Rattling chain noise - Siemens washing machine

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Siemens WDI1440 rattling noise on start-up, source not confirmed

The problem

A Siemens WDI1440 washer-dryer, around 18 years old, was reported to make a rattling or metallic chain-like noise mainly when the motor was cold. The noise was most noticeable for about the first second as the drum started turning, and on very cold days a faint rattling could continue while the drum spun. The appliance was otherwise said to be working normally. A previous repair five years earlier had reduced the noise for a time, but the sound later returned and was getting louder.

Likely cause

The exact cause was not confirmed. The accepted reply suggested the motor as a possibility and asked whether the noise remained with the belt disconnected. Another reply said it sounded like something metallic rattling and possibly something temporarily spinning and then stopping, but this was only a provisional diagnosis.

What fixed it

No repair was confirmed in the discussion. The recommended action was to open the machine and trace the source of the noise, including checking whether the sound was related to the motor by testing with the belt disconnected. As the original poster said they were not able to open the machine themselves, further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.

Checks to try

• Noise occurs mainly when the motor is cold
• Noise is strongest in the first second of drum rotation
• Faint rattling may continue during spinning when very cold
• Suggested check: whether the noise remains with the belt disconnected