My wife and I own an older Kenmore "Heavy Duty" (that's what the label
says) washing machine. Water is leaking into the tub (whatever you call
the place where you put the clothes) and seems to be coming from this
flat plastic piece which controls the water flow into the tub (the part
which makes the water flow flat). The leak is completely internal;
water is not leaking outside of the washer. Since the tub was made for
holding water, it just pools up. I then have to drain it by setting it
to the draining part of the cycle for a few seconds. As I'm sure you
can guess, this is getting old quick.

Today I decided to remove the four screws on the control panel and pull
it off. But that only revealed all of the wiring; the leak was still
underneath the metal outside covering of the washer. So, I don't even
know how to get to the leak. I am assuming that the hose directly above
this is leaking and merely flowing over this plastic piece, but I can't
be sure. I'm usually very good with my hands, but I have never touched
a washing machine (so I am reluctant to just jump in on this without
advice). Does anyone have any suggestions? Or is this something where
it would be much easier to call a repairman? Thanks for your help.

wrote in message
oups.com...
My wife and I own an older Kenmore "Heavy Duty" (that's what the label
says) washing machine. Water is leaking into the tub (whatever you call
the place where you put the clothes) and seems to be coming from this
flat plastic piece which controls the water flow into the tub (the part
which makes the water flow flat). The leak is completely internal;
water is not leaking outside of the washer. Since the tub was made for
holding water, it just pools up. I then have to drain it by setting it
to the draining part of the cycle for a few seconds. As I'm sure you
can guess, this is getting old quick.

Could be the water valve is leaking by. It can be replaced, possibly
rebuilt. One way to stop the leak is to turnoff the water tot he washer
when you are done. That is considered good practice anyway. Check
www.repairclinic.com www.applianceaid.com for more information.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
My wife and I own an older Kenmore "Heavy Duty" (that's what the label
says) washing machine. Water is leaking into the tub (whatever you call
the place where you put the clothes) and seems to be coming from this
flat plastic piece which controls the water flow into the tub (the part
which makes the water flow flat). The leak is completely internal;
water is not leaking outside of the washer. Since the tub was made for
holding water, it just pools up. I then have to drain it by setting it
to the draining part of the cycle for a few seconds. As I'm sure you
can guess, this is getting old quick.

Could be the water valve is leaking by. It can be replaced, possibly
rebuilt. One way to stop the leak is to turnoff the water tot he washer
when you are done. That is considered good practice anyway. Check
www.repairclinic.com www.applianceaid.com for more information.

I agree with Edwin, Had the same problem with an older Kenmore(1970s)
other than the leak the machine works fine but I could not find a
replacement valve. The leak is pretty slow so the solution was turing
off the water when not in use. This worked for a while but the valves
on the water connection were as old and worn as the soleniod valve in
the machine and soon began to leak too. Solution was to replace these
with lever type ball valves. The new valves are much easier for my
wife and daughter to use. Just waiting for the machine to die now. As
it is in a vaction home it may last for years.

On 11 Mar 2006 11:36:37 -0800, wrote:

(so I am reluctant to just jump in on this without
advice). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Don't jump in unless you're sure the agitator won't go on.

Or is this something where
it would be much easier to call a repairman? Thanks for your help.

No. I"m sure you can do this yourself. Jimmie suggests a big problem,
of not being able to find the part, but if the repairman can find it
you can too. (I'm not into rebuilding htis part, but otoh, sometimes
they stick open because there are little stones in the water supply
that get caught in the valve. This is caused usually when there is a
leak in a water main, and some soil etc. gets in the main during the
repair. If you know this has happened, or you see dirt in the water,
I guess it would be good to turn on the tub, or even a sink, for a
while to flush the system bfeore turning on a washing machine. But
usually people don't know.

(BTW, I have a sock rubberbanded around my tub faucet, so the water
won't make noise when I'm watching TV. The same sock has been there
for at least 5 years, maybe 15. I noticed recently that I can feel a
bunch of pebbles in the toe of the sock!!)

Despite the problem Jimmie had, I'm pretty sure you can find a
replacement valve set (hot and cold). If it is Kenmore by
Whirlpool, they tend to use the same parts for literally decades on
end.

If Sears doesn't have the part, you could perhaps take the part to
Whirlpool parts store, and the owner might know a model it is used in
(probably of the same age) or you might be able to identify it from
their picture book.

