oil spots on clothes – Zanussi wjs 1265 W

[oneiota]

I have a 5 year old Zanussi washer-dryer, model wjs 1265 W.

I have noticed occasional oil spots on white clothing and linen items but I have no other malfunction or noise to complain of.

Can anyone suggest the likely cause and if there is a repair that can be done? I have heard that ‘oil spots’ that don’t come out are usually transmission fluid and often ‘the end’ of the machine’s life.

Ideas about what to do would be welcome!

[Martin]

Re: oil spots on clothes – Zanussi wjs 1265 W

oneiota wrote:Ideas about what to do would be welcome!

Dark black/grey spots on clothing often is a sign of drum bearing failure. Often the bearings get progressively noisy without you realising it. If your machine is the slightest bit noisy (rumbling or knocking on the fast spin cycle?) then that will account for it.

If that possiblity can be ruled out, then look carefully at the grey rubber door seal? Check and clean that very thoroughly (including the folds and nooks & crannies) to clear any bacteria built-up that may get onto the fabric?

[oneiota]

Re: oil spots on clothes – Zanussi wjs 1265 W

Thank you very much for the fast feedback. I think this is a splendid forum!

I have just checked and the rubber seal is impressively clean (perhaps because I do a lot of hot washes and regular maintenance washing).

Given the difficulty removing the small stains I am inclined to think it is not bacteria.

Listening now to a final spin, I do hear more noise than there used to be. I think I had dismissed this as the machine not being properly balanced after a recent floor repair. I will re-check with a spirit level to be sure.

If it *is* the drum bearing, do you recommend having it repaired? The machine is fairly low quality and I’ve often wished I had purchased a better one in the first place so I am in two minds about it. Your opinion is welcome!

[Martin]

Re: oil spots on clothes – Zanussi wjs 1265 W

Drum bearing replacement on that machine is a costly exercise to be honest 🙁

[oneiota]

Re: oil spots on clothes – Zanussi wjs 1265 W

I think that decides it. I don’t wish to make an expensive repair on a machine of low value/quality so I would replace it if the drum bearing is going.

Can you think of any test which I could do in order to determine that it is indeed the drum bearing? Or anything that could increase the likelihood of this possible conclusion? Or are there any other possible causes that I can eliminate?

Thanks again for your help.

P.S. Maybe you could also mention a few possible good reliable machines to consider next! 🙂

[Martin]

Re: oil spots on clothes – Zanussi wjs 1265 W

oneiota wrote:Can you think of any test which I could do in order to determine that it is indeed the drum bearing?

Noise is the main clue. When the machine is fully loaded and spinning happily at full speed, it should be smooth and relatively quiet whirring noises. Also turning the drum by hand, it should hardly make a sound as you spin the drum against the tension of the drive belt. And finally, if the INNER drum can show even the slightest movement on the shaft (i.e. up and down)….then the bearings are shot!

[Author]

Posts