DD Kenmore Noise

[supersurgilator]

My grandparents have a 7 year old Kenmore DD washer. Today while doing laundry, it washed and rinsed just fine, but when it got to the final spin, it started making this whining/squeal noise. When I heard it I went and checked on it and it was spinning just fine. I thought maybe it was just the weight of the load, so when it was finished, I set it back to spin empty and it still make this noise. I turned it back off and let it cool, thinking it was just because the motor was still hot. So I waited until the load was done in the dryer and tried it again but it still made the noise. ANy ideas what it could be? I pushed the lid switch in and watched it with the lid up and it spins just fine. Could it be the pump?

 

[kenmore71]

If it squeals during neutral drain AND spin it COULD be the pump but not necessarily.
If it only squeals during the spin it's not the pump.
Could be a number of things, but my best guess would be one or both of the center post bearings are failing, most likely because a seal has failed and some water has gotten in. Eventually it will get louder and then it will come to a screeching halt, most likley also breaking the motor coupling.

 

[mrb627]

Spin clutch?

Could it be a worn spin clutch?

Malcolm

 

[kenmore71]

No.

As the spin clutch wears it gradually stops grabbing and the spin slows down until eventually it barely spins, and then not at all. This might squeak a BIT but the spin would be severely affected. The sound he describes sounds like metal on metal. The clutch pads are plastic riding on steel. They are about a 1/4" thick. By the time they would be worn through enough to be steel on steel the machine would have gone through a long period of barely spinning, if at all.

 

[supersurgilator]

It was wierd because the first spin there was no noise at all, it was just the final spin. Would it have been possible for some water to go over the tub and get something wet? Its not really a metal on metal sound, but it does sound like it could be a bearing.

 

[kenmore71]

The best thing to do at this point is to pull the cabinet off and start it spinning and follow your ears.... (being careful of course to not get your ear caught on anything)

 

[supersurgilator]

well it is a stacking unit with the dryer on top, any idea how to get it open? there are no screws or anything on the front, so I'm wondering if it opens like a regular machine

 

[kenmore71]

I have no idea how to get one of those open.
Is it a model where the lid locks when it goes into spin?
If you post the exact model number perhaps more research can be done.

 

[supersurgilator]

No, the lid does not lock when it spins. Its basically like the 90's DD portables, except with the dryer on top. Any reason why the noise would only sstart on the final spin and not the first spin?

 

[kenmore71]

You got me there. Sorry.

 

[supersurgilator]

I haven't gotten a chance to open it up but I think I can rule out the bearing. As soon as the motor starts, the noise starts, its not a gradual loudening and the tub picks up speed like with the bearing.

 

[runematic]

We never really run into bearing issues with a DD machine.  My guess is something got into the pump.  The underwire from a bra is the most usual culprit that we find in these pumps.  Sometimes, gak that has formed up on the outer tub comes loose and gets into the pump.  Even though the gak may be soft and organic, it can create a loud whirring sound in the pump.

Also, sometimes something gets stuck between the tubs.  We've seen nails, screws, etc sticking through a hole in the inner basket. 

 

As with any problem/repair, it's really tough to diagnose without hearing the noise.  Take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[SearsKid]

Sqwall

Have you poped the pump off and spin it with out a pump? The dangerous red neck way is if the noise is still comeing with the pump off Put the motor on the ground with your foot on it and turn it on..(prolly not a good idea) But if your not sure it could help you narrow it down From motor to tanns. My frankenpool (Half Kenmore Catalist half 91 WP) Sqweels on spin when the clutch is slipin (you know geting up to speed) Its because its rusty because at the moment i am broke so the clutch is off a junk yard special XD But with out hearing the noise yeah take it with a grain of salt.

 

[supersurgilator]

Do u think it might be possible for whatever it is to flush its way out of the pump on its own, or would it have to be opened up and inspected? Also does the pump on these machines run during agitate as well or not

 

[kenmore71]

The pump on a DD is mounted on the backside of the motor and is held in place by 2 clips. During agitate the pump runs "backwards". That way no water is pumped out. (If you did put the drain hose down into a tub of water, however, it would pump that water into the machine during agitate and create quite a mess!).

When the motor reverses for the neutral pump-out and spin the pump is then turning the proper direction to pump water out. IF the issue were a pump issue I would expect it to make the sound whenever the machine is neutral draining or spinning.

The pump is very easy to remove once you gain access to it. These pumps cannot be disassembled or repaired, but the inlet and outlet openings are quite large and, once the hoses are removed, it would be very easy to see if something was lodged in the pump.

Somewhere on here in the last day or two someone posted a pic of a DD pump with a sock stuck in it! I can't find it at the moment but will keep looking.

 

[DADoES]

 
Here's a pump with a sock or some such caught in it, from the Catalyst refurb I did July 2011.  The pump and motor were completely jammed.  Couldn't get it out so had to replace the pump.

 

[supersurgilator]

Ok, ran the washer through a complete cycle today and it was fine during agitation, the noise started in both neutral drain and spin. I'm almost sure it is indeed the pump, the noise kind of fluctuats at the last bit of water/air are drawn through the pump.

 

[supersurgilator]

Well one job done. I finally figured how to take apart this machine to gain access to the pump. I got the old pump removed fairly easily but it was a bear to get the new one on. Since this is a compact machine, it only opens from the front, and of course the hoses that enter the pump are on the left hand side. But it is repaired and is quiet again.

My next task is to replace those clamps that hold the hose onto the pump. The ones that are on there are the kind you have to squeeze with pliers and supposedly slip over the end. Well that is easier said than done, and it doesn't feel secure to me, so I'm going to see if I can find those other clamps that you tighten down with a set screw instead.

I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out as it is the first time I've worked on a washing machine before.