Replacing pump on 18 year old Kenmore washer, anything else I should replace?
 

I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump. While I have it apart I'm going to do an inspection and
cleaning, and even though it doesn't seem to be having any other issues, is
there anything else (gaskets, seals, etc.) that I should just go ahead and
replace, or at least pay special attention to? Most of those parts are
pretty inexpensive and I'd rather replace them while I'm working on the rest
of the unit instead of waiting six months and disassembling the washer
again.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.

Hi,

For sure check the motor coupler at the same time!!

http://www.applianceaid.com/procedures.html
Access, motor coupler and pump helps.

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

After 18yrs junk it and buy a new one!

Tom


"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump. While I have it apart I'm going to do an inspection
and cleaning, and even though it doesn't seem to be having any other
issues, is there anything else (gaskets, seals, etc.) that I should just go
ahead and replace, or at least pay special attention to? Most of those
parts are pretty inexpensive and I'd rather replace them while I'm working
on the rest of the unit instead of waiting six months and disassembling the
washer again.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.

"twfsa" wrote in message
news:h3Zke.144$rb6.92@lakeread07...
After 18yrs junk it and buy a new one!

Tom

Why junk it? The Whirlpool washer bought in 1961 is still going. Raised 2
children. Cloth diapers, lots of loads. Gave it to oldest son 10 years ago
as wife wanted a new one. Son still using it, just changed pump and belt
recently. W W


"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump. While I have it apart I'm going to do an inspection
and cleaning, and even though it doesn't seem to be having any other
issues, is there anything else (gaskets, seals, etc.) that I should just
go ahead and replace, or at least pay special attention to? Most of those
parts are pretty inexpensive and I'd rather replace them while I'm working
on the rest of the unit instead of waiting six months and disassembling
the washer again.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump.

Could be the pump, could be what drives the pump (loose belt?), could be a
collapsing hose or blockage.


Any comments would be appreciated.

It's a crap shoot. Fixing the pump can get you another 18 years, but a
major component can go tomorrow. Know real way of knowing for sure.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

"Appliance Repair Aid" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

For sure check the motor coupler at the same time!!

http://www.applianceaid.com/procedures.html
Access, motor coupler and pump helps.

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

Why junk it if it's working OK? My parents washer lasted about 25 years.

The only problem we've had with it has been the last couple of weeks with
the water draining. The tub, agitator,etc. all seem to be in good shape,
and if the rest of it looks as good once I get the cover off, then $50
worth of parts sure beats $500 for a new one.

Mike


"twfsa" wrote in message
news:h3Zke.144$rb6.92@lakeread07...
After 18yrs junk it and buy a new one!

Tom


"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump. While I have it apart I'm going to do an inspection
and cleaning, and even though it doesn't seem to be having any other
issues, is there anything else (gaskets, seals, etc.) that I should just
go ahead and replace, or at least pay special attention to? Most of those
parts are pretty inexpensive and I'd rather replace them while I'm working
on the rest of the unit instead of waiting six months and disassembling
the washer again.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.

It's a direct drive, so it's not a belt issue. I'll check the hoses, but
when it drains, it seems to drain pretty strong.

Once or twice in the last few weeks there was water under the cabinet, when
I looked under it seemed like it was coming from the front. That seems to
have gone away, but now we're often seeing an inch or two of water after the
spin is done. From what I've researched, it sounds like the pump is the
likely culprit, but I won't know until I open up the cabinet.

I'm not expecting to get 18 more years just with the pump, but if I replace
the pump and maybe a few other minor parts, it might buy me a few more years
before dropping down $500 for a new one.

- Mike O.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:To%ke.56$Tm3.53@trndny09...

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump.

Could be the pump, could be what drives the pump (loose belt?), could be a
collapsing hose or blockage.


Any comments would be appreciated.

It's a crap shoot. Fixing the pump can get you another 18 years, but a
major component can go tomorrow. Know real way of knowing for sure.

Thanks for all the comments.

I worked on the washer today. Other than some lint and cobwebs, the unit
was suprisingly clean and everthing looked in good shape inside. The hoses
were flexible, nothing clogged, etc. When I took the pump off there was
some sideways play in the bearing, and it seemed like as it rotated it had
some tighter spots. It also had a noticible water stain from the hub seal,
so I went ahead and replaced it. After purchasing the new one, I broke open
up the old pump housing. The impeller was not solidly connected to the
shaft, and the bearing/seal at the hub was pretty worn. Also some of the
plastic on the inside of the pump housing was worn away, so between them all
I figure that's what was causing the water to not all drain. The total from
a local supplier was about $32.

