Kenmore portable washer leaking

[norgechef]

I have a friend who's Kenmore portable washer is leaking. I think its the one everyone calls the ''Whirlpool World'' washer. Anyway I took a look at it and it seems like it is coming from the tub somewhere but im not sure. As soon as you turn it on the water starts running out of somewhere so fast that the tub cannot fill with water. Apparently the washer was not used for almost 12 years as the people who owned it only used it for a little over a year while they lived in an apartment but have recently been having some money troubles and needed to downsize again. She told me it was stored in her parents basement and that she was not aware of them dropping it or anything while it was being loaded on and off the truck. I am also stumped as the washer appears to be in mint condition other than the severe leaking. Anyone who knows allot about Whirlpool world/portable washers your help would be greatly appreciated! This is what it looks like...

 

[launderess]

Tub Seal?

That is what was wrong with my Whirlpool portable. IIRC if you see bubbles coming from the center post/agitator area that is a pretty good indication the seal is shot.

 

[wringer]

I had the

same model and it also sprung a leak. It had 12 service calls prior to this so junked it and bought a new GE portable pair and they far excel the Kenmore.

 

[norgechef]

Thats what i was guessing,..

Its just so new, i wouldn't expect a tub seal to go after less than 2 years of use. It was always kept in a pretty cool area in a basement closet so I can't see why it would have started leaking. She never said anything about bubbles and I didn't see any but that's probably what it is. She is very upset as it costed $700 new and considering the use that's quite a rip off if you ask me. Is there any way to fix it without really tearing into the washer? like maybe some kind of epoxy or something? Im just trying to think of anything that might get it to stop but i guess if its the tub seal she'll be going to the laundromat! I cant think of anything that would fix a leaking tub seal other than a new tub seal and in all honesty I would have no idea what i was doing trying to take apart one of those washers.

 

[DADoES]

 
I don't know the mechanism of these machines but I would think a tub center seal leak would be more of a drip than a flood, not of sufficient volume to prevent the tub from filling.

Maybe a hose came loose?

You didn't include the model number.  Look it up at online parts sources for diagrams.

 

[frigilux]

I'm with Glenn on this one. If the water is running out as fast as it's entering, I vote for "hose came disconnected".

 

[kenmore700bill]

If it is not the seal, my money is on the rubber corrigated boot that runs from the tub to the pump. These tubs move freely and jump around in the spin cycle that wears them or splits the bood, I had similar issue drove me nuts until I took off the boot and saw the split once I took it off and stretched it out small crack on innser seam.. I replace 2 of them in the washers life...

 

[combo52]

Flooding World Washer

I agree with Glen and Eugene on this as well, I have never seen a bad center seal allow water to flood out. Put a little in it and as soon as it starts leaking stop it and tilt it back look underneath and just see where it is leaking.

 

[norgechef]

As I said

It seems to be coming from the tub somewhere...is it possible that there is a crack in the tub? When I checked it I turned it on, it sounded like water was filling from somewhere but I couldn't see any water running out of a fill spout or anything. It did sound to me like the water was flowing into the tub but after just a few seconds (30 MAYBE?) a pool of water became visible and quickly turned into a large puddle and I let it fill for another minute or so and still no water level in the tub, i could just see and hear it running out of somewhere near the tub. When I tipped it back there was water dripping down by the belt and pulley area, that's all I know. Guess I'll have to go and troubleshoot again sometime soon but for now they are just going to the laundromat. Hopefully it is just something to do with the pump or a disconnected hose.

 

[combo52]

Leaking World Washer

From your further description it sounds like it is not quite a flood so it could be the main seal. Question how does the washer sound at full spin speed, if it roars like a fright train passing by it likely does have a bad main seal and bearings, in which case take any good parts you want off the machine on its way out to the recycler.