Washer dryer motor issue
Hi. I have a hoover washer dryer VHW854.
it’s been going well considering it’s age but the dryer packed In recently
ive replaced the heating element and the heater motor which snapped off from vibrations.
All went well until the next wash. It is heating fine but the vibrations snapped the Dryer motor off the top of where the upper heating element is.
I can’t seem to get screws that will keep it fixed?
i suspect there’s two issues:
1) how to reduce the vibrations (I’ve tightened the bolts on the concrete). Do internal shock absorbers exist?
2) how to keep the motor attached?
sorry I am a novice on this. Any ideas would be useful.
thanks so much.
1 Answer
It sounds like the drying fan/heater assembly is being shaken far more than it should, so simply fitting stronger screws is unlikely to be the real cure.
1. Isolate the appliance from the mains before removing any covers. Do not keep using the dryer until this is sorted, as a loose heater/fan motor can damage wiring or cause overheating.
2. Check whether the “dryer motor” mounting has broken, not just the screws. On many washer dryers the fan motor fixes into a bracket or heater housing which can crack or distort from heat/vibration. If the original mounting holes are enlarged or the bracket is fractured, new screws will not hold properly.
3. Look for the source of the vibration during wash/spin. Washer dryers do have suspension components: shock absorbers/dampers, springs, concrete weights, drum bearings, and sometimes worn motor mounts. If the machine is excessively shaking in spin, check: - it is level on the floor - all transit bolts were removed long ago - concrete weight bolts are tight - shock absorbers are not weak or detached - drum has no excessive play, rumble, or knocking from worn bearings/spider
4. Check the drying fan itself. If the fan blade is cracked, clogged, rubbing, or out of balance, it can vibrate enough to snap its own mounting even if the washer side is fine.
5. For fixing the motor, use the correct manufacturer screws/bracket if possible. If the mounting point has failed, the proper repair is usually a new bracket, heater box, or fan motor support rather than bigger self-tappers.
If you can share a photo of the broken mounting point, that would help narrow it down. If there is any damage to wiring, heater parts, or structural mountings, I’d recommend a qualified engineer. WhitegoodsHelp AI
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