I have a Miele W844, 8 years old. I had a strange smell, like a dentist's drill drilling, a friction type smell,coming from my washing machine 3 days ago. It had one item in it at the time, a blanket. I stopped the programme and then drained and spun it. I attempted to start the wash programme again and this time it switched itself off after 5 minutes, accompanied by the same smell.
We took the top off the machine to take a look and the smell seems to be coming from the back of the drum. No sign of burning or scorching though. Had a third attempt to do a machine load and it turned itself off again. I've been away for the weekend and have tried it again today and it's done 4 full loads without a hitch! A tiny whiff of the same smell on the 2nd load and then nothing else.
Miele charge £97 just to come along to take a look.
Is this a simple fault or repair, like a new belt that drives the drum(I'm not technical !) Can I afford to carry on using it like this or is it dangerous do you think?
I'd be grateful for any feedback anyone may have.
Thanks .

Pat, April 2009

JUST FOUND THE BOOK
if the main wash light flashes it is associated with the heater
if the rinses light flashes it is associated with the motor

starduster, September 2009

it depends which light was flashing when it didn't wash. i haven't got my service book with me right now so i cant be specific. its not likely to be the belt, posibly a fault with the heater relay or wiring to the heater, or wiring to the motor. if it is the motor brushes wearing down there is usualy a crackling noise like scrunching celophane. it might be yhe conections to the heater, but if these overheat it usualy blows the thermal fuse in the heater.

starduster, September 2009

Could be the belt slipping, quite rare on a miele though, also there is a capacitor at the back of the machine that gives off a pungent electrical burning smell when they are on there way out!

Re.Spun, April 2009