Replacing the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine

Replacing the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine The belt is an integral element of automatic washing machines equipped with a commutator motor. The belt drive ensures the rotation of the drum, which means washing the clothes. Therefore, if the rubber band falls off or is damaged, the machine cannot perform its functions. You can replace the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine yourself. We'll tell you how to properly pull it onto a pulley, why the rubber band fails, and how not to make a mistake when choosing a new element.

What causes a belt to fail?

If after starting the wash the drum does not start to rotate, you will have to check the belt. The drive mechanism is located behind the rear panel of the housing. To gain access to the inside of the machine, you need to detach the back wall. There are several reasons why a belt usually falls off.

Pulley damage. This is a drum “wheel” that receives impulses from an electric motor. If you systematically violate the permissible load weight of laundry set by the manufacturer and put too many things into the machine, the pulley may become deformed. As a result, the belt flies off, unable to cope with the uneven tension.
Natural wear and tear of the rubber band. Over time, the drive belt can wear out and slip off the pulley. Modern washing machines are quite compact; all internal parts are located too close, so it is difficult to avoid abrasion of the strap.
Imbalance in the drum. If things clump into a tight ball during washing, then with intense rotation the “centrifuge” may hit the tank. The result of such a collision may be a slipped rubber band.
Damage to the bearing unit. The drum of any Whirlpool machine has bearings - they bear the main load on their shoulders.Due to this, resistance is reduced and the rotation of the elements becomes softer. If the metal rings wear out, the internal parts begin to vibrate excessively when washed. This does not bypass the pulley either. With strong “shaking”, the belt may fly off or even break.

Oddly enough, very infrequent use of the equipment can cause the belt to fly off. In this case, sections of the drive mechanism dry out, and a sudden start of the cycle leads to the belt wearing out and breaking.

Knowing when to check your rubber band isn't all that difficult. Modern cars Whirlpool themselves report problems with the drive belt by displaying the corresponding fault code on the display. It happens that the cycle is activated without problems, but the drum never begins to rotate, or it rotates at a slower pace, while making an uncharacteristic hum.

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

It is necessary to partially disassemble the housing and inspect the drive mechanism. You cannot delay solving the problem. It is important to select a suitable drive belt for replacement. Let's figure out what to look for when purchasing components.

We buy a spare part

It is important to install a strap that is suitable specifically for a specific Whirlpool washing machine. When purchasing a new drive belt, you need to focus on the marking of the element. If the rubber band is so worn that the symbols cannot be read, you need to look at the model of the machine.

Before going to the store, take a photo or copy down all the information from the “nameplate” of the washer - it shows the model serial number and other important information.

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

1204H8 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481235818167, 1956H7 OPTIBELT-WHP 481281718172, 1100J4 HUTCHINSON-WHIRLPOOL 481935810042, 1061J3 EL POLY MEGADYNE-WHP 48193581814 6, 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 WHIRL POOL, 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, 11 96J6 EL HUTCHINSON-WHP 481281728295, 1270J6 OPTIBELT, 1240J6 EL HUTCHINSON, 481935818019 WHIRLPOOL, 1249J6 ORIG. WHIRLPOOL 480111102198;
WHIRLPOOL 4 81201221124, 481935818142 WHIRLPOOL.

Having purchased a suitable belt, you can begin repairing the drive mechanism. Let's figure out how to install the rubber band correctly.

How to fix a machine?

Even a beginner can tighten a belt to replace a damaged one. The main thing is to act consistently, following the instructions. Firstly, be sure to take care of safety - before starting work, turn off the power to the washing machine and turn off the tap responsible for supplying water to the machine. Secondly, you need to move the washing machine away from the walls and furniture to gain free access to the back of the case.

The next step is to disconnect the inlet hose from the back panel of the automatic machine. Please note that there is water in the tube, so have a small container on hand to drain. To install a new belt instead of a damaged one: how to tension a new belt

Unscrew all the bolts securing the back panel. Move the wall aside;
when the belt comes off, lift it, it should lie below. If it is 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;
put the rubber band on the drum pulley, holding the belt with one hand, and slowly turning the wheel clockwise with the other;
make sure that the strap is located exactly in the space provided for it;
Assemble the case - screw the back panel back on.

By following these instructions, even a person who does not understand the structure of washing machines can install the drive belt correctly. After assembling the case, you need to connect the equipment to the water supply, open the shut-off valve and run a test wash. If the machine starts to spin the drum calmly, it means the replacement was completed correctly.

If, after replacing the belt, the drum rotates as it should, but you hear an uncharacteristic knocking and rumble, it is better to check the bearing assembly and shock absorbers of the washer. When these elements are damaged, the new rubber band will fail again very quickly. The job of replacing the drive belt is an easy one. Therefore, for such repairs it is not necessary to invite a specialist. You can put the rubber band on the pulley yourself, the main thing is to follow the instructions and purchase a new spare part with the appropriate marking.