Do you have an unpleasant burning smell and was it caused by your washing machine? Do not despair, because in this situation it is important to take the necessary security measures - turn off the device from the network and seek help from a specialist!
In fact, the smell of burning is not always the cause of serious problems with an electrical appliance. Sometimes this smell is characteristic of new devices where the plastic surfaces are grinding and drying. However, it also happens that the burning smell is a consequence of a factory defect in the device.
Also, a similar unpleasant odor may be the result of powder or soapy substances getting on the heating element, which subsequently “burn” due to high temperatures and emit an unpleasant odor. We have extensive experience in eliminating this type of malfunction and a staff of specialists ready to urgently come to the rescue!
Types of faults and methods for their elimination
If primitive measures are not successful, then the burning smell from the washing machine may be the result of serious malfunctions that are associated with the main components and elements of the unit.
Engine failure
Regardless of the design and age of the device, washing machines are equipped with a motor, which can be a DC motor or an asynchronous motor. The latter were most often equipped with washing machines that were already 10 years old or more.
Experts associate engine failure with a short circuit between the turns of the windings. It is typically caused by water ingress and excessive heating of the conductors, which heats and melts the lacquered insulating coating. A “burnt out” engine must be replaced with a new one. In certain cases, the motor can be repaired by rewinding, which requires special laboratory or factory conditions. Replacing an engine is a repair of medium complexity and cannot be performed by beginners.
Engine failure may be a consequence of certain processes, including:
- Emergency stop of the drum, which is caused by mechanical destruction and, as a consequence, jamming of the bearing;
- External factors in the form of a surge in network voltage;
- The aging of the engine itself is a process during which the value of the rated and starting currents inevitably increases, which in normal mode amount to up to 700% of the operating characteristics.
Failure of elements
Another cause of an unpleasant odor may be a failure of the starting capacitor. Its presence in the circuit is typical for old washing machines that use asynchronous motors. To start them, it is necessary to create a displacement of the current vector from the voltage vector, thereby creating a starting torque and a rotating field. The design of the capacitor allows it to “open” due to swelling, which causes an unpleasant odor due to burning electrolyte.
The heating element or pump burned out
Failure of the heating element - heating element - can also be accompanied by a similar perception by the olfactory organs. If there was a failure in the program and the heating element turned on at a time when there was no water in the tank, it will most likely fail, requiring replacement. In this case, a specially built-in fuse in the heating element burns out, representing a single whole with its design. This process prevents the laundry in the tank from catching fire if there is no water.
Non-hazardous reasons
A common cause of a burning smell in a washing machine is the use of unsuitable detergents - washing gel, powder or soap shavings, which are often added to wash children's clothes. These products stick to the heater coil and “burn” with each cycle. To get rid of the unpleasant aroma, you just need to run the washing machine at high temperature - hot water will wash away all the buildup from the heating element. In addition, completely new household appliances can smell like burnt plastic. This often happens in the first days of use, when the elements and parts of the washing machine heat up during washing.
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Failure of the heating element
A burning smell often comes from a heating element that has a lot of lint, feathers, threads, and hair stuck to its surface. To remove this layer, run the washing machine on the highest temperature and run it with vinegar, citric acid or a special cleaning agent.
Failure of the heating element is also caused by other popular reasons:
- Oxidation of contacts caused by wear or increased moisture levels - in this case they need to be cleaned and re-soldered;
- Incorrectly turning on the heater at a time when there is no water in the drum - because of this, it can easily burn out.
To make sure that the problem is definitely in the heating element, start the machine with an empty drum, selecting zero temperature. If the burning smell is still felt after this, then the problem is different. If the heating element is broken, it needs to be replaced:
- Remove the back cover of the washer and the control panel (if necessary).
- Disconnect the wires that lead to the heating element.
- Loosen the nut on the lag bolt slightly and push it inward using light finger pressure.
- Remove the burnt heating element.
- Replace it with a new one.
- Put everything back together.
The washing machine is smoking, what should I do?
Any equipment, including a washing machine, no matter how reliable and expensive it is, breaks down over time. This is natural wear and tear and there is no escape from it.
If we are talking about simple failure of parts, then they should be replaced with new ones. What to do if the washing machine starts smoking, because this can lead to a general short circuit and cause a fire. Let's try to figure it out.
Pump failure
The washing machine smells burnt when washing and when the pump does not stop working even after draining the waste liquid. As a result of this problem, it becomes very hot and breaks. The main signs of this problem are the remains of a large amount of liquid in the tank and the appearance of extraneous sounds during the draining process.
To install a new pump pump, use these instructions:
- Remove the front cover of the machine.
- Remove the filter from inside.
- Unscrew the wires from the pump and the drain tube from the volute.
- Loosen all clamps.
- Remove the drum pipe, unscrew the fastening screw connecting the washer to the snail, and remove it with light rotational movements. If the snail is attached to the pump with screws, they are unscrewed, if with latches, they are bent with a screwdriver or a knife with a thin blade.
- Wipe the pump area, install a new pump and perform all steps in reverse order.
Why does my washing machine smell burnt?
