Replacing the drain pump (pump) on the BOSCH Maxx 4 WFC 1600 washing machine

The Bosch Maxx 4 washing machine is a popular model. The manufacturer took care of many little details. It appeared in the product range a long time ago. This is a classic in the world of washing machines. Under the general name Bosch Maxx 4 there are several different options. For example, you can find Bosch Maxx WFC 2060 or WFC 1663 OE. The Latin abbreviation WFC is a subclass, and WFC 2060 and WFC 1663 OE are the names of different variations. The Bosch Maxx 4 WFC 2060 washing machine and the Bosch Maxx 4 WFC washing machine differ slightly in additional functions and design features. The main thing is that this is Bosch Maxx 4.

Washing machine Bosch Maxx 4

Model features

This washing machine does not have a display. Operating a Bosch Maxx 4 washing machine means 5.9 years of service without breakdowns. But there is one feature due to which operation can be difficult. Bosch Maxx WFC does not have a screen, and this, of course, is a minus. Bosch Maxx 5 washing machines already have a screen.

The absence of a display is:

  • Additional protection against mechanical damage;
  • Dialogue using LEDs.

Dialogue using LEDs requires greater concentration. For some, exploitation becomes a problem; it is not easy to adapt. The display looks beautiful, we got used to it. In practice, it’s easy to do without it - the washing machine is still functional. The photo shows that the appearance is quite aesthetic and will suit different bathroom designs.

Intelligent Control

The instructions for the Bosch Maxx 4 washing machine are a wonderful source of information for a more thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages. Reading the characteristics and studying this document, you can immediately notice that the intelligent control includes 15 programs. This is a lot.

There is an opinion that simplicity is the source of perfection, and the more complex the software is, the more often repairs are required. In fact, this is just a myth. The operation of washing machines with a wide range of functions is in no way connected with regular visits by a service center specialist. Bosch Maxx 4 repairs are rarely needed. By buying this washing machine, a person buys German Bosch quality.

Typically a washing machine contains 6-10 programs. The operation of such equipment is associated with fewer difficulties. There is no need to think long about which operating mode to choose. Options such as washing synthetics, wool, cotton, for example, are considered standard. When you press the corresponding button, a certain algorithm of actions is launched. It is specified by the manufacturer. It can only be partially corrected. How long the wash will last, to what temperature the water will be heated, how many times the laundry will be rinsed - all these are program parameters.

The instructions for Bosch Maxx 4 do not contain a detailed description of the algorithms for each of the 15 programs. This description should be found in the instruction manual for the Bosch Maxx 4. But one interesting program is also mentioned in the instructions - the Aqua Spar system is available. This is the so-called intensive wash.

Safety precautions

To ensure safe operation of washing equipment, you must carefully read the instructions. For it, you should determine a place in the house where it can be immediately found if necessary.

When operating the machine, the following safety rules must be observed:

  1. The device can only be used at home for washing textiles. The machine must be connected to cold water,
  2. Keep pets and small children away from the equipment.
  3. Do not touch the glass of the machine door while it is in operation. The glass can be very hot.
  4. Turn the machine on and off only with dry hands,
  5. Cut off the power cord and break the hatch door lock when disposing of the unit. This is necessary so that small children do not lock themselves in the car if they play with it.
  6. When connecting and installing the device, follow all rules. This will avoid electric shock, water leakage, fire and other accidents.

The equipment manufacturer is not responsible for the safety of your health and property if the above safety requirements are violated.

What is Aqua Spar

A washing program with a rather complex algorithm - intensive wash Aqua Spar, which is in the Bosch Maxx 4, was created so that each person can consume powder and water in moderate quantities. Even in cases of heavy soiling, there is no need to add a lot of detergents. The Bosch Maxx 4 washing machine will cope with the task. The so-called asymmetrical grip system takes care of your laundry and your budget.

Water enters the Bosch Maxx 4 drum at different angles, from different sides, and ensures uniform moistening and distribution of detergent. This is, of course, a plus. Dry areas during the initial wash cycle can damage the fabric. Thanks to this original option, washing machine repairs and wardrobe changes are postponed until later, because machine parts and fabric are practically not damaged.

How to start the wash?

When starting the washing machine, you first need to turn on the cold water supply. Then you need to connect the equipment to the electrical network. Using the selector, select the desired program.

The buttons on the control panel allow you to select an additional function if necessary. Next you need to click the “Start” button. At this moment the washing process should start. Now you just need to wait for the process to complete.

In some cases, it is necessary to stop the running program and change the washing mode.

To do this you need to do the following:

  • The program selector must be set to the “zero” position.
  • Wait a couple of seconds and select a new washing mode.
  • Start the wash by pressing the appropriate button. The washing program will change and the laundry process will begin again.

