Hotpoint Washing machine problem

Hello,

The drum on my Hotpoint washing machine (Model WMA34) has stopped spinning or moving at all. Removing the small plate at the back revealed that the belt had come off from the motor and large wheel at the back of the drum.

On a previous Hotpoint model I've replaced the belt as you would an alternator, by slackening off the motor, fitting the belt then tensioning. On this model there appears to be no means of doing this as the motor appears fixed by 3 bolts to the plastic outer drum. Unfortunately inspection of these bolts revealed that one of the spigots the motor bolts attach to, had snapped off (its the one on the 'awkward side of the motor away from the backplate access).

I've tried gluing it back on, but with no joy. I've also tried reattaching the belt again with no joy but lots of grazed hands/fingers, and I can't possibly see it working without some kind of adjustment/tensioning.

My questions are...

How do I reattach the belt? If I can reattach the belt is it likely to come off again due to the broken spigot? If I need to change the outer plastic drum, are these expensive and how much would it cost in labour (hours) to fit? If it is over =A3150 total a new machine seems more cost effective, it just seems an awful waste for such a small bit.

Any help appreciated.

Reply to
squires55
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The drum on my Hotpoint washing machine (Model WMA34) has stopped spinning or moving at all. Removing the small plate at the back revealed that the belt had come off from the motor and large wheel at the back of the drum.

On a previous Hotpoint model I've replaced the belt as you would an alternator, by slackening off the motor, fitting the belt then tensioning. On this model there appears to be no means of doing this as the motor appears fixed by 3 bolts to the plastic outer drum. Unfortunately inspection of these bolts revealed that one of the spigots the motor bolts attach to, had snapped off (its the one on the 'awkward side of the motor away from the backplate access).

I've tried gluing it back on, but with no joy. I've also tried reattaching the belt again with no joy but lots of grazed hands/fingers, and I can't possibly see it working without some kind of adjustment/tensioning.

My questions are...

How do I reattach the belt? If I can reattach the belt is it likely to come off again due to the broken spigot? If I need to change the outer plastic drum, are these expensive and how much would it cost in labour (hours) to fit? If it is over £150 total a new machine seems more cost effective, it just seems an awful waste for such a small bit.

Any help appreciated.

First the motor needs all three fixings to hold it in place with the back one missing the motor will flex so you will never get the belt tight.

How old it the machine, all Hotpoints came with a 5 year parts warrantee.

The outer drum is IIRC £80ish pounds.

Mind you its probably due for a new drum anyway as the WMA's where notorious for knakering their drum bearings after 18 months.

Reply to
Paul

There's going to be a load of force on that lug (which is why it broke). Best chance of repairing it is probably a combination of resin and screw fixing, like a post repair on a tooth. I don't know if the lug is big enough for you to drill a couple of small holes to take steel screws. The screws should be resined in too. Use a resin for glass fibre work from a car parts shop, assuming the outer drum is GRP.

Take the top off the machine for easier access.

Put it round the small motor pully first, and gently pull it towards the large drum pully. Hold one part of the belt in the right position on the large pully and slowly rotate the large pully all the way round so the whole belt is dran on.

Yes. You will need that repaired.

For my 17 year old Hotpoint, a new outer drum is about £100. I would imaging the labour charge in changing it would bring the total cost well above £150, unless you did it yourself.

Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

The drum on my Hotpoint washing machine (Model WMA34) has stopped spinning or moving at all. Removing the small plate at the back revealed that the belt had come off from the motor and large wheel at the back of the drum.

On a previous Hotpoint model I've replaced the belt as you would an alternator, by slackening off the motor, fitting the belt then tensioning. On this model there appears to be no means of doing this as the motor appears fixed by 3 bolts to the plastic outer drum. Unfortunately inspection of these bolts revealed that one of the spigots the motor bolts attach to, had snapped off (its the one on the 'awkward side of the motor away from the backplate access).

I've tried gluing it back on, but with no joy. I've also tried reattaching the belt again with no joy but lots of grazed hands/fingers, and I can't possibly see it working without some kind of adjustment/tensioning.

My questions are...

How do I reattach the belt? If I can reattach the belt is it likely to come off again due to the broken spigot? If I need to change the outer plastic drum, are these expensive and how much would it cost in labour (hours) to fit? If it is over £150 total a new machine seems more cost effective, it just seems an awful waste for such a small bit.

Any help appreciated.

I had the same problem on a Hotpoint Washer / Dryer. Luckily we had just taken out 'extra cover' with Domestic & General. The machine neede a new plastic outer skin and the man from Hotpoint took about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to fix it, the whole machine was in bits. He said I f I had to pay for it, the cost would have been approx £250, so he said "You would probably have scrapped it and put the money towards a new machine". Best £60 I have spent recently. If it's any consolation, watching him do it, it didn't seem too hard a job. As long as you were methodical in your approach, I am sure it could be a DIY job.

HTH

John

Reply to
John

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