Is it a washer yet??

[turquoisedude]

SIGH - the long road to completing the rebuild of the GE washer/dryer combo hit a bump this weekend.
I decided to do a water test before trying the 240V test. I rigged up a supply hose and thank goodness I put down a sheet of plastic first - water was just streaming from the bottom of the machine and it wasn't immediately obvious. With hubby gnashing his teeth in the background, I kept running water into the unit to see where the leak was coming from...
The connections to the solenoids were fine and the new hoses were OK, too. The water seemed to be coming from the bottom of the tub; I started to feel a bit discouraged...

 

[turquoisedude]

But it wasn't as bad as I thought!

It turned out that there was a screw hole hidden under the handle for the lint trap on the bottom of the tub in the sump area - the screw was missing, hence the leak! Seeing where the water accumulated made me recall how badly rusted the bottom tray of the washer had been when I took it apart.
Anyway, I found a metal screw and washer that fit AND I coated them with some silicone goop to seal it up.
I still didn't finish the test, but I am now hoping all will be fine! I am taking a few days vacation later this week and you can guess what I will be working on...

 

[pturo]

I commend your bravery and progress. Leaks like that would have made me crazy, but finding it a small fix is victorious in the restoration of such a cool machine!! You are my hero on this one!

 

[turquoisedude]

Well, let's see how I do later this week... If you hear of a major blackout in Upstate Vermont that was suspected to have originated in Quebec, I am denying all responsibility! lol
I think I should be filming the first run of this machine, too. Stay tuned!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Ugh, leaks, tell me about it. I always water test machines as close as possible to the floor drain lol. It's very rare that a vintage washer or dishwasher that hasn't been used in years doesn't leak from somewhere.

 

[turquoisedude]

Noted! My next project is not, I repeat, not going to be undertaken in the living room! lol
But geez, have I been lucky with the GE appliances I just installed or what? The dishwasher tub was sound and even the gaskets around the calrod heater were still good.
Let's see what the Westy Laundromat looks like when it gets here!!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I agree with Robert wholeheartedly. For me, water testing a machine can be a fun experience, sometimes bittersweet, or just downright dissappointing. I seldom tell myself that there is no chance that a certain machine is going to leak, as they'll surprise you. Other times, when you think it could leak like a sponge, a machine doesn't.

The '72 Coppertone Lady this summer had something like four holes rusted in the bottom of the tub, which I secured with epoxy. That was supposed to be that....well, the machine leaked from the valve that supplies the triple dispenser, then the dispenser itself leaked. The centerpost grommet leaked too due to a crack in the tub lip. What didn't leak is what I thought would, the old lint filter.

Water testing is one of those things where you hold your breath, cross your fingers and wait. Having to tear back into something to correct a problem you thought you fixed once before can be frustrating.

Good luck!