Washing machine knackered ?

BanjoSpanner

My Hotpoint washer/dryer is about 5 years old and has been used probably 4 times a week in that time. Often after a wash cycle the clothes come out smelling bad like they've been sitting in a pool of stagnant water for a week. Also the drum develops a pool of water at the bottom if left a day after a wash, it must be pumped out then before the next wash. Is it time for a new machine ?

smcgiff

BanjoSpanner wrote: »

My Hotpoint washer/dryer is about 5 years old and has been used probably 4 times a week in that time. Often after a wash cycle the clothes come out smelling bad like they've been sitting in a pool of stagnant water for a week. Also the drum develops a pool of water at the bottom if left a day after a wash, it must be pumped out then before the next wash. Is it time for a new machine ?

It's probably out of warranty, or just about to expire if you had a 5 year warranty (I miss the Whirlpool 10 year warranty).

It looks like the machine isn't fully clearing the water from the machine - pump related?

You're looking at approx €70 of a call out fee, parts and possibly additional labour. Is a 5 year machine worth it? Possibly not - I'd probably hedge on getting a new machine in the Jan sales if possible.

Avns1s

Possible that the pump os not clearing all the water, have you checked the "lint filter"?

More worrying is the fact that is seems to be filling a little when left between washes. Sounds like the inlet valve is not sealing fully. This will need to be replaced. The incoming water sitting in the base of the drum MAY be the cause of the foul smell. This will need a callout unless your reasonably competent. You can verify this is the problem by turning off the water using the little valve on the pipe at the back of the machine. I wouldn't go off for two weeks and leave it like this, you'll likely have mopping to do when you get back.

All considered, you might well be advised to go with the suggestion of the last poster and replace rather than repair. It's borderline!

mattjack

Have you tried draining it yourself OP ? there should be a small panel with a flexible tube down low on the front of the machine.
All manner of junk builds up in the filter.. coins , thread etc .

Make sure you have a few old towels around if you try it.

Meeoow

Same happened mine, turned out it was the electronics and would have needed a new programming module.
My advice is to buy a new machine in the sales.
Although 5 years is not a great lifespan for a washing machine.
I think mine lasted nearly 12 years.

BanjoSpanner

Mmm. Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll get a new one, could try having the old one looked at but it mightn't improve things. Power City here I come ! Thanks again.

galway1973

BanjoSpanner wrote: »

Mmm. Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll get a new one, could try having the old one looked at but it mightn't improve things. Power City here I come ! Thanks again.

Clean out filter/ pump & inlet valve might have a bit of dirt in it. Usually
not a big job

martin46585

The fault would seem to be the pump which is use to empty the drum, it can be something small such as a ten cent piece stuck in the pipe, jamming the vanes of the pump, to the pump it being burnt out, due to constant blocking,
Either way it's a cheap fix, from just unscrewing the plug at the front, and clearing the blockage, to secondly replacing the pump, by matching the old model with a new one, cheaper aftermarket pumps are readily available online for less than 20 euros.
Very much cheaper than a new machine.....

Rabidlamb

I had a Zanussi washing machine that started giving the same symptoms.
Try draining the machine manually (messy job) to see if it completes it cycles OK.
While down there clean out the filter just to make sure it's not the problem.
There were 2 pumps on the base of my machine, a drain pump & a recirculation pump, my drain pump was clogged up with black crap, pulling all that away solved my problem.

Getting at the pump was a real headache on the Zanussi I had.
I tipped the machine on it's side to access the cutaway on the base.
There were 4 hoses with clips that had to be detached from the assembly along with 4 electrical connections for the pumps.
Take photos as you go so you remember how to reassemble, you'll need a grips or pliers to undo the hose clips.
There were also 2 screws to fix the pump housing to the base of the machine which needed removing.
You need to unscrew the face of the pumps to access the vanes for inspection, again take photos before.
Take care to connect the hoses & the clip properly when reassembling to prevent leaks.

Mine now works at treat again, it was my own fault for never clearing the filter.