holes to insert locking nuts/bolts to hold it together. Perhaps with some grey VX oil cooler goo to seal it back up  ::)

Clearly a trick by the cock of a manufacturer to stop DIY / independent repairs and make you buy more of their products  >:(
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: ronnyd on 22 June 2023, 15:04:51
Were you really surprised by the fact that it would be a totally sealed unit? As you say , it's criminal that a several hundred pound appliance has to be scrapped because of the fact that a twenty pound  set of bearings can't be accessed. On a side note, has that proviso that appliances must be repairable gone now because of Brexit? Or was it ever really on the cards?  :-\
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 22 June 2023, 15:14:27
Were you really surprised by the fact that it would be a totally sealed unit? As you say , it's criminal that a several hundred pound appliance has to be scrapped because of the fact that a twenty pound  set of bearings can't be accessed. On a side note, has that proviso that appliances must be repairable gone now because of Brexit? Or was it ever really on the cards?  :-\

They get around the "repairable" criteria, by offering a "replacement drum and bearing unit", to swap the drum out when the bearings fail. Never mind that it costs almost as much as buying a new machine, compared to under £20 for the actual bearings.

R'soles.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 June 2023, 22:51:07
You are supposed to be able to split them, then bolt them back together, sealing with sikaflex or similar.

Our last machine went through 3 sets of bearings, so yes, it's pretty dismal that you can't replace them.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2023, 08:25:44
Indeshit (Hotpoint) have been doing this for about 10 years.  And before that, their bearing replacements also needed new spiders officially.

Nothing new, just bin the piece of crap and get something decent, the cheapest own brand that Currys have in stock. Problem solved, and who cares when the bearing fails - though its more likely to outlive the likes of Indeshit.  Plus, because it will likely lack all the eco-wank, it'll actually clean your stuff, do so reasonably quickly (not 3hrs, like modern branded eco-shite), and not leave black residue everywhere.


Same goes for dishwashers.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 23 June 2023, 10:22:45
Yes why do modern washing machines have such long cycles?  ???

I have the same Hotpoint machine as Jame's lump of scrap and have only ever used the quick wash programmes. 1/2 hour 30 degrees and the hour 60 degrees for dirty stuff. As TB says all the other cycles are 2 or three hours. How does that save energy?  ???  :-\

Gotta love a white goods thread BTW!  :y      ;D
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: STEMO on 23 June 2023, 11:09:05
You don't have to use the eco cycles, on either washing machines or dish washers.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2023, 11:50:31
You don't have to use the eco cycles, on either washing machines or dish washers.
The trouble is, many branded ones only have eco-esque programs now.

Hence the advice above to go for something cheap and nastys sourced from countries not overrun with middle aged, middle class Oxford women who think by using less electric to heat the water but more powerful chemicals washing for hours on end is better.  No wonder these lentil munchers always stink worse than the smelly kid at school....
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: STEMO on 23 June 2023, 15:01:57
I have Bosch dishwasher and Samsung washing machine, both have a myriad of choices.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2023, 19:15:13
Are Bosch dishwashers still made by Indeshit?
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: STEMO on 23 June 2023, 19:37:53
Are Bosch dishwashers still made by Indeshit?
Don't know, but they clean dishes and have plenty of settings  ;D
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 June 2023, 19:51:03
Are Bosch dishwashers still made by Indeshit?

The budget ones were, but the higher end ones not. It's a pity as Hotpoint when controlled by GE and GEC were pretty good dish washers
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Andy B on 23 June 2023, 19:52:26
I need a 1 point lesson each time it's suggested I use the washer .....  ::)
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: TheBoy on 24 June 2023, 09:09:05
Are Bosch dishwashers still made by Indeshit?

The budget ones were, but the higher end ones not. It's a pity as Horpoint when controlled by GE and GEC were pretty good dish washers
I'm trying to think of something kind to say about the last 3 Hotpoint dishwashers I've owned. And I can't ;D.

