Alright, so today I wanted to share a bit about a recent adventure I had, all thanks to my trusty old washing machine deciding to act up. Yep, we're talking about the washing machine pump. It’s always something, isn’t it?

The Drama Unfolds

It all started last Tuesday. I’d chucked a load in, usual routine, and wandered off. Came back later expecting to hang things out, but nope. The drum was still half full of murky water. Fantastic. My first thought was, "Oh great, this is gonna cost me." You know how it is, the moment an appliance plays up, your wallet starts to sweat.

I tried running a drain and spin cycle again. Nothing. Just a sad little hum, then silence. My heart sank a bit. A washing machine full of wet, soapy clothes is no one's idea of fun, especially when you’ve got a mountain more laundry waiting.

Figuring Things Out

So, what do you do? I’m not exactly a trained technician, but I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to fixing things myself if I can. My first port of call was, of course, the internet. Typed in "washing machine not draining" and down the rabbit hole I went. Lots of possibilities, but the pump kept coming up as a prime suspect. Seemed logical enough – if the water isn't going out, the thing that pushes it out is probably slacking off.

I decided to get my hands dirty. First, I unplugged the machine. Safety first, right? Then, I managed to drain most of the water out manually, which was an incredibly glamorous job involving a shallow tray and a lot of patience. And a few towels. Okay, a lot of towels.

Then came the task of actually getting to the pump. On my machine, it’s tucked away at the bottom, behind a little panel. Popped that off, and there it was. Looked a bit grimy, a bit tired. I checked the filter first, just in case it was something simple like a rogue sock or a handful of coins. Found a button and some fluff, but nothing major that would cause a complete strike.

The Replacement Job

At this point, I was fairly convinced the pump itself had given up the ghost. So, I took a bunch of photos of how it was wired and connected – seriously, this is a lifesaver if you’re like me and have the memory of a goldfish for these things. I then ordered a new pump online. Found one that matched my model, wasn't too pricey. Then, the waiting game for it to arrive.

When the new pump finally landed on my doorstep, it was go-time. I laid out my tools – a screwdriver, some pliers, more towels (just in case). Getting the old pump out was a bit fiddly. There were a couple of clips and hoses that needed persuading. A little bit of water inevitably escaped, because of course it did. Murphy’s Law of plumbing, I reckon.

Once the old one was out, I compared it to the new one. Looked identical, which was a relief. Connecting the new pump was basically the reverse of taking the old one out. Pushed the hoses on, secured the clips, reconnected the wires, referencing my photos like they were ancient treasure maps. It all seemed to slot into place okay.

Then I put the access panel back on, pushed the machine back into its spot, and reconnected the main water hoses and the power plug. That was it. The moment of truth.

Success! (Phew)

I threw a few old towels in for a test run – didn't want to risk my favourite t-shirt. Selected a quick wash cycle, hit start, and held my breath. The machine filled, it washed… and then it got to the drain part. I heard a new, healthier-sounding whirring noise, and glory be, the water started gushing out down the drainpipe! Success!

Honestly, there’s a certain satisfaction you get from fixing something yourself. It wasn’t the most complicated job in the world, but it saved me a call-out fee and the cost of a professional repair. Plus, I learned a bit more about how these things actually work. So yeah, that was my little dance with the washing machine pump. Hopefully, this new one lasts a good while!