noise from Hotpoint WT540

[wrathkeg]

Hi. I have a Hotpoint washing machine, model WT540 Aquarius. About 5 years old. All of a sudden it has started to make a very loud whirring when spinning at fast speed, over and above the usual noise. Any suggestions of what to look for? Performance doesn't seem to have been affected at all, and it only happens when spinning at full speed.
Thanks,
wrathkeg

 

[wrathkeg]

Just checked the filter and discovered that there were four coins in there. Don't know if they could have been causing the noise though, especially as they look to have been there some time....

In case it's of use to others to remove the filter with the kickstrip off the bottom I needed to screw the filter clockwise first (using a pair of pliers) quarter of a turn or so, and THEN turn it anticlockwise. The manual just says to turn it anticlockwise, but without going clockwise first it just stopped turning after about quarter of a turn and wouldn't come out.