Whirlpool 349/4
My washing machine is running throught its programme but once it comes near the end the drum stops turning and then the clothes are dried, it seems to wash the clothes but then doesnt dry them.
Previously there has been a burning smell very occasionally which seemed to have stopped.
I tried to turn the drum but it doesnt turn continously once the machine has stopped and is empty, it clunks a little.
Anyone any ideas on the problem?
Solution Summary
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This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Whirlpool 349/4 drum not turning smoothly, belt broken and bearings failed
- The problem
- The Whirlpool 349/4 washing machine ran through the programme but near the end the drum stopped turning, so the clothes were not properly spun/dried. There had also been an occasional burning smell. When empty, the drum did not rotate smoothly and clunked.
- Likely cause
- Confirmed drum bearing failure causing the drum to tilt and rub on the rubber door seal. The broken belt appears to have been a consequence of the drum problem rather than the primary fault.
- What fixed it
- The advised check was to remove the belt and compare drum movement with and without it to separate a motor fault from a drum fault. After inspection, the machine was confirmed to have failed bearings, and the owner decided not to repair it because bearing replacement was considered too costly. A new machine was ordered.
- Checks to try
- Removed/checked the belt
- Turned the drum by hand with the belt detached
- Observed the drum did not turn smoothly and clunked
- Inspection confirmed the drum was tilted and rubbing on the rubber seal
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Drive belt
- Drum bearings
- New washing machine
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
6 Answers
Could be a motor problem or a problem with the drum. If you take off the belt and make sure it's not tangling on anything then try turning the drum again it will tell you which it is. If the drum turns ok without the belt attached it's likely to be the motor but if it's the same then the fault is with the drum or drum bearings.
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Perfect thanks very much will give it a try over the next couple of days.
I thought it could maybe have been the brushes as it seems strange it does turn at the start of the programme but then not to dry the clothes...
Thanks Again
Ok the belt was broken on this machine, but the other problem is the drum doesnt turn in a smooth motion once the belt is detached, could this be the bearings? it still clunks a little??
Is it worth getting a new belt and trying it or are the bearings gone on the machine?
Sounds like the belt may have broken because of a problem with the drum. Either something caught inside it or drum bearings collapsing. Checking the drive belt hasn't come off is the first thing I advise to check in my article washing machine drum not turning but your initial post said you thought it turned ok on wash so I ruled it out.
This article has tips on diagnosing drum bearing faults If there's something wrong with the drum it would also explain the burning noise.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
got someone to check it out last night and the bearings have gone, the drum was rubbing against the rubber seal as it was tilted and rubbing on turning and making a load of noise as well so I have ordered a new machine as it was would be too costly to replace bearings etc etc
thanks for the help
Thanks for the update, it will be useful for others with similar problems.
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