How to replace a belt on an Indesit washing machine

The user will understand that the drive belt has failed, according to certain signs: the error code appears on the display, extraneous noise emitted by the machine, etc. To eliminate this type of malfunction, it is not necessary to contact a service center, you can replace the belt on the Indesit washing machine by yourself. We will figure out how to diagnose this breakdown, by what signs it should be done, and how to repair the washing machine with your own hands.

We localize the breakdown

There are a lot of signs indicating that a failure of the drive element of the machine has occurred. Firstly, it is the error code displayed by the unit, which is shown on the electronic display, and if it is absent, it is highlighted by certain indicators.

The next obvious sign indicating a breakdown of this kind will be a drum that does not rotate during washing, or a situation where its rotation occurs very slowly and is accompanied by scraping sounds.

Important! This breakdown is serious enough, because at the time of a belt break, a break in the power wires or damage to any sensors may occur.

Why does the Indesit washing machine belt break? There can be quite a few reasons.

1. Drum pulley malfunction. This is caused by incorrect loading of laundry, exceeding the permissible mass of things placed in the machine, the occurrence of an imbalance, etc. Under the influence of these factors, the belt can come off, tear, and loosen.
2. Natural wear. Any thing can wear out over time, and, often, only a few parts function smoothly throughout their entire service life. Premature wear of the drive belt can be caused by the daily operation of the machine, as well as its design (in narrow CMA, the belt wears out faster than in standard models).
3. Incorrect load of laundry. Exceeding the permissible mass of the loaded laundry by the manufacturer leads to an imbalance in the drum - things are shifted in one direction. During the spin process, which occurs at high revolutions, the drum may accidentally hit the tank, this will lead to a slipping of the drive belt.
4. Faulty bearings required for uniform, proper rotation of the drum. Bearing problems will result in increased vibration of the pulley, as a result of which the drive element may break or fly off.
5. Very rare use of a washer. It would seem that the less you operate the machine, the more complete it will be. This is not entirely true. As for the belt, with rare use, its sections dry out. In subsequent washing cycles, they are erased, this entails stretching and tearing off the drive element.

If you still could not prevent the root cause of the breakdown, you should eliminate the malfunction as soon as possible. Let's talk how to replace the drive element in the Indesit washing machines.

We get the "right" belt

It is not worth buying a part at random, it is very easy to make a mistake with the marking here. It is best to get the damaged belt out of the unit and take it with you to the store. The sales specialist will carefully examine the part you provided, check the marking, and select the replacement item you need. If you want to buy a belt in an online store, be sure to look at the marking, and select the correct part from it. We will provide for your consideration several markings of drive belts suitable for various Indesit washing machines:

• MEGADYNE EL 1187 H7;
• MEGADYNE EL 1195 H7;
• HUTCHINSON 8PHE 1195;
• CONTITECH EL 1195 H7, etc.

When choosing a replacement part, be sure to study the length and type of belt. In Indesit typewriters there are two types of drive elements: wedge and semi-wedge.The first option is found in washing machines equipped with an asynchronous motor, the section of the V-belt is similar to a triangle or a trapezoid. A distinctive feature of this type of product is strong tension and a small deflection in the center.

Semi-V-belts are used in machines with commutator motors. The element is presented in the form of a small number of serrated wedges. Unlike a V-belt, it should be pulled a little weaker. Please note that after all, in some narrow models, the semi-V-belt should stretch very tightly.

Important! When buying parts in specialized stores, it is permissible to name the manager only the make and model of the automatic machine. Based on these data, a specialist will offer you the right belt.

Work Instructions

To put on a drive belt, which simply flew off, or put a new one instead of a torn one, you need to implement a simple algorithm of actions. A step-by-step instruction for performing the work will be as follows.

1. Disconnect the machine from the power supply.
2. Turn off the valve that regulates the intake of water into the tank.
3. Drain the remaining water, for this, take a container of a suitable volume, unscrew the intake hose from the body, pour the liquid from it into the prepared container.
4. Remove the back cover of the washer body by unscrewing the fixing bolts located around its perimeter.
5. Inspect the drive belt, wires and sensors located next to it for any damage.

When the cause of the failure of the automatic machine is determined, proceed to its elimination. If the belt is whole and just loose, pull it back. If it is torn, install a new one.

Put the belt in place as follows: gently pull the element onto the motor shaft, then - on the drum pulley. When carrying out these manipulations, it is necessary to tighten the belt with one hand and slightly turn the pulley with the other. Note that the drive belt must be located directly in the special groove.

After the defective part has been replaced, the back cover of the unit body must be screwed into place. Do not forget to fix it with the bolts that were unscrewed at the beginning of the work. Next, the washing machine is connected to utilities and connected to the network.

You can fix the breakdown caused by a malfunction of the belt on the Indesit machine yourself, without going to the repairman for help. However, keep in mind that there are very tight drive elements, and in order to pull them you may need the help of a family member.