John Lewis machine started smoking

[bfgPhiwl]

ok, so our washing machine started making strange noises and as we went towards it smoke appeared from behind the control panel….

Eeek! Obviously we turned it off. It’s probably 6 or 7 years old. Desperately need to sort it out – do I just go and buy a new one? Or is there a not ridiculously expensive way of diagnosing the problem and potentially fixing?

We live just north of Cambridge if anyone knows decent repair man?

thanks

[bfgPhiwl]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

btw it is the JLWM1203.
It is unplugged now but when I try to turn the drum just by putting my hand inside the machine and turning (as I might if I was trying to get the last bits of washing out), the drum does not turn/won’t turn. If that gives any more idea as to what the problem is…

[kwatt]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

Drum blocked by something?

That’s give you the belt running on the pulley, burning and giving you the symptoms you describe.

K.

[bfgPhiwl]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

ok thanks – and to find the block I take the back off? And it will be obvious?

[kwatt]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

Could well be something like a sock stuck in-between the drum and tank, usually about the heater at the bottom that’d cause that.

A torch, time and so forth will usually reveal it.

K.

[bfgPhiwl]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

I have taken the back off – the pulley has broken. So I could replace that. But is that the reason the drum doesn’t move or is it the other way round (ie the drum doesn’t move which is why the pulley has broken)?
I can’t see anything from the back that is obviously jamming the drum. How can I open it up from the front to see? I don’t want to tear seals or anything….
thanks

[kwatt]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

With the pulley off can you turn the drum by hand?

K.

[bfgPhiwl]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

no. Managed maybe a 5 degree turn but it seemed to grate a little. And that’s it – can’t turn it any more.
That’s probably bad isn’t it?!

[kwatt]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

There’s something in it then or the heater’s bent up but in any event, no, not good at all.

K.

[bfgPhiwl]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

ok, so no point in buying a new pulley. Is there an easy way for me to see more detail of the problem or would that involve a major disassemble?

thanks for all the help. I would have liked to buy a new pulley from you but doesn’t look likely at the moment!

[kwatt]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

The thing to do is try to work out what’s stopping the drum from turning and go from there.

Sometimes you can see through the drum holes but if not, it’s strip down.

K.

[iadom]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

Strong possibility of having a fully sealed drum, if you give us the Pnc number from inside the door we could check. The number will begin with 914.

[bfgPhiwl]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

I don’t think it is. I have taken the back off and the filter hose but that hasn’t helped. Felt around, looked inside with a torch. Nothing obvious. And I don’t want to spend the time stripping it down right now, so a new washing machine it is. If nobody picks up the old one (it’s on freecycle now) then I might try and strip it down one weekend!

Thanks all for your help. I have asked advice between 2 new machines on the Buying Advice forum, but I will probably order something later tonight.

[iadom]

Re: John Lewis machine started smoking

Checking with that model number brings up six or seven different model varients but they all have totally sealed outer drums so you would not be able to strip the drum down in any event. The cost of replacing the complete drum is in no way justified.

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