Fix your Clothes Washer from Schmeg.com

  

Where there's water, there are leaks and corrosion. And most problems with clothes washers are water problems. Many of them you can solve with little more than a screwdriver or wrench and a length of new hose or a new drive belt. This How-To-Guide addresses several of the more common washer breakdowns and what you may be able to do to take care of them. Major problems are best left to a professional repair person. The pro has specific tools (and know-how) for specialized repairs; this equipment usually is too expensive to buy for a 1-time (or 2-time) repair project.

It's a good idea to check washer hoses every month or so to make sure that they are not cracked or leaking-especially around connections and where hoses are bent to fit against a laundry room wall. Also, periodically turn off the water at the faucets, unscrew the hoses, and check the screens in the hoses for sediment from lime deposits in the water.

Sediment from the water supply can cause all kinds of trouble, mostly blockage of supply lines. You can clean the screens with a stiff brush, or replace the screens if they are broken, badly worn, or bent.

A washing machine is a big investment. The follow ing is advice on handling common problems your self, but also on when to call for professional help.

WASHER WON'T FILL WITH WATER-
The trouble can be one or a series of malfunctions. The procedures you should follow, in order, are these:

1) Open the water valves fully.
2) Turn off the valves. Then remove the hoses from the valves. You may need pliers to break the metal connections at the valves (faucets). Clean any sediment from the water supply screens with a stiff brush.
3) Remove the back from the washer. It is held by four, six, or more screws. Now check the inlet hoses to make sure they are not kinked, broken, or fouled in some way.
4) If the washer is getting water as far as the inlet hose connections, the problem probably is in the water valve or water valve solenoid. Repairing or changing these parts is a job for a service person.

WATER WON'T DISCHARGE FROM THE WASHER-
First, make sure the timer on the control panel is properly set and that the timer has gone through the complete cycle. If only partly through the cycle or improperly set, the machine will not discharge water from the tub.

Inspect the discharge hose for any blockage within the hose and for kinks or severe bends in the hose. If this is not the problem, read on.

Turn off the power and the water. Remove the back panel of the washer by turning out the screws that hold it in position. Check the wires that lead to the impeller and the water pump motor. These wires could have vibrated loose from their connections, or the wires could be burned out. You can replace these easily.

The trouble also could be a worn impeller, stuck wash and spin timers, or a malfunctioning motor all problems for a pro.

WATER LEAKS-
The leak probably will be in a hose connection, around the tub seal, at the drain valve, pump assembly, or water supply valves.

With pliers, tighten all clamps to stop leaks. If a leaking gasket is the problem, try tightening the connection with a screwdriver or pliers to stop the leak. If you can't do this, you wil have to replace the gasket.

Tub seals may be replaced by removing a retaining ring held by screws. Or, the seals may be held with adhesive. Leaking parts, such as impellers, pumps, and drains, should be replaced-not repaired-as a general rule.

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