How to Repair a Leaking Washing Machine

Fix the most common leaks yourself and avoid a $75 service call.

Time

A total day

Complication

Intermediate

Price

$51–100

Introduction

Don't panic when the washing machine starts leaking water all over the floor! You tin can usually ready the problem yourself inside and hour or two at a fraction of the cost of calling a service technician. And merely rarely will you accept to purchase a new machine.

This article will assist yous avoid the expensive service call by showing y'all how to diagnose and fix the most common washing automobile leaks.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Repair parts as needed

In that location are but and so many places from which a washing car can leak. In this how-to article nosotros comprehend the near common types of leaks — from the hose, pump and tub — but at that place may be additional problem areas specific to your make of car. There are two types of washing motorcar repair: belt drive and directly drive. If yous open upward the cabinet and don't find whatever belts, then you've got a direct-bulldoze machine. Repairs are similar for both machines, but generally easier on the straight-drive unit of measurement. The following photos are from a belt-drive washing machine. If yous accept a direct drive, refer to your owner's transmission or diagrams (run across "Buying Parts") for brand-specific details.

Simply earlier you do anything else, brand sure the water on the floor isn't the consequence of a plugged floor bleed. It happens!

Project stride-by-step (19)

Pace one

Locate the Source of the Leak

  • Empty the washing machine, move it abroad from the wall and get-go the fill cycle.
  • Expect for drips effectually the h2o supply hose connection at the back of the machine while it fills with water.
  • Shut off the water and replace whatsoever one-time, heavily corroded or rusted hoses with new ones.
  • If the hoses are in good shape, replace the internal washers only.
    • Annotation: Special no-flare-up hoses, regular hoses and new hose washers are available at home centers and hardware stores.

front load washer leaking

Circumspection!Unplug the machine before performing whatever repairs.

Footstep 2

Unscrew the Water Supply Hoses

  • Plough off the water main or shutoff valve.
  • Unscrew the supply hoses from the dorsum of the car with adjustable pliers.
  • Pry out the old hose washers with a flat-blade screwdriver.
  • Install new gaskets in both hoses and reconnect the supply lines.

Pace 3

Expect Inside the Machine

  • If the supply hoses aren't leaking, reconnect power and water supply to the washing automobile.
  • Unscrew the access panel from the back of the machine or open the cabinet.
  • Look for leaks while the machine fills with water.
  • If you don't see whatsoever, advance the machine to the agitate cycle and check again.
    • Note: Chugalug-bulldoze machines typically take a rear access console that unscrews. Access direct drive machines by removing the two screws on the outside of the control panel and flipping upwardly the hat. So pry up the cabinet clips and pull off the entire cabinet.

Step iv

Remove the Erstwhile Hose

  • If you've found a leaking hose inside the washer, squeeze the hose clench together, slide it downwardly the hose and pull off the hose.
    • Note: Hoses tend to leak around a worn-out spring clamp.
    • Pro tip: Go along a bucket or pan handy so you can catch any residuum water left in the hoses.
  • Supersede the hose with an identical part and new worm-drive clamps.

Pace v

Replace a Leaky Pump

    • Note: The pump usually leaks effectually the pulley seal. If y'all spot water leaking from this spot, the pump is shot and will have to be replaced.
  • If a leaky pump is your problem, disconnect the power and water supply again.
  • Tip the machine upwards against the wall.
  • Block upwardly the front with a motorcar jack or 2x4s and then it can't tip over while you lot achieve underneath.
  • If the belt is darkened from called-for or is worn downward to the threads, replace it, too.L

Step 6

Loosen the Bolts

  • Loosen the two motor mounting bolts to relieve tension on the belt.
    • Note: One volition be at the rear of the cabinet and the other is nearby.

Step seven

Remove the One-time Pump

  • Disconnect the pump hoses.
  • Unscrew the pump mounting bolts.
  • Tip the pump pulley abroad from the belt and wiggle the pump loose.
    • Note: Straight-drive pumps will but unscrew or unclip.

