Whirlpool top-load washer problem

[rll70sman]

My 2009 Whirlpool top-load washer has decided it would rather spin the water out of the tub instead of draining it. Water sloshes out of the top of the tub and runs down on the floor. What is wrong and how do I fix the problem? Thanks!

Rob

 

[yogitunes]

Sounds like neutral drain mechanism is not working properly.......a moderate fix, to replace the parts.....just seems a little early for it to start failing

but just the same, it can spin with a full tub of water, none should be getting past the splash shield and running on the floor....that too may not be fastened down to the outter tub properly.....

many times we have engged the spin too early, and never had issues

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Yeah, even if your machine is spin-draining when it shouldn't, there should not be any water going down the sides. Is the water being pumped out properly?

Also, how long do you let it agitate before it goes to that cycle. Really, this is probably not the problem (as it does not take many strokes for the neutral drain mechanism to reset) but just thinking of an alternative.

 

[DADoES]

 
I'd like to see a video clip of this situation, just to see it.    DDs typically drain pretty quick and the clutch slips enough that it should get off to a slow start on spin, and the tub ring has a water-tight seal.  Could be water is seeping out of the bleach dispenser rather than fully over the tub.

 

[kenmorebd]

My new to me Kenmore washer from 02 will spin drain on the first wash but, will spin like mad even on a full load.

 

[limitededition]

drain hose clogged

I have seen many neutral drain machines go right into spin, never had water come out of the top, you have a sock or something in the outer tub pump drain hose etc.

 

[mrb627]

Longevity

I believe that most of the TL agitator washers on the market today wont last much beyond 5 years. The treehuggers in Washington want them to go away and it looks like manufacturers are building accordingly.

Malcolm

 

[kenmore71]

This is early for the neutral drain mechanism to fail but it's certainly not unheard of. The actual neutral drain cam is a relatively inexpensive part, but it is quite a project to replace it. I haven't attempted it yet. (I do have a couple of WP DD trans. that need this repair in the basement).

Most service techs just drop the offending transmission out and replace it with either a new or rebuilt one. If it has been doing this for any period of time you really should also replace the spin clutch at the same time since it is most likely very worn from spinning with a full tub of water. And, since you have to drop the tranny out to replace the cluth, it is the sensible time to do this.

Now, you also have consider if you want to spend the money to fix this. A new DD tranny is usually in the $180-200 range, a rebuilt is $90-120. I think I paid about $50 for the last new WP DD clutch.

 

[kenmore71]

So... if you really like top loading machines, you might be better off taking the $200-250 that is would take to fix this one and apply it to buying a new Speed Queen TL before they stop making them in a few years

 

[llmaytag]

SQ

I agree....my new SQ is really cool. It feels solid, like an old Maytag Dependable Care. A smooth and solid swirl-away spin with no vibrations, unlike the rackety Whirlpool I had to replace.

 

[whirlcool]

Does the Speed Queen have a neutral drain? I don't like those as they redeposit suds right back on the clothing.

 

[yogitunes]

Speed Queen is a spin drain.....no clutches or neutral drain mechanisms to wear out....belt-slip clutching system......

all metal gear case, sometimes you can hear the slight clink of the parts moving, but rare......none of this plastic/nylon mess.....even the outter tub is porcelain on steel....

true agitation.....210 degree stroke, which SQ is famous for....check out the videos on YouTube

has a very long warranty......not that you would need it!

 

[llmaytag]

SQ AWN432

Yes, it's a spin-drain and very smooth and quiet. A spin-spray only after the wash, unlike the Whirlpool I had which had a spin-spray only after the first rinse and not the second, if you selected the extra rinse. I do miss the spin-spray with every spin on my original Maytag...but the SQ does a great job. I think the shape of the tub is also better than the shape of the Whirlpool. I think it does good turn-over and isn't as hard on the clothes.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

I noticed some SQs that go outside of the US have neutral drains on them, anybody know why?

 

[rll70sman]

I doubt there's a pump problem or a plugged drain hose. The machine seems to do this most often if the wash load is on the lighter side (i.e. no heavy jeans or bath towels). My old Whirlpool did this, too, but water did not slosh out of the tub. I wouldn't necessarily care one way or the other, but I have a second-floor utility room and don't need any water damage.

Rob

 

[pierreandreply4]

i had a 1993 inglis whirlpool superb2 washer and i think tha

i think its kind of normal that all dd washers do a spin drain i had a 1993 inglis superb 2 washer made by whirlpool and it do a spin drain but about the water splahing out maybe its only your washer thats full of water or the slef cleaning filter that might be clog?

 

[kenmore71]

Only the first generation of Whirlpool DD machines in the US did a spin drain. By the late 1980s all of them did a neutral drain.

I have a 2004 commercial DD machine that will slosh water occassionaly. I notice that it does this primarily if the transmission has not had time to "warm-up", if you will. If you do a regular load at high speed with a wash time of 10 to 14 minutes all is well. If you fill the machine up and then soak clothes and try to drain and spin them out it will consistently go immediately into spin and throw water over the edges of the tub. This particular machine has a "rebuilt" transmission in it that I installed about 18 months ago. Since it is in a basement laundry room with a concrete floor and floor drain I am going to let it go until the clutch fails. At that point, it's off to the krusher... I'm tired of replacing parts on this machine every 12-80 mo.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

That happens because the washer must do a certain number of agitation strokes to reset the neutral pak in the transmission. Otherwise it will go directly into spin.

 

[kenmore71]

How many is "a certain number" ???

According to the official service literature only 2 minutes of slow speed agitation should reset the neutral drain drain cam so that it functions properly. In my experience it often takes much more than this after only a few years of use.