Need some help from you guys...

[re563]

I have a Kenmore HE3, that I purchased in October or 2003. So now, for the past several months I have noticed that when it's filling the tube, the amount of water shooting into the tub is becoming less. I have not gotten an "LF" (low fill)code, but, for example, when on the Heavy Duty cycle it starts with 50 mins. on the display. In the past the filling was complete at 47 mins. Now it takes it till 45 mins. So I was wondering if any of you Pros out there could tell me if this is something I can fix or am I doomed at 6 1/2yrs that I'm going to have to replace the machine. I would like to try and fix this myself If I can. No extended warrenty, and scraping together another $800-1000 is kinda out of the question right now. So here's the machine.

 

[re563]

So I have taken the Top off to see if there was something that I could just open up and clean. I thought maybe something was just blooked with dirt from the pipes or what not. Much to my dismay............. It looks more complicated than I expect

 

[re563]

So my next thought was that maybe just the screens were clogged on the inlet ports. Nope, they look pretty clean. So Any help would be so greatly welcomed.

 

[circlew]

Have you checked the hoses to make sure there is not a build-up of sediment in the screens? Also no kinks in a hose? Faucets operating properly?

 

[vacbear58]

Check the inlet pipes where they join the machine

It may be that there are small filters inside the screw coupling which have become blocked with impurities or scaled up (hot only of course)
Al

 

[yogitunes]

Take off the hoses from the faucet too...there may be washer/screens there too!

also put a bucket under the faucet, and flush them out, and check your pressure at that point

you should also replace the hoses if older than 5 years

let us how you make out

 

[re563]

I have the steel braided safety shut off hoses. There are no real screens at either end. The laundry room (pictured above) was completed in was built in 10/2006 and that's when I got the new inlet hoses for the washer. My first thought was to take the screens off the inlet ports on the washer. However, reading what people you guys have posted here maybe it is just the hoses as in these flood safe hoses there are like washers? with tiny openings so maybe that should just be replaced?

 

[yogitunes]

Theres your TROUBLE....I had these....they only allow 2 gallons per minute thru, any faster and they shut off, for safety....but takes forever for the machine to fill....get yourself a regular set, braided or rubber and you will be fine...just make sure the new ones don't have that restriction piece in there....

 

[re563]

OK, Yogi:

Went to home depot and got some regular rubber hoses. I don't that that was the problem. I am washing a king size, summer weight quilt right now. (It's on the thin side and the machine could have easily handled two of these without any problems.) I did not see any change in the fill flume entering the tub when it filled for the wash. The first rinse the flume seemed to be better, but it just now filled for final rinse and it look like it did before I changed the hoses. Could it be possible that the machine has to re-actliment to the change in water flow???

 

[appnut]

the machine has to re-actliment to the change in water flow?

NOPE!! I'm wonderign if the water valve itself is going out?

 

[re563]

oh god bob, don't say that!!!!That is what my orignal thought was. I just ran two clean tub cycles, and there are times I watch it and say "no improvement" then the next fill it look like it use to 4 yrs ago.

 

[appnut]

That inconsistency could very well mean that. It's not the first tie I've seen this happen on these mahines. It could be a lot worse though.

 

[appnut]

There's no need to buy a new machine or worry abou that.

 

[yogitunes]

before you consider replacing anything, I would have to investigate where the pressure drop is comming from,

if you have pressure from the faucet, and continues thru the hoses...the next step is start pulling off hosses from the water valve, and hook up a small piece of hose and drain into a bucket to see which section could be loosing pressure, whether its a clogged hose or the temp control device, or even the dispenser ports....

I have well water, and SUPER HIGH pressure, ocassionally I get sand in the lines that the screens do not catch, and it slows up the pressure in the machines, right away I know somethings plugged up....my FL's fill in about 1 minute, Tl's fill just over 2 minutes....

but I am puzzled as to your fills varying, there should have been beter pressure and all the same time frame...the only indifference would be if the wash was warm fill, and rinse 1 and 2 are cold only, and then final rinse is warm, you may notice a little longer fill times on cold only.....

 

[re563]

OK, let me try and make sure I'm giving you guys all the information that I have.

On Sunday and Monday I did Laundry. I sat and watched the Machine on both days--2 loads on Sunday, A load of colors, T-shirts, PJ bottoms, colored undies, couple of button down shirts, 2 pair jeans, 2 pair dark socks. Cycle was Normal/Casual, warm/cold temp. Second Load on sunday was Towels. 2 bath sheets, two 30x54 (these are thick, spa quality towels) 4 hand towels 6 wash cloths. Heavy duty cycle hot/cold temp.

On Monday 2 loads, Both loads were sheet loads, first was 2 king sheets, 5 pillow cases, 6 kitchen towels, 2 dish cloths, 5 white casual printed t-shirts, 1 white sweat shirt and 5 pair white socks. Normal/Casual cycle, warm/cold. Seconds load was 2 queen sheets, 4 pillow cases, 2 pj bottoms, 2 colored printed t-shirts, 4 colored undies, 6 colored table napkins, 2 colored kitchen towels. Heavy Duty cycle, warm/cold.

On Normal/Casual Cycle there is wash, cooldown/ spin, rinse, short burst spin, final rinse.

Heavy Duty cycle is wash, full spin, rinse, full spin, final rinse, spin.

We are on city water so the presure I don't believe to be the issue.

After replacing the hoses last nite, I washed that quilt I mentioned, Normal/Casual, warm cold. Then the two tub clean modes.

The reason I asked the acclimate question was, if by using the flood safe hoses, that maybe there was sediment in the valves, that this would slowly get flushed out with the now stronger water flow. I did notice after replacing the hoses, that with each fill there was still some hissing, slight spurting each time it would draw water, but only for a second or two.

AFter the 1st load on Sunday, I pulled out the dispenser drawer, clean it throughly, and scrubed the "roof" on that area which is loaded with holes for the water to flush the dispenser.

Ok I think that's everything that I know. Again I started to notice the change in the fill flume about 4 months ago, which does tend to lead me to believe it's the valves. Originally, I thought we might have had change in water presure from the city, but at all sink faucets, everything still appears to be the same.

 

[pierreandreply4]

Did you check to see if another appliance was working at the same time that you started your wash load sometime when another applaince using water ex dishwasher or someone elese in the house is using the water it can cause a weaker fill from the washer?

 

[re563]

No other water using appliance was on, using water

 

[re563]

I wanna thank everyone who replied. Truely you guys are a gem. I will continue with everyones advise and see where it goes. As Bob pointed out, I will try not to worry about it and when the time comes, deal with what it is. Thanks again everyone, maybe i'm just being a stickler. I just hate to think that 6 /12 yrs is all I get and now I have to deal with the reality of true moderen appliances.