How to Fix A Washer With A Burning Smell

Having a washer in our house has not only reduced our workload but has reduced the time we have to spend on cleaning our clothes. However, regular use of the washing machine can wear out a few parts of our household appliance. This can cause the machine to malfunction and upset our daily routine. Ideally, for any problem with your washer you should get help of a local washing machine repair company.

Most local washing machine service companies offer home repairs, wherein, they send an expert washing machine repairman to your place. If you don’t know a good washing machine repair company in your area, you can use the internet to get details of washing machine repair person near me. Just go to any popular search engine and type “washing machine repair near me” followed by your area details. This will give you details of all companies offering washing machine service repair in your area. For most washer problems, it is best to get help from a washing machine service technician.

However, before you call a technician you can identify the problem with your residential appliance. If you experience burning smell during the wash cycle, here is what you could do to identify and troubleshoot the problem.

Spin Belt

In some top loading washing machines, the transmission is driven by the belt. If your washer stops agitating, it could be due to the problem with the belt. To assess the condition of the spin belt, remove the front panel of the machine. After removing the panel, look for the belt at the bottom of your machine. The belt that is damaged will create a noise or cause a burning smell during the wash cycle. If there is no problem with the belt, assess the condition of the drive pulley. You should also assess the condition of the idler assembly before you replace the belt. When replacing the belt, make sure you get the exact replacement of your belt. Before you replace the belt, make sure you switch off the power supply to the machine. 

Pump Belt 

The belt is used to operate the machine’s drain pump. The pump belt is a normal v-shaped belt that attaches the drive motor to the drain pump. Some machines may use an idler pulley to maintain the tension on the pump belt. If you experience burning smell when your machine is operating, you should assess the condition of your pump belt. If the pump belt is damaged or worn out, it is best to get a new belt. When fixing the belt, make sure the pump turns freely when idler pulley is used. Also, check for signs of water or oil leakage on to the belt. All this must be done after power supply to the machine is disconnected. 

Motor Pulley 

The pulley is used by the drive motor to turn the pump and drive belt. It is designed to provide the maximum contact with the pump or drive belt. The belt is usually made of a synthetic material or plastic. When motor pulley is damaged or rusted, it can increase friction and damage the belt. When the drive or pump is not working, you should assess the condition of the motor pulley. If it is corroded or worn out, replace it with the new one immediately. 

Drain Pump 

The pump is used to drain water from the tub during and before the spin cycle. The pump is either motor driven, belt driven, or uses its own motor. If you experience burning smell during or after the wash cycle, it could be because the drain pump is damaged and it cannot turn. If you have a belt driven washer in your home, the burning smell may be due to the belt slipping on to the pulley. For those who have a pump that is driven by its own motor, the burning smell may be due to faulty motor. Before replacing the pump motor, make sure you assess the condition of the inlet, as dust particles can restrict the movement of the impeller.

Pulley Assembly 

Some washers use the assembly to provide tension on the pump or drive belt. When the idler pulley or arm malfunctions, the tension of the belt is not maintained which causes excess friction and slippage. This will cause the belt to overheat and can create a burning smell. If you suspect that pump or drive belt is burnt, you must assess the condition of idler pulley and arm. If you notice rust or signs of wear and tear on the assembly, replace it immediately. 

Motor Coupling 

Some top loading washers use motor coupling instead of a belt to transfer electric power to the transmission from the motor. The coupling connects the drive motor to the transmission. It usually consists of two drive forks made of plastic and a rubber coupling. One fork is attached to the motor shaft and the other connects to the transmission shaft. When the shaft of the machine rotates, the coupling absorbs the pressure and prevents the fork from breaking. If you use the machine regularly, the coupling may wear out and cause the drive flock slip. This can be one of the causes of burning smell. To assess the condition of the coupling and to replace it, you must first get access to it. To do this, you should remove the washer cabinet. Make sure there is no power supply to the machine when you attempt repairs. 

Clutch Assembly

Some washers use the clutch assembly to rotate the washtub. When your clutch is worn out, you can experience burning smell during the wash cycle. You could also hear a scraping sound during the spin cycle when the clutch is worn out. Another symptom of the clutch worn out is the brake shavings or dust found underneath the machine. If your washer displays these symptoms, you must replace the clutch. To replace the clutch, remove the cabinet and the motor assembly. Replacing the clutch assembly is not easy. To do this, it is best to get help from a washing machine technician. 

Spring and Glide 

Some washers use a glide and spring arrangement on the motor for belt tensioning. Normally, the motor is mounted on a solid frame and it uses spring to provide tension. A nylon glide or plastic fixed to the bottom of the motor to allow it to slide on the frame. This allows the pump or drive belt to slip a little when you start the machine and it acts like a clutch. When the glide does not slide properly, the belt gets overheated and may create a burning smell. If you experience burning smell when the motor starts, check the motor pivots, springs, and make sure the base is free of rust or dirt. If you suspect the glides to be defective, you must lubricate or replace them. Also, you may have to replace the belt if it is damaged or burnt.

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