Replacing washing machine drum seal?

[H100S]

The seal from drum to door aparture is getting mouldy on the washer. I intend to replace, they dont seem expensive but is this a job for a proffesional or something i could manage quite easily myself?

[Dennis99]

I did our Zanussi a while back with no problems. It was held on with a reusable plastic clamp similar to a giant cable tie and then just feed the new seal into the fitments then put the clamp back on.

[FlossyThePig]

If it leaks - replace (I've replaced a few and found it one of the easier jobs)

If it's dirty - clean it

[eastlmark]

not as easy as some make out..... the plastic clip mentioned is only on the front lip and is easy, its the lip around the drum that is the hard bit. Zanussi (and clones AEG, John Lewis, Tricity Bendix, Electrolux etc) are one of the hardest to do due to the fact that the front of the cabinet is not removeable as it is on some machines. Therefore there is very little room to work and you are blind doing so, Once lipped on the the seal is retained by a large wire coil like a spring which needs to be stretched on, not easy even for some of us doing it all the time. Also some models may have a pipe,or even 2 connections through the seal as well. If its a washer drier, forget it, bloody nightmare, the heater for the drier needs
these things are like changing a belt of a car engine, everyone thinks its easy till they try it.

[eastlmark]

FlossyThePig said:

If it leaks - replace (I've replaced a few and found it one of the easier jobs)

If it's dirty - clean it

black mould will not clean off. Once a new seal is fitted, use powder detergent rather than liquid and 90 degree washes regularly or it will be back in no time.

[eastlmark]

Dennis99 said:

I did our Zanussi a while back with no problems. It was held on with a reusable plastic clamp similar to a giant cable tie and then just feed the new seal into the fitments then put the clamp back on.

obviously never done one!

[Dennis99]

eastlmark said:

Dennis99 said:

I did our Zanussi a while back with no problems. It was held on with a reusable plastic clamp similar to a giant cable tie and then just feed the new seal into the fitments then put the clamp back on.

obviously never done one!

Maybe I've just got the knack because that's something I'd make up isn't it?

[H100S]

Thank you for all the advice. It is black mould that is annoying me. The washer is a built in style hotpoint, not a washer dryer.

wife does use alot of liquid type detergents and rarely a 90c

[Legacywr]

I have done this on types of machine, and I found that once I found out how they were secured it was reasonably easy.

If you have any mechanical experience at all, I say have a go!

[Legacywr]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Calgen / Washer Cleaner is your product for this not stripping out machines.

I must admit that I wouldn't change it if it's not leaking, dirty or not!

[eastlmark]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Calgen / Washer Cleaner is your product for this not stripping out machines.

nope, wont achieve a thing.

[eastlmark]

Dennis99 said:

Maybe I've just got the knack because that's something I'd make up isn't it?

OK maybe you just failed to mention all the important details then, sorry my mistake.

[dickymint]

Here you go....................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOrLIcgy81k

Loads more on youtube.

[Zippee]

eastlmark said:

not as easy as some make out..... the plastic clip mentioned is only on the front lip and is easy, its the lip around the drum that is the hard bit. Zanussi (and clones AEG, John Lewis, Tricity Bendix, Electrolux etc) are one of the hardest to do due to the fact that the front of the cabinet is not removeable as it is on some machines. Therefore there is very little room to work and you are blind doing so, Once lipped on the the seal is retained by a large wire coil like a spring which needs to be stretched on, not easy even for some of us doing it all the time. Also some models may have a pipe,or even 2 connections through the seal as well. If its a washer drier, forget it, bloody nightmare, the heater for the drier needs
these things are like changing a belt of a car engine, everyone thinks its easy till they try it.

I agree with this, if it's a Zanussi machine with the coil spring it is a b!tch of a job. I did ours and it took me 3 hours and a LOT of swearing. As Mark says, the front lip is easy, the one round the drum very tight, no room to get hands/fingers into, a lot is blind due to the angle you have to get into, the spring is a sod! My advice - if it's one of the ones we mention get a pro in to do it. The basic seals, held on only by the plastic tie are much easier.