DIY Series 86: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Part 1 of 2) - Gear Mechanism

Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Part 1 of 2) - Gear Mechanism

Symptoms:

• Upon Power ON, all Wash/Rinse/Spin Mode are not working.
• Both drum and pulsator are not rotating at all at any mode.

Findings:

• Last repair was Samsung WA88V4 Control Board Replacement on Mar 2024
• Initial suspect is either gear mechanism broken due to overloaded washing.

Photos:

1. Samsung Washing Machine WA88V4
2. Remove 2 screws at the back
3. Remove 2 screws on the top, remove the control panel cover
4. Remove 2 screws inside the control panel (main board) compartment
5. Remove the center cover at the pulsator
6. Use a T-shape wrench to remove the pulsator
7. Get the 38mm special wrench to unscrew the nut
8. Unscrew the nut by force the special wrench to turn anticlockwise. If needed, apply WD-4D or similar lubricant on the nut to assist. 
9. Dismantle the bottom cover, remove 4 nuts that holding the gear mechanism, and remove the rubber belt too. (If needed, use hammer to hit the gear mechanism from inside the drum to let it drop off to the ground)
10. Remove 4 screws at the drum's top ring, then remove the top ring and the drum
11. Clean the tub (drum base)
12. Take out the drum for cleaning
13. Drum after cleaning
14. Insert new gear mechanism and lock it to the original location
15. The original rubber belt (M-22) is too loose after changing to the new gear mechanism. (New OEM gear mechanism is having slightly smaller gear wheel)
16. Replace rubber belt size from M-22 to M-21. (It is possible to adjust slightly on belting tightness by adjusting at the motor's holder screws)
17. Washing Machine AC Motor (Model: WAS165WTVA, 150W) was burnt, need to be replace with a new motor (pending delivery).
18. AC Motor Run Capacitor (8uF) is not working too, need to change.

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• T-Shape Wrench
• Special Wrench (38mm) for Tub Nut removal
• Hammer (optional, need for this case)
• WD-4D / Lubricant

Cost involved:

• WA88V4 OEM Gear Mechanism = US$22 ~ US$25
• Rubber Belt (M-21) = US$4 from local physical shop (online store only < US$1)