Kenmore Elite - Foul odor after Spin?

[blockeight88]

Hello everyone. So I'm hoping someone can help me out. My 2002 Kenmore Elite direct drive washer appears to be emulating a foul odor (kind of like rotten eggs) after spin. The machine has been rebuilt and thoroughly inspected. I'm not sure what may be causing this, but it may be the pump, as that's original. The pump has been removed and cleaned. I did not observe anything visual inside of there which may be getting stuck on the impeller. I am also not noticing any usual sounds during drain. It appears to be working as it should.

My second guess is that maybe the motor is having some kind of issue. I have visually inspected that and everything looks ok. The clutch, drive basket assembly, and motor coupler are all new.

Anything advice or input would greatly be appreciated. Below is the last video I made of the washer. Maybe you guys could hear something abnormal than I am not hearing.

 

[circlew]

It could be a buildup of scum in the drain hose causing a foul odor. Also check the drain, as sewer gas could be coming from it.

 

[blockeight88]

Are you referring to the drain hose inside the machine or exterior drain? I have used the same hose with my Kenmore 80 series and don't smell anything. The issue only is with this washer.

FWIW I am on a septic system.

 

[circlew]

Any of the drain hoses associated with the machine may have developed a stench, whether inside or outside of it. Pull the hose out of the drain and sniff it. Also, you can get a sewer gas odor regardless of on public sewer or septic system. I can't imagine that the motor would give off a "rotten egg" odor; overheated or burning smell would be the odor if it was defective. The other possibility is that scum or sludge has built up in the outer tub.

 

[blockeight88]

Reply 3

I should have mentioned that the inner basket has been removed and cleaned, along with the inner plastic tub. Looks brand new.

If it's not the drain hoses, do you think it could be the pump itself?

 

[coldspot66]

check the underside of the tub ring.

 

[blockeight88]

Tub Ring

That's been removed and thoroughly cleaned. I am only smelling the odor after spin.

 

[repairguy]

Is the final spray rinse warm? Sometimes hot water heaters start smelling like rotten eggs.

 

[blockeight88]

Warm Rinse

This is occurring when set to either cold rinse or warm. As I stated, this does not happen with my Kenmore 80 series direct drive or Speed Queen TC5. All the machines I have use the same plumbing.

 

[combo52]

How often are you using bleach when you wash white colors

It’s not unusual for this type of odor to develop sometimes in the hoses etc. it will be totally eliminated if you’re laundering things properly with a little bit of bleach when you’re doing light colors also be sure you’re using hot water and good detergent

Otherwise it’s nothing to be concerned about it won’t affect the laundry, etc. It’s just a sign that your laundry is not been disinfected fully.

John

 

[blockeight88]

Reply 9

I always use bleach and wash in either warm or hot water. I’m having no issues using my other direct drive so maybe it is the hoses

 

[combo52]

Wow, that certainly unusual Matthew to to have that type of odor although I don’t think I’d worry about it too much unless it’s really strong.

I suspect it will change or go away and in time.

 

[blockeight88]

Reply 11

One thing I might do to get to the bottom of the issue is remove the pump itself and put the machine into spin. If the smell still is present, I know it may be coming from the motor.

 

[combo52]

The motor in direct drive washer can make a, hot or a burning smell they run pretty hot but I would never describe that smells rotten egg smell.

It take the cabinet off after you’ve run it and see if the motor smells hot I can’t imagine a pump making a smell at all, but that’s the thing about this business. You see things that you’ve never seen before.

John.

 

[blockeight88]

reply 13

Thank you, John. I'm going to play around with it some more and will report back. I appreciate your help.

 

[blockeight88]

UPDATE

It was in fact the motor. I took the pump off and ran it in spin and confirmed the foul smell is in fact coming from the motor. Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed. The drive motor could be a little expensive and I am hesitant to purchase a used one and run into the same issue down the road.

 

[combo52]

Smelly motor on a direct drive washer

I’m glad you figured out the problem I would probably do nothing about it unless the smell is really that bad.

Number two I would put a used motor and if you do want to change it, these motors are quite reliable and they’re quite expensive a new three speed motor probably cost $250.

Check the voltage while the washer is running on full load under high speed, spin or agitation voltage should not be dropping more than a few volts. When the washer is running it should definitely not be getting under 105 V that will make the motor run hot and smell.

John

 

[repairguy]

Make sure the capacitor is not weak as well.