igor Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 High gang. Not really, or even at all, related to cars but couldn't work out where else to post this. Does anybody know anything about the mechanicals of washing machines? I have an American Whirlpool model 6ALSR7244MW0 less than ten years old that still washes well but won't spin the water out. I had a look on the tard for any suitable replacement and saw another similar Whirlpool machine (6ALSR7244MW3) with the same problem and they reckoned it was the spin clutch that was causing it. Can any of you advise whether this is likely to be the case and how big a prick it is to fix. Sister-in-law reckons her other half (engineer, the kind that makes things) can probably manufacture any mechanical components if necessary. Thanking you in advance. Igor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave123456789 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Had same issue before on a difference machine. The tub actually rotated but wouldn't remove the water, same issue as you? The propeller in the water pump had come off. Glued that bad boy back on and all was good. Was a real easy fix if everything else still works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave123456789 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Also sometimes mice/rats can get jammed up in those propellers too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 Could be a possibilty Dave. I once removed two very crispy mice from the back of an electric range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave123456789 Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Could be a possibilty Dave. I once removed two very crispy mice from the back of an electric range. So other than not pumping out the water it spins and does all the rest all good? Investigate that water pump if so. My issue was real obvious but once you start tearing washing machines apart they are pretty basic internally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corbie Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Another issue I have come across in the past is coins stuck in the pump / pipes last time I pulled apart a washing machine I made about $3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10Speed Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 yeah, first course of action should always be to pull something that doesnt work apart 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Bra wires & hairclips jammed our water pump last time, caused same issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cletus Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 ^ same here, rivet tails in my pockets jams the pump up. from memory it wont spin if the pump dont pump either, just makes beeping noises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajg193 Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Not entirely related, but we had a coin go straight through the plastic tub on our washing machine. Machine place wanted $400 to fix it so my dad just glued the piece back in with epoxy and a rag. Worked fine until the machine was retired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nominal Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Some of them have a big solenoid that pulls a mechanism to make it spin proper - I've fixed a friends by acquiring another part, once from the tip shop. Pull it apart and have a look - you probably can't make it any worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 Thanks for all your suggestions. Had the Whirlpool apart today. Completely different arrangement to the old F&P 400. Pump is mounted on edge at the front. It is necessary to take the casing off to even see it. Pump is sweet, all drain hoses were clogged with dirt so cleaned those out. Some improvement but not much. Washes okay but still won't spin properly. Tempted to take it out and shoot it but I can't cos it's too big to fit out the door. The door we brought it in through now has a fitted workbench in front of it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnzclassiccarnut Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 If the pump had decent flow (test by partially obstructing the end) then the issue is the with a loss of motor speed, Some of the motors are brushless but some have brushes, They can wear and basically make the motor gutless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 Pump pressure is sweet. After cleaning the machine is functioning much better. Only have to spin twice now. Not overloading it to buggery helps too. Also got F&P400 and 380 in the workshop now attempting to make a good one out of the two. Some fool cut the power cable off the 380. I know Red is Phase and Black is Neutral but the 380 has the old Blue and Brown wires. Which is which please? Can't just bullshit my way through it cos I don't want to fry myself. Also the switch gear is slightly different from one model to the next and the wiring diagrams are unreadable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corbie Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 While it would be ill advised of me to tell you how to do prescribed electrical work. You need to know if you touch the brown, you're in the shit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nominal Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 Cheers for that Corbie and Nominal. I found a similar picture in an old Reader's Digest home repairs book after I posted the question. Those two machines have sat outside for seven years so I'm not putting money on my ability to make them go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 Today I finally got round to putting another power cord on the F&P 380. After seven years in the paddock it powered up and spun. All the switch gear seems to be operational. All I need to find now is a drain hose that fits on the pump outlet then I can give it a proper test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2nd Chance Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Universal outlet hoses available from most plumbing merchants, just fit them with a good ring clamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNAMUCK Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Those drain hoses always rot away. And they're a cunt to replace. Washing machine guys hate those machines now. we had one for 10,000000000 years when I was a kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.