Help!

[ellag]

Hi All.

I am new here and am sooo frustrated. I have a six year old GE Front Load washer and today I was washing a bathmat which disintegrated in the machine. Now it won't drain and I have a feeling the drain is plugged with bathmat bits. I can't find the drain plug so I can open it and clean it out. I am desperately trying to avoid calling a service person (can we say ca-ching?).
Anyone have any ideas? I took the front panel at the bottom off but I haven't a clue what I am looking for really.

Thanks so much!!

Ella G.

 

[funguy10]

You are looking for the drain pump.

 

[tuthill]

What is the model of your machine? If it is a FriGEmore, it's probably worth replacing.

 

[ellag]

It doesn't have a model name... just a big long number. When I called GE, they said it doesn't have a drain pump accessible to the consumer and that I need to call a service person <sigh>. It was an expensive machine 6 years ago and it doesn't see more than a load or two a week. I can't believe I should be replacing it already... or should I say... I don't want to believe that I should be replacing it already. Thanks.

 

[launderess]

Sadly many newer front loading washing machines do not have drain pumps users can get at, which is what you need to do in order to drain the machine and clean out what is clogging up the sump/drain.

If you can post the entire model number, maybe someone hear can find or has the parts listings and drawings. Often though the drain area is not user accessible, it is there for repair and service purposes, just a matter of getting to it.

 

[gizmo]

A couple of tricks you can try:

1. Lower the end of the drain hose into a bucket. If the hose and pump are not completely blocked, water should flow into the bucket enough that you can empty the machine without getting water everywhere.

2. (gross alert!!) If you can't get any water to flow, you can try blowing back down the drain hose. Clean up the end of the hose till you are prepared to put it to your lips. Blow as hard as you can back down the hose. Hopefully you will hear the air (your breath) bubbling back into the machine. If that works you have probably just blown a big wad of lint back into the drum. Now drain the machine.

3. Once you have got the water out, try to spin the load before you remove it - saves getting water everywhere. Try to remove as much lint and bits of rug as possible. Then disconnect the machine from hte electric supply, then move the machine forwards and tilt it back so you can lie down in front and get your hands underneath. Best is to put something underneath to hold it up securely, you don't want the machine falling on you!!! Underneath you will find the pump - it will have a larger diameter hose, probably a black concertina hose, and a smaller diameter hose which is the drain hose which will go out thru the back of your machine. I don't know about your machine in particular, some machines have an openable "trap" to catch coins or bits of stuff, others don't. If yours does, it will have a cap you can screw off by hand and clean out the area inside. If not, you will have to undo the larger hose and try to remove any blockage with your fingers or a screwdriver. If it is badly blocked you might have to remove the pump, pull it to bits and remove any accumulated bits of rug, then reassemble and reinstall.

Good luck

Chris.

 

[charger]

As was previously mentioned if you can post the long number on the machine it would be much easier to assist.

I dont know how GE defines "accessable to the consumer" IF your machine is one of the smaller Frgidares the pump which I suspect is clogged with crud from the desolved bath mat is very easy to get access to from the front lower panel on the machine.

A wet/Dry shop vac and a screw driver is about all it would take to fix IF that is the the machine you have.

Peace be with you and your washer

Jim