Zanussi FS 1255 Aquacycle 1200

I have a Zanussi FS 1255 Aquacycle 1200, which started making a racket during the spin cycle last night. I stopped it; took the clothes out; drained it; and emptied the filter. When I turn the drum anti-clockwise (by hand) it'll turn but with some resistance which is much worse at one point in each revolution. It's very stiff turning clockwise.

On the assumption there's a reasonable chance that some foreign object is stuck in the drum, I've removed the back panel of the machine. However, I'm not really sure how to get into the drum to find out if there is anything in there and I certainly don't want to do anything I can't reverse!

Don't want to pay someone money I can't afford if it's a relatively easy fix.

to get into the drum you need to remove it and split it

First things though are to have a really good look in between the door seal and the drums especially around the outside lip of the inner drum as items can get dragged in there and work their way in between the two drums.

Next is usually the sump hose (large black hose at bottom towards front of machine) see if you can see anything when looking in that way.

Last is usually to remove the heater element and rotate the drum looking in through where the element was removed from and see if you can see anything.

A good torch is a real bonus.

sometimes by shining the torch inside the drum you may see something looking through the holes in the inner drum.

I have found a single coin, a teaspoon, school tie, babie doll nightie, ballet shoe stuck at the front edge all stopping the drum either completely or causing it to run rough.

Thanks very much for your reply, Leccy. I'll work through your post tonight. I did have a look at the seal and found a pound coin but nothing else - I'll check more thoroughly later.

Called a repairman today, who said he'd charge £35 just to come out and give a quote and £55 to sort it, if it's a small job. Even that's the quarter of the value of a new machine!

Hi, We had the same problem a couple of times with the same machine, Just as "leccy "said taking out the heater element is a good one as it gives a really good view into the bottom of the drum.

There is a support bracket for the end of the heater (inside the drum) which is like an odd sock magnet and leaves it like it's running with the handbrake on !

In case your'e not sure, the heater element is the oval with two terminals sticking out and earth wire connected to a post and nut in between them, undo that nut (quite long thread visible) and give it a couple of seconds for the compressive rubber seal to relax, then the heater can just be slipped out.

It's usually easy enough to remove the obstruction then using long nosed pliers.

Thank you both. On closer inspection of the seal inside the door, I caught a glimpse of the tiniest bit of a sock, caught in the drum.

I managed to retrieved it by hooking a safety pin into and yanking until it started to rip and then repeating unitl it came out.

So, we're up and running again - with no bill! Phew!