Fixing/repairing white goods
Discussion
Hi all,
Our dishwasher packed up the other day, no hot water coming through. Although for a fair few weeks previous we've had on/off issues with the in control panel not working properly.
Anyway, my wife bought a new one, coming tomorrow and being fitted whilst the old is taken away. It'll cost a bit under £400 all in.
Did she do the right thing? Is it worth repairing things anymore? I thought it could well be the heating element but equally If the control board is borked it could be linked to that. Fixing it might cost £200+ and time we don't really have and then it'll still be a 7+ year old dishwasher.
We don't have masses of money so it's definitely an expense we could have done without. Does anyone else on here try hard to fix rather than just replace or is it not worth doing nowadays (with cost of labour etc)
Our dishwasher packed up the other day, no hot water coming through. Although for a fair few weeks previous we've had on/off issues with the in control panel not working properly.
Anyway, my wife bought a new one, coming tomorrow and being fitted whilst the old is taken away. It'll cost a bit under £400 all in.
Did she do the right thing? Is it worth repairing things anymore? I thought it could well be the heating element but equally If the control board is borked it could be linked to that. Fixing it might cost £200+ and time we don't really have and then it'll still be a 7+ year old dishwasher.
We don't have masses of money so it's definitely an expense we could have done without. Does anyone else on here try hard to fix rather than just replace or is it not worth doing nowadays (with cost of labour etc)
I’d always try to fix but it makes it a multi day process.. tracking down spares, working out how to disassemble etc
I find dishwashers are fiddly to dismantle too
Can see why it’s much more attractive to just go to AO and order something fitted next day.. especially if it’s the washing machine and the clothes are piling up!
I find dishwashers are fiddly to dismantle too
Can see why it’s much more attractive to just go to AO and order something fitted next day.. especially if it’s the washing machine and the clothes are piling up!
I try to mend most things and usually I'm sucessful. I start with the pretext that in trying to do so I may destroy it, but it was going in the bin anyway so nothing to loose,
Also I think that someone put this together in a factory, so not a highly intelligent person, which means I can do it
Also I think that someone put this together in a factory, so not a highly intelligent person, which means I can do it
I would have had a go at fixing it. But if I had to pay someone to fix it I would just buy a new one. Getting the parts is always the difficult bit. Often they are far too expensive.
I will be replacing the drum bearings in our washing machine 1 day this week. Take it apart and then buy the bits as that way you will end up with the correct parts.
I will be replacing the drum bearings in our washing machine 1 day this week. Take it apart and then buy the bits as that way you will end up with the correct parts.
For me, it very much matters how old the appliance is, and what the issue seems to be.
I always buy low end washing machines, dishwashers etc.. They only tend to cost ~£200.
When I've had a problem, especially intermittent type issues, I have a look at the parts availability of the suspect parts, and often they are obsolete.
Generally, these appliances have lasted around 10 years, and so based on the above, I just get a new 'cheap' appliance.
I always buy low end washing machines, dishwashers etc.. They only tend to cost ~£200.
When I've had a problem, especially intermittent type issues, I have a look at the parts availability of the suspect parts, and often they are obsolete.
Generally, these appliances have lasted around 10 years, and so based on the above, I just get a new 'cheap' appliance.
I will always have a go, changed my washing macine bearing a few times, but alot of stuff is not built to be fixed, and parts can be hard to find/expensive.
Such is the way of the world now, its a throw away world.
My built in oven failed just before christmas, it needed two new elements, a new oven was only £50 more than the parts.
Such is the way of the world now, its a throw away world.
My built in oven failed just before christmas, it needed two new elements, a new oven was only £50 more than the parts.
Now you've all just made me feel bad. I think I could probably fix it on my own, with some time.
But I have two very young kids, one with neuro diverse issues, and spare time just doesn't exist anymore. 5 years ago I had loads of it. Also one meal seems to create 300.items to wash nowadays and I already miss my dishwasher after just a few days!
Oh well, it's done now. Hopefully the old one doesn't just go to landfill and someone somewhere will mend or reuse it.
But I have two very young kids, one with neuro diverse issues, and spare time just doesn't exist anymore. 5 years ago I had loads of it. Also one meal seems to create 300.items to wash nowadays and I already miss my dishwasher after just a few days!
Oh well, it's done now. Hopefully the old one doesn't just go to landfill and someone somewhere will mend or reuse it.
