Newbie needs help with Labor Day replacement of a LEAKY FL Washer

[mattedialdoc]

Hi there. I stumbled onto this forum last night and have been reading like crazy to educate myself.

Background:

We have a leaking Kenmore Elite FL 796.4107 Washer. It’s 3yrs old. It’s leaking off the lower back of the unit, and dripped into the pan and the water made it around the lock ring that secured the pan around the drain pipe in the floor. So there isn’t a ton of water...not enough to actually fill the pan and drain INTO the pipe. I’m guessing the lock nut loosened over time and water was able to capillary action right under the ring and actually flowed ALONG the outside of that pipe and dripped onto the first floor ceiling, where it appeared last week as a wet spot.(I used a snake cam through a small hole in the ceiling and the water was dripping off the outside of elbow of the PVC).

I’m not sure what is actually leaking in the washer. The washer is out of warranty and I was going to have it repaired, but my wife hates this unit. It has been moldy and stinky despite leaving the soap tray and door open wide, using affresh, wiping the boot off, etc. so she wants a new unit, and really wants to go back to a top loader.

Question:

Should I take a chance on another Brand/Model of a Front Loader? If so, what do you recommend. We are a small family. It’s just my wife and I.
If she refuses to go back to a FL, is there a TL you all recommend?

We don’t need the fanciest or most advanced model. Just want a solid unit that doesn’t beat up on clothes too bad....and doesn’t stink and mold.

Thanks,
M

 

[pierreandreply4]

i would go with maytag but my advice is

I would go with a maytag if your wife wents to go back to a top load but my advice would be have a service tech make a price quote estimate for the repair of your actual washer might be lest costing than buying a new machine.

https://www.maytag.ca/en_ca/washers...de-residential-agitator-washer.mvwp575gw.html

 

[yogitunes]

also, if its leaking out of the floor pan.....I would consider getting that fixed first....

second, poor washing habits are causing the mold/mildew issues....a new machine will only end up the same way....

 

[mattedialdoc]

.....so the wife just said she may be open to a new FL after I explained they really seem to be more preferred by the experts here....

I’m reading you all say that the LG front loaders appear to be decent. Is there a particular model to consider?

 

[DADoES]

 
The leading 796. on your machine's model number indicates it's sourced from LG.

 

[foraloysius]

Perhaps it's wise to tackle the mold issue before you are buying another front loader. Main reasons for mold in front loaders is keeping the door closed between washes, washing often in cold water, liquid detergent and too little detergent. I don't even want to mention home made soap/detergent... ;-)

 

[mattedialdoc]

Oh wow........

Ok, so do I have an “LG” rebranded machine? Is this model known to be a decent model? It came from Sears and wasn’t cheap.

And in regards to the mold issue: We are guilty of all that was mentioned EXCEPT that I always leave the door wide open!! But we are guilty of : “washing often in cold water, liquid detergent and too little detergent”. I don’t know if we use too little detergent.....how do I know? But we only use some natural liquid detergent my wife gets from Target....and yes probably less than it recommends on the bottle because I was always told FL don’t need much.

 

[foraloysius]

There you have it! I knew it! lol

You have to think about changing your washing habits, otherwise the same problem will occur with a new machine. Not only with a frontloader, but perhaps in a lesser degree, also with a toploader. In a toploader mold can grow on the outside of the drum under the agitator and under the top around the opening.

You need enough detergent so the water is softened and there is enough detergent working to get your laundry clean.

Keep one thing in mind, when your washer isn't totally clean, your laundry isn't either...

 

[pierreandreply4]

maybe you should switch detergent brand to a brand like tide or oxydol and as stated wash in hot water or warm water and take note that some cycle might use a bit more water depending on the selected options

 

[mattedialdoc]

Thank you to all that replied.

 

[good-shepherd]

It has been moldy and stinky

Washing some loads with chlorine bleach will also help alleviate the mold and stink issues.

 

[stainfighter]

Clean it

Imo Affresh is expensive. Do a full steam cycle with a box of baking soda, plus a full gallon of plain dollar-store bleach. Another steam cycle with another box of baking soda. At least every third cycle should be HOT. Use Borax, about 1/2 cup every load.

 

[askolover]

I second the chlorine bleach!  20+ years with front loaders and never an odor or mold problem...my whites are ALWAYS done in hot water with Clorox.

 

[combo52]

Warning

Never put more than around 1 cup of LCB in a TL washer or more than about 1/2 cup in a FL washer.

 

LCB is fairly harmless if used properly, But it will start to ruin metal parts very quickly in high concentrations, the fumes can also ruin electronics and other electrical parts, using more than recommended amounts does not work any better or faster.

 

John L.

 

[pierreandreply4]

my suggestion

my suggestion is to also check the hose that send the water to the washer to see if they are not leaking as well as the valve sometime it might just be the main valve that you turn on and off that needs the washer little black rubber circle that needs to be replace its as simple as 1 2 3

 

[mattedialdoc]

Update

Just an update:

Appliance repair technician: good news, just a leaking cold water solenoid. Sounds like an easy fix and we should be good to go. Thanks to folks who advised to have it looked at for repair.