How to unscrew the filter in an automatic washing machine

Any washing machine, regardless of brand, has a filter that protects the drain pump from foreign objects. During operation, it becomes clogged, which leads to poor water drainage. The problem is solved by removing debris from the filter element. You can do the work yourself, but to do this you need to know where it is and how to clean the filter in an automatic washing machine (WMA)?

How to detect the problem

Although regular cleaning should be done, many washing machine owners forget about it. In this situation, a blockage occurs that will prevent the machine from continuing to operate.

Modern washing machines, such as Indesit or Atlant, are equipped with a built-in diagnostic system that can determine the cause of the failure:

If the pump is clogged, it may indicate that the problem is in the drain system. This problem is visually manifested in the fact that water stops flowing from the tank.
It is possible that drainage occurs, but very slowly and unevenly. In this case, the water will not flow out completely. As a result, the diagnostic system stops the car. In this case, you can hear the noise that is made during operation. Sometimes knocking sounds are heard if foreign objects get there.

When the diagnostic system indicates improper operation of the drain system, the instructions indicate the need for cleaning. To do this, you need to disconnect it from the washing machine.

When the condition of the filters requires checking

Of course, it is best to make it a rule to open and check the condition of these parts once a quarter. And if you need to clean them, do not neglect the situation and do not cause the entire system to break down.

But if you do notice one of the situations described below, you need to remove and check the filter as soon as possible:

a corresponding error appeared on the electronic display;
The machine stopped washing;
the equipment refuses to rinse the laundry;
Spin does not start;
The water drains more slowly than usual, or has stopped altogether.

If one of these situations occurs, wait until your washing machine completes the program and make sure that both filters are in satisfactory condition.

Possible problems

If there is a need to deal with the drain snail, you must first disconnect it. After the owner of the washing machine tries to do this, the following may happen:

When you try to unscrew the drain filter, it remains completely motionless.
It starts to spin, but after it has gone through a quarter of a turn, the rotation stops and it is impossible to move it any further.
Sometimes it unscrews completely, but despite this it is impossible to pull it out.

The instructions do not provide instructions if one of the listed situations occurs.

Signs of blockages

You can identify the presence of a blockage in the drain filter by the following signs:

The machine does not turn on and gives an error. The error code can be anything, but it is important to make sure that the device is correctly connected to the water supply and electrical network, and that the drain hose is located at the correct angle;
the time for draining water increases due to its prolonged removal from the drum or at the end of the cycle the laundry remains wet, and a small amount of liquid is present inside the tank;
The “Spin” or “Rinse” functions do not work.

Solution

If you have difficulty extracting it, there are methods that can help in this situation.

Using Tools

It is possible that if enough force is applied, the hole can be opened. For this purpose, you can, for example, use pliers.

Knock

There is a chance that debris that is clogged in this part may move and allow it to open. To do this, you need to unplug the machine and remove the water from it.

After this, you need to tilt the washer back 45 degrees. This must be done in such a way that the hole is located on the side that is on top. You need to tap it with your hand. In this situation, there is a chance that small objects will move down and no longer prevent the lid from opening.

Dismantling

In this case, you will have to first disconnect the drain pump to solve the problem. This option is much more complex than the others. However, it is also more effective. It makes sense to use this in situations where another method could not solve the problem.

It is recommended to resort to this method in cases where the owner of the washing machine knows what he is doing. If there are concerns that something will go wrong, then it is better to invite a specialist from the service to carry out repairs.

There are several ways to disconnect the pump. But first you need to gain access. For top-loading machines, this can be easily done by opening the left or right wall, depending on the brand of the washer.

If a horizontal bookmark is used, one of the following methods is used.

Access through the bottom

In some washing machine models, the bottom of the machine is not closed or can easily be opened. To work, you need to unplug the machine and drain the water from it. Then it is either laid on its side or positioned at an angle of 45 degrees. In the latter case, it is recommended to rest the device against a wall. The pump can be easily detected because it is connected to the drain.

In some brands, the bottom is open, but access to the part is blocked by a steel bar. This design, for example, is provided in Bosch brand washing machines.

If the Aquastop system is provided, which protects the device from leaks, then it will not be possible to gain access to the drain pump in this way. This is due to the fact that there is a system sensor at the bottom of the washer.

Through the back wall

The designs of some brands of washing machines provide for the location of the drain pump next to the rear wall. In this case, you can unscrew the 4 screws that support it and remove it.

Through the front wall

Sometimes it is not possible to use other methods. In this case, the problem can be solved by disconnecting the front wall.

