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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Is it bad news if my washing machine sounds as if its full of snooker balls?

15 replies

BettySpaghetti · 05/07/2007 21:15

Scared me to death when it started spinning, it was so loud.

The drum seems more wobbly than usual too and, when I took the things out, they seemed to have black marks on (oil?).

Its not good is it?

OP posts:
bilblio · 05/07/2007 21:26

Sounds like the ball bearings might have gone square.
I'd get a little man in to look at it, but when the ball bearings went on mine I was advised to buy a new washer.

morocco · 05/07/2007 21:29

don't know about the black marks bits, when mine sounded like it was about to take off it was just some bit inside that had come loose, got 'a man' to fix it and it's been fine since (fingers crossed)

Original poster
BettySpaghetti · 05/07/2007 21:30

Pants! I had a feeling it was going to be a new machine scenario.

How much does it cost for the little man to tell you that you need a new machine?

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSalmon · 05/07/2007 21:31

Could be the brushes (or is it bushes). They are comparatively cheap. I think the parts are a few quid + labour to fit them

SlightlyMadSalmon · 05/07/2007 21:31

Could be the brushes (or is it bushes). They are comparatively cheap. I think the parts are a few quid + labour to fit them

Rachmumoftwo · 05/07/2007 21:31

When mine did that it was full of stones from DDs pocket, but there were no black marks, so probably not the same thing.

WendyWeber · 05/07/2007 21:31

Is it full of snooker balls?

hoxtonchick · 05/07/2007 21:32

this happened to me. it was the bearings. we got a new machine. sorry.

nutcracker · 05/07/2007 21:33

Mine is the same, am waiting for my dad to have a look. Will have to use mine until it breaks as there is no way I can buy another.

calordan · 05/07/2007 21:33

we had something similar and it was the weight at the front of the machine that had cracked, its like a big metal plate that covers the front, was under warranty but I think it was pricey. Used to sound like it was going to take off didnt have dirty marks on anything though

margosbeenplayingwithmynoonoo · 05/07/2007 21:34

Yes, it sounds like the bearings, if it's insured, then get someone to fix it

clutteredup · 05/07/2007 21:34

It happened to ours just before xmas 3 years ago - typically - I can't remember what the technical term was but basically the first place I rang didn't even bother coming to have a look and charging me to tsk tsk alot - diagnosed it dead over the telephone - didn't even try and plug their local shop for replacement - was it the bearings or baffles or something. Doesn't sound good to me. Mine had rust marks after the black marks and I lost a lot of nice white bedsheets.

Original poster
BettySpaghetti · 05/07/2007 21:36

My first thought was what have the DC (or DP for that matter) left in their pockets but I can't see anything obvious.

Its more major than that I think.

I heard this almighty noise (the washing machine is downstairs in the utility room, not even directly under the living room, but it was SOOOO loud).

My money is on the ball bearings

OP posts:
Original poster
BettySpaghetti · 05/07/2007 21:38

Thanks for your advice everyone -I'd better do some on-line browsing of machines.

OP posts:
Jacanne · 05/07/2007 21:42

Ours did this for ages and then it reached a pitch where it was truly unbearable and I thought the machine was going to start dancing across the floor - then I knew that was it.

Apparently if it's not a "sealed unit" you can get the bearings replaced but if it is you need a new washing machine.

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