My washing machine is a Zanussi FLE 1015 W Model Number 914514504/00 and the door seal is leaking. I cannot even see how to remove the old seal and I would appreciate some help with this

B Smith, May 2007

Owen's answer is great and was invaluable.

This is a truly ghastly and testing job!

Two other points:
1. make sure you locate the seal on the outside ring around the drum (not the drum itself).

2. Inserting the spring to lock the seal onto the outside ring is tricky. Help is invaluable to hold the spring in position as you progress down the drum, pushing it into position (makes your fingers sore!0. You may need to use something like a bicycle tyre lever (or handle of a spoon) to slide the final section of spring into the slot. It should snap into place at the end.

I tilted the washing machine backwards to get better access, but it is very restricted working space.

Good luck...and be prepared to take your time. Took me a couple of hours.

Peter, January 2014

This was made much easier by tilting the machine backwards before you start.

Mr James Goss, April 2009

This is probably one of the most difficult & awkward repairs to undertake but can be done by the amateur with some patience and persistance. Took me several false starts/attempts before I finally managed to complete the task. Firstly take a note of which way up the seal is positioned on the door opening (take a digital photo to remind you later). Then identify the joint within the large circlip which surrounds the exterior of the seal and open it up and remove it by prising a flat blade screwdriver into the joint and twisting/separating the junction and remove. Then grab the seal and pull outwards until the internal securing spring band is pulled off the fixing rim around the door and remove the seal completely along with the internal securing spring. Remove the securing spring from the seal (noting which groove it was set into and take another digital photo case you forget). Take the new seal and position it with the internal drain hole at the bottom as per original install ensure it is the right way round and right way up (refer to photo if in doubt). Then commence locating the outer part of the seal on to the locating groove within the door opening commencing at the top and working down and around the drum using both hands. This is very difficult since it requires you to open up and separate the groove in the rubber seal by peeling it back to enable it to locate on to the circular fixing rim within a very confined space. This task is easier for those with strong but thin fingers. You need strong fingers to separate/open up the groove to allow it to slip over the rim and work it well into the groove. You will know when it is properly seated because the seal will cling to the rim and not require to be supported by your hands. If it falls off then you have not managed to peel back/open up the groove in the seal sufficiently to enable it to adequately bed on to the rim. It's trial and error and patience until you perfect the technique (took me about and hour). Once in place the seal will sit there by itself and only requires the securing spring to be stretched over the back of the rim into the securing groove. This requires a second pair of hands as one person holds the spring in place where located on the rim while the other stretches/extends it into place within the groove over the remainder of the rim. I believe the professionals can do this as a one person task by crossing their hands before commencing stretching the spring into place but I took the easier solution of getting someone to help. Once the internal securing spring is in place all that remains is to reinstate the external circlip around the exterior of the door by pushing it together with a screwdriver to engage the securing teeth. Give the drum a spin to ensure all is ok/free from obstruction and job done!.

Owen Sweeney, January 2009