Need Advice. Kenmore 80 Series Direct Drive Washer

[givemehotwater]

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice to help a friend with their Kenmore 80 Series top-loading washer. They asked for help cleaning it, so I went over, used Tide washing machine cleaner, and thoroughly cleaned the area in and under the fabric softener dispenser.

Here's my question: Is it normal for water to accumulate under the fabric softener dispenser when the machine does a full fill? By "accumulate," I mean specifically in the area where the screw is located for removing the agitator and replacing the agitator dogs.

My concern is that water getting into this area might damage the machine over time. Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if I should be worried?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[maytag85]

Haven’t used one of those machines long term (have experience with the older Maytag helicals and Whirlpool belt drives), but I’d imagine there’s some water that makes it’s way there.

I’ll let the other experts chime in who have more long term experience with the direct drives.

 

[eronie]

There should be a plastic cap with a O ring on it on top to keep the water out.

 

[carolina128]

It shouldn’t get any water inside. I ran my direct drive ion a full wash earlier today, and I just checked and the inside of the agitator is bone dry.

 

[whitewhiskers]

re: plastic cap with a O ring on it on top

When you yank up and remove the fabric softener dispenser, there should be under it a plastic cap with o-ring like in the picture. If when the fabric softener dispenser is removed you can look down and see the bolt that attaches the agitator, something is missing.

 

[givemehotwater]

Thank You Guys...

For the information. I just knew something was missing, and I would have never figured it out. I'll have to locate the part number and order it from Sears.

Thank You for everyone who responded.

 

[maytaga806]

Since when does a Kenmore agitator have a plastic dust cover over the cam assembly? Mine never had one. Only the whirlpool agitators had that plastic cover cause the cam sits lower in the auger than the Kenmores do.

 

[DADoES]

 
The model number of the KM of question has not been cited ... for confirmation via parts diagrams whether a barrier cap is original equipment on it.

 

[repairguy]

It is not normal for water to be in the screw area on the kenmore agitator shown in the original post. There is a seal on the bottom of the fabric softener dispenser which is part of the agitator cap on this model.

 

[maytaga806]

And also the whirlpool agitators had holes in the auger to release softener the Kenny’s don’t have any holes, which is why they don’t use dust caps in them to protect the cam that’s what the plastic cap on top is for. So no these agitators never came with a plastic cap referenced in reply 4. Only the main white lid cap on top. Those transparent caps in reply 4 are for the whirlpool/estate/amana/roper/maytag/KA agitators.

Water should not get in there at the most there will be moisture but not standing water. The seal on the bolt is probably busted and or worn or not driven in tight enough to create a seal