Greetings Samurai, all. It has, by my calculation, been about 5 years since my last visit to the dojo, which is apparently how long it takes new appliances to begin breaking down.
This is the top-loading Kenmore Elite Oasis model (with the "regular" agitator rather than the fancy disc one). Until now the only problem I've had with it was a bad position sensor and a few problems with socks and rags working their way between the drums.
Recently it has begun having two issues more or less at the same time.
- First, during certain points of the cycle, it goes out of balance and clatters around, sometimes tripping the UL warning, other times not. This happens even with light loads and when during most of the cycle the balance has been fine.
- Second, I have been getting a little puddle of soapy water on the floor near the left side back of the washer after the cycle. I have studied the pumps and the main shaft and they are dry and have no evidence of leaking. I cheated out the lid lock and watched a full cycle -- what does appear to be happening is that water is spalshing out of the bleach fill cup in that corner of the drum, presumably during the time when it is banging around. The cup seems to fill up at random times in the cycle, and at least one of these times seems to coincide with the off-balance banging.
The balance struts and springs appear to be straight and intact. A couple of the springs are somewhat rusty -- I don't know if this in itself is enough to cause a problem.
There's not much here on this particular model; I've seen some threads on Cabrio which I know is related to Oasis but those systems seem to have the disc agitator.
Looking for guidance, here -- I've considered just getting a strut kit but recall the Samurai's injunction against GUESSING.
Thankee-sai,
JGM