It is important not only to choose the right washing mode, but also to pour the detergent into the correct compartment of the powder receptacle. To avoid mistakes at this stage, you need to know how the dispenser works.

The Bosch Maxx 4 powder receptacle contains only three sections:

  • Air conditioner compartment (in the middle),
  • Section for main detergent (left). This compartment is also designed for bleach,
  • Soaking section (right).

When washing without a soaking step, the washing powder should be poured only into the cell located on the left. When washing clothes with soaking, the powder must be added to the right cell. Air conditioning, as already mentioned, needs to be added to the middle section.

Control system

The instructions for Bosch Maxx WFC contain information that the intelligent control is complemented by a foam level control program and an imbalance control program. These are significant benefits that make your washing machine last longer. The control system was called Fuzzy Logic. How it works? It's simple.

If things produce a lot of foam, and this is possible when they contain padding polyester filler, for example, the control program will stop the process in a timely manner, and it will be possible to replace the water. This is easier than removing it from the floor if water suddenly leaks from the drum.

The instructions state that the maximum load volume is 4 kg, and if the laundry is distributed correctly and the load is formed, there will be no problems. In fact, there are exceptions to the rules. It’s great that the Bosch Maxx WFC washing machine also takes care of loading according to the rules. Breaking a washing machine with your own hands is a shame. It’s good that she controls the process, warns, helps, and stops it in a timely manner. Operation turns from a complex process with many rules into the pleasure of a clear algorithm, a partnership with technology.

Practical implications of a control program

A washing machine is an integral system in which the wear of one part entails damage to others. The motor is connected to the drum using a belt. It is the engine that creates and corrects rotation. The drum is surrounded by a rubber ring - this is a shock absorber. The shock absorber softens shocks when rotating at low and high speeds. If the spin cycle is just starting, the impact of wet laundry against the walls of the drum can be very strong. The shock absorber may eventually be damaged, followed by the drive belt and engine.

Proper loading helps avoid this. But this is not a panacea. Repairing the seal and replacing the drum is a simple task. After this, the washing machine will work for many more years. Everything can be done with your own hands. A master can carry out such repairs without difficulty. This is a common problem and the solution should be simple. But engine repair is a task for a specialist. The equipment may break completely and cannot be repaired.

What breaks in Bosch Maxx

It cannot be said that the pump is the weak point of Bosch washing machines, especially the Maxx 4, specifically the Maxx 4 WFC 2060, Maxx 4 WFC 2460 or Maxx 4WFC 1263 OE. Repair of a Bosch Maxx 4 washing machine is rare. However, in them, as in others, the filter must be regularly or periodically changed and washed. The frequency with which such a need arises is unpredictable and depends on the quality of the water and the parameters of the water supply system. If the pump stops drawing water and the wash does not start, you need to disconnect the hose from the body and check the filter. There may be several versions. Most likely, the pump is working, but the filter is clogged.

In the body of the machine, in the lower part, there is a drain filter, which also sometimes gets clogged. Along with the water after washing, lint, threads, wool and other debris are removed from the drum. A brush is a reliable assistant in caring for this equipment. The washing machine will shine, sparkle, shine outside and inside. The brush will help clean the drum. Only a brush will cope with stubborn deposits in the grooves, which destroy the harmony of the design of a washing machine without a display. But only a careful attitude and careful care of the internal removable elements will save you from a sudden leak. Timely cleaning of the drain filter will save you from many problems.

Replacing the drain pump (pump) on the BOSCH Maxx 4 WFC 1600 washing machine

Something fell apart a couple of months ago, such a wonderful BOSCH Maxx 4 washing machine (photo below), which served faithfully for about 15 years. Probably this glamorous inscription “Made in Germany” on the face, placed in those distant times, still means something, because the current tribe of household appliances is stamped with allowance for fading in a year or two (I think so In general, one fine day, having filled up the rags and started the machine, a surprise awaited me at the finish line in the form of not drained water in the window and a flashing LED. I don’t remember now which of the three vertical lights was flashing, because I repaired the washing machine a long time ago and didn’t attach much importance to it, and it’s not that important, because the water behind the glass clearly indicated some kind of problem with draining the water.

Repeatedly launching various programs for draining and spinning did not lead to anything. The machine shook the pump for a very long time, apparently trying to start the motor to drain, but in the end it gave an error in the form of a flashing light. I had to turn off the machine and drain the water through a thin drain hose with a plug specially designed for this purpose in the basement of the washing machine (photo below).