My first one was excellent though, but that was back in the 90s.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Auto Addict on 24 June 2023, 09:57:36
We've got a 45 year old Electrolux vacuum cleaner that's still going strong.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 24 June 2023, 11:21:02
I have a 29 year old Indesit dishwasher that's still going strong!  :y

A few years ago it nearly died when I switched it on but got a loud buzzing noise, so I pulled it out, turned it on it's side and gave the motor a good thump with a lump of 4x2 and it's been fine since!  :)
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Varche on 24 June 2023, 11:45:29
That taught it a lesson it clearly hasnt forgotten!

Do you thrash your cars with a shrub too when a dashboard light comes on or they fail to start!
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Rangie on 24 June 2023, 12:47:02
I have a 29 year old Indesit dishwasher that's still going strong!  :y

A few years ago it nearly died when I switched it on but got a loud buzzing noise, so I pulled it out, turned it on it's side and gave the motor a good thump with a lump of 4x2 and it's been fine since!  :)



We bought a tumble dryer in 1987 when we moved to Norfolk & it's still fully functional.
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: raywilb on 25 June 2023, 21:41:24
Were you really surprised by the fact that it would be a totally sealed unit? As you say , it's criminal that a several hundred pound appliance has to be scrapped because of the fact that a twenty pound  set of bearings can't be accessed. On a side note, has that proviso that appliances must be repairable gone now because of Brexit? Or was it ever really on the cards?  :-\
   its a probability that you may come across one on ebay
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 26 June 2023, 16:09:51
New complete drum unit with bearings is £271 online!  :o

https://www.4hotpoint.co.uk/washing-machine/wmfug-742p-uk-f086248/tank-assembly/product.pl?pid=3001516&path=52516:595447&refine=drum&model_ref=11459948

(https://res.cloudinary.com/dtk4ybaqk/image/private/t_wm_4copyright_500/prod/s0yg43a09utkax5merxf.jpg)
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Andy B on 26 June 2023, 19:36:05
New complete drum unit with bearings is £271 online!  :o

https://www.4hotpoint.co.uk/washing-machine/wmfug-742p-uk-f086248/tank-assembly/product.pl?pid=3001516&path=52516:595447&refine=drum&model_ref=11459948

(https://res.cloudinary.com/dtk4ybaqk/image/private/t_wm_4copyright_500/prod/s0yg43a09utkax5merxf.jpg)

Christ! All for the sake of a bearing that costs a few quid!
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 26 June 2023, 21:27:42
https://www.gumtree.com/p/washing-machines/washing-machine/1460535089

Rinse and repeat.  :y
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 June 2023, 01:31:22
Christ! All for the sake of a bearing that costs a few quid!

Quite. It's at the stage of nothing to lose. I am going to have a go at cutting the bastid apart and re-sealing it! Nothing to lose other than a couple of hours. I'm sure I can get bearings from a generic supplier  :-X
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 June 2023, 01:32:05
I have the space / capability to do the first test run outside  ;D
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: STEMO on 27 June 2023, 06:27:02
I have the space / capability to do the first test run outside  ;D
Hurry up, you must be getting quite smelly by now  ;D
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 27 June 2023, 10:46:32
I have the space / capability to do the first test run outside  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq6T5BojXc8
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Andy B on 27 June 2023, 13:25:31
I have the space / capability to do the first test run outside  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq6T5BojXc8

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
That's nearly what our washer did when it still had the transportation bolts still in ..... I forgot about them  ::)
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 27 June 2023, 13:42:54
Thought I was going to have to dismantle ours today, as it appeared to be leaking water from underneath last night when in use.
Then Swmbo confessed she had spilt quiet a lot of water onto the worktop ,which may have run down the side or back of the machine and reappeared from underneath.  ::) ;D
Ran it again this morning and no leakage, so all good.  :)
Title: Re: Washing Machine woes
Post by: biggriffin on 28 June 2023, 09:59:13
Try here
https://www.espares.co.uk/