Ariston Margherita 2000 wont drain

[jackbn]

Hi, I have a question please. My washer no longer drains water. It spins and washes the clothes, but when it comes to draining it freezes, then the knob keeps turning over and over without stop until I turn it off. I have tried the suggested solution here. I have removed the front panel to the bottom and unscrewed the key there (counter clockwise). I found some threads and a needle and removed them. I cleaned it up and put the key (or whatever it is called) back in. Tested the machine again, the problem still exists. One thing I noticed when I unscrewed the key, is that there is a fan there. I can turn it to the right or left a little. Cannot move it all the way to form a circle. I have checked with my fingers, there is nothing around it to prevent it from spinning. So, it is probably operated by the machine only. The warranty on the washer expired years ago. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[zipper]

The impellor ("fan" as you called it) should rotate 360 degrees with a noticeable magnetic resistance about every quarter turn. If it doesn't then something is either jamming the impellor or your pump needs replacing. You may be confusing magnetic resistance for a stalled pump, so it might pay to check it again.

 

[jackbn]

Thanks a lot, zipper. I have unscrewed the filter again. Then started turning the impeller, left and right. There was some resistance, and I was afraid to break it. Though, I have done it. I have turned it 4-5 times. After that, I put the filter back in. Then, I started the machine on program 4. I have monitored the progress, as I sat near it. The washer started washing for some time. After that, it paused for about 2 minutes then, it continued to drain the water and proceeded with the program (at this stage earlier, the washer froze and did not drain the water, then the knob started turning over and over) I kept monitoring the washer as it proceeded, going through the rinsing cycle, spinning cycle and finally completing the program. Something I noticed is that, the impeller (probably) made 2-3 clicks (they sounded like a fan hitting a piece of paper), before each draining. Now, I have some questions please:

1. Are the program pause and impeller clicks I described earlier, normal?

2. I have heard something like a screw (maybe a a small rock) hitting the container while it was spinning. I have checked the container after the program was over and did not find anything. Also, I have examined the chamber behind the filter and could not find anything. It is probably nothing, but I just wanted to ask.

3. Did I fix the problem, by turning the impeller? I am thinking there was something stopping the impeller from moving like hair or something and by moving the fan I released some of those. Is that the case?

4. Is there any way to take the impeller out without taking the washer apart? Are there any disassembly guides?

Thanks a lot for your time, sir.

Edit: I have managed to record the clicking sound of the impeller:
[code:1]http://www.fileden.com/files/2010/3/9/2788580/clicking.wav[/code:1]

 

[Leccy758]

You may have something in the hose leading to the impeller that is jamming it intermittantly.

Best way is usually to drain as much water out as you can then tip the machine backwards against a wall or onto something so that it does no fall then access the pump and pipe area from the underneath.

 

[jackbn]

Leccy758, I have not took apart the washer before. So, I do not know how to reach the pump. Are there any photos or illustrated guides to explain that. Does the clicking sound indicate the hose feeding the pump being clogged?

 

[Leccy758]

There are many vids on you tube that show how to get to the pump, they may not be specifically for your machine but most are generally the same

 

[zipper]

After listening to the WAV file you posted it sounds like something is definitely rattling around in the pump. Follow Leccy's good advice...if you can't resolve the issue please post the details on the door sticker.

 

[jackbn]

Hi again. Sorry, it took me a while to reply. I have some questions please. Well, how do I check if the hose leading to the impeller is clogged after taking the pump out. The water that is coming out of the washing machine is dense when it drains (as it was before this problem started). Do you still think that the hose leading to the impeller is clogged? Could it be that the impeller is slipping on the shaft when the washing machine refuses to drain the water (I hear a sound similar to a spinning motor when that happens, could it that be the rotor is spinning while the impeller is slipping?) Could the sound in the wave file indicate that some water went behind the shaft and affected the rotor? Thanks a lot for your time and the useful information.

 

[zipper]

Not sure what you mean by "dense" water? But if you remove the filter, open the door & throw a pint of water in the drum 2 things might happen. 1: the water gushes straight out of the filter hole (no blockage in the sump hose) or 2: water dribbles slowly out of the hole (blockage). Put some old towels down first! At the end of the day it is more than likely your pump is shot. They don't cost much to replace & it isn't a big job. Just follow the advice given earlier.

 

[jackbn]

Thanks a lot, zipper. I will change the pump when it stops completely.