Washing Machines

Beko Washing Machine WMB81241LB Drum not turning

February 16, 2021
Customer Question

For a few weeks the spin cycle was incredibly noisy and now the drum doesn’t turn at all - the motor is working, it’s draining but the drum doesn’t move - there’s resistance if you try turning by hand. Could this be a drive belt or something else?Thanks

Paul
Paul Repair Expert


I will try and help with your Beko Washing Machine WMB81241LB problem.

Whenever a machine is doing strange noises like that you really should not continue to use it until you get it checked out and fixed as it will cause further damage. From what you describe it seems that the bearings started to collapse and eventually the drum spider broke and the drum lodged itself on the plastic tub. The drums on these machines is not considered "end of life" so you will not be able to get it anymore, and even if you could that would cost you the better part of £150, so it is time to cut your losses short and buy a new machine. For reference for others I've put the exploded diagrams below with the corresponding parts list.

You can find the spare parts at the bottom of this page.

 

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Common Beko Washing Machine WMB81241LB faults with links to the right repair guide

  1. The machine won’t fill with water

Make sure the door is properly closed, check that inlet hoses are clear and not kinked and that the water supply is connected and functioning. Water valve may be faulty See our video on water valves

  1. The drum doesn’t turn

There are a number of things that can cause this, including worn carbon brushes, drive belt problems, or a faulty motor or control unit PCB. On new machines with 3 phase motors or inverter motors, they get a lot of control board faults

  1. The machine stops mid-cycle

This generally means that the timer, thermostat, or heater had failed. The washing machine may stop due to these faults or the water rinse valve may be faulty or the machine has not emptied the water out of the drum in an allocated period of time.

  1. The washing machine is noisy

A rattle, while the drum is moving, could be due to something stuck in the drum, coins and bra wires are common culprits. You may be able to remove the drum paddles to get to the offending item or remove the sump hose or heater. It’s also worth checking the drain filter to make sure that’s clear. A noisy washing machine may also indicate failed or worn bearings or drum spider. Try turning the drum by hand when the machine is empty. If you hear a rumbling noise or can feel ‘play’ in the drum, it’s likely that the bearings need replacing. You can also get drum spring or shock absorber problems.

  1. Water not draining from the washing machine

This usually means there’s a blockage in the drainage filter, or the pump itself has failed. The first thing you’ll want to do is empty the water so you can rescue your laundry. Pull out the drain hose, pop it into a bucket and let gravity do the work. Also, check the sump hose and waste pipe if fitted to a sink unit the problem can also be the connection.

  1. The washing machine won’t spin

Problems with the spin cycle are relatively common washing machine faults, if your machine knows there is water still in the drum it will not allow the drum to spin it must empty in an allocated period of time. The good news is that they’re generally relatively inexpensive and simple to fix. Balance sensors will override the cycle if the clothes are unevenly distributed and could cause the machine to vibrate. This can happen if you’ve overloaded the washer, or if you’re trying to spin just a few items. Try reloading light loads or removing a few items from heavy ones. If this fails, motor carbon brushes may need to be replaced. On new machines with 3 phase motors or inverter motors, they get a lot of control board faults

  1. The door won’t open

This will usually be due to water not draining, or a faulty door lock. Drain manually as above. If that doesn’t fix the problem you may be able to remove the top of the machine and release the lock from the inside see videos.

  1. Clothes smell bad

If you always use low-temperature washes and biological detergents you could have a build-up of bacteria or even mold in the machine. Try running a hot empty wash once a week. You should also clean out the soap dispenser regularly, and leave the machine door open to air after you’ve removed the washing.

  1. The washing machine is damaging clothes

Tears in clothes indicate foreign bodies in the machine or damage to the drum.

10.The washing machine is constantly filling with water

the machine is siphoning or water valve is leaking

11.The machine reports a fault code or error code

Error codes can be on the display or given in certain lights flashing sequences. Washing machine fault codes are not universal but may only point you or an engineer in the right direction they are not 100% accurate they are only that for guidance. Your owner’s manual may help you identify the problem and even suggest a fix. In other cases, you’ll need an engineer to trace the fault. Don’t be tempted to ignore a fault code, even if the machine seems to be functioning normally. Some codes are ‘early warning signs’ and fixing the machine at an early stage could save you time and money in the long run. Contact us with the full model number and detailed description 

 

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