Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

[john_o]

When my wife went to use the grill element on her oven, it made a popping noise, shot out a large spark and a small flame from one corner and blew an RCD breaker. On resetting the breaker, she found that the grill element had blown and that, while the main oven element is still working OK, it takes significantly longer than it did before to heat the oven up to its required temperature.

Q1 Is the longer time-to-required-temperature due to the oven no longer having a working grill element?

Q2 Are grill elements still available and

Q3 Am I, as a member of the public, allowed to replace a grill element?

I have replaced internal parts in ovens in the past but it was probably 25 to 30 years ago 🙁

Stop Press. I’m not altogether sure where I got the P640 A GB from but the plate on the oven is marked

FORNO FM 20K.C IX GB
S/N 311046199 032891 40001

[iadom]

Re: Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

A1. Yes.

A2. Yes.

A3. Yes.

Grill element

Be sure to isolate from the mains first. 😉

[john_o]

Re: Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

iadom wrote:A1. Yes.

A2. Yes.

A3. Yes.

Grill element

Be sure to isolate from the mains first. 😉

Thanks for the link. How easy will it be to fit a new grill element once I isolate the oven and remove it from its housing? Is it just a matter of undoing any fixing nuts, replacing the element and then re-securing the nuts, ensuring I make a note of how the supply cables are connected before I remove the original fitting?

[iadom]

Re: Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

Thats about the size of it. Take care not to loose the cables as you disconnect them.

Some grill elements can be replaced without having to remove the unit from the housing at all. Not sure about this one but looking at it there is a good chance it will.

[john_o]

Re: Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

iadom wrote:Thats about the size of it. Take care not to loose the cables as you disconnect them.

Some grill elements can be replaced without having to remove the unit from the housing at all. Not sure about this one but looking at it there is a good chance it will.If this element can be removed with the oven in situ, should it just take a steady firm pull to dislodge it? This could be possible since the element itself sits over a stainless steel bracket crossing from one side of the oven to the other up near the top. I’ll have a look later. Thanks.

[iadom]

Re: Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

Its usually best to remove the bracket if possible. Once the securing screws or bolts holding the element in at the back are removed it should pull forwards with very little force needed.

Pulling to hard may risk the wiring becoming dislodged and falling back inside the back panel which would mean you would have to remove the unit from the housing.

[john_o]

Re: Indesit FM 20 K.C GB (P640 A GB) oven grill element

iadom wrote:Its usually best to remove the bracket if possible. Once the securing screws or bolts holding the element in at the back are removed it should pull forwards with very little force needed.

Pulling to hard may risk the wiring becoming dislodged and falling back inside the back panel which would mean you would have to remove the unit from the housing.
Sorry, I was wrong when I said the grill element was positioned above a steel bracket. What I referred to as a bracket is in fact a transverse rod which is an integral part of the element (as shown in your link) and which sits on small ledges on either side of the oven, thereby providing support. Where the element disappears through the back wall of the oven, it has small metal plates which keep it in position and which unfortunately seem to be held in place by thin screws inserted from behind the back wall (ie I can see a thread on the small sections of screw which protrude inside the oven). As such, I have to assume that the oven must be removed before the element can be changed :taz:

I loosened the four screws securing the oven to the carcase of its kitchen unit this evening and was easily able to slide the unit part of the way out. I’m a little bit wary of the fact that there is a separate Indesit gas hob located immediately above the oven but I’m fairly confident I can proceed with ordering a replacement element now. There will be a delay because I will be away for a few days at the end of next week but I will report back on the eventual outcome. Thanks for your help so far.

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