Kenmore series 500 (110.25132411)

[adam61]

It covers the clothes in this white/grey gunk. So I decided to look into it. I took out the inner tub (which was rusted on there good), and cracked the impeller in the process. The bottom of the outer tub was full of this grey sludge. My problem is that I'm pretty certain the inner tub is full of that sludge too, and I don't see any way to take it apart and clean inside it.

I really want to get an older washer instead (I already posted a wanted ad), and this isn't in the greatest condition to begin with, so I want to avoid buying a new (expensive) inner tub. But, I still need a washer for now, so if there's a way I can fix this for just the cost of the new impeller and without replacing the inner tub...

Thanks!

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>My problem is that I'm pretty certain the inner tub is full of that sludge too, and I don't see any way to take it apart and clean inside it.</blockquote> The inner spin basket doesn't disassemble, other than removing it intact from the outer tub.  There's no "inside" of it to clean, only the surfaces you see.  Water you may hear sloshing is from gyroscopic spin balance rings at the top and bottom, partially filled with (clean) water and sealed during manufacture.  Do not attempt to drain them, the machine will not function properly.

(photos found online)

 

[combo52]

If The Outer Tub And Clothes Are Covered In Gray Gunk

You are not using enough detergent for your water and clothing soil conditions,

 

generally in newer HE washers like this ALWAYS use the hot water setting and be sure to use plenty of good detergent like Tide, Costco, etc if your water is hard you may have to use double the recommended amount.

 

Don't worry about the buildup in the machine if you start using the washer properly it will go away on its own over time.

 

John L.

 

[adam61]

I see now that I look at the inner tub more closely - I heard that swishing around in the bottom of it, and thought that was more of that gunky water stuck in there.

Interesting... I would have thought the opposite: that that gray gunk could have come from too much detergent.

I ordered a new impeller, once I get it I'll put it back together and see what happens.

Any tips for removing a plastic impeller that's stuck on there without breaking it if I have to do this again? I only got the inner tub out by putting a 2x4 across the center of the top of the inner tub, a jack on top of the shaft it sits on, jacking it up, and sort of pressing it out.

 

[adam61]

Now that I finally got some time off, I cleaned this all out, got a new washplate in to replace the one I broke and put it all back together. I watched it go through a whole cycle with no clothes in it, and it seems to be working ok. I'd still like to find an older washer/dryer pair, but this should do for now.