Whirlpool AWO 3551 drum seized?

[T_i_m]

Hi all,

Years ago my neice had an integrated WM fitted and gave my Mum her Whirlpool AWO 3551 to keep as a spare to her very old Hotpoint (that I actually welded up a long time before). 😉

Today, whilst tidying up Mums garage, daughter and I dug out the Whirlpool and powered and watered it up (garden hose tap on the cold fill and garage mains supply).

It filled on a rinse and spin and sounded like it should be driving the drum but it wasn’t moving. Trying to move the drum by hand showed it was solid and even with daughter turning the drum from the inside and me pushing the drive pully though the top (it was interesting to see the poly-v belt slipping over the main drive pulley when the motor was trying to drive it).

So, as it looks like the outer tub is clipped together (unlike the Zanussi with the welded-together tub that I managed to rescue from Freecycle, replace the bearings and use for 7+ years ) so could it just be the main drum bearing seal had been leaking and because it has been just standing for several years, a bearing has rusted solid?

Is this model a reasonably good one for me to bother replacing the main seal and bearings or could the issue be something else please?

All the best and thanks for your time in any case.

Cheers, T i m

[Martin]

Re: Whirlpool AWO 3551 drum seized?

T_i_m wrote: so could it just be the main drum bearing seal had been leaking and because it has been just standing for several years, a bearing has rusted solid?

Yes

[T_i_m]

Re: Whirlpool AWO 3551 drum seized?

Thanks Martin. 😉

So, do I need a special tool to remove the multiple clips I’ve seen holding the tub halves together or would some decent external circlip pliers do the job?

Bearing and seal set and a new seal for the tub joint, or can the tub seal be re-used (if turned round etc)?

Cheers, T i m

[Author]

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