Inlet valve of a washing machine
Washing machines, like any other appliances, break down from time to time, no matter what price category the machine belongs to. And whether it's a Bosch, Candy, LG or any other machine, breakdowns can occur in any manufacturer's model. To have an idea of what is broken, and whether you can fix the machine by yourself, you should understand the structure of washing machines.
One of the important parts in the washing machine brand Indesit, Samsung, Ariston, Zanussi or any other, is the inlet valve. It is responsible for filling the machine with water, so it is also called the fill valve.
How it works
The inlet valve has two functional states - closed (it happens more often) and open. There is a coil in the valve to which the current is applied to form an electromagnetic field, as a result of which the valve opens, letting the water inside the machine. This principle of activation determines another name of the part - electromagnetic valve.
As soon as the water fills the tank to the desired level, the control module transmits a command to stop the power supply to the valve. The result is to close the valve and stop the water supply.
To see what a single solenoid fill (inlet) valve for washing machines looks like, check out the following video review.
Types
Machine inlet valves of different models and manufacturers differ in the number of coils. Some valve models have only one coil, while others have two coils. Three-coil valves are also common. The number of spools corresponds to the number of sections in the valve through which water flows into the dispenser.
Models with a single coil are found in older washing machines, in which the operation is controlled by the commando apparatus (the jet of water is directed to the dispenser mechanically). In modern machines there are valves with two and three coils.
To direct water to a specific compartment of the detergent dispenser, the desired spool is turned on and the water flows in the desired direction. In valves with two spools, two spools must turn on at once to direct the water to the third section of the dispenser.
Where is it located?
Most often the inlet valve is located at the top of the machine closer to the back wall, so to check and remove it, you need to unscrew the back cover of the machine. Usually the cover is held by two self-tapping screws, after unscrewing them, it is pushed from the front side and easily removed.
In models where the laundry is loaded vertically, the filling valve is also in the back of the machine, but at the bottom. To get access to the valve, you detach a part of the side wall of the machine.
How to check the operation?
To check the serviceability of the filler valve, you need to remove the part, then connect a hose to the valve, and apply voltage to each of its sections. If the valve works, it will open to let water in. When the 220V supply is disconnected, the valve should close and not let any water in. This check should be done very carefully, because the part will be energized and a short circuit can occur if water gets in.
Checking the operation of the intake valve will also include these steps:
- Inspecting the valve screen to look for a clog. If the screen is contaminated, it should be removed and cleaned and then put back in place.
- An additional check with a tester. It will be necessary if the valve does not open when the power is applied. The multimeter will measure the resistance and show if the coil is burned out. A working coil will have a resistance of 2 to 4 kohms.
- Check for plastic inserts in the fittings. Such rates are designed to prevent water with excessively high pressure from entering the machine. If the inserts have fallen out, the valve must be replaced.
Can it be repaired?
Fill valves by their structure refer to the non-disassembled parts, so their repair is often impossible. You can try to replace the blown coil by removing a functioning coil from a similar valve. However, in most cases this will not work. The best solution is to buy a new valve and replace it completely.
Repair
Most often, the idea that it is the inlet valve that does not work, appears in a situation where the water in the washing machine does not get in at all. To repair such a part, you can call a master or try to replace the valve yourself.
To find a suitable solenoid valve for your washing machine, it is best to remove the faulty part from the machine and buy the exact same new valve in the store. In doing so, pay attention to the number of coils so that the new valve will fit your appliance.
Replacing
- De-energizing the appliances, cutting off the water supply to the machine and removing the desired wall of the appliance, you need to disconnect the hoses and terminals from the valve.
- Be sure to remember how they were located, or better yet, take pictures.
- Next you need to unscrew the bolts that hold the part or remove the latches (in some models they fix the valve).
- Having turned the valve, it is removed, and then a new intake valve is inserted in its place.
- Secure the new part in the reverse order.
- Once the inlet valve is in place, the machine should be turned on and checked to see if it has started to draw water.
You can see the process of replacing the water inlet valve on the LG washing machine in the following video.
