How To Repair A Top Loading Washing Machine

Pic of Whirlpool WTW4850HW Series Top Load Washer In this edition of the DIY Appliance Repair Serial, I volition hash out 3 issues we've seen with this series of Whirlpool tiptop load washer. The iii problems are related to each other and caused by ONE affair. You're probably going to detest me when I say this, but hither goes. Overloading is the 1 thing that causes this problem.

In my other posts, I've stressed that overloading is the root cause of most washer problems. In the case today, it is the But reason why the issues occur. They have cypher to do with quality or overuse. The machines will run a very long time if you keep the loads to standard size.

Consider the kind of mechanical forces at play when yous're washing a standard size load. You have a basket full of moisture clothes, and a metal shaft in the center. The sheer weight of the wet clothes batters the shaft and continually pushes on the anarchist as information technology moves to clean your dress.

A standard size load is no problem for the washer and volition do fine for years with that kind of use. I can say from experience what I'k maxim is truthful, because I ain a washer similar to the i pictured here. It'due south September of 2022, and in Jan of 2022, that washer is 6 years old. Closeup of Gear Box

I haven't touched the washer for any reason. Information technology is never overloaded and doesn't see male monarch-size blankets, etc. It runs not bad, isn't noisy, doesn't leak, and shows no signs of slowing down. I've checked the machine several times, and I haven't constitute anything that needs attention.

My state of affairs isn't unusual. I run across machines like this every day. But, I also see worn out washers wobble and leak, and they are but two years old. My point is this. Your washer really tin can do an first-class job for you, but you have to treat it for what it is – a machine. Manufacturers design machines for specific functions, and if you push them past their designed-in limits, problems happen.

What Exactly is Too Much Weight?

That'southward a question I become nearly every twenty-four hour period. With washers today, a hefty dose of common sense applies. As a general rule of thumb for every load, a handbasket that is half-full of clothes is a standard size load for a top load. A front-load washer is a little more forgiving. After loading your clothes, y'all should come across just virtually 8 inches of clearance between the top of the basket and the acme of the load. In that location are no exceptions to this rule. Please, mind the warning here. Too much weight causes early on bug with your washer. Your washer today is nothing like the washers of fifteen years agone. Non even shut.

Noisy and Leaking Greasy H2o

Breakdown of Gearcase, Cam, and Pulley WTW4850HW Series If you always have a noise event or sometimes a greasy water leak under the machine, the starting time matter you want to check is the gearcase shaft (#5 in the picture). If it has fallen, it'due south probably causing all of your bug.

By falling, I mean that the center shaft of the gearcase comes loose internally and drops down near a quarter-inch. That's enough to ruin the bearing and cause it to showtime leaking oil. If you look under the machine (#16 in the picture), you tin come across a circle worn into the guard and an oily mess.

Because the shaft fell, everything fastened to it also dropped. The drive belt pulley now makes contact with the guard, making a loud noise and wearing a circular pigsty into the bottom.

Unfortunately, the only ready for this problem is a new gearcase, belt, and cam assembly. I know this sounds similar a large job, but the reality is that if you're mechanically inclined and have ability tools, we can walk y'all through this repair in most ii hours.

Or, y'all can opt-out of the repair entirely and replace the washer. But, is that what DIYers do? The DIYers I talk to love to save money, and this is i of those times when you will save a LOT of money by doing it yourself.

Yes, it'southward a lot of work, just it is worth the time and try. When finished, you'll have a great running washer and nevertheless have coin left in your pocket.

Constant Unbalanced Loads and Not Draining

The 3rd and nearly troublesome trouble is that the washer gets to the point where it won't drain and spin whatsoever load, regardless of size. This trouble creeps up over time and eventually shows itself all at once.

When the problem starts, you notice that once in a while, the washer won't spin, won't drain, or both. It is intermittent, so it doesn't stick out equally a problem that needs fixing today. Then, all of sudden, one day, it won't spin, drain, or wash. Why? Y'all guessed correct this time.

Peak load washers today won't let you slide when in that location are mechanical problems. They stop working and won't budge until you do something. That something is to reach out to Neli. We tin diagnose the problem and have you upwards and running in the shortest time possible!

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