Why does the belt come off on an Ariston washing machine?

Why does the belt come off on an Ariston washing machine? In situations where the belt on an Ariston washing machine comes off, replacing the rubber band will not solve the problem. The new ring will repeat the fate of the old one, since in most cases the problem lies not in it, but in the neighboring elements of the washer. A pulley play, a weakly fixed motor, an incorrect shaft shape and many other design faults can lead to a breakdown. To determine the nature and extent of the problem, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. Let's try to find out all the nuances and repair options.

What problem does this cause?

If the belt comes off once during the entire operation of the washing machine, then there is nothing to be afraid of - replacing it will return everything to normal. When the rubber band breaks periodically, more often than twice every six months, it’s time to think about it and carry out unscheduled diagnostics of the machine. As a rule, repeated failure of the ring clearly indicates a malfunction in the equipment.

If the belt falls off more than 2 times every 6 months, it is necessary to diagnose the machine.

The belt falls off for certain reasons.

Pulley play. In simple words, the shaft itself is fixed crookedly or weakly. In this case, the belt is not tightened securely, sags, and breaks off when the drum rotates. The problem is corrected by tightening the retaining bolt or replacing the wheel.
Unfixed engine. During operation, especially at maximum power, vibrations cause the screws holding the motor to unwind. This leads to the fact that the engine fixed at the factory “looses”, deviates from the specified trajectory and breaks the belt drive. To correct the situation, it is necessary to fix the part.
Deformation of the halyard or wheel. Mechanical damage to the pulley due to unsuccessful repairs or violation of operating conditions leads to failure of the belt drive. The best way out of the situation would be to replace the damaged part, but in some cases a local “fix” is also allowed. For example, you can straighten a bent surface.

An identical drive belt is selected for replacement!

Damaged crosspiece. The causes of the problem are factory defects or excessive vibrations during operation of the machine. Repairs are prohibited here - only complete and urgent replacement of the shaft. If you continue to operate the equipment or limit yourself to local repairs, there is a high probability of the drum becoming unbalanced with subsequent damage to the internal structure of the unit.
Broken bearings. It is rare, but it happens that a washing machine reaches a similar state due to increased loads or long-term use. As a result, the bearing assembly fails to cope with its task and disrupts the system, which leads to belt failure. To return the equipment to serviceability, it is necessary to eliminate the breakdown by replacing both the bearings and seals.

But the reasons for a belt falling off are not always so large-scale. Often, problems with the drive are caused by incorrect installation of the rubber band during initial repairs. For example, the ring was not fixed in all the provided grooves, which results in unreliable fastening and repeated failure. Similar consequences await the mistaken choice of a replacement part, when it is not the original that is taken, but a copy that differs in diameter. Therefore, it is important to focus on the model serial number and follow the instructions when dismantling and tightening the seal.

We repair it ourselves

When a belt comes off for the first time, repairs are limited to putting it back in place.In theory, the procedure is quite simple, but in practice the master has to face some difficulties. The fact is that pulling the elastic band requires skill, strength, time and patience. But if you know what to do and in what sequence, then even a “newbie” can cope with the task.

The belt is tightened back as follows:

Before any repair work, the Ariston washing machine must be de-energized and disconnected from all communications.

We disconnect Ariston from communications, sewerage, water supply and power supplies.
We disconnect the inlet and drain hoses from the body, and also twist the power cord.
We move the equipment away from the wall or furniture, providing free access to the rear panel.
Unscrew all the screws on the back panel, excluding the bolts holding the top cover.
We are looking for a drive belt that, after breaking, either hangs on the pulley ring, or is lying somewhere at the bottom of the washer.

The found belt should be carefully inspected. First of all, it is worth assessing the degree of its suitability for further use. To do this, we find the markings on the rubber and write down the first four numbers on paper (this is the diameter in mm). Then we measure the ring itself and subtract the resulting value from the one already written out. If the difference between them is greater than or equal to 2 cm, then there is no point in storing the elastic band - it has stretched too much and needs to be replaced.

If the fallen belt has retained its previous diameter, then we proceed to return it to the pulley:

pull the belt onto the engine pulley;
slowly rotating the wheel counterclockwise, put an elastic band on the second one;
check that the belt is fixed in all provided grooves;
We spin one of the wheels several times: if the rotation is tight, then the rubber band is seated perfectly.

It is better to tighten the belt with an assistant. Ideally, both hands hold the rubber band on the engine pulley while the second pair of hands tries to attach the ring to the wheel. But the work will still require a lot of time and effort - tight rubber cannot be adjusted to ease the tension.

After scrolling, you need to put the machine back together. We screw the back panel, return the equipment to its original place and connect it to communications. It is recommended to immediately start the “idle” cycle and make sure that the drive belt rotates normally.

Repeated failure of the drive belt indicates serious problems with the pulley, wheel, shaft, spider or motor. It’s better not to take risks with the machine, but to conduct a full diagnosis and determine the cause of the failure.