Is my washing machine beyond hope . . . ?
Discussion
I've got one of these:
I've had it a while now, probably longer than I think I have, and at least 8 years as it moved house with us. It's been making a noise while spinning for a good few months, too. And like all conscientious householders, I've been ignoring it.
Laundry results have been OK for the most part, with the odd load here and there having "sludgy" residue on things, prompting a clean with Dr. Beckmann powder or the cleaning liquid alternative.
Today was different. One load (duvet cover, etc) OK, no marks, second load (towels, bath mat, etc) came out with a brown mark. Seems to have sponged out OK, but it prompted another clean. That left debris (fluff/sludge) so I did another 'Tub Clean' program without the cleaning powder.
With that done, I was giving the inside of the drum a wipe and spotted this:
Any appliance repair gurus here? Anyone who can suggest a cause? And is it terminal, or repairable? We've got funds put aside in case a new machine is needed, or a repair needs paying for. Obviously I'd prefer to repair it but I don't want to have it break down with a load of laundry inside.
What to do . . . ?
I've had it a while now, probably longer than I think I have, and at least 8 years as it moved house with us. It's been making a noise while spinning for a good few months, too. And like all conscientious householders, I've been ignoring it.
Laundry results have been OK for the most part, with the odd load here and there having "sludgy" residue on things, prompting a clean with Dr. Beckmann powder or the cleaning liquid alternative.
Today was different. One load (duvet cover, etc) OK, no marks, second load (towels, bath mat, etc) came out with a brown mark. Seems to have sponged out OK, but it prompted another clean. That left debris (fluff/sludge) so I did another 'Tub Clean' program without the cleaning powder.
With that done, I was giving the inside of the drum a wipe and spotted this:
Any appliance repair gurus here? Anyone who can suggest a cause? And is it terminal, or repairable? We've got funds put aside in case a new machine is needed, or a repair needs paying for. Obviously I'd prefer to repair it but I don't want to have it break down with a load of laundry inside.
What to do . . . ?
This is where AI is great.
Gemini said:
This residue inside your washing machine drum is almost certainly **bearing grease** mixed with water, which points to a failing drum tub seal.
When the main tub seal behind the drum wears out, water leaks into the rear drum bearings, washing out the thick lubricating grease. The spinning drum then forces this grease/oil mixture back into the washing drum through the drainage holes.
When the main tub seal behind the drum wears out, water leaks into the rear drum bearings, washing out the thick lubricating grease. The spinning drum then forces this grease/oil mixture back into the washing drum through the drainage holes.
- Common Causes**
- **Blown Tub Seal & Failing Bearings:** The most frequent cause of brown/yellowish greasy streaks appearing through the drum holes. You may also notice a loud, roaring or rumbling noise during the spin cycle.
- **Melted Plastic / Synthetic Residue:** A misplaced item (like a plastic-backed rug, gummy candy, or glue stick) caught in the outer tub that melted and seeped through the holes.
- How to Fix It**
- **Check the Bearings:** Spin the empty drum by hand. If it feels rough, loose, or makes a grinding sound, the rear bearings and seal need replacement (or a full tub assembly depending on the model).
- **Clean the Drum:** Wipe the residue away using a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, or dish soap to break down the oil before running your next laundry load.
- **Run a Maintenance Cycle:** Run a empty hot wash cycle (60°C or 90°C) with a washing machine cleaner or washing soda to clear out grease trapped behind the drum wall.
Andy 308GTB said:
Bearing gone is my guess. They can be replaced on older machines by a competent DIY'er. On newer machines the bearing is integral to the drum, if so, it's generally not much more to buy a new machine
It's almost like they've designed them to be uneconomical to repair. Although I'm sure manufacturers would never do such a thing.Edited by Funk on Tuesday 8th September 07:03
Funk said:
Andy 308GTB said:
Bearing gone is my guess. They can be replaced on older machines by a competent DIY'er. On newer machines the bearing is integral to the drum, if so, it's generally not much more to buy a new machine
It's almost like they've designed them to be either uneconomical to repair. Although I'm sure manufacturers would never do such a thing.Labour (milliband) has sneaked this in under the radar, very few people know about it. Net zero apparently? How this is more ecologically friendly I have no idea?