I have had a go at a couple. One when money was a bit tighter (young family, wife not working) and one more recently because the applicance was only a few years old
For context I used to be a refrigeration and air conditioning service engineer so test meters and wiring diagrams were second nature to me
Washer/Drier, tumble dry cycle not getting hot. Traced to heating element failed. Obtained and fitted new. Worked but never seemed to get as warm/dry effectively. Ordered what was supposed to be the correct part from an aftermarket supplier but who knows.
Fridge Freezer kept defrosting after a few days. Despite being a recognised brand, info was limited and could have been defrost heater (built right in, wasn’t changing that), defrost sensor (seemed to meter out ok) or control board. Wasn’t going to risk buying and fitting something that didn’t work and having a freezer of ruined food.
Much more recently the door catch failed on the replacement washer/drier. Bearings were already noisy, so crowbarred it open and ordered a new one from AO
For context I used to be a refrigeration and air conditioning service engineer so test meters and wiring diagrams were second nature to me
Washer/Drier, tumble dry cycle not getting hot. Traced to heating element failed. Obtained and fitted new. Worked but never seemed to get as warm/dry effectively. Ordered what was supposed to be the correct part from an aftermarket supplier but who knows.
Fridge Freezer kept defrosting after a few days. Despite being a recognised brand, info was limited and could have been defrost heater (built right in, wasn’t changing that), defrost sensor (seemed to meter out ok) or control board. Wasn’t going to risk buying and fitting something that didn’t work and having a freezer of ruined food.
Much more recently the door catch failed on the replacement washer/drier. Bearings were already noisy, so crowbarred it open and ordered a new one from AO
I'm going to have a look at our tumble drier on Tuesday. I am advised by Mrs21 its "broken" and when switched on it makes a squealing noise until it stops working (the RCD trips).
Sounds like motors knackered to me, if its more than something a PTFE spray can fix a new machine is 250 quid so thats likely to be the quicked option. Drying clothes in the winter can't wait more than 48 hours.
Sounds like motors knackered to me, if its more than something a PTFE spray can fix a new machine is 250 quid so thats likely to be the quicked option. Drying clothes in the winter can't wait more than 48 hours.
Very coincidental timing, our dishwasher stopped working on December 30th. Pump had seized up, I'd neglected the salt reservoir for too long and our hard water got to it. On the basis of this:
It also comes with an app so I can track water and power usage, all for the small price of some unsecured IoT thing harvesting all my data. Stuck it in a little VLAN where it can't do (much) harm, and also named it Boschwasher on the network because I'm a child.
Metric Max said:
I try to mend most things and usually I'm sucessful. I start with the pretext that in trying to do so I may destroy it, but it was going in the bin anyway so nothing to loose
I tried to take it apart as I figured descaling a pump couldn't be that hard. But then, on the basis of this:richhead said:
I will always have a go, changed my washing macine bearing a few times, but alot of stuff is not built to be fixed, and parts can be hard to find/expensive.
I rapidly ran out of time, talent, and inclination to fix it. I also realised I was creating a fire and flood hazard simultaneously, so I ordered a replacement. It was integrated, so I enjoyed the challenge of getting the old door panel off and attaching it to the new one so that it looked as seamless as the old installation:It also comes with an app so I can track water and power usage, all for the small price of some unsecured IoT thing harvesting all my data. Stuck it in a little VLAN where it can't do (much) harm, and also named it Boschwasher on the network because I'm a child.
Metric Max said:
I try to mend most things and usually I'm sucessful. I start with the pretext that in trying to do so I may destroy it, but it was going in the bin anyway so nothing to loose,
Also I think that someone put this together in a factory, so not a highly intelligent person, which means I can do it
This... You've very little to lose by having a go. Also I think that someone put this together in a factory, so not a highly intelligent person, which means I can do it
There is nothing like the satisfaction of fixing something for £20 when you thought you'd be £300 in for a new one. So rewarding.
Plus, greener and cleaner innit? Better for the polar bears.
Slightly different but I like to try and fix. One of my two electric up and over sectional garage door stopped working. Took the motor cover off and found a worn out nylon gear/ sprocket. The US company were sold to someone else. After a bit of internet searching and help here I discovered the part was available.
Then discovered a YouTube video of the fix. Bearing in mind I was getting quotes for two new doors in excess of £5.5k.
I fixed it for £14.00 and bought two spare sprockets for future use.
Then discovered a YouTube video of the fix. Bearing in mind I was getting quotes for two new doors in excess of £5.5k.
