Washing machine pump teardown.

Comments · 684

• JR

  @jrb_sland5066 · 8 years ago (edited)

  The most important design element of this pump is that the rotor of the electric motor is on the other side of a non-magnetic barrier [the plastic cylinder around which the electromagnet poles were clamped] so that there is no need for a fancy seal on the shaft of the motor.  Yes, the rotor and its bearings are immersed in the fluid being pumped - this provides cooling.  This design was a top secret invention of the WW2 American Manhattan Project, the so-called 'seal-less' pump, used for circulating gaseous uranium hexafluoride without risk of the radioactive material leaking from a shaft seal.  Very clever idea, and now used in many routine applications as shown here.

  48

• DI

  @DigBipper188 · 8 years ago

  "Smells like tea"... Well it IS from a washing machine that was likely operated in the UK...

  90

• XK

  @xKatjaxPurrsx · 8 years ago

  Clive, you need a pair of huge slotted screwdrivers called "Brute Force" and "Ignorance"

  13

• RA

  @Rayvandy · 8 years ago

  That “little” port is for spray function when washing clothes using another similar motor. I think it helps distribute water and detergent mix more evenly. Some Electrolux washers have this.<br>The smallest port is for small hose drain, channelling water to a small bucket or tray when the filter needed cleaning, so the water don’t spill on the floor when you open the filter’s door.<br><br>Thanks for posting the video anyway, very helpful!

  10

• PA

  @pauljs75 · 8 years ago

  Thought Clive was going to go into Electroboom territory for a moment there. But somehow he managed to avoid it.

  2

• TH

  @thomaszaglaras8886 · 6 years ago

  Thank you for having a video for the obscure answers that are exactly what I needed, and not for the first time.

  9

• XD

  @xdogg577 · 8 years ago

  This is so weird. I just got a new washing machine pump delivered for my machine today.

  9

• ST

  @steveraby6023 · 4 years ago

  The slight resistance you get when you manually turn the impeller is the built in anti tangle feature. &nbsp;If the pump feels any resistance it will go into reverse to try and free itself from anything that may be obstructing the impeller. &nbsp;Quite a clever but simple design feature 👌 😀

  7

• TW

  @two_tier_gary_rumain · 8 years ago

  &apos;Ullo, Clive, got a new motah?

  6

• LA

  @LarryKapp1 · 8 years ago

  I changed out lots of those pumps on my job taking care of laundry at a college. That seal always leaks and the magnet is always full of disgusting stinky glop. The motor runs even with that area flooded. And the thing that fails on them is usually the shaft &nbsp;where the impeller is attached wears out so the impeller gets all wobbly and starts making noise. Also what happens is either coins get in and plug up the inlet , or stuff like hairpins can work their way into the impeller . Though that was the older style pump that did not have that filter on it - those are nice and catch a lot of stuff that used to get into the impeller. And yes you aways have to pry hard to get that coil off - I used to just put them in the vice and whack them with a hammer cause they were already junk anyway and I just recycled the copper and metal . As you said there is no repairing those unless it is just plugged - otherwise you replace when they get worn out . The coil never fails . I always kept those magnets - &nbsp;they are useful for other things. Oh and the commercial washing machines had 5 year parts warranty so for five years when ever pump fails - free to put in a new one .

  2

• FL

  @FlorinPopescu35 · 7 years ago

  I actually had a sock stuck once in the filter. &nbsp;And the washing machine was completely full with water when I found out what the filter is and opened it. Wish I saw your video a year ago! :D

  2

• RW

  @RWBHere · 8 years ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSEKMeAv4ps&amp;t=71">1:11</a> a useful little wrinkle, taught to me by an experienced serviceman: Tilt the machine backwards against the wall before unscrewing the filter trap. Then clear it, replace the trap, and you don&apos;t have water pouring anywhere.

  4