marks on clothing
Hi,
I have a Bosch WAQ283S0GB washing machine, around 5 years old. We have been getting a lot of marks on clothing recently, and also the wash cycle appears to complete but then gets stuck on 1 minute for ages.
A few days ago, I took the door and rubber seal off and gave it a good clean. Then, when I put everything back together, I put a 90 degree wash on with some descaler. I kept an eye on the cycle, and couldn't feel any heat at all (either through the glass or when pausing and feeling the washing).
I've just taken the heating element out, and it is totally covered in limescale/gunk! Tested it with a continuity tester and there was no reading at all (checked the tester and it works, looks like the temperature sensor is OK).
Also, inside the hole where the element goes, I can see a lot more gunk/limescale. I've tried to get some out but can't get it all.
My question is - if I get a new element and fit it, am I wasting my time? Am I wrong thinking that putting on a 90 degree wash when it is fixed with some more descaler will disperse the remaining scum? Looks like we might have been doing cold washes for a while!
Also, where is the best place to get a new element from?
Any help much appreciated, thanks!
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.
Bosch WAQ283S0GB leaving marks on clothes and stalling at 1 minute
- The problem
- A Bosch WAQ283S0GB washing machine was leaving marks on clothing and wash programmes appeared to finish but then stayed on 1 minute for a long time. The owner also found the wash was not heating on a 90 degree programme.
- Likely cause
- The strongest supported diagnosis is a failed heating element that is open circuit, with heavy limescale and gunge build-up in the machine. The accepted reply states that sticking on 1 minute is a common symptom of the heater being open circuit, and poor washing performance is consistent with it not heating.
- What fixed it
- Replace the heating element. The accepted advice also warns that severe internal gunge and limescale build-up is unlikely to be removable once badly established, so cleaning treatments may help prevent future build-up rather than fully clear the existing deposits. No confirmed repair result was posted after this advice.
- Checks to try
- Observed no heat during a 90 degree wash
- Heating element removed and found heavily covered in limescale/gunk
- Continuity test on the heating element gave no reading
- Temperature sensor was reported to appear OK
- Visible gunge/limescale remained inside the element housing
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Heating element
- Continuity tester
- Descaler
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
1 Answer
Sticking on 1 minute is a common symptom of the heater being open circuit. Also it won't have been washing properly all the time the element has been faulty. If the washing machine is caked in gunge and limescale you won't be able to remove it. You can try various methods but my experience is they just won't work. These cleaning procedures are effective at preventing a build up of gunge and limescale but not at removing it from badly affected washing machines. Having said that, many washing machines are caked in gunge and limescale but still manage to work reasonably well. It's mostly if the limescale covers the heating element that it can cause it to fail. If you fit a new element (or even if you get another washing machine) you need to ensure the new one doesn't also attract a build up of limescale.
These articles may be of interest
Get rid of washing machine smells
Limescale In Washing Machines
Washing not getting clean in washing machine
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