KM - DD Burning Rubber Smell

[joefuss1984]

I have recently acquired a Kenmore DD, very clean inside and out. The machine will run through all cycles normally. The only thing I am having trouble tracking down is a burning rubber smell when the machine runs. The smell occurs through all cycles, all parts of the cycles other than filling of course. I thought maybe the motor coupling but when they fail I thought the machine wouldn't spin? Has anyone else experienced this or have any suggestions on where to look to find the cause? Should I replace the coupling just based on the age of the machine alone?

 

[yogitunes]

the coupling is rather inexpensive, and worth a shot......

there is the possibility of the pump as well making a burning smell....start the machine filling, and agitate...but first pull the pump off the motor, leaving the hoses intact, just pull it out of the way....and see if the smell shows up

gonna take a little trouble shooting to mark when the smell is happening the most, and from where...

let us know how your making out....

 

[DADoES]

 
A bad coupler should affect both agitation and spin, depending on whether one or the other involves more torque for any given load.  The transmission drives both functions, and the coupler transfers rotary motion from the motor to the tranny at all times the motor is running (agitate, neutral drain, or spin).

There's no need to replace the coupler if visual inspection doesn't indicate a problem with it.

In case it was replaced previously and not installed properly ... visually confirm that the inner surface of each half is flush with the end of the respective motor or transmission shaft.  Excess load may be caused on the motor if not.

 

[combo52]

Burning Rubber Smell

Keep running it and after a few loads take the cabinet off and see what smells-feels hot, motor is the most likely item that can make a hot smell.

 

[joefuss1984]

coupling placement

OK, the problem is not the pump, over the extended weekend I will check the coupling. You state to make sure that it is flush with each respective shaft. So, if it is pushed back further, that increases the strain on the motor? Just wanted to make sure I have this straight in my head for when I take everything apart. Thanks again!!

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>So, if it is pushed back further, that increases the strain on the motor?</i></blockquote> No, the typical error is not tapping it far enough onto the shafts.  The rubber bushing between the halves is put under a compression strain and the motor is in a bind.

 

[thefixer]

I see this all the time. Nearly every time a DIY'er installs a new coupler, they don't get the plastic halves on the shafts far enough which binds the motor causing the burning rubber smell and overheating the motor. This can quickly lead to motor bearing failure if not fixed.

 

[joefuss1984]

Thanks!!

OK, thanks so much, I will let you know what I find this weekend!

 

[joefuss1984]

disassembled and more questions

The motor is for sure getting too hot, that is where the smell is coming from. The coupler was flush on the transmission shaft. When I pulled the motor off, the piece on the transmission and the rubber piece stayed there and the plastic piece on the motor came off there on the motor shaft. It seems that it was kind of a loose fit on the motor shaft? Is this normal? I also noticed that one of the rubber boots that snugs the motor to the plate behind it came off on the plate behind it and the other 3 were attached to the motor. Is this normal? I suppose the motor could just be bad but I am going to order a new coupler first just to see. I will attach a pic of the transmission shaft, it seems to be a little bit of oil leaking out there. I am kinda bumfuzzled on this one.

 

[DADoES]

 
The two halves of the coupler should separate when the motor is removed ... one half stays on the tranny, other half on the motor.

The rubber piece fits between the halves, it may "stick" to one side or the other, or fall off.

The coupler half on the motor should be flush to the motor shaft, same as the tranny side is flush to the tranny shaft.

The motor mount grommets stick to either the mounting plate or the motor.  Doesn't matter which are where as long as they're all present and in place either way.