Whirlpool Duet washer strange noise

[seeitrun2006]

I have a Whirlpool duet HT front load washer. We've had it since November 2007. It is coming up on 9 years old. So far have not had any problems with it. Yesterday it started making a strange sound during the final high speed spin (1000 RPM). It sounded like steel ball bearings bouncing around in the outer tub. Took off front panel, nothing. I was washing a big load of whites this morning. Now starting to sound like actual bearings are shot....major bucks for new washer or so I thought. Washer finished opened the door and a quarter was caught between the seal bouncing off the plastic. Minor repair!!!! WHEW!!! Guest I need to start checking my pockets prior to washing!!!

 

[DADoES]

 
Very important to check pockets when washing in a frontloader.  A stray nail or screw, golf tee, etc. can potentially puncture the boot, or get stuck through a drum perf and wear a groove in/through the outer tub during spin.

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

Did you put it through a test cycle to see if in deed, the quarter was the culprit?  I hope that's all it was, but....

 

[seeitrun2006]

Yes!!! In fact washed two more large size loads. It purred like a kitten! Its just my wife and I with three small dogs. I hope to get several more years out of it. Summer months normally we have 6-8 loads per week. Winter months 6-10 due to wearing multiple layers to stay warm. It cleans really well!!!!

 

[mark_wpduet]

Good!

I once washed a small screwdriver in mine and I always check pockets carefully, but somehow I missed this screwdriver and I still have no idea how I missed it because I check all pockets. I heard nothing during the washes/spins - just when I unloaded the wet clothes I found it.

That was years ago. I hope your get more years out of yours too. Mine is going on 12 years old and still works great and I honestly can NOT believe it! And the thing is, I wouldn't consider my Duet HEAVILY used either....I read a post on gardenweb a while back that someone had an HE3T (Kenmore's version of the Duet) I think from 2002 - she mentioned it was heavily used and lasted her 11 years, but she got a new washer and gave it to her aunt and it was still working 2 years later.

 

[joe_in_philly]

With no kids in the house, I don't always check pockets. I have washed coins, a lip balm, a pair of earbuds and tissues a few times. Nothing has ever managed to escape the drum. The earbuds worked fine, although I did catch them before they made it into the dryer.

My Kenmore HE3t, purchased in June 2003 is 13 years old. Still going strong!

 

[iheartmaytag]

I don't always check pockets, sometimes to my peril.

 

Luckily, I haven't washed too many inappropriate things.  Well there was the LG smart phone. 

 

[henene4]

Had a USB-Stick accident once. It survived washing, spinning (1500rpm, close to 450g!!!) and drying (about 160F, 70C), not loosing one bit of data.

 

[kb0nes]

Had a USB-Stick accident once

And people think electronics are sensitive to moisture

For sure some are, but overall they are a lot tougher then given credit for.

I've loaded many hundreds of circuit boards into a dishwasher to remove the aqueous flux after soldering.

Still it is pretty wise not to run your cell phone through the laundry lol

 

[DADoES]

 
I washed a USB stick recently, first time.  Completely forgot it was in the (velcro-closed) pocket until I found it later.  A paper stick-on label was mostly gone but the (unimportant) data was intact and I've used it again since.

I do not expect a phone, camera, GPS, or other such device would survive.

 

[delaneymeegan]

I'm currently using an HE2plus Kenmore, I got for $19.  It works as good as new.

 

When I bought it, I needed to spend $38 for  a pump motor, clean out several dollars worth of change that clogged the filter and pipe connecting to the tub, and clean the boot as the previous people weren't leaving the door open to dry after using.