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Camper
Apprentice Appliantologist
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 19:53 |
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I found out what caused the leak in my front load washer. Looks like, maybe a writing pen, pen light, or eye liner was left in a pair of pants or a shirt and made its way between the inner and outer drum with catastrophic results.
OK, the washer was not designed to wash such objects, but any washer MFG knows there is a potential for this type of thing to happen. There is a design flaw that would allow any object the size of a finger to enter between the inner and outer drum.
Before I call the MFG. has anyone heard of this happening before, are they going to tell me sorry, you abused the washer and we will not cover any portion of it. There is a 2-10 year warranty on the outer drum.
Thanks, Dave
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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
Fermented Grand Master of Appliantology
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 20:44 |
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Camper wrote:
...between the inner and outer drum with catastrophic results.
Hmmm, trying to imagine how this, in itself, could cause the leak. Did you actually see the leak location? Typical leak sources are torn door bellows or punctured suction boot on the pump.
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RegUS_PatOff
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:01 |
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Is this a "groove" all the way around ?
Is this a Frigidaire ?
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Camper
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:03 |
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Thank you for your response. Yes, I actually have the plastic piece, the remains of the offending object, with markings of something that has been in contact at high speeds, and I can stick two fingers through the outer drum and touch the inner drum. 
Dave
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Camper
Apprentice Appliantologist
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:05 |
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| This is a Whirlpool Duet.
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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:06 |
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| Ouch! Could post a pic or two for posterity?
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Camper
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:21 |
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Doing some more searching on line, there is some mention of people having bra wires, small rocks, socks etc... getting in between the two drums and plugging up a pump. One person does use "Design Flaw" as the cause.
Talking to the service reps. They say they are unaware of any complaints or recalls on their front loaders for this reason and point out that if any object other than clothing caused the problem that they will not cover it. I thought they would have designed the thing in case someone left a pen or a coin in their pocket.
Dave
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Camper
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:27 |
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I will do that. As it stands, the best I can do now is pay a service guy $250 to come out and replace the drum, that is if they warranty the part. Time to buy the extended warranty!
Dave
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Pegi
Fellow, Academy of Sublime Masters of Appliantology
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:31 |
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It is the responsability of the user to remove everything from the pockets before putting the stuff in the washer, I have had my Duet for about 5 years and am very careful about this.....do not see why you would expect any manufacturer to warranty something like this that is caused by the user, believe the users guide tells about this also...nails are good culperts also to do damage when left in pockets...
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Pegi
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 21:38 |
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""Time to buy the extended warranty!""
Extended warranties are not going to cover any repairs to an appliance that is the fault of the user either, warrantys only cover what is a malfunction of the appliance itself, not what is done to it by miss-use or neglect...everyone should know this but does not want to take responsablilty for their mistakes....so be sure to read the fine print....
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Camper
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 22:02 |
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Not that I would expect them to cover this under a warranty, but I hear the control board is $300.
As for the design of the unit, MFGs need to consider "Real world" application use of a product. If you have never opened your washer and found a dime or a wire nut in the bottom of the washer, I give you credit. But if you have a three year old running around.. well you see where I am going. I do not think that any object larger than the holes in the SS inner drum should "by design" be able to become positioned in between the two drums. This would include clothing, buttons, zippers etc.. which are all items that are designed to go into the washer, and could cause damage to the unit.
Dave
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Camper
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Posted: Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 04:41 |
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| I guess everyone agrees with my last statement?
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grey shrek
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Posted: Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 05:46 |
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No design flaw here ----- space required between inner basket and the front boot. Bet this is where %99 of objects enter.
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Camper
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Posted: Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 06:18 |
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While, I agree that there needs to be space there, I boot is slightly angled toward the inner drum lip. Yes, I understand that this is for any water in the boot area to drain back into the drum, but it also promotes any buttons etc.. to slide towards the gap.
A better design might have been to tapper the boot slightly towards the door away from the gap and put a small grate at the bottom to allow the water to then drain back into the drum. Any small items would tend to collect at the grate and be visible when the door is opened.
I know I have not thought of all the factors, This is just off the top of my head, so don't be to critical.
Dave
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davejohnsonnola
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Posted: Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 23:48 |
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I think the small hole in the plastic outer drum of my Kenmore front loader was also caused by my former housesitter's coins or jewelry. Fortunately was able to patch it with JB Waterweld, a prepackaged, cut off as much as you need, epoxy available in any auto parts store. 15 loads so far, so good!
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Camper
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 05:02 |
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Yes, I think I may try JB weld, I have used it at work, and consider it good stuff. Good luck on yours, as I share your pain. 15 loads is a pretty good test, and as there is not really any pressure involved, I am guessing you got it. I can fit two fingers in mine so I am going to have to work this one. Thanks for the tip!
Dave
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AccApp
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 05:42 |
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| Reinforce the repair with a piece of sheet metal curved to fit or any other waterproof, epoxy-bondable substance. Don't just rely upon the goo.
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nickfixit
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 11:47 |
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with epoxy, or any adhesive, prep work is the key to success. You want the area clean, dry, and lightly sanded to allow good adhesion.
Nick
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Camper
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 04:43 |
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Thanks everyone for all very good info. I found a water tank repair kit that included some fiberglass mesh for reinforcement. It seems to have worked at least for one load. I did use some very coarse sandpaper to prep the area followed with a alcohol wipe.
Nobody in the house is owning up up to what the remains are that caused the damage. It looks like the top half of an aluminum pen to me. Interesting enough though, I tried to slip a piece of construction paper between the two drums and was not able to slide it in through. How that piece of metal made it...? When I can get the pics loaded, I will supply a pic or two if anyone is curious. This sight saved me once again
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Pegi
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 16:46 |
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 Cool! So glad you were able to repair the hole, good job! I see in my mind the weight of wet clothes tumbling forcing the object thru that very slim opening, wet towels or blue jeans do have a lot of weight, that is how I see this happened. You were able to save some serious $$ my friend....
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