In order to gain access, you must perform the following steps:

The top panel needs to be removed.
It may be necessary to remove the clamp used to secure the door.
In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the bin that is intended for detergents.
It is necessary to remove the control panel by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place.
The fastening screws securing the hatch locking device are unscrewed.

After the above steps have been completed, it becomes possible to remove the front facade. It is usually secured with 3-4 screws. Two of them are usually located at the bottom. They can be covered with a lower panel-bar, which will first need to be removed. The remaining screws can be located in different ways depending on the brand of washing machine.

Once this is done, you can directly work on the drain pump.

Types of pollution and factors causing them

Before cleaning the filters, it is necessary to determine the type of contamination and the reasons for its occurrence. To prevent the formation of dirt, there are preventive methods and means. Knowing the causes, consequences and ways to eliminate the problem, you will extend the life of your machine and ensure its trouble-free operation.

In addition to the usual garbage that gets into the washing machine along with things, ordinary dirt, limescale, scale and mold deposits can be considered as filter contaminants. There are different methods and available means to eliminate them. With their help, you will not only clean the filters, but also prevent the appearance of contaminants.

The reasons for filter contamination are:

hard water;
particles, lint, separated from washed items;
untimely cleaning and drying of all machine elements;
poor quality of powders and other detergents.

Let's look at the main types of pollutants and ways to eliminate them.

Poor quality water becomes one of the main reasons for the formation of scale and limescale on filters and other machine parts. Professional and home remedies can be used to clean the washing machine.

Acetic or citric acid and soda can be used as improvised cleaners. These are excellent car cleaning products that every housewife has on hand.

Professional tools are selected in accordance with the functional features of the device and your financial capabilities.

Whiteness is considered a simple and affordable remedy. Cleaning can also be done mechanically, but not independently, but with the help of specialists who use special devices for these purposes.

When dirt, lint from clothing gets on the filter, as well as when cleaning is not done in a timely manner and low-quality laundry detergents are used, deposits of dirt, mold and an unpleasant odor are formed. Cleaning is carried out, as in the first case, with home and professional means.

A qualified plumber can help you determine the causes of filter contamination. It can also tell you which cleaning methods are most effective.

In addition to vinegar and citric acid, it is recommended to use copper sulfate and soda, as well as whiteness. After cleaning and finishing the rinsing cycle, all parts must be wiped with a clean, dry cloth and dried.

Cleaning

To unscrew and clean the pump, you must first gain access to it. This procedure can be applied to almost any brand of washing machine, for example, Kandy or Ariston. You will need to do the following:

The power supply wires must be disconnected from the pump.
You need to place a rag or bowl under the part. This is due to the fact that water may leak during disassembly.
The pipe attached between the drain tank and the pump must be disconnected from the latter by removing the fastening clamp.
At this stage of disassembly, you can try to clean the inside of the cochlea from foreign objects. There is a chance that in this way you can remove objects and debris that are blocking. If this can be done, then now it will be enough to unscrew it. If not, you need to continue disassembling the pump further.
Now you need to remove the clamp that secures the connection of the drain hose to the pump. Now the latter needs to be removed from the snail.
Now it is possible to disconnect the pump unit from the washing machine body. The mounting screws that need to be removed can be installed on the side wall next to the cover or on the bottom of the structure.
After disconnecting the pump structure, it is necessary to disconnect the volute from the pump. Sometimes it is attached using a latch and other times it can be done using screws. In order to disconnect, you need to unscrew the screws or rotate the part so that the latch comes out of the grooves.

After disassembly, cleaning must be done. After this, you can easily unscrew its lid.

If it has been cleaned, you need to install it back. To do this, all of the above operations are performed in reverse order. After this, you will need to replace the wall of the machine or the bottom if they were disconnected.

Step-by-step instruction

Before removing the filter for cleaning, you need to prepare a container to drain the remaining water and a dry rag. It should be placed under the niche where the drainage unit is located so that water does not get under the unit.

To clean the washing machine filter, you must:

dismantle the part;
remove debris and dirt from the filter;
clean the device shaft;
rinse the filter element under running warm water and clean with a brush;
check the condition of the sealing gasket and remove scale from the threaded connection of the removable part and the shaft.

Installing a filter for a washing machine is carried out in the reverse order. Cleaning the filler mesh is carried out when the time it takes to fill the tank increases. This can be determined by the pressure of water flowing into the detergent tray. The mesh is cleaned without dismantling using a toothbrush.