I went ahead and checked some of the other areas like the motor coupling. I
wouldn't say they were like new, but everything seemed very solid with no
cracks or other obvious excessivly worn areas. Not bad for an 18 year old
washer. If I get a few more years out of it, it's worth it.

Mike O.

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump. While I have it apart I'm going to do an inspection
and cleaning, and even though it doesn't seem to be having any other
issues, is there anything else (gaskets, seals, etc.) that I should just go
ahead and replace, or at least pay special attention to? Most of those
parts are pretty inexpensive and I'd rather replace them while I'm working
on the rest of the unit instead of waiting six months and disassembling the
washer again.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
shaft, and the bearing/seal at the hub was pretty worn. Also some of the
plastic on the inside of the pump housing was worn away, so between them
all I figure that's what was causing the water to not all drain. The
total from a local supplier was about $32.

I went ahead and checked some of the other areas like the motor coupling.
I wouldn't say they were like new, but everything seemed very solid with
no cracks or other obvious excessivly worn areas. Not bad for an 18 year
old washer. If I get a few more years out of it, it's worth it.

Mike O.

You did good. Thanks for reporting back. Many people ask for help and then
you never hear from them again.

Thanks.

I try to post a conclusion when I can. There's been many times I've googled
for something, find a several year old post with the same issue, but never
followed up with the answer.

Mike O.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
m...

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
shaft, and the bearing/seal at the hub was pretty worn. Also some of the
plastic on the inside of the pump housing was worn away, so between them
all I figure that's what was causing the water to not all drain. The
total from a local supplier was about $32.

I went ahead and checked some of the other areas like the motor coupling.
I wouldn't say they were like new, but everything seemed very solid with
no cracks or other obvious excessivly worn areas. Not bad for an 18 year
old washer. If I get a few more years out of it, it's worth it.

Mike O.

You did good. Thanks for reporting back. Many people ask for help and
then you never hear from them again.

Mike O'Donnell wrote:
Thanks for all the comments.

I worked on the washer today. Other than some lint and cobwebs, the unit
was suprisingly clean and everthing looked in good shape inside. The hoses
were flexible, nothing clogged, etc. When I took the pump off there was
some sideways play in the bearing, and it seemed like as it rotated it had
some tighter spots. It also had a noticible water stain from the hub seal,
so I went ahead and replaced it. After purchasing the new one, I broke open
up the old pump housing. The impeller was not solidly connected to the
shaft, and the bearing/seal at the hub was pretty worn. Also some of the
plastic on the inside of the pump housing was worn away, so between them all
I figure that's what was causing the water to not all drain. The total from
a local supplier was about $32.

I went ahead and checked some of the other areas like the motor coupling. I
wouldn't say they were like new, but everything seemed very solid with no
cracks or other obvious excessivly worn areas. Not bad for an 18 year old
washer. If I get a few more years out of it, it's worth it.

Mike O.

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
. ..
I have an 18 year old Kenmore direct drive washer. Lately it's not been
draining the tub completely, and occassionally I've seen a small amount of
water leaking from the front. I'm pretty certain that I'm going to be
replacing the pump. While I have it apart I'm going to do an inspection
and cleaning, and even though it doesn't seem to be having any other
issues, is there anything else (gaskets, seals, etc.) that I should just go
ahead and replace, or at least pay special attention to? Most of those
parts are pretty inexpensive and I'd rather replace them while I'm working
on the rest of the unit instead of waiting six months and disassembling the
washer again.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.




Good job!! :)
Thankx for the update!!

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message

shaft, and the bearing/seal at the hub was pretty worn. Also some of the
plastic on the inside of the pump housing was worn away, so between them
all I figure that's what was causing the water to not all drain. The
total from a local supplier was about $32.

I went ahead and checked some of the other areas like the motor coupling.
I wouldn't say they were like new, but everything seemed very solid with
no cracks or other obvious excessivly worn areas. Not bad for an 18 year
old washer. If I get a few more years out of it, it's worth it.

Mike O.


You did good. Thanks for reporting back. Many people ask for help and then
you never hear from them again.


Hi,
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone comes back with follow-up like this to
the benefit of all of us. Wishful thought.
Thanks, Mike.
Tony