How to replace the belt on an Indesit washing machine

The user will understand that the drive belt has failed by certain signs: the appearance of an error code on the display, extraneous noise produced by the machine, etc. To eliminate this kind of malfunction, it is not at all necessary to contact a service center; you can replace the belt on an Indesit washing machine on one's own. Let's figure out how to diagnose this breakdown, what signs to look for, and how to repair the washing machine yourself.

We localize the breakdown

There are quite a lot of signs indicating that a drive element of an automatic machine has failed. Firstly, this is the error code displayed by the unit, which is shown on the electronic display, and if it is absent, it is displayed by certain indicators.

The next obvious sign indicating a breakdown of this kind will be a drum that does not rotate during the washing process, or a situation where its rotation occurs very slowly and is accompanied by scraping sounds.

Important! This breakdown is quite serious, since when the belt breaks, the power wires may break or damage any sensors.

Why does the Indesit washing machine belt break? There can be quite a few reasons.

1. Drum pulley malfunction. This is caused by incorrect loading of laundry, exceeding the permissible weight of things placed in the machine, the occurrence of an imbalance, etc. Under the influence of these factors, the belt may come off, break, or weaken.
2. Natural wear and tear. Any thing can wear out over time, and, often, only a few parts function properly throughout its entire service life.Premature wear of the drive belt can be caused by the daily use of the machine, as well as its design (in narrow SMAs, the belt wears out faster than in standard models).
3. Incorrect loading of laundry. Exceeding the weight of loaded laundry allowed by the manufacturer leads to an imbalance in the drum - things shift to one side. During the spin process, which occurs at high speeds, the drum may accidentally hit the tank, which will cause the drive belt to jump off.
4. Failure of the bearings necessary for uniform, correct rotation of the drum. Problems with bearings will lead to increased vibration of the pulley, which can cause the drive element to tear or fly off.
5. Very rare use of the washing machine. It would seem that the less you use the machine, the more durable it will be. This is not entirely true. As for the belt, with infrequent use, parts of it shrink. During subsequent washing cycles they are erased, which entails stretching and breaking of the drive element.

If it was still not possible to prevent the root cause of the breakdown, the problem should be eliminated as soon as possible. Let's talk about how to replace the drive element in Indesit washing machines.

Getting the “right” belt

You should not buy a part at random; it is very easy to make a mistake with the markings. It is best to remove the damaged belt from the unit and take it with you to the store. A sales specialist will carefully examine the part you provide, check the markings and select the replacement item you need. If you want to purchase a belt in an online store, be sure to look at the markings and use them to select the correct part.We will provide for your consideration several markings of drive belts suitable for various Indesit washing machines:

• MEGADYNE EL 1187 H7;
• MEGADYNE EL 1195 H7;
• HUTCHINSON 8PHE 1195;
• CONTITECH EL 1195 H7 etc.

When choosing a replacement part, be sure to study the length and type of belt. In Indesit machines there are two types of drive elements: wedge and semi-wedge. The first option is found in washing machines equipped with an asynchronous motor; the cross-section of the V-belt is similar to a triangle or trapezoid. A distinctive feature of this type of product is strong tension and a small deflection in the center.

Semi-V belts are used in machines with commutator motors. The element is presented in the form of a small number of toothed wedges. Unlike the V-belt, it should be tensioned a little looser. Please note that in some narrow models the semi-V belt must be tensioned very tightly.

Important! When purchasing a part in specialized stores, it is permissible to tell the manager only the make and model of the automatic machine. Based on this data, the specialist will suggest you the right belt.

Instructions for performing work

To put on a drive belt that has simply fallen off, or to install a new one to replace a broken one, you need to carry out a simple algorithm of actions. Step-by-step instructions for performing the work will be as follows.

1. Disconnect the machine from the power supply.
2. Close the valve that regulates the water intake into the tank.
3. Drain the remaining water; to do this, take a container of suitable volume, unscrew the intake hose from the body, pour the liquid from it into the prepared container.
4. Remove the back cover of the washing machine body by unscrewing the fastening bolts located around its perimeter.
5. Inspect the drive belt, wires and sensors located near it for any damage.

When the reason for the failure of the automatic machine has been determined, proceed to its elimination. If the belt is intact and has simply fallen off, tighten it back. If it is torn, install a new one.

Put the belt in place as follows: carefully pull the element onto the electric motor shaft, then onto the drum pulley. When performing these manipulations, it is necessary to tighten the belt with one hand and slightly turn the pulley with the other. Please note that the drive belt must be located directly in a special groove.

After the faulty part has been replaced, it is necessary to screw the back cover of the unit housing into place. Don’t forget to secure it with the bolts you removed at the beginning of the work. Next, the washing machine is connected to utilities and connected to the network.

You can fix a breakdown caused by a faulty belt on an Indesit machine with your own hands, without turning to a repairman for help. However, keep in mind that there are some very tight drive elements, and you may need the help of a family member to tighten them.

   

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