How to change the belt on a Vestel washing machine?

How to change the belt on a Vestel washing machine All automatic machines with a commutator motor are equipped with a drive belt. The elastic tends to stretch, especially if the user violates the basic rules of operating equipment: failure to comply with the maximum load weight, installation of the washing machine body out of level, etc. You can replace the drive belt on a Vestel washing machine yourself. This type of repair is considered fairly easy. We'll tell you the essence of the process and how to properly tighten the rubber band onto the drum pulley.

Is it really a belt?

It’s not possible to immediately understand that the belt has fallen off. You can confirm your guess by removing the back wall of the Vestel washing machine. Modern washing machines can tell you about a breakdown by displaying the corresponding fault code on the display or “blinking” the indication. The user will only have to look at the instructions and decipher the error generated by the machine.

It happens that the self-diagnosis system simply does not notice that the rubber band has flown off the pulley. In such a situation, the code will not appear on the display. However, it is not difficult to guess about problems with the drive belt. The following oddities in the behavior of the washing machine may be observed:

the wash starts, water begins to fill the tank, the motor is activated, but the drum does not move, frozen in place;
The engine runs, hums, after a few seconds it “stalls”, then starts making noise again. Changes in motor states are observed at approximately equal intervals;
the cycle begins, the electric motor operates normally, but the washing machine “freezes” and stops responding to user commands;
the electric motor cannot set the drum in motion, while the “centrifuge” spins calmly by hand.

Washing with a fallen drive belt is impossible; you must return the elastic band to the pulley as quickly as possible.

Having noticed even one of the described “symptoms”, you need to quickly turn off the equipment from the button and unplug the power cord from the outlet. If the washer Vestel will work with a broken drive belt, the electric motor may overheat and fail. Therefore, you should immediately begin diagnosing the equipment. To check whether the strap is in place, you will have to partially disassemble the case, namely, remove the top and back walls. We’ll tell you how to diagnose the equipment yourself and “bring back to life” a Vestel washing machine.

Instructions for replacing parts

You can change the belt on a Vestel automatic machine yourself. In case of such a breakdown, it is not necessary to call a specialist - no special knowledge or tools are required. To tighten the elastic, it is important to follow the instructions and follow the described procedure. In fact, difficulties can only arise with a stretch. The new belt is quite tight, and you will have to “sweat” to put it on the pulley. However, a few tips will help you cope with this small complexity.

If the belt comes off for the first time, and it is not damaged or stretched, you can try to put the elastic band back in place.

When the belt falls off for the third time, you need to buy and tighten a new part. To understand whether the elastic is in place and in what condition it is, you should:

de-energize the equipment by unplugging the power cord from the outlet;
close the valve responsible for the water supply;
move the “home assistant” away from the wall to gain access to the rear of the case;
disconnect the inlet hose and drain hose;
Unscrew the bolts holding the “cover”, remove the top panel and put it aside;
Unscrew the screws around the perimeter of the rear wall;
remove the back panel.

Now you can see if the elastic is in place. If she jumps off, you need to pick her up from the floor. Next, you should measure the circumference and compare the resulting value with the number on the marking. When the drive belt is stretched more than 20 mm compared to its original size, it must be replaced. You should buy a replacement belt for a Vestel washing machine based on the model and serial number of the equipment. The markings on the old rubber band can also help in finding an analogue. To change the belt you need:

put it on the shaft (of the electric motor);
attach the elastic band to the drum pulley, pull it onto the “wheel”;
hold the strap with one hand, and with the other, turn the pulley to the left;
put the elastic on completely.

Of course, it will be much easier to install the drive belt together. However, if there is no assistant, you should not be upset; even with your own hands you can tighten the elastic band in a few minutes. When finished, check that the belt is firmly seated on the pulley. The drum wheel should rotate with tension. Once you are satisfied that the repair has been completed efficiently, reassemble the unit body, securing the back and top panels in place. Next, all that remains is to connect the inlet hose and drain corrugation, open the shut-off valve and run a test wash. The machine must be empty. If the drum spins normally, it means that the belt was replaced correctly.

The belt often falls off

Some users may notice that the drive belt starts to come off quite often, every few months. If even replacing the old rubber band does not help correct the situation, you will have to “dig” deeper. This is an alarm signal indicating some problems with the equipment. Many factors can cause a rubber band to fly off.. If you notice that the belt is falling off the pulley too often, be sure to carry out extensive diagnostics on your automatic machine. Vestel. Periodic slipping of the drive belt can be caused by:

rubber wear. If the belt becomes unusable too quickly, literally in 2-3 months, it means either it is made of low-quality materials, or the user is violating the basic rules for operating the washing machine. For example, the elastic band “suffers” when the maximum permissible load weight is constantly exceeded;
backlash. If the drum is loose, then no matter how much you change the rubber, it will fly off after a while. Usually fixing the situation is simple - just tighten the nut securing the pulley. The drum “wheel” may need to be completely replaced;
incomplete fixation of the engine. The machine vibrates during operation, which can cause the motor mounts to become loose. To solve the problem, just tighten the screws holding the electric motor in the housing;
changing the shape of the pulley. Sometimes the drum wheel is accidentally damaged during the repair of the "home assistant". If the dent is small, you can try to straighten the rim. It is better, of course, to purchase and install a new, even pulley;
damage to the crosspiece. This defect can be either factory-made or “acquired”. Due to strong vibrations during operation of the equipment, parts of the tank-drum assembly become unusable.In this situation, it is imperative to replace the crosspiece; further operation of the machine with such a problem will lead to a complete imbalance of the drum;
wear of the bearing unit. Damaged bearings cause the housing to “skew”, so the drive belt begins to fall off the pulley. It is urgent to replace the broken rings, as well as the oil seal.

The reason for the drive belt constantly falling off may be its incorrect installation - the elastic band must fit into the grooves of the pulley.

In addition, a belt that is not suitable for a particular Vestel model can regularly come off. Therefore, it is so important to buy components designed specifically for your washing machine, paying attention to the markings of the parts. So, if the rubber band comes off for the first time after several years of using the equipment, you shouldn’t worry too much. You just need to buy a new spare part and change the belt yourself. When the decline is repeated periodically, after short periods of time, more serious diagnostics of the drive mechanism of the machine and other internal components will be required.