Washing machine sprung a leak
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:56 pm
I threw in a load of clothes. After I put all the clothes in the washer, I noticed a puddle was forming under the machine and slowly running across the basement floor. Uh oh.
First step...get model number and look up parts with blow up diagrams to see if I could at least get an idea what might be the potential issue. I Looked it up on Appliance Parts Pros which gave me a couple of ideas. My main idea was the main tub gasket. They have installation videos for certain parts which showed me generally how this thing comes apart. Before I ordered anything though I wanted to inspect myself to confirm the issue.
It is remarkably easy to get to this point. 2 screws, flip the control panel over, two metal clips and the whole sheet metal housing just lifts away from the machine. Once I could inspect, I realized that the tub gasket seemed to be fine. I looked around back and I found the culprit. This hose is how the water level sensing works. The water fills the hose and some kind of air diaphragm senses the height, probably based on the air pressure created by the water level. Anyway, this hose was halfway off the nipple. I just shoved it back on. Couldn't find a suitable clamp so oh well.
I also wanted to investigate why the tub seems to bang more than it should on the spin cycle and sit off center. So I looked at the suspension springs. I found a broken screw which made a bracket hang on by a thread. It looks like the screw rusted and broke. I had a fun time trying to get the piece of sheet metal screw out but I got it. And found another screw in my collection to use, which will probably rust away years down the road. At least the suspension spring stuff seems better sorted now.
I put everything back together and ran another load of clothes, with no leaking water. So I guess that was the issue.
It's funny - when I saw that water I had all these visions of like a rusty tub (of course it is plastic, they thought of that), or just getting a new machine. Not necessary. Cost incurred: zero!
First step...get model number and look up parts with blow up diagrams to see if I could at least get an idea what might be the potential issue. I Looked it up on Appliance Parts Pros which gave me a couple of ideas. My main idea was the main tub gasket. They have installation videos for certain parts which showed me generally how this thing comes apart. Before I ordered anything though I wanted to inspect myself to confirm the issue.
It is remarkably easy to get to this point. 2 screws, flip the control panel over, two metal clips and the whole sheet metal housing just lifts away from the machine. Once I could inspect, I realized that the tub gasket seemed to be fine. I looked around back and I found the culprit. This hose is how the water level sensing works. The water fills the hose and some kind of air diaphragm senses the height, probably based on the air pressure created by the water level. Anyway, this hose was halfway off the nipple. I just shoved it back on. Couldn't find a suitable clamp so oh well.
I also wanted to investigate why the tub seems to bang more than it should on the spin cycle and sit off center. So I looked at the suspension springs. I found a broken screw which made a bracket hang on by a thread. It looks like the screw rusted and broke. I had a fun time trying to get the piece of sheet metal screw out but I got it. And found another screw in my collection to use, which will probably rust away years down the road. At least the suspension spring stuff seems better sorted now.
I put everything back together and ran another load of clothes, with no leaking water. So I guess that was the issue.
It's funny - when I saw that water I had all these visions of like a rusty tub (of course it is plastic, they thought of that), or just getting a new machine. Not necessary. Cost incurred: zero!