I'm not looking at your washer, but I would expect that, almost any
double valve from most or all brands will do if it will mount inside
the machine. To the best of my knowlege, they will all fit
physically, they all mount just inside the cabinet where you see the
hose connections sticking out the back, they all have approximately
the same spaciing between hot and cold, they ALL use standard garden
hose male connections for input and I forget but one of two or three,
or maybe only one, type of connections for output. They all mount
with a screw from the outsdie of the washer into the frame of the
vavle, and if the mounting holes don't match you can use new holes.

And they all have valves solenoids that run on 110 VAC. If the 2
connectors that ares on the current vavle won't fit on the new valve,
you can make your own connectors with some blank female spade
connectors, or whatever fits the new valve.

If you're not in a hurry. you may see a Kenmore or Whirlpool machine
on the side of the road, waiting for the bulk trash guy. You can
probably get a valve out of that. (Test it before installation. It
might be bad, but I don't think too many machines are thrown away
because of this valve.)

BTW, I had a real triumph tonight in terms of finding good things in
the trash. I found an electric wheelchair. Very clean. Works
fine. Don't know but I think it must be 2000 dollars new and it works
well so maybe 1000 dollars s is. I'm looking to give it away within
the next couple days if anyone has some suggestions. I don't want it
sitting at Goodwill waiting for someone to buy it, when I think there
are ways to find someone, possibly a poor person but one not covered
by Medical Assistance, whatever that is.

It's too heavy to get in my friend's truck, and definitely too heavy
for my LeBaron.

BTW, there was another piece of medical equipment thrown out at the
same time, and I think that means the owner died. And I think I knew
him a tiny bit, for the last 4 years or so.. I would see him, often
with 2 friends (both in wheelchairs iirc) sitting outside enjoying
the fresh air. I'd wave if I thought he might see me, he'd sometimes
see me and wave back, but usually they seemed busy with each other,
and when he was alone, I was always in my car on my way, often to some
place I had to be on time, and I figured I'd catch him the next time.

"mm" wrote in message

BTW, I had a real triumph tonight in terms of finding good things in
the trash. I found an electric wheelchair. Very clean. Works
fine. Don't know but I think it must be 2000 dollars new and it works
well so maybe 1000 dollars s is. I'm looking to give it away within
the next couple days if anyone has some suggestions. I don't want it
sitting at Goodwill waiting for someone to buy it, when I think there
are ways to find someone, possibly a poor person but one not covered
by Medical Assistance, whatever that is.

I'd bet there are plenty of people that can use it. Contact your local
hospital or church charity, or a supplier of medical equipment and he may
know of someone that cannot afford to buy one. Even though they sell them,
they are often willing to assist a person in need.

On Sun, 12 Mar 2006 12:26:31 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"mm" wrote in message

BTW, I had a real triumph tonight in terms of finding good things in
the trash. I found an electric wheelchair. Very clean. Works
fine. Don't know but I think it must be 2000 dollars new and it works
well so maybe 1000 dollars s is. I'm looking to give it away within
the next couple days if anyone has some suggestions. I don't want it
sitting at Goodwill waiting for someone to buy it, when I think there
are ways to find someone, possibly a poor person but one not covered
by Medical Assistance, whatever that is.

I'd bet there are plenty of people that can use it. Contact your local
hospital or church charity, or a supplier of medical equipment and he may
know of someone that cannot afford to buy one. Even though they sell them,
they are often willing to assist a person in need.

Those are very good ideas. I was wrong about 2000. It was too dark
last night to get the brand, and today it was covered for the
predicted rain, but it seems like retail for these things is between
6000 and 16000 dollars, and mine was probably closer to 16000. Which
makes it by far the most expensive thing I've gotten out of the trash.
(and I've gotten lots of good stuff)

Tomorrow is Monday. I'll be able to start calling places to find one
that knows someone who can use it. I was in a hurry last night
because rain was predicted and I have no room in my house, nor a very
good way to get it in even if I made room. Today I thought about
using a lot of 2x4'x and t-111, all of which I happen to have at the
moment, and even as heavy as it is, I think I could do it. But
instead I drove it up to the cement slab in front of the kitchen/house
and covered it with a tarp.

I would really like to try driving it more before they take it away.
Maybe I will. I hope I don'pt end up like George Costanza.