2005 Whirlpool top loader problems... Wet floor!

[ultralux88]

Well we got this washer/dryer set with the new house in 2005, and its been very reliable, aside from mom overloading it and breaking the drive coupling! But we have a new problem: Its leaking water! I haven't taken the cabinet off yet, was figuring I'd see what the more experienced washer people suggest I look for before just diving right in. I'm sincerely hoping its not the main seal under the agitator!

 

[thomasortega]

usually the tub-pump hose.

 

[thomasortega]

Or one of the suspension bands broke and the tub is slightly fallen to the front. When it fills the water falls behind the tub. (this is a typical Brastemp issue and this washer, if it's the belt drive, is "inspired" (sic) on a Brastemp

 

[ultralux88]

This one is a direct drive model I believe I've heard it called a "Shredmore" before. LOL Its been good washer.

Since I'm bored out of my mind I decided to go ahead and see if I remembered how to take the cabinet off, and here's what we found... I don't believe water is supposed to be coming out of here! I could barely pull the pump off of the motor! I decided to pull the pump because the bottom of it was all wet and drippy, and nothing else I felt as I felt around under there was.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Common failure point on an otherwise reliable machine

 

[ultralux88]

Considering its age, 12 years, 13 this coming May, I can't hold it against the machine. Its been used several times a day for 12.5 years after all! The new pump has been ordered, said it'll be here my the 29th. The poor washer is disgusting under there, going to have 5 days to spend cleaning this thing up, its NASTY! The outer tub is really disgusting, as is the fill plume for some reason... 

 

[speedqueen]

Welcome to AW, Reggie. I see that you're a regular next door on VL.

 

[ultralux88]

Thank you!

I wish I could say I had more of an appliance collection, but that'll have to wait until I have the room. I used to think it was nuts to collect washers and such, but that was before I really had anything to do with vintage appliances... Unlike vacuums modern large appliances don't really hold much interest, its the vintage ones I find fascinating, anything from the 40s to the early 70s really.  I'm going to have fun when I eventually have my mid-century modern house, aside from a Speed Queen washer and dryer set there won't be a modern appliance in sight!

 

[Chetlaham]

Speed Queen

Make sure you get them very soon, the current transmission top loader will stop production in January.

 

[ultralux88]

I know everyone will think I’m not a well woman, but I kind of want a SQ front loader set. Mom wants a front loader at some point, and I plan on keeping this Whirlpool set for myself.

 

[Chetlaham]

Get a Speed Queen front load set! A wise choice On tech on here said they will last 50 years and I believe him.

 

[combo52]

Leaking Pump On A WP DD Washer

Hi Reggie, be sure when you install the new pump on the motor shaft to sand or file any rust off the motor shaft. The new pump MUST slide on the motor shaft easily, if you force the pump on the motor shaft the seal will not float and seat properly and may leak water either immediately or very soon.

 

This WP is a very good washer, but if buying a new machine today their is no better washer [ available for home use ] anywhere in the world that a SQ FL model.

 

John L.

 

[dartman]

My old washer was a older version of that one and used the same pump. The pump had not been replaced when the shop rebuilt it and it started leaking pretty early but we just put a low plastic pan under it till I finally decided to figure it out. Pump looked about like yours. Pump back then was a bit over 20 bucks at a local shop. When I moved in here it started leaking again so figured the pump again. I replaced it again, this time it was about 30 bucks and the old one lasted about 5 years and shop said if you use it hard with lots of sand pumps usually last 5 years. I later put new coupler and the agitater dogs and finally retired it in 2013,
It worked well but was getting loud and used too much water for my super expensive water district I moved to.
If you can afford the water use keep fixing it for cheap till its completely done. The guy that bought mine said the transmission was pretty hammered but he got it cheap and was going to rebuild it and sell it.

 

[ultralux88]

Well the pump finally arrived...

So that’s been changed out. I cleaned the motor shaft as best I could, but one side of it was extremely pitted, but the pump went on OK, easier than the old one came off. I also had to do some cleaning, there was a fair bit of lint-based dildew all around the top of the inner and outer tub. But it lives on to wash another load of towels!

 

[speedqueen]

That's wonderful!

I hope it keeps washing for years to come.

 

[iowabear]

Congratulations on the successful repair

And thanks for your sharing your experience.  Thanks to forums like this and YouTube so many people are repairing machines themselves for only the cost of parts.  It's really great to see.