13 replies to this topic

[jamichau]

Honorable Masters of Repair,

My now 10-year-old Maytag stacked W/D began infrequently and mysteriously leaking water out the door more than a year ago. Nowadays, however, it "has an accident" nearly every load of laundry. The problem appears to be with the fabric softener (FS) dispenser. Although sometimes the dispenser will be left full of water at the end of a cycle when there has been no leakage, the dispenser cup is always left full of water at the end of a cycle during which there is a leak (thank God for concrete slab construction!). It seems odd that the FS cup is ever left full, as it has a "port" in the side through which the FS is dispensed into the tub when water floods the cup and creates a siphon, supposedly emptying the cup. When the cup is left full, there is no sign of the FS, just plain water. I found a previous post on this same subject from 2008 here: http://appliantology...__1#entry90298.

When I discover the FS cup full of water, I can lift it up and it will begin to drain immediately. If I take it to a sink and fill it with water, the siphon works and the cup empties itself. I have removed all parts from the FS dispenser and cleaned them, but the problem persists. There have been signs of sticky FS goo buildup in the bottom of the cup, but I have cleaned all that.

I just went to the washer to do a manual test. The FS cup was already full of water, the aftermath of the most recent leak just few hours ago. I lifted the cup and, sho'nuff, it began to drain (the water leaves the cup and drains all the way down into the bowels of the washer). I grabbed a cup of water and poured it into the FS cup until nearly full. No siphon. I picked up the cup, siphon. I took the cup to the sink, filled it until the water was about half-way covering the drain port, no siphon. I then filled it completely to the top and the siphon started. I filled it nearly full again and just lifted slightly on the insert that covers the siphon tube(has the words Fabric Softener on it) and the siphon started. Hmmm. I notice that I can sometimes start the siphon by filling the cup right to the very top while it's in the washer, as occurred when I filled it at the sink. So maybe the washer is filling the cup normally, but the late start on the siphon is causing the leak? I don't know.

The previous post, from Kendal, revealed no resolution. I'm hoping someone will possess, and share, the knowledge which will free me from mopping up after my washer every cycle.

Many appreciative thanks in advance for any assistance,

-J

[nickfixit]

The hose from the bottom of the dispenser to the lower tub may be plugged or restricted. The siphon action would stop when the tube fills up, and any added water would overfill the reservour.

[jamichau]

Thanks for the reply, Nickfixit. When I remove the FS cup and pour water directly into the remaining void, the water drains straight away, so the hose doesn't appear to be obstructed. How can I check the hose further? Thanks again.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Sounds to me like the top siphon cap isn't fitting correctly or your really haven't removed all the fabric softner scum buildup in the top of the siphon cap tube, (the part about raising the cap portion and the siphon starts says the cap is going down too far plugging the siphon tube off or buildup that plugs the siphon tube when cap is seated down in place).

[AvanteAppliance]

Check and make sure cho door isn't misaligned as well, the door boot and door should be sealing properly to prevent any leaks.

[jamichau]

Well, the battle rages on. I ordered a new FS cup from this website in January, not OEM, but nearly identical. Didn't help. I've taken video of the overflow action with the door open and will upload. It should be available from this discussion, I think, once it's uploaded in a few minutes. Right now, I'm leaning toward Nickfixit's idea of checking the FS drain hose. Can't think of any other ideas, unless someone else has a new idea. Many thanks, in advance, for any additional opinion.

-J

[jamichau]

OK, so I can't figure out how to upload a video (if it's even possible). When replying, I see the button called My Media which leads to "Your Media Library", but I see now way to add media. I'm assuming this would require paid subscription, yes? Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks!

[RegUS_PatOff]

post to YouTube, then post link here

[jamichau]

First video uploaded to YouTube:

[jamichau]

Second video:

[kdog]

Yup - I believe Nick nailed this first time out - didja see that manual over in the downloads section ?
http://appliantology...ectric-mle2000/

[jamichau]

SOLVED! Nikfixit and KDog got it right: clogged drain tube from FS cup. I thought about their proposition for awhile and decided that if they were correct, partially clogged drain tube, I'd handle it just like a slow sink drain: CHEMICALLY. I removed the FS cup and basket, poured about 8 ounces of Drano Max Gel down its gullet, waited 30 minutes, and flushed it with 4 cups of hot water. Then, with the washer empty, I set the timer to the 3rd rinse to test and flush the Drano and hit the start button - NO leak! Then I washed a load of laundry, no leak. Hasn't leaked in a little over a week. I'm glad it was simple and I appreciate the wise words of those more experienced than I. Much gratitude to you.

-J

[Budget Appliance Repair]

I don't think Drano is really the best thing to be putting into a washer to clear clogged rubber tubing?

[AvanteAppliance]

ROFL!!!

I don't think Drano is really the best thing to be putting into a washer to clear clogged rubber tubing?