Miele Drum failed during CV19 lockdown
Our 13 year old Miele started smoking. Phoned Miele but could not get any technical support told to book an engineer visit. About a week to 10 days. Local engineer same day took 5 mins to diagnose misshapen drum rubbing on seal. Could try a new seal if he could get one (expensive long lead time). Best make it beyond economical repair. Miele delivered new one in 5 days. Expensive but no real option under current conditions.
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13-year-old Miele washing machine smoked; engineer found misshapen drum rubbing on seal
- The problem
- A 13-year-old Miele washing machine started smoking. A local engineer inspected it the same day and diagnosed a misshapen drum rubbing on the door seal.
- Likely cause
- Confirmed diagnosis was a deformed or misaligned drum contacting the seal. The thread does not confirm the underlying reason for the drum deformation.
- What fixed it
- The engineer said a new seal might be tried if one could be obtained, but it was described as expensive with a long lead time and the machine was judged beyond economical repair. The owner replaced the washing machine with a new Miele.
- Checks to try
- Engineer inspection confirmed drum was misshapen
- Engineer found drum rubbing on the seal
- Smoking was observed by the owner
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Door seal
- Replacement washing machine
Safety: Because the machine was smoking, it should not be used further. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
1 Answer
It sounds like you’ve done the sensible thing, especially with the machine smoking and the engineer finding the drum had gone out of shape.
A misshapen drum rubbing on the door seal on a 13-year-old Miele usually points to a major mechanical failure rather than just a worn seal. The main possibilities would be:
1. **Damaged drum spider or inner drum** - If the drum support has corroded or fractured, the inner drum can drop or run out of true. - This often causes rubbing on the seal, noise, and sometimes smoke from friction.
2. **Failed drum bearings or bearing housing** - Excessive play in the drum can let it move forward or sideways and catch the seal. - On an older machine, this can be a very costly repair depending on design and parts availability.
3. **Seal only unlikely** - A new door seal would only help if the drum itself was still correctly aligned. - If the engineer saw the drum was visibly distorted or sitting wrongly, replacing the seal alone would probably have been short-lived and poor value.
4. **Why it was classed BER** - Age, expensive Miele parts, labour, and possible long lead times during lockdown all make this sort of repair uneconomical. - Once smoke is involved, it’s wise not to keep using it.
Always isolate appliances from the mains before inspecting any internal parts, and any internal electrical work should be left to a qualified engineer.
From what you’ve described, replacing the machine was probably the right call rather than sinking money into a major drum repair.
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This answer was generated automatically by the WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant. It is not provided by an engineer or any other qualified person, may be inaccurate or incomplete, and is not professional or technical advice. Do not rely on it. Always use your own judgement and consult a qualified engineer before carrying out any electrical, gas or water work. Use is entirely at your own risk. See our full Terms of Use.
SAFETY FIRST: READ BEFORE ACTING ON THIS GUIDANCE
Never work on a live appliance
Always unplug it at the mains before going near it with any tools.
Never attempt gas work
By law, gas appliances must only be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If your fault involves gas, stop and call a professional. Do not attempt it yourself.
Watch for sharp edges
Outer panels are smooth, but internal parts have sharp machined edges. Wear protective gloves and arm sleeves.
Water appliances can leak
Turn off the water supply before disconnecting any hoses.
Know your limits
If you are not confident testing or working inside the appliance, stop and call a professional.
AI guidance, not guaranteed
This response is generated automatically by the WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant. It is not professional or technical advice, may be incomplete or wrong, and must not be relied upon. Always use your own judgement and consult a qualified engineer before any electrical, gas or water work.
This is general information only and is not professional advice. The WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant is not an engineer and is not qualified. See our full Terms of Use.
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