Replacing the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine

The belt is an essential component of automatic washing machines equipped with a commutator motor. The belt drive ensures the rotation of the drum, and therefore the washing process. Therefore, if the belt slips or becomes damaged, the machine cannot perform its functions. You can replace the belt on your Whirlpool washing machine yourself. We'll explain how to properly tighten it on the pulley, why the belt fails, and how to choose the right replacement.

What causes the belt to fail?

If the drum doesn't spin after starting the wash cycle, you'll need to check the belt. The drive mechanism is located behind the rear panel of the machine. To access the inside, you'll need to remove the rear panel. There are several reasons why the belt usually comes off.

1. Pulley damage. This is the drum "wheel" that receives impulses from the electric motor. If you consistently exceed the manufacturer's load capacity and overload the machine, the pulley can become deformed. As a result, the belt slips, unable to cope with the uneven tension.
2. Natural wear and tear of the belt. Over time, the drive belt can wear out and slip off the pulley. Modern washing machines are quite compact, and all internal components are located very close together, making belt wear difficult to avoid.
3. Drum imbalance. If items become tightly tangled during washing, the spinning action can cause the spinner to hit the drum. This collision can cause the rubber band to slip off.
4. Bearing damage. The drum of any Whirlpool washing machine contains bearings, which bear the brunt of the load. This reduces resistance and smooths the rotation of the elements. If the metal rings wear out, the internal components begin to vibrate excessively during the wash cycle. This also affects the pulley. With intense vibration, the belt can slip off or even break.

Oddly enough, belt slippage can be caused by very infrequent use of the equipment. In this case, parts of the drive mechanism dry out, and a sudden start of the cycle causes the belt to wear and tear.

Understanding that it is worth checking the rubber is not that difficult. Modern cars Whirlpool themselves report problems with the drive belt by displaying a corresponding error code on the display. It happens that the cycle is activated without any problems, but the drum does not start rotating, or rotates slowly, while making an unusual humming sound.

If the machine does not rotate the drum, but the centrifuge rotates freely by hand, then the problem is definitely with the belt.

It's necessary to partially disassemble the housing and inspect the drive mechanism. Don't delay in fixing the problem. It's crucial to select the right replacement drive belt. Let's look at what to look for when purchasing components.

We buy a spare part

It is important to install a belt that is suitable for a specific Whirlpool washing machine. When purchasing a new drive belt, you need to refer to the markings on the element. If the rubber band is so worn that the markings cannot be made out, you need to look at the machine model.

Before going to the store, take a photo or write down all the information from the washing machine's nameplate - it contains the model's serial number and other important information.

The following markings may appear on the belts of Whirlpool washing machines:

• 1204H8 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818167, 1956H7 OPTIBELT-WHP 481281718172, 1100J4 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481935810042, 1061J3 EL POLY MEGADYNE-WHP 481935818146, 1196J6 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728295, 1126J5 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481935810043, 1232J4 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481281728271;
• 1243H7 HUTCHINSON, 1318H7 OPTIBELT, 1965H7 HUTCHINSON, 1120J4 HUTCHINSON, 1242J5 EL OPTIBELT, 1250J5 EL OPTIBELT, 1248J5 EL HUTCHINSON, 1272J5 EL HUTCHINSON, 1310J8 EL WHIRLPOOL, 1951H7 WHIRLPOOL-ORIGINALE;
• 1243H8 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481935818143, 1890H5 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481281728436, 1930H7 HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728437, 1972H7 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481281728273, 1092J4 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 482235818028, 1194J5 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481981728269, 1207J4 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818204, 1280J5 HUTCHINSON 481935810051;
• 1287H8 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728277, 1904H7 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481935818156, 1951H7 HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818156, 1992H7 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481935828002, 1105J5 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481935810036, 1232J4 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481281728271, 1245J5 EL POLY MEGADYNE WHP 481235818174, 1239J5 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818215, 1250J4 EL OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481235818056;
• 1287H8 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481281718171, 1930H6 HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728292, 1970H7 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481235818051, 2010H7 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 480112101469, 1091J4 EL OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 48128172827, 1196J6 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728295, 1200J4 HUTCHINSON, 1245J4 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481281728291, 1262J5 OPTIBELT, 1238J4 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818214, 1264J6 EL WHIRLPOOL 481235818212;
• 1287H8 OPTIBELT-WHIRLPOOL 481281718171, 1894H7 WHIRLPOOL 481281718155, 1940H8 EL OPTIBELT-WHP 481935818127, 1975H7 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481281728433, 1196J6 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728295, 1270J6 OPTIBELT, 1240J6 EL HUTCHINSON, 481935818019 WHIRLPOOL, 1249J6 ORIG. WHIRLPOOL 480111102198;
• 1229H6 EL WHIRLPOOL 480111101149, 1965H8 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481235818154, 1110J5 HUTCHINSON, 1254J5 HUTCHINSON, 1271J4 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818197, WHIRLPOOL 481201221124, 481935818142 WHIRLPOOL.

Once you've purchased the right belt, you can begin repairing the drive mechanism. Let's look at how to properly install the rubber.

How to fix a car?

Even a novice can replace a damaged belt. The key is to follow the instructions carefully. First, be sure to ensure safety: before starting work, disconnect the power to the washing machine and turn off the water supply. Second, move the washing machine away from walls and furniture to gain easy access to the rear of the machine.

The next step is to disconnect the inlet hose from the back of the washing machine. Keep in mind that the hose contains water, so have a small container handy to catch the drain. To replace the damaged belt with a new one:

• Remove all the screws securing the rear panel. Set the wall aside;
• If the belt has come off, lift it up; it should be lying underneath. If it's simply badly damaged, pull it off the pulley;
• Inspect the wires and sensors located in close proximity to the rubber band. Make sure the wiring is not damaged;
• take a new drive belt, pull it onto the engine pulley;
• place the rubber band on the drum pulley, holding the belt with one hand and slowly turning the wheel clockwise with the other;
• Make sure the strap is positioned correctly in the designated area;
• Assemble the case - screw the back panel back on.

By following these instructions, even a person who is not familiar with washing machines can install the drive belt correctly. After assembling the case, you need to connect the appliance to the water supply, open the shut-off valve and run a test wash. If the machine starts to spin the drum smoothly, then the replacement was done correctly.

If the drum rotates properly after replacing the belt, but you hear an unusual knocking or rattling noise, it's best to check the bearing assembly and shock absorbers. If these components are damaged, the new rubber will quickly fail again. Replacing the drive belt is considered a minor job, so you don't need to call a professional for this repair. You can install the rubber belt on the pulley yourself; the main thing is to follow the instructions and purchase a new part with the correct markings.

   

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