Hoping for an easy repair, I tried to unscrew the plug (filter) of the drain pump to see if any debris had gotten under the impeller blades. But this plug was stuck tightly and would not come off, and brute force in the form of pliers and adjustable wrenches only helped to break off the edges of the handle (photo below). In general, take note that the filter needs to be unscrewed at least once a year so that it does not become completely overgrown with water stone. After buying the machine, at first, of course, I opened it periodically, but unfortunately, I didn’t find anything interesting inside, so over time I stopped looking into it altogether, and as a result, the plug completely stuck.

In general, I decided not to torture the filter and buy a new drain pump complete with a snail (photo below), which cost about 1300 rubles.

Of course, there was no complete confidence that the drainage problem lay in the pump, but the water in the tank and the useless long hum in the lower right corner clearly indicated the pump, so I decided to start a homemade repair with the pump, especially since it is not so expensive, in comparison with the new washing machine In the photo below, for comparison, I have attached a circle with the original nameplate from the pump on this washing machine. Although I stupidly searched the Internet for the pump itself by the name of the washing machine “BOSCH Maxx 4”, in the end it is clear that half of the numbers do not match. But the appearance of the pump with a volute, model M50, current 0.2A, and power 30W, seems to correspond to the original pump, so we will install what arrived

As always, before you can fix something, you first need to break it. Remove the decorative filter cover of the washing machine and unscrew the screw (photo below). The bourgeoisie is usually not satisfied with a simple Phillips or flat slot on screws; in fact, this washer is no exception, because here they use sprockets, so we arm ourselves with a set of bits of various shapes and sizes.

Then, by pulling the lower decorative plinth to the right, remove it from the guides.

We unscrew a couple more loose screws that hold the main front panel and the loading hatch of the washing machine (photo below).

Before you continue to unscrew and remove the front panel, you need to get rid of interfering elements in the form of the rubber cuff of the hatch and its lock. Carefully (so as not to pierce or tear the cuff) pry up the wire clamp with the spring with something and remove it.

Then we pull the cuff off the guides on the metal front panel and tuck it inside (photo below).

We unscrew a couple of screws holding the lock (photo below), after which it should simply fall inside. There are plastic washers on the screws, make sure they don’t get lost.

We take out the powder loading tray and unscrew the last screw holding the front panel (photo below).

The front panel is also supported on guides. I don’t remember exactly, but in my opinion, first you need to pull the lower part of the panel towards you, and then pull it down, after which the front panel can easily be removed along with the door (photo below). It is possible that as soon as you release the lower part of the panel, it, along with the hatch, will fall under its own weight, so we hold it. You will need to assemble from the opposite direction, first tuck the top edge towards the top, then press the bottom edge to the machine. By the way, in the photo below, the upper drop-shaped guide holes and the lower seats for the pins, in the form of white cups, seem to be clearly visible.

The actual disassembly of the washing machine is complete, the pump is now in full view. Remove the protective cap from the pump (photo below).

We disconnect the terminal from the pump, compress the wire clamps with pliers and tighten them onto the hoses (photos above and below).

We unscrew the screw holding the snail together with the pump (photo above). After that, carefully swing and pull both rubber pipes from the snail. Since I had not been able to unscrew the filter before, after disconnecting the pipes, I was flooded with a glass of water. We remove the pump from the washing machine. Before installing a new pump, we check the pipes for debris and water stone, and clean them if necessary (again, carefully, without any knives, scalpels or awls). We try to blow through the drain hose (gray corrugation) with our mouth; if there are no blockages in it or in the sewer, and there are also no hydraulic plugs (loops with water), then it will be blown out very easily, otherwise, we remove it, check it and clean it.

We install the new pump and assemble everything in the reverse order.

In my case, all these black plastic taps on the cochlea turned out to be about 1mm smaller in diameter. Accordingly, the old rubber pipes were dangling stupidly on them, I had to wrap several turns of electrical tape under the clamps (photo below), after which everything was perfectly crimped. This is probably all due to the mismatch of some numbers and letters on the nameplates.

After assembly and a test run, the washing machine worked as expected, the new pump pumps out water perfectly and, in my opinion, works even a little quieter than before, although perhaps it was just an illusion. Later I halved the old pump, there was nothing wrong with debris, rags, coins, bolts, nuts and other gold rings inside. I didn’t disassemble the pump completely, but I suspect severe wear and jamming of the impeller mechanism, especially judging by the inclined axis with the blades (photo above), the pump was clearly not doing well, so at some point it refused to start at all. In general, if you have the same washing machine, and it is also capricious and refuses to drain the water, then now you roughly know how to proceed in order to repair the washing machine yourself and thereby extend its life.

Write a message to the author Author: Nikolay Golovin — — — — — — — — 12/06/2017

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