BELT CHANGING
DISCLAIMER Never fiddle when plugged in, dont do it if youre not up to it, this is advice based on experience and I am not an employee, expert or anything of the kind with machines, and do not endorse any repairs of any kind. If you injure yourself dont blame me. Its not my fault.
To perform a belt change can be a bit fiddly, and annoying due the millions of screws all over the machine. But the first point of call is the top cover. 4 screws removed, and it slides backwards and off.
This exposes the top of the drying drum, and you should be able to see a thin black rubberised drive belt going around it (Unless its snapped - It is far too small for the job)
Technically, to fit a new cable, you should be able to turn the machine upside down, and unscrew the access port on the base, however, this makes life much harder, and you'll probably loose a finger in the process.
Its much easier to remove the fan and air flow cover, and then the rear machine cover (In total, about 40 screws)
The fan doesnt detach so easy, and if it does come off, it wont go back on, due to a one way lock nut, so its best to leave it connected, and deal with the consequences of the blades bending (Its cheap tin metal, so when reassembling the device, a pair of plyers can be used to bend everything back to shape!)
When you remove the back cover, the drum comes loose and can be lifted out.
At this point, take the moment to do a bit of servicing! Where the drum turns you will find a huge build up of fluff, remove it, and use a damp cloth around the heat resistent fibres.
Slide the new belt around the drum (It will be a mega tight fit) and place the drum back into the machine, reassemble the whole lot bar the top cover (Dont worry about putting the belt around the motor just yet)
When its all back together (Bar the top cover) plug in and switch on (To make sure the fan blades are bent into the correct shape) If you hear a loud knocking, then take the air flow plate off the back again and bend the blades inwards.
Now slide the belt to the rear of the drum, so it is as inline with the motor drive plate as possible.
Now turn the machine upsidedown, and with both hands if you can, grab the drive belt through the rear opening, and pull with every inch of strength in your body (It shouldnt break when new), lift the belt over the motor drive plate, remove hands, and curse a few times for the complete agony you will now be in!
Replace the rear access plate, and top cover, plug back in, and hey presto, the machine will live again!
SUMMARY
Its an excellent machine great value for money, and doesnt need to be thrown out when things go wrong, and above all, its MADE IN BRITAIN !
michael atherton, March 2008
