Appliance Parts From ApplianceZone.net - Clothes Washer Appliance Repair

There are a number of problems that you can fix quite simply when your washing machines starts to act up, but washers have a variety of devices that, when they go wrong.

The principal behind washing cloths is to push water and soap through the fibres of the material, rinse it out and then get out as much excess water as you can prior to drying. While washing machines have advanced a lot their principals of operation have stayed much the same.

The most popular washing machine the top loader can be broken down into a few parts. Firstly the timer is like a clock but with several switches attached to it, when the clock ticks through it various cycles it can turn on the pump, the inlet valve or the motor. Today many washing machines use a small dedicated processor instead of the mechanical timer, manufacturers find it cheaper to make a circuit board instead of a mechanical part. Also you can add more features easily and sell the computer controlled machine for much more money.

The next major part of the machine is the drum assembly and gear box. The inner drum is where you put your washing it has hundreds of holes in it not only to let the water in but to also force the water out during the spin cycle. If you ever used a centrifuge in science class at school this is what is happening to your washing during the spin cycle. The outer drum is fixed to the washing machine and sits around the inner drum, its purpose is only to hold and catch the water used during the wash cycle. The plastic part in the centre is called the agitator. The agitator is not attached to the inner drum as it looks, in fact the agitator is capable of turning in opposite directions to the inner drum, it does this via the machines complex gearbox that turns both the inner drum and agitator.

The next parts the washer couldn't do with out are the solenoid valves and pump. the solenoid valves are normally mounted near where the water goes into the machine. they are kind of like your bathroom tap only they are operated electronically. When the timer get to the stage of the wash cycle that needs water it turns on the solenoid valve so the tub fills with water. A pressure sensor senses when the water is at the desired level and once the tub stops washing the clothes the pump gets switched on to drain out the water, all this is controlled by the timer.

The last thing the machine could not do without is the electric motor that sits at the bottom of the tub and drives the gearbox, the gearbox is often connected to the motor by a belt and both are attached to the outer drum which is connected to the machines cabinet by blocks of rubber. The Rubber helps stop the machine vibrating out of your room during a spin cycle, washing machines often use blocks of concrete to help the stay steady.

Front loaders work in much the same way but they don't need an agitator as the tumbling action of the drum has the same effect of pushing the water through the material. Front loading washing machines have a more elaborate sealing system and interlocked door so water wont spill out of the machine.

Use the right detergent

Where to place your washing machine

Do not overload your machine

Clothes washer takes to long to fill

Check the belt

Check your clothes washer fill hoses

Leveling

Lint disposal

Use the right detergent

Using the right detergent and the right amount of detergent is very important. The norm is to use 10 litres of water and 1/2 a scoop of recommended detergent. Most front-loading machines require a special, controlled lather detergent.

Where to place your washing machine

Place your machine where it is nearest to a water connection, a three-point socket, and a proper drainage system. Keep it away from sunlight as it may harm the paint of your machine in the long run.

Do not overload your machine

Clothes must be able to move freely in water and become heavy (like towels, and bedspreads.) Different washing loads require different treatment. Clothes with metal buttons and zipper buttons should be washed separately, light coloured clothes separately, and so on. Overloading hinders the machine to perform its spin-dry function, make sure that you know the capacity of your machine and fill it accordingly.

Clothes washer takes to long to fill

This may be a sign that the inlet screens are filled with sediment. Hard water results in sediment buildup, caused by excess quantities of calcium carbonate and magnesium from soil and limestone. Inlet screens prevent the sediment from entering the components of the washer and causing damage to the internal parts. Clogged parts can be expensive to replace and time-consuming to repair. Cleaning the screens is an easy project for a beginning do-it-yourselfer. While you're at it, replace the hoses with the "nonburst" braided type for a longer lasting repair. Make sure the faucets are on, the filters are clean and that the hoses aren't kinked if the washer is filling too slowly.

Check the belt

If clothes are still wet after the spin cycle, the belt may be slipping off and the washer may not be extracting as much water as possible, making your dryer work harder and longer. As a temporary measure, run the clothes through the spin cycle again. It costs less than a penny and reduces drying time considerably.

Check your clothes washer fill hoses

Over time your clothes washer fill hoses that came with your washing machine may start leak or burst. Its good to check these hoses from time to time for any little sign of wear or weakness. Often there's a small bubble in the rubber of the hose which could bust and large quantities of water could gush from the hose.

Leveling

The legs on the washer are adjustable, the rear legs are often ( not always ) self adjusting, make sure the legs are not stuck and that they can move freely. But the front legs can screw in and out to move the washer depending on the floor the washer is sitting on. Make sure the washer is as low to the floor as possible. When the legs are screwed out too far the washer becomes wobbly. Often on the metal style legs there are lock nuts that can be tightened to secure the legs so they don't move on you. washers where really meant to sit on a cement floor, if your washer is on a wooden floor look carefully at the strength of the floor. If the floor is moving up and down when the washer is running, the floor may not be strong enough to support the washers weight. Most main floor laundry rooms floors are nailed down, the sub-floor is more secure if the sub-floor has been screwed down. Sometimes extra support may have to be added under the flooring to add some strength.( not always ) self adjusting, make sure the legs are not stuck and that they can move freely. But the front legs can screw in and out to move the washer depending on the floor the washer is sitting on. Make sure the washer is as low to the floor as possible. When the legs are screwed out too far the washer becomes wobbly. Often on the metal style legs there are lock nuts that can be tightened to secure the legs so they don't move on you. washers where really meant to sit on a cement floor, if your washer is on a wooden floor look carefully at the strength of the floor. If the floor is moving up and down when the washer is running, the floor may not be strong enough to support the washers weight. Most main floor laundry rooms floors are nailed down, the sub-floor is more secure if the sub-floor has been screwed down. Sometimes extra support may have to be added under the flooring to add some strength.

Lint disposal

After each day´s use, remove lint filter from top of agitator by lifting dispenser cup container and remove lint from screen, unless washing machine is a Maytag it may be different. Most of the Maytag washing machines collect lint in the center tube of the agitator. You need to lift out that tube and clean it from time to time.

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