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Model EN: WDI 1640Gb/03
Time to do some brain picking!
About 6 years old. Recently clothes have been steaming and wet from the dryer. Perusing the forums would possibly suggest a condensor problem. Is this likely to be the case?
Looking at the exploded drawing on the Siemens website, I can’t see a condensor listed – however there is a capacitior listed (Item 0311, Part # 439845). Are these on and the same thing? If it is indeed likely to be a blocked condensor – can someone please give a brief description how to access it, and how to clean it?
TIA
RB
Re: Siemens WDI 1640 Washer/Dryer – Drying Problem
no – a capacitor is best described as a electrical “boost” component, bit like a battery, it stores up a charge and when called upon, releases it. its a bit like using a jumpstart pack on a car… it has very little to do with condensing… first postentential culprit to interrogate, is the humble cold fill valve, it almost sounds like theres no cold water in the outer drum to allow the hot damp air to condense onto it… you can test this the laymans way by starting a normal drying-only program. you should hear a whoosh of cold water enter during the first minute. this is normal, and the no1 reason why i get calls from people with new washer dryers…
PS there is not a condensing unit in this machine, of the type that you would get in a normal condenser dryer…
PPS if you dont know what a capacitor is you should not be fiddling with your machine – this is not me being faceatous, its me trying to tell you you are out of your depth…
Re: Siemens WDI 1640 Washer/Dryer – Drying Problem
Gandh1,
Thanks for the response.
I’m fully aware what an electrical capacitor is, as I’ve had a few ‘bites’ from them over the years, and of course they were at one time known as condensers (as in a car points system). Also, I’m not a complete novice on white goods having previously changed brushes, motors, belts, Bearings, pumps etc on washing machines. However, I’ve never opened a dryer with a condensing unit, hence my request for advice/guidance.
The reason I mentioned a capacitor is because the exploded diagram on the Seimens site refers to an item that looked to me it could be a condensing unit, and is described in the Parts List as a ‘Capacitor’. (See Item 0311, on page 3 of the diagrams at: http://www.siemens-eshop.com/eshop/siemens/gb/prodp.htm?prod=WDI1640GB/03.
I assumed, obviously incorrectly, that ‘capacitor’ might be a dodgy translation for condenser!
Anyway back to the problem, from what you said there isn’t a condensing unit fitted to this machine, so as you advised I’ll check the operation of the fill valve this weekend. I see from the Seimens drawing a triple valve is fitted, presumably soap powder, conditioner and condensing water. Does the condensing water only enter during the first minute of dryer operation?
When I’ve carried out the check, I’ll report back
Thanks again
RB
A blockage in the ‘capacitor’ ( no idea why its called this !! ) where it connects to the rear of the drum may also cause a ‘steamy’ drying result.
Re: Siemens WDI 1640 Washer/Dryer – Drying Problem
An up-date.
Gandh1,
Your diagnosis of a failed inlet valve was correct – One of the three inlet valves (the one nearest the front, blue in colour), is open circuit – the other two are reading ~ 3.4Kohms.
nomadPaul,
Whilst the machine was out – I checked the so-called ‘capacitor’, which is in fact a condensing chamber with a cold water feed to it. There was a bit of fluff sticking to the inner walls of the chamber, but nothing significant.
So a new triple valve tomorrow. Anything I should know about replacing it. i.e. do I need to fit a new sealing gasket?
Cheers guys.
RB
ps. A lot easier machine to access than others I’ve ‘fiddled with!
Re: Siemens WDI 1640 Washer/Dryer – Drying Problem
Hi: If your buying a replacement valve then all parts should be in the box.
Re: Siemens WDI 1640 Washer/Dryer – Drying Problem
I managed to fix one of these by exchanging the solenoid coil(it prizes off)
from a used single Bosch valve.
Quite a saving…..Re: Siemens WDI 1640 Washer/Dryer – Drying Problem
Problem solved.
Fitted a new triple inlet valve and now drying OK.
Many thanks.
RB
ps. Just need to sort out the dishwasher now. Everything is failing at once – CH boiler, , washer/dryer and now dishwasher all in the last two weeks. Must be built-in obsolescence that’s activated after 7 years!
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