Replacing the belt in a Zanussi washing machine

Replacing the belt in a Zanussi washing machine If changing the belt on a washing machine of most brands is not difficult, then with Zanussi the task becomes much more complicated. The fact is that the machines of this manufacturer are distinguished by a non-standard and even “sophisticated” body design. This has a significant impact on the repairs being carried out. But nothing is impossible - replacing the drive belt with your own hands on Zanussi is quite possible. You just need to not deviate from the given instructions.

“Exposing” the drive mechanism

If on most washing machines to remove the back wall it is enough to unscrew a few screws and pull the body, but with Zanussi everything is different. To access the drive unit, you will have to halve the washing machine, which will require certain actions. First, you should prepare an awl, a flat-head screwdriver, a screwdriver and a 7 or 8 socket head. Then we proceed to disassembly, following the following instructions:

disconnect equipment from the power supply and water supply;
turn the washer body sideways;
find the bolt in the center of the side wall;
use an awl to pick up the “cap” and expose the bolt;
with a 7 or 8 head, depending on the model of the Zanussi washing machine, unscrew the fasteners;
repeat unscrewing the bolt from the other side;

Before any repair work, the washing machine must be de-energized and disconnected from the water supply!

unscrew the screws securing the “back” at the bottom and top;
remove the drain hose;
remove the top cover by pushing it away from you;
pay attention to the place where the power cord “enters” the washing machine;
use a flat screwdriver to pry up the “tab” on the left side of the element holding the power cord and press it out;
unscrew the four screws securing the metal strip under the top cover;
Carefully remove the back panel.

All! Immediately behind the rear wall you will see the drum pulley, and on it there is a tensioned drive belt. If the rubber band breaks or falls off, the “wheel” will be empty, and the rim will be found on the bottom. We will consider further how the condition of the belt is assessed and replaced.

Belt installation

Before you say goodbye to your old belt, you need to assess its condition. The rubber band does not always break off the pulley due to damage or stretching - sometimes the reason is high speed or weakened tension. Therefore, first we lift the rim and inspect it for cracks and other defects.

how to tighten a belt onto a pulley The second step is to evaluate how far the elastic has stretched. Factory markings must be applied to the surface of the belt, the first 4 digits of which indicate the original diameter. Having memorized the numbers, we measure the circumference of the rim and compare the indicators. If the difference is equal to or exceeds 2 cm, then the element cannot be used - only replaced.

The new belt must be original and match the markings of the old one. To pull it onto the pulley, you must act in a certain sequence.

Place the belt against the drum pulley (large wheel).
While turning the pulley counterclockwise, place the rubber band tightly on the wheel.
Slightly lower the belt from the pulley, holding it with one hand.
With your other hand, put the belt on the motor shaft so that the elastic band “goes” closer to the engine, at least 2 cuts.
By analogy with a bicycle chain, turn the drum pulley clockwise, holding the belt, until the elastic band is completely seated on the wheel.

If everything is done correctly, then tensioning the belt will go quickly and without unnecessary hassle.For the first time, it is better to call an assistant - it is easier to act with “four hands”. Afterwards, the Zanussi washing machine is assembled in the reverse order.

Why do belt problems occur?

To prevent belt replacement from becoming a constant problem, it is recommended to “work on the mistakes.” In simple words, figure out why the rubber band flew off the pulley of the Zanussi washing machine. Several malfunctions in the operation of the machine could have led to this outcome.

Worn belt. The most common and understandable reason. With prolonged and intensive use, the elastic band can “wear out” its service life, tear or stretch.
Imbalance. An overloaded drum shifts when rotating, hits the tank and leads to other displacements and vibrations. The drive belt may not be able to withstand such pressure and may jump out of its seat.
Broken bearings. The bearing unit ensures smooth rotation of the drum. If the “rings” are worn out, then the machine begins to vibrate strongly, the shaft becomes loose, and with it the pulley. The rubber band also can’t stand it and breaks off.
Rarely used. If the machine is rarely used, the rubber elements, including the drive belt, dry out. As a result, the next time you start washing, the elastic band does not hold up, frays or breaks.
Unsuccessful repair. Sometimes during repairs, inexperienced “masters” manage to damage third-party elements – a crosspiece or a pulley. In this case, the “drum-shaft” assembly suffers greatly and becomes loose, and the failure of the drive belt is only the initial alarming symptom.

It is not difficult to suspect problems with the drive belt. Firstly, on modern Zanussi, an automatic self-diagnosis system will report a problem with the drive. The display will show the corresponding code, and the wash will not start until the problem is fixed.

Secondly, the behavior of the Zanussi washing machine will change. But there are many variations here. Sometimes the machine starts without problems, but does not spin up quickly enough or makes an uncharacteristic hum. In some cases, the system does not allow you to turn on the wash, since the engine is not able to accelerate the washer to the required speed. At the same time, the drum itself can be easily rotated by hand.

You won’t be able to operate Zanussi without a drive belt - you’ll either have to change it yourself or turn to professionals. The main thing is not to delay the repair and be sure to check the adjacent elements, since if the rubber band fell, it could touch nearby sensors and wires.