Heating element screw taken out now cannot get it back on the heating element

If the centre nut/bolt has been removed completely, the clamp plate on the heater usually drops loose behind the element, which is why you can’t refit the bolt. It’s a common problem rather than anything unusual.

Before doing anything, isolate the washing machine from the mains.

1. Confirm what has happened The heater on these is held by a stud through a metal clamp plate. Normally you only slacken the nut, then tap the stud in to release the rubber seal. If the nut and stud have come right out, the clamp plate may now be sitting loose inside the outer drum.

2. Try to retrieve and reposition the clamp With a torch, look through the heater opening. Sometimes you can hook the clamp plate back into place using a bent piece of stiff wire, long-nose pliers, or a small pick. If you can line the plate up with the stud hole, you may be able to reinsert the stud/bolt and catch the thread.

3. Remove the heater fully if needed If the seal is already loose, work the element out carefully by easing each end a little at a time. Don’t force against the plastic tub. A little washing-up liquid on the rubber can help. Gentle levering is sometimes needed, but only against the metal heater plate, not the tub.

4. Check for the drum support bracket On many Hotpoint machines the heater slides under a bracket in the tub. When refitting, make sure the element goes back under that bracket, or it can catch the drum.

5. If the clamp has dropped out of reach Then access from the front or back of the tub may be needed depending on design, which becomes a much bigger strip-down job.

If you can’t retrieve the clamp plate, or the heater seal looks damaged, it may be best to fit a new heater and have an engineer refit it properly. Any internal electrical work should only be done with the appliance isolated, and if you’re unsure, use a qualified appliance engineer.

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