The main task of the washing machine drive belt is to transmit torque from the motor shaft to the drum of the unit for washing clothes. But from prolonged use, the element can wear out or completely break. To replace the belt or simply tighten it, you will have to disassemble the device. Today we’ll try to understand how to change the belt on an Indesit washing machine.
Reasons why replacement is required
Rapid wear of a part occurs due to violations during operation, or the design of the washing unit directly or indirectly affects this element. Let's look at the probable reasons in more detail:
- the narrow body part of a washing machine from the Indesit company can affect the element, increasing the degree of its wear. This happens due to the fact that the drum is closely ground to the engine, and during operation (especially during spinning), the element begins to create strong vibration, coming into contact with the belt. The part wears out due to friction on the body or drum;
- the pulley breaks. This part is made of brittle metal; over time, chips and cracks form on it, causing the drive belt of the Indesit washing machine to break. At best, it just jumps off the pulley.In addition, the reasons that the belt flies off the pulley may be violations of the loading of things associated with exceeding the permitted weight;
- The pulley may begin to vibrate after a bearing falls out or breaks. The belt begins to experience increased load, from which it can fly off or break completely;
- To give the tank of the washing unit a constant position, the machine has springs and shock-absorbing devices. When the machine is overloaded with things, the drum can sag, which contributes to wear or tearing off the pulley;
- Failure caused by wear and tear is typical for Indesit washing machines, which have a front-loading option. The fact is that five to six years after the start of operation, the tank of the machine is slightly deformed, and the load on the part increases;
- The belt often breaks on a washing mashine that is rarely used. During long breaks, the rubber material simply dries out, losing its properties. When the machine begins to be used, the part quickly wears out, stretches and breaks.
In order not to constantly have to replace the belt in the Indesit washing machine, it is necessary to eliminate the reason why it flies off or breaks during the repair process.
How to determine a breakdown
You can find out that the drive belt has failed by the following signs:
- an error code will appear on the dashboard screen, or certain indicator lights will blink;
- The problem will be indicated by a stopped drum, or it will rotate very slowly, making scraping sounds.
How to buy the right analogue
Many people make mistakes with the belt marking when purchasing. It is recommended to first remove the old element and take it with you to buy an exact replacement.The seller will inspect it, clarify the markings and offer you the desired option. In addition, you can use the Internet to purchase, but you will still have to indicate the exact labeling of the product. Most often, the following markings are purchased for Indesit washing machines:
- MEGADYNE EL 1187 (1195) H7;
- HUTCHINSON 8PHE 1195;
- CONTITECH EL 1195 H7 and others.
When choosing a replacement part, be sure to check its length and type. For Indesit machines, two types are installed - wedge and half-wedge. The first type is found in machines with an asynchronous motor; the cross-section resembles a triangle or trapezoid. The main difference is increased tension, small deflection in the center.
A product in the form of a half-wedge is used in SMA with a commutator motor. The element is a gear train and is tensioned somewhat weaker.
How to put a belt on a washing machine
To return a product that has fallen off to its place, or to replace a faulty one, you will have to perform simple steps, working in a certain sequence. The step-by-step instructions are as follows:
- the washing machine is disconnected from the electrical network;
- the water supply to the device is cut off;
- the remaining liquid is drained, for which a container of the required volume is taken, the water intake hose is unscrewed from the body panel, the water from it is poured into the prepared container;
- To make the replacement easier, remove the back panel of the washing machine by first unscrewing the bolts that secure it, located along the perimeter of the wall;
- The drive belt, electrical wiring and sensors located in the immediate vicinity are inspected to ensure that they are not damaged in any way.
As soon as the cause of the belt breaking or falling off is established, it must be eliminated so that breakdowns do not recur in the future. The whole belt should be put on the place intended for it and tensioned; the torn part should be replaced with a new analogue.
How to proceed to install the belt correctly? To do this, you need to carefully place the element on the motor shaft, and then on the drum pulley. Once all the manipulations have been completed, all that remains is to pull the drive element with one hand, and with the other, slowly twist the pulley. It should be taken into account that when replacing the belt, it is necessary to place the belt in a special drive groove.
Having replaced the faulty part, we install the back panel in place and tighten the screws, connect the washing machine to all communications, and plug it into the electrical network.
Conclusion
We figured out why the belt falls off and how to fix the problem on our own. It is only recommended to take into account that there are quite tight products that can only be replaced with the help of a partner. In a word, some repair problems with a machine from the Indesit company will be within your capabilities if you act strictly according to the instructions.