I fixed it for £14.00 and bought two spare sprockets for future use.
It's fair enough to try and fix if there's little or no cost involved, but with a dishwasher the heater might be integrated into the wash pump, or it could be the control board, so you're into expensive parts with no certainty that you're changing the right thing.
I've spent two hours today trying to fix an air mattress we pressed into unexpected service over the holidays - but no luck, it's split on a welded detail (one of the separation/support columns) and I can't get a patch to stick.
I've spent two hours today trying to fix an air mattress we pressed into unexpected service over the holidays - but no luck, it's split on a welded detail (one of the separation/support columns) and I can't get a patch to stick.
A lot of the time, it comes down to making an assessment of the issue and the cost of the repair, the time and effort involved and the cost of a replacement instead.
Over the last few years, we’ve had several appliances fail on us.
Firstly, the dryer started making a terrible noise/vibration – clearly the bearings had gone. Long out of warranty. I had a look at the scope of the repair with some guides online, and ordered a set of bearings and belts for next day delivery on Amazon - $48. 2 hours of my time, one of which was removing a screw that seized and the head came out of. Still going strong years later, and I have 2 of the bearings and half the belts as spares still. Well worth doing.
Next, the washer failed to pump down and was left full of soapy water. Drained it manually, checked the filter - slightly blocked though probably not enough to cause an issue, tested it just in case this was the problem...failed again. Drained it down again, took it apart down to the pump, self-diagnosed a drain pump issue (well, duh), ordered one from amazon for next-day delivery, $24. Left it dismantled ready for reassembly, 1hr40minutes of my time in all, fixed and still good years later.
Fridge started making a horrific noise; diagnosed that as a cooling fan (covered under mountains of fluff…), replaced the motor for $8 and a couple of hours of struggle. Bought a flexible drive screwdriver to make it easier next time.
First dishwasher failed; bits of impellor were found inside it when I removed it. 20 years old. Didn’t fancy stripping it down to replace something like that, binned it. I hated it anyway. If I thought it was worth keeping, might have tried to replace it….but frankly I think that was a deconstruction too far. Bought another the same day, brought it home and installed it, job done. Took great delight in stripping the old one down to the tub and cutting that up; all went into the trash.
Its replacement was also problematic. Started having drain issues that I eventually fixed after some thought for about $4 in rubber plugs and 20 minutes of time. Worth doing.
It then developed a flickering display, resolved by dismantling it and reseating all the cables, which cost nothing but 30 minutes of my time, and resolved it completely.
However, after about 5 years, it stopped with a burning smell and a fault code of ‘check motor and motor wiring’. Binned. Was never going to trust it after that.
Basically, it’s worth looking at fixing most things, or to see what the likely cost of repair is, before making a judgement on it.
With your dishwasher, I’d have googled it to see if this was a common issue, and gone from there – after my issues with the control panel above, I’d have been fine with diving in.
Over the last few years, we’ve had several appliances fail on us.
Firstly, the dryer started making a terrible noise/vibration – clearly the bearings had gone. Long out of warranty. I had a look at the scope of the repair with some guides online, and ordered a set of bearings and belts for next day delivery on Amazon - $48. 2 hours of my time, one of which was removing a screw that seized and the head came out of. Still going strong years later, and I have 2 of the bearings and half the belts as spares still. Well worth doing.
Next, the washer failed to pump down and was left full of soapy water. Drained it manually, checked the filter - slightly blocked though probably not enough to cause an issue, tested it just in case this was the problem...failed again. Drained it down again, took it apart down to the pump, self-diagnosed a drain pump issue (well, duh), ordered one from amazon for next-day delivery, $24. Left it dismantled ready for reassembly, 1hr40minutes of my time in all, fixed and still good years later.
Fridge started making a horrific noise; diagnosed that as a cooling fan (covered under mountains of fluff…), replaced the motor for $8 and a couple of hours of struggle. Bought a flexible drive screwdriver to make it easier next time.
First dishwasher failed; bits of impellor were found inside it when I removed it. 20 years old. Didn’t fancy stripping it down to replace something like that, binned it. I hated it anyway. If I thought it was worth keeping, might have tried to replace it….but frankly I think that was a deconstruction too far. Bought another the same day, brought it home and installed it, job done. Took great delight in stripping the old one down to the tub and cutting that up; all went into the trash.
Its replacement was also problematic. Started having drain issues that I eventually fixed after some thought for about $4 in rubber plugs and 20 minutes of time. Worth doing.