I've replaced main bearings on LG direct drive myself.
It's a big long job, but technically not difficult.
Order new bearing and new tub joint seal.
They are better built and easier to fix than other machines such as Samsung, and the direct drive is much simpler (bolts onto the main shaft basically).
Paying someone is probably more than the machine is worth.
DIY is £50 max for bearing and tub joint seal.
It's a big long job, but technically not difficult.
Order new bearing and new tub joint seal.
They are better built and easier to fix than other machines such as Samsung, and the direct drive is much simpler (bolts onto the main shaft basically).
Paying someone is probably more than the machine is worth.
DIY is £50 max for bearing and tub joint seal.
Funk said:
Andy 308GTB said:
Bearing gone is my guess. They can be replaced on older machines by a competent DIY'er. On newer machines the bearing is integral to the drum, if so, it's generally not much more to buy a new machine
It's almost like they've designed them to be uneconomical to repair. Although I'm sure manufacturers would never do such a thing.Well, to update the thread:
We talked about a repair. But there are more issues than just the drum bearings. The pump is making odd noises too, as my wife reminded me. Like it's running, but the sump is dry.
The receipt was duly retrieved from the file, and my wife was correct once more when she'd said we'd had it longer than I thought we had. It was bought on the 17th October 2010, so nearly 16 years.
She Googled "how long should a washing machine last?", and the life expectancy estimate for LG machines was 10 to 12 years (Direct Drive motor warranty is 10 years).
There are cosmetic issues too. "Enamelling" (?) has worn where the soap drawer opens and closes, among other things.
This is a 7kg 1200rpm spin machine. A replacement LG machine with 10kg capacity and 1400rpm spin speed has been ordered. Delivery tomorrow.
The receipt for this machine is barely readable, despite being kept in a file, in a drawer, away from heat and light, but there's enough detail to see:
16 years of price inflation, plus it's got a larger capacity and a faster spin speed. It doesn't seem to be too ridiculous a price increase.
It will be nice to be able to wash a load without worrying about the machine leaving "sludge" on the clothes, or wondering if this is the load that gets stuck in the machine when it fails completely. And it will be good to not worry about the effect of the noise on our neighbour (terminally ill with breast cancer) and having to shut the kitchen door so we can hear the TV in the living room. We've disconnected the current machine, and cleaned behind and underneath it, ready for the new one to be connected up and slid straight in.
ETA:
I'm sure we could probably have got it cheaper by shopping around, too, but my wife was in charge of ordering it and she just went for it from the Curry's website, on the basis that the value of her time (if she spent time shopping around) would probably be greater than any saving to be made.
We talked about a repair. But there are more issues than just the drum bearings. The pump is making odd noises too, as my wife reminded me. Like it's running, but the sump is dry.
The receipt was duly retrieved from the file, and my wife was correct once more when she'd said we'd had it longer than I thought we had. It was bought on the 17th October 2010, so nearly 16 years.
She Googled "how long should a washing machine last?", and the life expectancy estimate for LG machines was 10 to 12 years (Direct Drive motor warranty is 10 years).
There are cosmetic issues too. "Enamelling" (?) has worn where the soap drawer opens and closes, among other things.
This is a 7kg 1200rpm spin machine. A replacement LG machine with 10kg capacity and 1400rpm spin speed has been ordered. Delivery tomorrow.
The receipt for this machine is barely readable, despite being kept in a file, in a drawer, away from heat and light, but there's enough detail to see:
| Old | New | |
|---|---|---|
| Store | Comet | Curry's |
| Machine | £399.99 | £549.00 |
| Capacity | 7 kg | 10 kg |
| Spin speed | 1200 rpm | 1400 rpm |
| Delivery | £24.95 | £25.00 |
| Recycling | £10.00 |
|
16 years of price inflation, plus it's got a larger capacity and a faster spin speed. It doesn't seem to be too ridiculous a price increase.
