replace pump on kenmore heavy duty 80 (110.72981800)

[corrales]

Hello,

I am a new owner of a kenmore model 110.72981800 washing machine. It seems to be in good working condition except that there is a small leak that appears under the left rear foot, apparently from the pump or a hose connection to the pump.

I would like to replace the pump and the hoses and level the machine and wonder if anyone can offer any suggestions:

1) how do I access the pump (is it necessary to remove the housing of the washer and if so how do I remove it?)
2) is there a trick to leveling the machine? the rear feet don't seem to be adjustable. I plan to hit them with some penetrating lubricant.

I saw a reference to a DIY repair manual online (677813L) but I can't find anyplace online that has it. Any suggestions for where to find a copy would be greatly appreciated!

many thanks!
Steve

 

[DADoES]

 
This is an old-style belt-drive machine.  Production of them ceased circa 1986.

Water travels.  Proper diagnosis of the leak source requires eye-contact on it.

The rear legs are self-leveling by leaning the machine forward and setting it back down.  Not usual that they get rusted/stuck in a particular position after the long-term.  Applying some lubricant or anti-rust then whacking each leg in turn with a mallet typically will loosen them.

The outer cabinet does not remove on this style of machine.  Access to replace the pump is from beneath by tipping the machine back (securely) against a wall.  There's also a small removable service panel on the lower/rear (but that doesn't help so much for pump access).

 

[yogitunes]

yes, research first where that leak is coming from....

also, check which pump you have.....there are 2 port, 3 port, and 4 port available...

yours looks to have a 2 port pump with the external self clean filter...according to the diagram...

Loading…

www.ebay.com

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Rear-left corner drain hose connection

Hello,

You have a 1979 Kenmore 80-series large capacity washer in Almond according to your model number, and it’s an early version (the 00 at the end).

The drain hose should be 6 to 8 inches above the left rear leg. The leak is probably there at either side of the plastic hose connector that transitions from the inside to the outside of the cabinet. Check the tightness of the clamps on both sides first. There could also be a crack in the plastic hose.

I would not say the pump is causing the leak, not if it starts at the cabinet corner. Some models have a drain hose that runs directly from the pump to the cabinet corner, but not this one. The drain on self cleaning filter models like this one drain from the pump straight up to filter, then back out the other side of the filter down to the cabinet plastic hose connector.

If the machine still has its original compression clamps on the drain hose connections, you may need to replace them with worm gear clamps.

Regarding leveling...if the rear feet are locked in place, pulling or prying lightly on one will often free both. There are plastic retainers on each side that hold the legs in place from falling out. If one or both are worn or ripped, legs will not properly seat or do their job adequately. The plastic retainers last I looked were widely available.

eBay usually has a couple used copies of Sears/whirlpool’s repair manual series for belt drive washers. If I find any on eBay I will post a link here.

Good luck!

Gordon

 

[corrales]

thank you!

Thank you for all the answers and insights. Yes, it is indeed an almond 80 series . It was owned by an elderly couple (and probably never moved after it was put in place) since new.

I will check the hoses and clamps and drain pipe connections first.

Although difficult to get a good line of sight, I think the leak may be from a fitting about a foot above the left rear corner, next to the tub. And it leaks out only briefly as far as I can tell (less than a cup in total over the wash cycle). Maybe that area is best accessed from the top?

As you have indicated, the leak is probably not from the pump.

Is there any reason I can't carefully rest the machine on its front on the floor so I can access from the back and underneath?

Steve

 

[DADoES]

Laying on front

 
Best to prop-up the top-end with a piece of lumber, small bench/stool, etc. so the machine isn't laying flat-down to avoid residual water leaking out from top of the tub.

 

[corrales]

one more question about the leak in the kenmore 80

Hello again,

Can someone help identify the oblong part that connects to the outside tub and has two hose connections? Facing the back of the machine the part is about midway up the tub on the right. The portion of the part with hose connections appears to be fixed to the part connected to the tub with metal clips and there is some evidence of whitish residue along the seam between the two sides of the part. But the water may have been coming from above as the smaller inlet tube was pretty loose.

If checking/tightening/replacing clamps on hoses doesn't end the leak, should I open up the oblong part and reseal (if that is possible)?

Thanks again! Steve

By the way I removed , lubricated and replaced the rear feet and they are now working as intended I think.
The two front feet are nylon with large adjustment threads (which are stripped on one side) but still functional.

 

[yogitunes]

THAT is the Self-Cleaning filter....

I have taken them apart and resealed....but its best to take it completely out of the machine to do this, this would involve removing the basket...

but for now, it is going to be one of those things where you will have to watch the machine in operation during the whole cycle until you figure out where the water is coming from....

 

[corrales]

Yogitunes, Thank you, hopefully the filter itself is not leaking as I would rather not take out the tub! Next step: run and inspect with new hoses/clamps.

Are new plastic front feet available? There is limited adjustment on one side because half of the threads are gone?

Steve

 

[repairguy]

Front feet for these machines are still widely available. The current part number is wp367594. It is very possible that the leak you have is coming from the tub mounted filter as this was a common place to leak on these machines. Only the inside tub would have to be removed to replace or repair this filter. Usually it only leaks when the machine is pumping out. Sometimes if there is an aftermarket drain hose installed it will kink also causing this filter to leak.