If the described methods do not help

The methods described here work in most cases. However, there are situations when nothing can be done. In this case, if it does not unscrew, you can try using several more methods:

You can try to clean the glass and its threads from rust without removing this part. To do this, you need to fill the tank with water and dissolve one or two tablespoons of citric acid in it. Then you need to start a short washing cycle at a temperature of 40-60 degrees. As a result, a composition will pass through the filter, which will clean this part from rust.
If the lid does not open due to lime deposits on the threads, then cleaning the filter will not help. In this case, the filter glass, which was previously disconnected, must be placed in a container with a solution of citric acid in water. This composition will dissolve the lime and make it possible to unscrew the lid.
If all else fails, you can buy a similar lid and break the old one. It is made of plastic and can be easily broken off without damaging the filter cup. After this, you need to insert a new cover in its place. If the thread was damaged during this operation, then the part will leak after this. In this case, you will have to change the filter.
If you don’t want to bother with breaking out the cover, you can buy a new filter and install it in place of the old unit.

Step-by-step actions of a do-it-yourself master

There are times when inspection is needed when the drum is stopped.

Remove the power plug from the indoor network. Close the water inlet valve to the machine.

Washing machines are often built into something in the kitchen or bathroom. Pull out the housing and use the passport to determine where the protective panel of both purifiers is located.

Use a sharp tool to pry up the cover or panel; they are removed or moved, revealing an overview of both filters;

Place a small flat container for residual moisture or a rag under the place where you unscrew the valve. Drained from the drum, it is found in some quantity in the pipe system.

Remove the filters one by one. At the inlet, simply unscrew the hose, having previously shut off the water supply to it.

Remove the filter and clean it. There is always a plug on the drain. Twist it to the left. Pull out the housing.

Clean the filter element by hand, and rinse its body from rust with a large stream of water in the sink of a bathroom or kitchen sink.

Pay attention to the external condition of the water pump, clean it of rust, and its blades of any deposits. It is possible that dense threads are wound onto the impeller during washing; over time, they will slow down the rotation, causing the pump to malfunction.

Return all products to their original places. Screw it carefully clockwise, feeling the correct thread under your fingers.

But don’t squeeze it, don’t create a distortion, otherwise your prevention will not be beneficial. Check the quality of work by running the unit in rinsing mode. Make sure there is no moisture leakage.

What to do if the filter leaks after cleaning

After removing contaminants, the filter may leak. It is not possible to identify this problem immediately, but after 2-3 washing cycles. The reasons for the appearance of water can be:

Incorrect installation of the part. The filter may not be inserted straight into the hole or may not be screwed in completely. It is necessary to fix the part in exact coincidence with the thread, and tighten it more tightly until it stops, but without using excessive force;
wear of the rubber gasket. Over time, this part, which ensures tight contact between the filter and the socket, can dry out or become damaged if dismantled carelessly. To eliminate the leak, you will need to install a new original gasket or replace the entire assembly if there is no replacement for it;
thread damage. Such mechanical failure can occur if the part is incorrectly unscrewed or if force is used to remove it. The problem can be corrected only by completely replacing the damaged unit. In some cases, it may be necessary to install a new “snail”. This work must be performed by a certified repair technician.

General algorithm: which way to unscrew and how to put it back together

The first sign of a clogged filter is a decrease in pressure in the pipeline (water is drawn slowly, there is not enough pressure when the shower is turned on).

Let's consider the procedure to take if such a situation arises:

Mesh

To wash or replace the mesh, you need to unscrew the sealed plug in the form of a nut.

Let us consider in order the entire process for mesh systems:

Trunk

They acquired their name due to their location on main pipelines. The flasks into which the filter elements are inserted are made of plastic or stainless steel.

To get to the cartridge you need to:

Cartridge cleaning systems under the sink

In city apartments, owners often prefer to install a filtration system under the kitchen sink. This is convenient due to the saving of free space, as well as its close location to the purified water valve.

This system is usually equipped with several stages of purification, in some cases including reverse osmosis purification. It requires periodic replacement of cartridges according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Let's look at the order of filter maintenance:

The filter is hidden by a narrow panel with snaps

If the filter is hidden by a decorative panel that is attached to the lower front part of the washing machine, then it must be removed. This panel can be attached in different ways:

on locking hooks that need to be installed horizontally using a screwdriver (old Bosch);
on latches, which are separated first at the top, then at the bottom, being careful not to damage them (Ariston, Indesit);
on a screw and latches, the panel is removed by sliding it sideways (new Bosch).