Everyone who has a washing machine sooner or later faces the question of its repair. The most common problem is the breakdown of the heating element - the heating element. Most often, the culprit of the accident is scale deposited on it. Its appearance provokes poor water quality and frequent washing at high temperatures.
The breakdown is manifested in the absence of water heating, the washing time increases significantly - the machine unsuccessfully tries to heat the water.
You can carry out work on replacing the heating element yourself, without contacting a service center. The main thing is to choose the right heating element for the washing machine, in accordance with its model. But not always, knowing only the model of the device, it is enough to simply select the components. Often you have to pick up analog parts.
What to look for when choosing a heating element for a washing machine?
When choosing a heating element, consider the followingfeatures:
- Type of footprint. As a rule, it is the same for modern washing machines, so there should not be any problems. This item should be taken into account by owners of devices that are over 15 years old.
- The presence of a reinforcing collar. Comes with seal. If you choose a heating element for a washing machine without a shoulder, and put it in the machine, in place of the part that had it, then there is a high probability that the heating element will fall out during washing.
- Connector for temperature sensor. For example, the heating element for the LG washing machine of most models comes with it. If there is a hole, and the sensor itself is not connected, you can put a plug.
- The length of the heating element. It is best to match the size of the old one, although a slight difference is allowed. For example, a heating element for an LG washing machine of modern models is short, and for Electrolux or Zanussi it is long.
- The power of the heating element. Today you can pick up a heating element with a power of 800-2200 watts. The larger this value, the faster the water will heat up to the desired temperature.
- The shape of the heating element. It can be straight or curved.
- Coating. For example, a heating element for a Samsung washing machine is most often ceramic. According to the manufacturer, it is less prone to scale.
Heating element location
Replacing the heating element is not particularly difficult even for a person who is far from repairing washing machines. The main thing is to correctly determine where it is. ATDepending on the model, the disassembly process and the location of the heating element may differ. In some washing machines, the heating element is located in the front, while in others, behind the cover.
First of all, you need to check the rear position of the heater. On the back of the washing machine, a removable hatch can be provided, screwed on. One has only to open the back cover and next to the engine you can immediately see the outer part of the heating element with power wires and a nut in the middle. If the rear hatch does not open in any way or the heater is missing, then the front part will have to be disassembled.
How to replace the heating element through the front panel?
Unfortunately, removing the front panel is much more difficult than the back panel. The whole process is divided into several stages:
- First you need to remove the top cover. To do this, on the back of the machine you need to unscrew the screws and pull the cover towards you and up. You should act carefully so as not to pull out the plastic latches, without which the lid will not rise back.
- Disconnect the control panel of the washing machine. First you need to pull out the powder container. To do this, pull out the container, press the lock button inside and pull it out to the bottom. If there is no button, then just lift the container a little and pull it towards you. After two or three screws become visible - unscrew them. The remaining screws are located on the top or side of the control panel, after unscrewing them, carefully remove the panel and, without disconnecting from the wires, puton top of the washing machine.
- Separate the rubber cuff on the hatch of the washing machine. With the door open, with a screwdriver, you need to carefully pry off the spring clamp that holds the cuff, and remove it by pulling it in a circle. Further, the rubber is simply removed from the body of the washing machine. There are also lock screws on the hatch, unscrew them, and push the lock itself inward.
- Front panel of the washing machine. Having done all of the above, you can finally get to the internal parts of the washing machine. It remains to unscrew the screws securing the front panel. They are usually located on the bottom and top of the washing machine. At the bottom, they can be hidden by a decorative panel, from the bottom on the sides, or next to the drain filter. After that, remove the panel with your hands and set it aside. Now access to the heating element has been received.
Replacing the heating element in the washing machine
No matter where the heating element was, the steps to replace it are exactly the same. If the heating element for the washing machine has already been purchased, you can immediately install it in place.
It is necessary to remove all the wires from the contacts from the old heating element, they sit very tightly, so you can carefully help yourself with a screwdriver. Then unscrew the screw securing the heating element and carefully remove the heating element.
The new heating element is installed as it was removed, only in reverse order. Also, in reverse order, all removed parts are mounted and screws are screwed in.
Heating element breakage prevention
To prevent damage to the heating element, it is necessary to deal with the formation of scale. To do this, you can clean the device with citric acid every 3-4 months. It is necessary to pour 60 grams of acid into the powder container and start the washing program at 60 degrees without laundry. If there is a suspicion that a lot of scale has formed, then at 90. After this simple procedure, both the drum and the heating element are completely cleaned.
Also, a simple way, if not to prevent, then significantly reduce the rate of scale formation, is to constantly wash in warm, not hot water. That is, use programs up to 40 degrees. In this case, electricity is saved well.