Step viii

Install the New Pump

  • Slide the pump lever into the agitator slot and align the belt with the pump pulley.
  • Line up the bolt holes and firmly tighten the mounting bolts.
  • Reconnect all hoses and clamps.

Footstep 9

Retighten the Bolts

  • Pull confronting the motor to tension the belt and so tighten the rear motor mounting bolt.
    • Annotation: The belt should deflect nearly ane/2 inch when y'all button against it.
  • Tighten the mounting bolt located on the opposite side of the motor.

Step ten

Replace Worn-Out Tub Fittings

    • Note: The most challenging repair is fixing a leaking tub plumbing fixtures, whether information technology's the air dome seal, the centre mail gasket or the tub seals.
  • Before proceeding, make sure that telltale drips are coming from effectually the tub.
    • Notation: The details of this repair vary past brand and model. The details we show are for most Whirlpool and Kenmore belt drives. Study a schematic drawing or consult a parts specialist if your machine is different from what we show.
    • Note: You lot'll need a special spanner wrench to remove the tub and replace the tub fittings on this type of machine. It's available at your local appliance parts supplier.

Step 11

Lift the Lid

  • Slide a pocket-sized putty knife between the washer lid and the chiffonier.
  • Push the putty knife against the spring grab while lifting up on the lid.
  • Release both catches and fold the lid dorsum.

washing machine dripping water into tub

Pace 12

Elevator Out the Tub

  • Pop off the tub band clips.
  • Elevator the tub ring out of the cabinet and set it bated.

Step thirteen

Remove the Anarchist

  • Twist or pry the cap off the agitator.
  • Unscrew the attachment nut and pull the agitator up and off the drive shaft.

Stride 14

Loosen the Spanner Nut

  • Hold the inner tub tight to the outer tub.
  • Rap the special spanner wrench to break the spanner nut free.
  • Remove the spanner nut.

Pace 15

Lift Out the Inner Tub

  • Elevator the inner tub upward and off the drive shaft.
    • Pro tip: You might have to wiggle it back and along to help work information technology loose.

Step 16

Remove the Old Tub Seals

  • Unscrew the sometime leaky tub seals from the outer tub.
    • Pro tip: Later, when you install the new tub seals, make sure the metallic washer is on meridian of the prophylactic washer.
    • Note: At that place are four tub seals that secure the outer tub to the chiffonier, each consisting of a bolt with a rubber and metal washer. Rust often develops around one of the tub seals, causing a tub leak. A new tub seal kit volition come with four new bolts and oversized safe and metallic washers that volition seal small leaks. Only if the tub is completely rusted through around the bolt, it'southward time to buy a new washing automobile.

Step 17

Loosen the Drive Block

  • Tap up on the bulldoze block with a hammer to break it loose from the drive shaft.
  • Pull off the drive block and set it aside.
  • Lift the outer tub from the chiffonier, twisting it dorsum and along to work it loose.

Step 18

Remove the Air Dome

  • Twist the air dome a quarter turn and pull it free from the outer tub.
  • Pry off the erstwhile air dome seal and supersede it with a new one.

Step 19

Remove the Post Gasket

    • Note: If the leaking occurs simply when the machine is agitating, a bad middle mail service gasket ("doughnut") is the culprit. Remove the outer tub to replace the eye post gasket. While you're at it, supervene upon the air dome seal as well.
  • Squeeze the middle post gasket together and pull it from the bottom of the outer tub.
  • Install a new middle post gasket.
  • Reassemble the washing car and run a test cycle.

Buying Apparatus Parts

Washing machine parts are available at appliance parts distributors. Attempt to observe a parts supplier with well-informed staff, ideally ex–repair technicians, who can provide diagrams and assist diagnose any issues specific to your brand of machine. A great Internet source is www.searspartsdirect.com. Enter your model number to admission exploded-view diagrams and a thorough parts list for easy on-line ordering.

You'll need the brand and model number for proper part identification. Model numbers are normally stamped on a minor metallic plate located under the tub hat or on the side or dorsum of the motorcar. Copy downwardly all the plate information and accept it along to the parts distributor.

Originally Published: November 04, 2022