It then developed a flickering display, resolved by dismantling it and reseating all the cables, which cost nothing but 30 minutes of my time, and resolved it completely.
However, after about 5 years, it stopped with a burning smell and a fault code of ‘check motor and motor wiring’. Binned. Was never going to trust it after that.
Basically, it’s worth looking at fixing most things, or to see what the likely cost of repair is, before making a judgement on it.
With your dishwasher, I’d have googled it to see if this was a common issue, and gone from there – after my issues with the control panel above, I’d have been fine with diving in.
21TonyK said:
I'm going to have a look at our tumble drier on Tuesday. I am advised by Mrs21 its "broken" and when switched on it makes a squealing noise until it stops working (the RCD trips).
Sounds like motors knackered to me, if its more than something a PTFE spray can fix a new machine is 250 quid so thats likely to be the quicked option. Drying clothes in the winter can't wait more than 48 hours.
Either that, or just as likely bearings, putting extra load on it. On my dryer, 2 had clearly seized completely, and flat-spotted the rubber wheels until the drum was bouncing off them. Open it up, take the drive belt off, turn the drum by hand, and see how it feels. Equally, try to turn the motor using the belt. It should be fairly easy to determine which is the issue.Sounds like motors knackered to me, if its more than something a PTFE spray can fix a new machine is 250 quid so thats likely to be the quicked option. Drying clothes in the winter can't wait more than 48 hours.
One thing I will say about the US is that with everything being bigger, it makes things a lot easier to work on.
I don’t just look at the cost of parts but also the cost of my time where I use my hourly rate at work; if the firm I work for value ny time at £x per hour then I should value it at at least the same rate if not more.
It’s rarely cost effective to fix things like white goods on this basis.
It’s rarely cost effective to fix things like white goods on this basis.
I've been paying an extended warranty/breakdown cover on my dishwasher.
When it packed up last summer I called for help. It must have needed half a dozen visits over as many weeks to get the issue fixed. And the number of new parts swapped into I, it was practically a new dishwasher by the time it was working again.
Coimcidemtally the total monthly payment for the additional cover could have paid for a new dishwasher by now.
Choices, choices.
When it packed up last summer I called for help. It must have needed half a dozen visits over as many weeks to get the issue fixed. And the number of new parts swapped into I, it was practically a new dishwasher by the time it was working again.
Coimcidemtally the total monthly payment for the additional cover could have paid for a new dishwasher by now.
Choices, choices.
I generally buy the lower priced brands of white goods, so the risk of overspending on repairs is high.
When I suspected a bush needed replacing on a previous washing machine the cost for the part was around £40, but I ran the risk of ordering the wrong bush and then having to buy the correct one, so a possible £80 repair. When I considered that a new washing machine was going to be £200 with a years guarantee and have its full life ahead of it then I just bought a new one instead.
When I suspected a bush needed replacing on a previous washing machine the cost for the part was around £40, but I ran the risk of ordering the wrong bush and then having to buy the correct one, so a possible £80 repair. When I considered that a new washing machine was going to be £200 with a years guarantee and have its full life ahead of it then I just bought a new one instead.
In 50 years of married life, I've fixed almost everything. It probably helps that I served an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering...
AEG washing machine lasted 23 years with two changes of the cruciform bearing at about £12 each
Bosch dishwasher lasted about 15 years with one pump and one float switch.
Zanussi tumble dryer is still alive after - ooo - it must be 30 years with two belt changes.
Worcester-Bosch combi boiler still alive after 28 years after replacing almost of the internals at least once (three fans, two pumps, one pressure vessel, one control panel, two pressure relief valves, two heat exchangers - not all done by me though!
AEG washing machine lasted 23 years with two changes of the cruciform bearing at about £12 each
Bosch dishwasher lasted about 15 years with one pump and one float switch.
Zanussi tumble dryer is still alive after - ooo - it must be 30 years with two belt changes.
Worcester-Bosch combi boiler still alive after 28 years after replacing almost of the internals at least once (three fans, two pumps, one pressure vessel, one control panel, two pressure relief valves, two heat exchangers - not all done by me though!
Japveesix said:
Now you've all just made me feel bad. I think I could probably fix it on my own, with some time.
Or you could have bought the part you think needs replacing, and manage to replace it, and it still does not work. Or you take it to bits and then can't get it back together again. In which case, you've then wasted a load of money and will have to buy a new machine anyway. So you end up being worse off.I'd have bought a new one as well.
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