What could it cost to fix a leak of front load washer?

[Arrgh]

I have a front loading Kenmore washer that was made in 09/08. Think it was bought in spring/09, from Sears outlet store, where the sales rep said it was made by Whirlpool.

It seemed to begin to leak a few weeks ago. At first I though it was the water coming to the laundry tub that splashed out. But it got more serious, so today I moved things around and put 2 wooden planks under. Then turned it on to wash. That's where I saw the is water leaking from under the tub. It was leaking quite a bit. I placed a tray to catch the water, but it also overflowed.

I know there is a Sear's repair shop at Islington/401, and could take it there. What might it cost to have it repaired? If it could cost quite a bit, to diagnose and fix, it might be better to just buy a new one.

Unhappy that this one lasted less than 4 years of use. But at the time when I was buying the sales rep did say the manufactureres don't make the washers like they used to. Decades ago, they used to last 15-20 years. He said these days they may last 5 years, and it'll be time to buy new ones.

[stt55pot]

try to find out where the water is coming from. Is it the tank? hose? fitting? Once you find that out, you can determine if it is an easy fix, hard fix

[Arrgh]

I checked the hoses and the connections. Everything's fine there.

It is at the bottom of the tub/tank where water is leaking/dripping. So wonder if there is some seal that's broken. It still washes, rinses, and spins fine. But don't know what the extent of the problem is.

[xxxray]

You need to dry everything up and then put a new load on and just sit and watch the whole cycle. It is the only way.

[xxxray]

Someone will have to come to your house. It is not worth it to take it somewhere.

[Busybuyer888]

It could be anything. If OP has the money, just replace it. There is a whole series of hoses, seals and a water pump under the washer.

I'd expect to pay $200+ for this repair. It could be more or less. But that would be my assumption on fix vs. buy new, if I was OP.

Sales rep was right regarding life expectancy of washers.

[Arrgh]

You need to dry everything up and then put a new load on and just sit and watch the whole cycle. It is the only way.

I did that, and saw it leaking at the bottom of the tank/tub.

Someone will have to come to your house. It is not worth it to take it somewhere.

I have a van. Last time when I bought it, I took it home and installed it. Well, hooked up the hoses, and removed the screws in the back as per instruction. It is not a heavy machine, so can load it to a van again, to take to the Sears repair shop. Just means we'll be out of a washer for a few days.

It could be anything. If OP has the money, just replace it. There is a whole series of hoses, seals and a water pump under the washer.

I'd expect to pay $200+ for this repair. It could be more or less. But that would be my assumption on fix vs. buy new, if I was OP.

Sales rep was right regarding life expectancy of washers.

I'm dissapointed to hear these machines are not made to be durable any more. I had a Maytag topload washer that lasted 15+ years and was still working good before I decided to get a frontload. That first LG frontload did not last 5 years before the motor/drive broke down. This second (also bought new) frontload lasted less than 4 years. If I need to spend $200+ to fix, then it's probably not worth fixing, as it may not last much longer after that. Buying a scratch & dent from Sears outlet might still be better than spending $200+ to fix.

[Zamboni]

OP....have you pulled off the machines toe panel and inspected the large item filter? Clean out that filter and then snug it up tight....it is a common leak point on those front loaders and the first thing a repair person will look at. Don't be suprised to find a sock in that filter.

[littlemykee]

If it's not under warranty, it will probably be around the $300 - $400 mark. You'll have to pay for a service call for someone just to come and look at it to figure out what the problem is then parts and labour to fix it. I had mine for about 4 years before mine started leaking around the door seal. I was not a happy camper at that point. I ended up buying a new set of top loader instead of getting it repaired. The new top loaders are just as water efficient now.

[Arrgh]

OP....have you pulled off the machines toe panel and inspected the large item filter? Clean out that filter and then snug it up tight....it is a common leak point on those front loaders and the first thing a repair person will look at. Don't be suprised to find a sock in that filter.

Thanks. I'll try that. The front panel is one whole piece, so it's not like the LG that had a panel at the bottom. Will try from the back, or maybe just need to do a bit more work to take off the front panel.

[stt55pot]

Thanks. I'll try that. The front panel is one whole piece, so it's not like the LG that had a panel at the bottom. Will try from the back, or maybe just need to do a bit more work to take off the front panel.

Why dont you take a picture so we can see what's going wrong?

[stt55pot]

Deleted...double post...

I was at a laundrymat the other day, the repair man was there. He told me that those machines are very standard and easy to fix...so if all else fails, try to find one of those guys...

[Zamboni]

Thanks. I'll try that. The front panel is one whole piece, so it's not like the LG that had a panel at the bottom. Will try from the back, or maybe just need to do a bit more work to take off the front panel.

What model is it? Sounds like you've never cleaned out that filter...if so there is a good chance it will be the issue.

[Arrgh]

Did take off the back panel. Also removed the connections from the tub to the motor, and found a few things (coins, sludge) at the filter. After putting those things back together, still see leak from the tub near the front. It now looks like it's the rubber seal that has crack/leak. I used duct tape to tape over the crack. But that probably didn't seal it tight. Will try to get rubber cement and/or some patching for that.

I guess it'll cost a bit to replace the entire rubber seal. So if I can patch up the crack, hopefully that'll stop the leak.

[Busybuyer888]

Did take off the back panel. Also removed the connections from the tub to the motor, and found a few things (coins, sludge) at the filter. After putting those things back together, still see leak from the tub near the front. It now looks like it's the rubber seal that has crack/leak. I used duct tape to tape over the crack. But that probably didn't seal it tight. Will try to get rubber cement and/or some patching for that.

I guess it'll cost a bit to replace the entire rubber seal. So if I can patch up the crack, hopefully that'll stop the leak.

You maybe able to google the model number and part(s). There is quite a DIY fix it population in the USA. So with the correct part number, you may be able to call around locally and get the part(s).

If it is a common repair item (sounds like it should be), then a local repair shop may have it in stock and be willing to sell it to you. If you speak with the technician himself, he will tell you ALL the likely pieces you will need to do an effective repair (ie. other parts that should be replaced since this has happened.)

I did that for missing garburator parts. (Got a $500 unit free, due to being a display model, but missing all of the sink mounting parts.)

Worth a try, as you have already did the work to trace the exact source of the water. (BTW... Good work!)