Diplomat Apm8542/2 - Bearings Gone
Hi there,
Last night my washing machine (Diplomat 8542/2) starting making a really loud noise, almost as if it was about to blow up. I stopped the machine and took the clothes out which were all marked with the same pattern as the drum. When I spin the drum by hand it is turning but feels a bit stiff. I called a local washing machine repair company who have told me that this is definitely a bearings fault and that it would be uneconomical to fix and I'd be better purchasing a new machine.
Confirmation of this would be much appreciated before I pay out on a new one.
Also, the current machine is integrated (I believe it was from MFI) - would most electrical companies have machines that would fit the integrated slot easy enough and, as I'm not the best at these things, would most companies fit it for me (i.e. put existing cupboard door fixings on the new machine etc)?
Many thanks
VE
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.
Diplomat APM8542/2 noisy drum likely due to failed bearings
- The problem
- Diplomat APM8542/2 washing machine developed a very loud noise during use. After stopping it, the clothes were left marked with the drum pattern. The drum still turned by hand but felt stiff.
- Likely cause
- The discussion supports drum bearing failure as the likely cause. The accepted reply says failed drum bearings are commonly uneconomical to repair on many washing machines because the tub assembly often has to be replaced rather than just the bearings and seals. Exact internal damage on this machine was not independently confirmed in the thread.
- What fixed it
- The accepted advice was that repair is often not economical when drum bearings fail, so replacement of the washing machine is likely the more practical option. As this is an integrated model, replacement may be more difficult and choice may be more limited. The exact repair was not confirmed because no strip-down or engineer report was posted.
- Checks to try
- Machine became very loud during operation
- Clothes were marked with the drum pattern
- Drum turned by hand but felt stiff
- Local repair company advised it was definitely a bearings fault
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
2 Answers
These days washing machines are commonly not worth repairing when drum bearings fail. They are designed in ways that prevent replacement of just the bearings and seals so the cost of spare parts is not far off what the original purchase price was. Some (such as some Hotpoint models) have totally sealed outer tubs meaning if a drum bearing fails you have to replace the entire outer and inner tub. Others require just an outer tub or occasionally just a rear half of a tub.
Integrated washing machines are more trouble to replace and usually more expensive so if you have a high quality one it could be worth repairing (though a high quality one shouldn't really have had drum bearings fail). You would need to do the maths. Integrated washing machines are far harder to find and most big retailers tend to favour selling the free standing ones.
As far as I know Diplomat ceased trading when MFI went bust several years ago.
John Lewis sell integrated appliances - <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?platform=dl&awinmid=1203&awinaffid=57395&clickref=WHF_Reply&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2FElectricals%2FIntegrated%2BAppliances%2FIntegrated%2BAppliances%2FIntegrated%2BWashing%2BMachines%2F10653%2FProductCategory.aspx" rel="nofollow">John Lewis built in washing machines</a>
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Many thanks for your prompt reply, Andy. Much appreciated.
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