1968 Kenmore 800 leak... dumb question

[classiccaprice]

Hey fellas,

My Kenmore 800 has sprung a leak. Twice now, after the wash, there is a puddle just bigger than the washer itself underneath the machine. I feared it was water seeping in the transmission, but now that the water has dried, I don't see any oil. So here comes the question... Does anyone have any suggestions on where the leak could be coming from? Is there any particular area that is prone to fail on these? I won't have the chance till the weekend to get under it and look. I guess I just want a best and worst case scenero. Thanks fellas.

 

[swestoyz]

It's often helpful to understand when the machine leaks, more so than it simply leaking.  If leaking during fill it could be related to the water valve or hoses leading to the fill flume, leaking during wash could be a number of things (leaking around the dispenser, center tub seal, manifold seal, etc.), or leaking during pumping out could be related to the plumbing/filter/pump.  If leaking during wash, pop the top panel and inspect down around the base.  Each corner or area will hopefully highlight the area, or give you better insight on where to look once you pull the back panel and watch for the leak.

 

Take some time to do some investigative work.  It will pay off in the long run.

 

Ben

 

 

 

[classiccaprice]

Thanks Ben. I look forward to investigating Saturday!

 

[classiccaprice]

Well. I hope it's a failed gasket, but it looks like a bit of a job. The leak is coming from the bottom of the outer tub in a fairly steady drip when the washer is full of water. Pics to follow

 

[classiccaprice]

As you can see, the drip is coming from the rear of the outer tub, dripping off the platform.

 

[classiccaprice]

Another angle showing puddle approximately 5 minutes after being filled.

 

[rickr]

Well, you know the outer tub is leaking. Maybe a rust hole in the tub, or perhaps the outer tub just need resealed. Follow the restoration instructions on Roberts 1957 Kenmore, and pull the outer tub out and see what you need to do. The reseal is not that hard, and the outer tub can be repaired, if it is not rusted out too bad.

 

[tolivac]

I have a WP washer that is leaking near the front of the machine-I could see from the access hole in the back-a hose.Can the cabinet be removed to get to this on mine??If I could get the case off,should be an easy fix.Plan "B" would be to use thats washers round frame motor to replace a blown motor in another WP machine whose mechanism and drums are OK-just needs a motor.2 speed "square" frame motor-grey case.

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Will,

 

Rick is spot on.  Follow Robert's '57 Kenmore rebuild as a guide, and ask questions along the way.  The only tool you'll need is the spanner wrench for getting the tub nut off.  Hopefully you get the agitator off without too much hassle. 

 

If this were me, I'd pull the inner and outer tubs, install new seals for the manifold trap (93553) and center seal (383727), re-seal the dispenser port and make sure the air dome area is sealed as well.  Pick up an outer tub bolt kit as well for good measure (76673).

 

How are the bearings?  Might not be a bad idea to replace the spin tube seal at the top of the center post (91938).

 

Ben

[this post was last edited: 2/17/2014-14:04]

 

[classiccaprice]

Thanks Ben and Rick!

It's a crazy time at work right now, but I'll try to get to it over the next few weekends. What do I use for a sealer? Also, since I'm going so far as to take the tub out, perhaps it's time to fix a second issue.... The washer will make a "ka-klunk" noise and hesitate at the beginning of agitation at times, but then works fine. What is causing that and is it an easy fix or a let's tear appart a transmission fix? I'm told it happens to many Whirlpools of this era.

 

[bendixmark]

sealant

I always use clear non flowing silicone,works great and lasts forever.Tub bolt kits are nice if you have rust around the mounting holes the downside is if you dont tighten them enough they leak and too much they cause the tub to crack over time,have seen it happen.

 

[classiccaprice]

The culprit

I replaced most of the seals while in there, and currently there are no leaks. Yay!