Posted on 10/01/2010 8:14:45 PM PDT by Frantzie
Any tips on how to fix a clogged washing machine?
Vinegar isn’t strong enough. Pry the screens out with a small screwdriver or dental pick, clean the bits that may fall into the inlets and then put screens in the hoses and hook the hoses back up.
WTf? I get one guy posting pictures of The O’Jays (?) and another with Barry White-appliances.
How does this solve my problem? (sarc) ;-)
I am cleaning the screens now. The inside has a pin hole when the water comes in the plastic connectors.
I wonder if that inlet valve is bad? I have the vinegar in the both inlets while I am cleaning the screens in the sink with a brush, soap and some bleach.
Anyone else have some 1970s African American singing group pictures they want to post? Sam and Dave? (1960s). The Temptations? Earth Wind & Fire? I am not sure how this help. ;-)
Pull the screen off the inlet and clean it.
If that doesn’t fix it try running a coat hanger around and see what comes out.
13 years, you might have calcium and lime build up.
Water/vinegar will not enter unless the machine is plugged in and set to fill. The fill valve is closed. Otherwise it would fill continuously and run over.
Here is what the valve looks like:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/part_details.aspx?part_id=3094541&image=1
$10 to 20 part. I will see if I can clean it. Cleaning the screens now.
If it have screen filters clogged, easy to clean!!!
Turn off water
Get a Bucket
Unscrew your washer inlets
Place hoses in bucket
Open water inlets
Good pressure???
Bad pressure? Replace rubber inlet hoses,
try again.
OK ? Then the problem is in the machine.
Most modern washers have what is called a “wax valve”, where electrical connections from the control panel heat a valve (normally in the right front of the machine). The heat melts a wax membrane allowing water to enter the drum, and conversely allows water to exit the drum in the later cycles.
About $50 for a new valve, but place a pan under the area worked on, as residual water is still in the lower system.
Thanks. I will try putting the cleaned screens back in.
This fill valve is probably not shot. It was working. The valve is a $10 to 20 part. that is easily replaced if I can get the back off the machine. Screws and clips.
The cold screen was really dirty and the cold faucet was about to burst from the pressure even on low low. It was not doing that before (ie progressively getting worse - maybe screen getting more clogged).
Thanks.
I once spent a couple of years using a garden hose through the window. It was a pain because I had to go outside and turn it on for the wash and then off, then on and off again for the rinse.
This is sooo good.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVESzTCqc50
Thanks. Hoses were replaced a few months ago.
Pressure from city water is fine.
Cleaning the rusty screens. It was working but filling really slowly.
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/washer/check/inletvalve2.php
The inlet valve may also need replacing. Looked it up on the net. Whirlpool $20 - generic for WP $11. It comes with instructions too but looks simpe.
Getting the back off looks tricky. Clips and screws. I have taken PC’s apart wo i should be able to get the back off.
I think the inlet valve may be it. I will put the cleaned screens back in and try in the morning.
Dust off and nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure...
I’ll bet if you drop it in a bowl of CLR for a while, you will see all kinds of crud come out.
Should be some white flakes, maybe even chunks.
Take a toothbrush to it. If you have a bottle brush that would really get it clean.
I had to replace a coupler on a 13 year old whirlpool...this dude made it easy....especially on how easy it was to access everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLPGs2UMUJc
Repairing your own washer? Are you experienced?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX0XVEmwlfs
It took me about 30mins. Most of the time was spent moving the washer around a small hallway.
OK. I’ll bite. Why are there screens on the inlets?
Depending on the model Whirlpool you may not take the back off. A lot of them are serviced by removing the cabinet.
If yours is one of them, you remove the two screws from the lower left and right of the control panel. Then flip it back. Unplug the connector that is attached to the top of the cabinet. Then pop out the two clips that attach the back panel to the top of the washer. Then open the lid, grab the lid and the front of the inside of the cabinet and pull it towards you. The whole thing will lift right off easy as pie.
Then after that you can do what I did: throw the damn thing away and get a new machine. (Well, maybe that is a bit drastic...but what the heck)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.