GE GTW335

[bella_vita7277]

Noticed a faint burning smell coming from the washer recently (we got a GE GTW335) and the smell got pretty strong yesterday.

The motor and pump pulleys spin fine, but the transmission pulley is a bit stiff. One parts place said just replace the belts, another suggested a motor glide or spring kit too. should I try the parts or just a get a new one? Would love some input on what else I should check too!

 

[bottomoftheocean]

Had a similar issue on mine last year and after two trips from the repair guy, it turned out to be the belt slipping due to a worn tension spring so he replaced the belt and the glide kit together, and it's been okay since then

 

[_teliaz]

@bottomoftheocean's experience is the path I would follow.

The burning rubber smell is a dead giveaway for a slipping drive belt and it's almost always because the tensioner spring is too weak to keep things tight anymore. Replacing the belt and the tensioner glide kit together is the proper fix. Otherwise, you're just kicking the can down the road. The stiff transmission pulley is worth a closer look, though. That could be the root of the problem, putting a huge load on the belt.

 

[ToastAndBoast]

I dealt with a similar problem with my GE washer last year, it had a burning smell and the transmission pulley was pretty stiff. I took it to a repair technician a couple of times, and it wasn't until we discovered that the belt was slipping due to a worn-out tension spring that we figured it out. After he replaced the belt along with the glide kit, the washer ran smoothly again. It's definitely a good idea to inspect the pulley closely, as that extra strain can really wear out the belt quickly.

 

[cardiff.121]

Noticed a faint burning smell coming from the washer recently (we got a GE GTW335) and the smell got pretty strong yesterday.

The motor and pump pulleys spin fine, but the transmission pulley is a bit stiff. One parts place said just replace the belts, another suggested a motor glide or spring kit too. should I try the parts or just a get a new one? Would love some input on what else I should check too!

Given the smell and stiffness, it's possible the transmission is failing or has an internal issue causing excessive friction.
Before buying parts, I'd strongly recommend pulling the washer apart enough to get a good look at the transmission area.
Check for any signs of melted plastic, frayed wires, or anything visibly jammed.
See if the pulley resistance changes after you've looked around in there.
But honestly, if it's a transmission issue, do consider that the cost of parts and your time could quickly add up, potentially approaching a significant portion of what a new washer would cost.
It's often a big decision, but sometimes putting that money towards a new unit makes more sense in the long run.

 

[solo.shifter]

Hey @bella_vita7277 I hope you cheked for any debris or buildup around the pulleys too.