Kenmore DD Slow speed spin/drain issue

[philcobendixduo]

For the last few months, Ive noticed my 25 year-old Kenmore Electronic Fabric Care washing machine doing something it hasn't done before. When using the permanent press or delicate cycle, which uses the slow speed spin the washer doesn't drain the "spin water" for 30-60 seconds after the spin begins. I can hear the water "swishing" in the outer basket as the tub spins and then, suddenly, the water drains out. Everything else is normal with the machine - it drains fine after washing/rinsing on any cycle and the "spin water" drains fine on regular speed cycles. Any ideas A/W members? Thanks!

 

[maytaga806]

ok, well it could be a lid switch issue. But probably the pump. check to see if the pump is running when it first starts draining.

 

[kenmore71]

That is an odd one. Since the pump is directly coupled to the motor and seems to be working fine otherwise I would suspect an obstruction somewhere in the drain system such that high speed forces the obstucted spot open. I would first look for any tight bends or kinks in the hoses. Then I would take things apart and flush them out one by one. I suppose that there could be a problem with the pump itself. If that is the case, changing the pump on one of these is a 5 minute job.

 

[whirlcool]

And I would also check under the tub to make sure there isn't a sock or something covering the drain hole. Maybe when the tub spins enough water turbulence is made in the outer tub to dislodge the sock?
And check in the pump, there maybe something in the pump itself.

 

[magic_clean]

Does the

machine have the original pump? If after checking for obstructions and the drain hose as noted above, if the pump is original, they could under certain circumstances become "air locked". Replacing the pump will solve the difficulty.

 

[philcobendixduo]

Thanks for the suggestions...

The pump on this machine IS the original one. Everything on this machine is original with the exception of the agitator dogs which I replaced once a few years ago. The air locked pump sounds the most plausible to me so far.

 

[yogitunes]

for some odd reason, a few pumps have gotten this air-lock thing started, for who knows what reason, once the major part of the water is out, it sucks in air, and then when the water spun from the clothes gathers, it won't pump that out unless you turn off the machine, and turn it back on....

best thing to do is just change the pump, even though it looks like nothing is wrong with it...

can't explain it, it just happens.....

 

[magic_clean]

With some

installations air locking could occur. Fins were added to the inlet and outlet ports of the pump eliminating the condition.

 

[mrb627]

Worn Impeller

I was thinking that maybe the pump impeller is worn a bit or there is something like threads wound around it.

Malcolm