It will be nice to be able to wash a load without worrying about the machine leaving "sludge" on the clothes, or wondering if this is the load that gets stuck in the machine when it fails completely. And it will be good to not worry about the effect of the noise on our neighbour (terminally ill with breast cancer) and having to shut the kitchen door so we can hear the TV in the living room. We've disconnected the current machine, and cleaned behind and underneath it, ready for the new one to be connected up and slid straight in.
ETA:
I'm sure we could probably have got it cheaper by shopping around, too, but my wife was in charge of ordering it and she just went for it from the Curry's website, on the basis that the value of her time (if she spent time shopping around) would probably be greater than any saving to be made.
Edited by yellowjack on Wednesday 16th September 02:00
nordboy said:
Wait until the tumble dryer ban comes in Jan 1st 2027. No more condenser tumble dryers, now have to by a heat pump tumble dryer at 3-10 times the cost, and they're pretty much un-recyclable and will be far more complicated to fix.
Labour (milliband) has sneaked this in under the radar, very few people know about it. Net zero apparently? How this is more ecologically friendly I have no idea?
It’s not a ban, it’s new standards that mean most older designs don’t comply, but efficient non-heat pump ones are still ok. And the heat pump ones aren’t ten times the cost. There’s plenty for £3-400Labour (milliband) has sneaked this in under the radar, very few people know about it. Net zero apparently? How this is more ecologically friendly I have no idea?
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/the-tumble-dr...
Alex Z said:
nordboy said:
Wait until the tumble dryer ban comes in Jan 1st 2027. No more condenser tumble dryers, now have to by a heat pump tumble dryer at 3-10 times the cost, and they're pretty much un-recyclable and will be far more complicated to fix.
Labour (milliband) has sneaked this in under the radar, very few people know about it. Net zero apparently? How this is more ecologically friendly I have no idea?
It s not a ban, it s new standards that mean most older designs don t comply, but efficient non-heat pump ones are still ok. And the heat pump ones aren t ten times the cost. There s plenty for £3-400Labour (milliband) has sneaked this in under the radar, very few people know about it. Net zero apparently? How this is more ecologically friendly I have no idea?
Unfortunately some people just like to rant on about non-facts.
yellowjack said:
Well, to update the thread:
We talked about a repair. But there are more issues than just the drum bearings. The pump is making odd noises too, as my wife reminded me. Like it's running, but the sump is dry.
The receipt was duly retrieved from the file, and my wife was correct once more when she'd said we'd had it longer than I thought we had. It was bought on the 17th October 2010, so nearly 16 years.
She Googled "how long should a washing machine last?", and the life expectancy estimate for LG machines was 10 to 12 years (Direct Drive motor warranty is 10 years).
There are cosmetic issues too. "Enamelling" (?) has worn where the soap drawer opens and closes, among other things.
This is a 7kg 1200rpm spin machine. A replacement LG machine with 10kg capacity and 1400rpm spin speed has been ordered. Delivery tomorrow.
The receipt for this machine is barely readable, despite being kept in a file, in a drawer, away from heat and light, but there's enough detail to see:
16 years of price inflation, plus it's got a larger capacity and a faster spin speed. It doesn't seem to be too ridiculous a price increase.
It will be nice to be able to wash a load without worrying about the machine leaving "sludge" on the clothes, or wondering if this is the load that gets stuck in the machine when it fails completely. And it will be good to not worry about the effect of the noise on our neighbour (terminally ill with breast cancer) and having to shut the kitchen door so we can hear the TV in the living room. We've disconnected the current machine, and cleaned behind and underneath it, ready for the new one to be connected up and slid straight in.
ETA:
I'm sure we could probably have got it cheaper by shopping around, too, but my wife was in charge of ordering it and she just went for it from the Curry's website, on the basis that the value of her time (if she spent time shopping around) would probably be greater than any saving to be made.
Check if its a powder or liquid only machine. We talked about a repair. But there are more issues than just the drum bearings. The pump is making odd noises too, as my wife reminded me. Like it's running, but the sump is dry.