If your machine is connected through an RCD, then turn it off as well. First of all, check the socket, it may have melted. Then it is better to contact an electrician. If the plug and socket are in order, then rule out other causes. The smell of burning does not always indicate a malfunction; sometimes it is a matter of subtleties of operation:
If all else fails, then you will have to look for the problem. SMA smokes when wiring, contacts, or electronic parts of equipment are damaged. Here are the main reasons that require the intervention of a specialist:
All these reasons require a thorough inspection, diagnosis and repair of equipment. You can independently inspect and find the location of the problem. But it’s up to you to decide whether to carry out repairs or not.
Door lock malfunction
If there is a burning smell coming from the washing machine, the problem may be the “tablet”, the thermal element of the door lock, which is present in all modern models. Most often, its breakdown is caused by voltage surges that regularly appear in the network. Changing the lock is easy:
- Remove the wire clamp from the laundry hatch.
- Remove the rubber cuff.
- Unscrew the screws and remove the lock itself.
- Assess its serviceability using a voltmeter - if the voltage when working with the contacts reaches 220 V, then the “tablet” has burned out. Install a new lock and reassemble everything in reverse order. To prevent this situation from happening again in the future, buy a good stabilizer for your washing machine.
Smoke came out of the washing machine: we find and solve the problem
When using the washing machine, owners may encounter various technical problems. If during washing or spinning there is smoke from the washing machine or there is a fire, you must immediately turn off the equipment and call a technician. It is not recommended to find out the cause on your own and take any measures, because... such a problem may be electrical, and incompetent intervention is very dangerous.
Water leak
Repair of a washing machine from Indesit, LG, Candy and other well-known brands may also be necessary if the filling tube (both the rubber and plastic parts) is damaged. In this case, water can get inside the case and cause a short circuit - then smoke will also add to the burning smell. The result of this impact is burnout of the wiring and the electric motor itself. Water leakage also occurs when the hose is incorrectly positioned or the threads are loosened. Replacing the rubber gasket and properly tightening the nut will help eliminate it.
What to do if smoke appears from the washing machine
A few minutes after turning off the power, unplug the washing machine and unplug the cord from the outlet. After turning off, inspect the cord and plug - most often, the cause of the malfunction is their damage or burnout. If there are no signs of melting, burning or the smell of a burnt insulating layer on the wire and plug, then the cause of the smoke or fire is another technical problem.
To detect the cause of smoke or fire, you must perform the following steps:
When inspecting the parts and devices of the washing machine, it is necessary to inspect all wiring, because... Any wire break may cause a short circuit, fire or smoke.
Belt damage
If the washing machine smells burnt, check the belt tension - due to wear on the bearing and misalignment of the pulley, it may fray or begin to jam. During the spinning process, a failed belt emits a characteristic aroma, accompanied by the appearance of dark smoke. The optimal solution to this problem is to replace the drive belt and bearings. To do this you need to do the following:
- Remove the back wall of the washer.
- Remove the old belt.
- Copy or photograph the markings to buy the same model.
- Inspect the engine pulley and remove any foreign objects from it.
- Install a new spare part. This is done like this: first throw the belt on the engine pulley, and then on the drum pulley. In most washing machines, this is done only 1/3 freely, then the belt will have to be secured by hand or with special ties. They can be cut off while the drum is gradually scrolling. Finally, be sure to align the belt so that it is centered.
As for installing new bearings, it is better to entrust this task to a technician who repairs washing machines - this requires experience and various tools.
Prevention measures:
- Ventilate the washing machine well after washing. Leave the door ajar for at least a couple of hours.
- Do not put dirty laundry in the washing machine. Use special baskets for this purpose.
- After washing, wipe the rubber cuff, as water and sometimes small debris always remain in its folds.
- Use a quality detergent when washing and use the correct dosage.
- Make sure that there is no water left in the machine, which will begin to “go out” during inactivity, especially if the device is tightly closed.
- Keep the drain hose clean. Debris and powder residues can stick to its walls, which can rot and emit an unpleasant odor. Clean the silted hose by running the machine without laundry at maximum temperature. If the hose still causes the stench, you should replace the drain hose with a new one.
- Clean the heating element from scale. One of the best means of fighting scale is citric acid.
- Eliminate problems with public communications in a timely manner.
Engine burned out
- through the rubber seal that closes this gap during the washing process, this can also happen if the rubber sealing seal does not fit tightly, is torn or deformed;
- from the pockets of washed clothes - along with bed linen or other things due to carelessness;
- during washing when tearing off loosely sewn beads, buttons, rhinestones, hooks and other decorative elements of clothing;
- There may also be foreign objects in the powder compartments; sometimes children can put their small toys there unnoticed.
Useful tips Connection diagrams Principles of operation of devices Main concepts Meters from Energomer Precautions Incandescent lamps Video instructions for the master Testing with a multimeter
Washing the drum
Wash the drum itself with citric acid. Citric acid will not only remove odor, but will also disinfect places where microbes accumulate. Pour 100 g of acid into the powder container. Turn on maximum heat mode. After the run, turn on the rinse. After finishing washing, wipe the drum with a dry cloth and leave the door open. Clean once every 4-5 months.
If your machine does not sit idle, but constantly washes, then give it a preventive cleaning once a month: 2 tbsp. pour citric acid into the powder tray and turn on hot.
