Strange Smell from AEG 6955 Washing Machine
I have an AEG washing machine Lavamat 6955. It is 22 years old had quite heavy use throughout its life and apart from replacing the carbon brushes twice, it has been 100% reliable. However, after the last replacement brushes were fitted about 2 weeks ago the machine has made a strange smell. This is impossible to describe so I will say what it is not. It is not a bad smell like anything rotting. It does not come from the drum or the detergent drawer. I have tried a very hot wash and that made no difference. The motor is too hot to touch after a wash but I understand that is normal. The smell is not burning (rubber or plastic) it appears to come from the motor area or can be observed at the top back right hand corner (above the motor). The only way I can begin to describe it is to say it is a hot smell and perhaps a little sweetish. I removed the plastic sheet drip cover and that made no difference. It starts after the machine has been on for a while and dissipates swiftly when it finishes.
If anyone has any ideas, I would be grateful to hear them.
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
AEG Lavamat 6955 develops hot sweet smell from motor area after brush change
- The problem
- AEG Lavamat 6955 washing machine, around 22 years old, began producing a strange hot, slightly sweet smell from the motor area/top rear right after replacement carbon brushes were fitted two weeks earlier. The smell appeared only after the machine had been running for a while and cleared quickly when the cycle ended. A very hot wash made no difference.
- Likely cause
- Most strongly supported diagnosis was overheating motor windings, with the smell likely coming from lacquer or insulation on the armature or field windings. The discussion did not confirm a strip-down test, so this remained a diagnosis rather than a proven internal fault.
- What fixed it
- Advice was to stop using the machine and not fit a replacement motor due to the machine's age and likely poor value or part obsolescence. The owner decided to replace the washing machine rather than continue using it.
- Checks to try
- Smell did not come from the drum or detergent drawer
- Very hot wash carried out with no change
- Plastic drip cover removed with no change
- Smell traced to motor area/top back right-hand corner
- Motor reported too hot to touch after a wash
- Parts or tools mentioned
- carbon brushes
Safety: Do not continue using it. The discussion warned the motor could burn out, produce smoke, or short out electrics. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
6 Answers
Hello there. 22 years is almost a world record these days. It sounds like it could be the armature windings on the motor. Is it a very pungent and persistent smell? It sounds like the lacquer on the windings of the motor somewhere. It sounds like it's had its day to be honest. Don't keep trying to run it as it is likely to completely burn out.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Hi Andy.
Thanks for the reply. I will have to give it a long service medal!
The smell is pervasive rather than persistent. It goes soon after the machine finishes but it can be noticed easily for some distance from the machine whilst it is running, even in the next room. Yes, I think it may smell like heated lacquer so that could be the cause.
As it has been so reliable, is it worth replacing the motor? If I do use it and it does burn out, will it just stop working or is the moment of failure likely to be more dramatic/dangerous?
In all honesty, I would not fit a new motor on a 22 year old washing machine. Realistically, the chances of lasting much longer are slim. It wouldn't be so bad if it only cost about £50 but it could be hundreds of pounds for a new motor. I wouldn't even be surprised if it was totally obsolete too. In fact I would be surprised if you could buy one even if you wanted to.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Fair enough, perhaps I had better just put it out of its misery.
However, if I do continue to use it until it does go (or I get a new one) , is it dangerous?
Will it go with a bang or a whimper?
Yes it could burn out and fill kitchen with smoke, or flash and short out electrics or worse. If the windings are overheating and causing the insulation on the armature or field coil to melt and produce that horrible smell you should not use it at all.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks for the advice. I will look for a new one immediately.
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