If the door seal on your Hoover washing machine is faulty, damaged or in a poor state due to excessive dirt and grime, it can cause your appliance to leak or not work as efficiently. When this happens, you'll need to replace the door seal to get your washing machine working properly once more. That's why we're here to run you through this replacement so you can get your appliance back in shape. Read on for our guide on how to replace a Hoover washing machine door seal below!
If you have a different make of washing machine, we also have articles to help you fit the door seal on LG, Indesit, Bosch, Samsung and Zanussi machines too.
How to know if your door seal needs replacing
If water is leaking from the washing machine door, it is likely to be caused by a faulty door seal, also known as a gasket. Inspect the door seal for rips and tears and replace it if necessary. It will also need replacing if it is excessively dirty, discoloured and suffering from a significant build-up of mould and grime.
Before you begin, however, it's important to note that a dirty gasket can simply be cleaned as long as its condition isn't too poor. If your machine's door seal is only moderately dirty, it's worth trying to clean it first before replacing it. Take a look at our article for some tips on the best way to clean your washing machine.
What you will need
Finding your model number
To make sure you purchase the correct replacement door seal for your particular washing machine, you'll first need to know your appliance's model number. You can usually find the model number on a sticker or data plate, which is most commonly positioned behind the door frame or the removable kickplate panel at the bottom of the appliance. The number may be a combination of letters and numbers and could also include characters such as a dash (-) or a slash (/).
How to replace a Hoover washing machine door seal
Now, let's get started! You can either watch our video guide or follow our article below for advice on replacing a Hoover washing machine door seal step-by-step.
Safety first!
Remember to always switch off and unplug your appliance from the wall before carrying out any work.
Accessing the door seal
The washing machine we're using for this guide is the Hoover OPH716D washing machine. On this particular machine, it's not possible to remove the front panel to access the seal, so instead, we'll simply be going in through the door's opening.
If you need more space to work, however, you can always gently lay the washing machine on its back. This will cause the drum to fall away from the front of the machine, giving you more room to work. You can also remove the door for ease of access by unscrewing the two hinge screws, but this is entirely optional.
Step 1: Remove the top panel
The first thing to do is remove the washing machine's top panel. Using a nut runner, unscrew the three screws that keep the top panel in place at the back, then move the top panel aside.
Step 2: Remove the outer retaining band
Next, you'll need to remove the outer retaining band which is fitted around the outside of the door seal. Simply work the screwdriver beneath the retaining band and pry it away from the seal.
Step 3: Remove the inner retaining band
Then you'll also need to remove the inner retaining band which is fitted around the inside of the gasket. To do this, pull the outside of the seal off the door frame and fold it inside the drum.
On some washing machines, it's possible to simply unscrew the inner retaining band. For this appliance, however, we're going to use the end of a nut runner to hold the nut in position whilst unscrewing it with a Phillips screwdriver to loosen it.
With the retaining band loosened, you will be able to work the seal away from the drum and pull it out of the machine.
Step 4: Fit the new door seal
It's now time to start fitting the new gasket. Some door seals come pre-lubricated, but if yours doesn't, you can always rub a little washing up liquid around the seal's lip to lubricate it and make it easier to fit. To fit the seal, push it inside the frame, making sure the pointed marker goes at the top and the drain hole goes at the bottom.
With the door seal in the correct position, you can fit the seal's inner lip around the rim of the drum itself.
Step 5: Refit the inner retaining band
With the seal in place, you can refit the inner retaining band. First, fold the outside of the seal inside the drum in the same manner as when you removed the retaining band earlier.
Then fit the retaining band into position around the inside of the seal.
Making sure the screw is in position, you can secure it by again using the end of a nut runner to hold the nut in position whilst tightening it with a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 6: Refit the outer retaining band
Next, you can also refit the outer retaining band. First, pull the outer side of the seal out of the door, then fit the outside of the seal around the door frame.
Work your way around the seal, making sure it is securely in place.
You can then fit the outer retaining band by working it around the outside of the door seal...
Then finish by clipping the two sets of teeth on either end of the band together, making sure the band is nice and tight around the outside of the seal.
Step 7: Refit the top panel
Finally, to finish, return the top panel and secure it by refitting the three rear screws you removed earlier.
And that's all there is to fit a new Hoover washing machine door seal! Once done, you should run a test cycle to make sure the seal is fitted correctly, but your appliance should now be back up to scratch and running effectively once more.
Now that your washer is in working order again, it's always a good idea to make sure you're using it as efficiently as possible too. Our energy-saving tips for your washing machine will guide you through running your appliance in an energy-efficient manner, helping you make the most out of your washer whilst cutting down your energy bills.
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