Washing machine confusion

What ho one and all,

I am reluctantly renewing a Zanussi washing machine that is probably repairable but is likely to cost as much to find the problem as it is to replace.

Doing an internet search, there are so many makes, models specs that I am totally confused as to the best direction / make.

In the £300 range, some reviews suggest that Make X is great but there are a few one star that suggest the wash time at 3 hours is unacceptable. Why would any machine have a 3 hour wash time?

So I am opening a can of worms by asking for recommendations of a good, reliable make / model.

Thanks and toodle pip

Rex

Consider second hand, for probably about a 1/3 of the cost you'll likely end up with something that will last just as long as a new one.

freddiemercurystwin said:

Consider second hand, for probably about a 1/3 of the cost you'll likely end up with something that will last just as long as a new one.

Click to expand...

Not looking for one, but second hand from where - private sale, dealer?

I a firm believer in at least trying to see if a repair is worthwhile doing myself, most faults are quick easy fixes, ours must be around 10 years old now and once I had fixed it's designed in faults, it has been dead reliable.

Second hand from a second hand appliance dealer, they usually repair stuff too so it may well have already been repaired, it will come with a 3 month warranty so there is some comfort but heck it's 1/3 of the price. My S/H WM is still going strong after 7 years and considering the amount of washing my Mr Mercury does it's frankly remarkable! My brand new Hotpoint FF on the other hand has died and been replaced in that same time period.

Just the luck of the draw really.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the machine is probably around 10 years old but apparently was working. Then it refused to fill. The spin and drain were working and any program the power light illuminated.

I did some internet research and found that is a common issue, and replacing the inlet solenoid is the answer. Yesterday, I tested the water flow (good, no blockage) and put my multi-meter across the solenoid contacts. I am not a multi-meter expert but there was no continuity signal from either the hot or cold inlet. Also tried to test the voltage going into the solenoid and again, was not getting any reading that I could understand. The number just kept flashing randomly. Even checked the 240v input but again, I don't understand multi-meters and had only a random flashing of digits!

So I figure, if there is no power to the solenoids, then may be the pcb is not working, in which case, rather than trying to figure it out, just replace. It is a rental property and the tenants need a washing machine.

When I plugged it all in again and turned on the water, the spin was not working. So I have no idea but things seem to be getting worse.

Failure to fill and/or spin can be due to the machine thinking the drum still contains water, because the small-bore tube going to the pressure switch of the water-level sensor is blocked with gunk. Blowing down the tube can clear it.

Go to your local dealers and ask about ex-shop floor machimes. Be new with up 50% off.
You say the property is let so the Replacement machine will be Tax Deductible. Don't mess around with S/H, it's not worth the time and trouble.

Tax deductible, agreed!