The receipt was duly retrieved from the file, and my wife was correct once more when she'd said we'd had it longer than I thought we had. It was bought on the 17th October 2010, so nearly 16 years.
She Googled "how long should a washing machine last?", and the life expectancy estimate for LG machines was 10 to 12 years (Direct Drive motor warranty is 10 years).
There are cosmetic issues too. "Enamelling" (?) has worn where the soap drawer opens and closes, among other things.
This is a 7kg 1200rpm spin machine. A replacement LG machine with 10kg capacity and 1400rpm spin speed has been ordered. Delivery tomorrow.
The receipt for this machine is barely readable, despite being kept in a file, in a drawer, away from heat and light, but there's enough detail to see:
| Old | New | |
|---|---|---|
| Store | Comet | Curry's |
| Machine | £399.99 | £549.00 |
| Capacity | 7 kg | 10 kg |
| Spin speed | 1200 rpm | 1400 rpm |
| Delivery | £24.95 | £25.00 |
| Recycling | £10.00 |
|
16 years of price inflation, plus it's got a larger capacity and a faster spin speed. It doesn't seem to be too ridiculous a price increase.
It will be nice to be able to wash a load without worrying about the machine leaving "sludge" on the clothes, or wondering if this is the load that gets stuck in the machine when it fails completely. And it will be good to not worry about the effect of the noise on our neighbour (terminally ill with breast cancer) and having to shut the kitchen door so we can hear the TV in the living room. We've disconnected the current machine, and cleaned behind and underneath it, ready for the new one to be connected up and slid straight in.
ETA:
I'm sure we could probably have got it cheaper by shopping around, too, but my wife was in charge of ordering it and she just went for it from the Curry's website, on the basis that the value of her time (if she spent time shopping around) would probably be greater than any saving to be made.
Edited by yellowjack on Wednesday 16th September 02:00
We replaced ours and it states liquid only.
nwmlarge1 said:
Check if its a powder or liquid only machine.
We replaced ours and it states liquid only.
It's all good. Plenty in the instructions book warning about liquid detergent and the 'Delay End' feature. Apparently the liquid detergent can "harden" if it sits without water in the pipes or the drum. The detergent drawer is the traditional powder type, too. And I mainly use the set-dose "pod" type Fairy soluble detergent straight in the drum anyway. We replaced ours and it states liquid only.
It was delivered late this morning, and the old machine and packing materials for the new one taken away. I've hooked it all up, run a cycle to rinse the drum, and it's done its first wash.
It is mostly really familiar, it plays the same melody when the program ends, and the detergents and softener, etc, all go in the same parts of the drawer. But there are design changes. The additional/custom spin speed/temperature options are now selected via a touch screen, there are extra basic/default programs, and the one annoying thing so far is the lack of a latch handle on the door. Just a pull tab at the 2 o'clock position. I quite liked having to pull a handle to release the latch - it felt more of a positive open/close action.
Oh, and the tap on the cold water supply pipe is now "weeping." Not much, but I suspect it's the valve where it hadn't been moved since we installed the machine in the house when we moved here in 2019. I've put a wrap of absorbant paper round it and will keep an eye on it. I'm hoping it'll stop by itself, with no need for a plumber. None of the supply/drain pipework is in anything resembling a convenient position, either. Ideally it would be on the wall behind the machine, but it's tucked away in the under-sink cupboard, supply in the bottom corner and the drain spigot wedged against the side of the cupboard high up by the sink traps. But it's here, installed, and working. And oh boy, is it quiet when it's running! I didn't appreciate just how loud the old one had got, until we set the new one running . . .
nordboy said:
Funk said:
Andy 308GTB said:
Bearing gone is my guess. They can be replaced on older machines by a competent DIY'er. On newer machines the bearing is integral to the drum, if so, it's generally not much more to buy a new machine
It's almost like they've designed them to be either uneconomical to repair. Although I'm sure manufacturers would never do such a thing.Labour (milliband) has sneaked this in under the radar, very few people know about it. Net zero apparently? How this is more ecologically friendly I have no idea?
This was eds big play. Tumble dryer ban.
He really is a
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