The belt on a washing machine is the connecting link between the motor and the drum, or rather the drive. When turned on, the motor begins to rotate and, with the help of a drive, rotates the drum. This is the operating principle of a washing machine. But sometimes it happens that the belt flies off the drum. Why is this happening?
Causes
The situation when the washing machine stopped working, and an autopsy showed that the drive belt had fallen off, can arise for several reasons:
- Under heavy load, when the machine operates intensively, the belt may fly off its drum. If this is an isolated case, then no need to worry, just install it in place and the machine will continue to work perfectly.
- If the situation repeats periodically, this may be due to the fact that the belt has stretched a little and flies off when rotating quickly. To fix the problem, you need to replace it with a new one.
- The situation may arise due to a loose motor mount, which changes its position and leads to weakening of the drive. The situation can be easily corrected if the engine is securely strengthened.
- The belt may fall off if the pulley is loosened. Fasten the pulley well - and the machine is ready for washing again.
- The tension may weaken due to deformation of the pulley or shaft. Such a malfunction requires replacement of the deformed part.
- The shaft is attached to the machine body via a cross. If it is damaged, it must be replaced.
- Worn bearings can cause the rotational motion of the drum to become distorted, causing the weakened belt to fly off.
- Infrequent use of the washing machine causes the drive belt to dry out. When you turn on the device, it may break.
What is a belt?
This is one of the important components of a washing machine because it transmits torque to the drum. Without it, the washing process will be impossible.
The belt lasts for many years if it is made of high-quality material and all requirements for operating the machine are met. A large number of belt drive failures occur due to the drum being overloaded with things. In this situation, the belt flies off the pulley or breaks.
The element is a connecting element from the electric motor to the drum. After power is supplied, the motor picks up speed and spins the drum through a belt.
But what often happens is that the belt in the washing machine comes off. Let's try to figure it out together about why this happens and what should be done.
Is it worth doing the repairs yourself?
Important! If you are far from repairing household appliances and have never done this before, then it is best to trust professionals who will fix the problem quickly and efficiently.
Any user can inspect and diagnose a washing machine. Depending on the malfunction detected, decide whether to seek help from a professional technician or deal with it yourself.
Before deciding to fix the problem, you should make sure whether the warranty period has expired? Manufacturers of equipment from well-known brands, such as Indesit, Samsung, Electrolux, provide a warranty period of one to three years.
If you decide to turn to professionals for help, then it is better to contact a service center. Why should this be done?
- A guarantee is provided for the repair work carried out.
- Replacement of components, if necessary, will be made from “original” parts.
- The competence of the craftsmen is beyond doubt.
And the master you find through an ad will not give any guarantees. He will replace the faulty part, but it is possible that it will be the wrong brand. How long the car will work after such repairs is also unknown.
Types of belts for washing machines
There are 2 types - wedge-shaped (solid) and polycline (rill). The V-belt is a more common option and has a one-piece design and a trapezoidal shape. For its production, polyester cords, cotton fabrics, and chloroprene rubber are most often used. These are durable and elastic materials. The negative side of this design is that if the tension is weak, the belt begins to slip, which negatively affects the spin speed. Therefore, you should tighten it so that the pull when pressing on the middle does not exceed 3-5 mm.
A poly V-belt or ridge belt is more often used in machines with a commutator engine. This type of design is characterized by the presence of a large number of teeth, and depending on the model of the washing machine, their number and location may vary.
The belts are put on according to the same pattern, but the tensioning process may differ. In some models, the design allows you to move the motor by adjusting the tension, but in others it is impossible to change it; in such cases, it is worth replacing the washing machine belt. Please note that when using a poly-wedge type, you need to control whether the teeth fall into place in order to avoid the part falling off again.
If belt deformation is detected, the most correct solution would be to replace it with a new part. If you can’t change the component, then you can try to repair it, but keep in mind that after a while the breakdown will make itself felt again.
How to install the belt yourself
Replacing a belt on a washing machine is a simple matter that even a beginner can handle:
- When repairing any electrical equipment, it is necessary to disconnect the device from the electrical network.
- To carry out inspection and diagnostics, it is necessary to remove the rear panel of the machine, which is secured with bolts.
- If the drive belt has come off, you should put it back in place. First put it on the motor shaft, and then pull it onto the pulley. Initially, only part of the circle, and then, turning the pulley, tighten it completely. It should fit snugly into the groove. Be sure to rotate the pulley several times to ensure the correct position of the belt.
- If the belt stretches or breaks, you need to purchase a new one. You can choose the right belt for your washing machine in a specialized store or service center.
- Close the back panel, securing it with bolts.
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 one fixed at , deviates from the given 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.
Selection rules
There are many similar-looking belts on sale, from which you need to choose the right one. To do this, we have provided general tips.
- If there are still markings on the old one, you need to choose a similar one. If it is not there, use the above classification or find the necessary information in the machine’s passport.
- When choosing, pay attention to quality. The polyurethane belt should have good stretch and no white stripes should appear on it when stretched.
- It is better to buy a belt that is reinforced with nylon or silk threads. It will be just as easy to put on, but even with heavy wear, tearing at speed is unlikely.
- Sizes play an important role. Even small deviations provoke either slippage or too much tension. All this reduces the service life of the machine.
- And buy belts only in specialized household appliance stores . It is impossible to determine the composition of the material at home, and you can only detect a fake after installation.
If the belt constantly falls off, this is a reason to look for the cause in the washing machine itself.
Signs of a broken belt
When a belt falls off or breaks, the car starts to operate differently. The reason for the stop lies in the interruption of the process of transferring energy from the engine to the drum. The rotation continues, but the drum stops and completes its rotation (unless this is provided by the washing method). The damage may not be immediately noticeable.
The machine can be equipped with an automatic diagnostic system, which will notify you of a problem with sound signals. If this does not happen, then the missing element can be determined by external indicators:
- the engine runs, but the drum does not rotate;
- uneven humming and jerking of the engine;
- the electronic shell freezes and shows incorrect data;
- weakness of the drum, the ability to scroll by hand.
