Replacing the drain pump on my Zanussi washing machine – model FJ1254W

The washing machine stopped through its cycle and started beeping.  It was still full of water and changing program could not make it drain.  The machine was also making a loud crunching noise when trying to drain.   Searching the web suggested that it was one of a few things:

1. The drain filter was blocked
2. The drain hose was blocked
3. Pump was broken

First of all I had to manually drain the machine, this was done by removing the drain filter cover – I needed a bucket and a few towels!

 

The drain filter was completely full of gunge, not surprisingly considering this was the first time it had been checked in three years (mental note – check filter regularly in the future).  The filter was cleaned thoroughly but problem still persisted.

Next I checked the drain hose, there was some water in the hose which poured out.  I also checked there was no blockage in the waste pipe. 

Finally I checked the pump.  I disconnected the water, drain and POWER and turned the washing machine on it’s side…

     

The pump was surprisingly easy to remove, I took off the connectors, just three screws and pulled the grey pump out – making sure I had another towel handy.  When the pump came out the impeller fell off.  This was the problem, the impeller was loose and would not stay on because the fixing had worn down.

 

Finding a new pump was easy at http://www.zanussi-spares.co.uk/ and it arrived in two days.  I fitted the new pump and it is all working again!  I did have to perform a reset a few times because the machine was stuck in a cycle.  This was done by holding in the start and reset buttons while powering on.