Whirlpool Washing Machine LSQ9645KQ1 inconsistent spinning, odor

[BobNJ]

I noticed my washing machine was not spinning while in the spin cycle.  I opened the lid, didn't see a cause, closed it, and it started to spin.  I also noticed an odd odor although I couldn't say for sure if it was oily or not.  Feeling cocky, I declared it was the clutch and didn't test the behavior any further.  I took off the motor and gearbox and noticed an oily residue and grime around the interior.

I thought maybe the coupler had disintegrated but that looks like it is in pretty good shape as does the clutch as far as I can tell.  I am wondering if all the black residue in the 3rd and 4th photos are just oil mixed with dust.

So I am thinking I need to figure out where the oil/grease is coming from and fix that then address the clutch.  I've seen some posts about replacing a seal in the gearbox and topping off the oil.  Is that the first step I should take?  I have read some posts about cleaning the clutch.  I gather that involves taking out the band (pliers wrench?) and cleaning any grease that may have gotten in there.  Is that viable?  I did replace the gearbox and clutch in July of 2014.

P.S.  Anyone know what that small plastic vial (?) is in the 3rd picture?  There are two of them attached to the support member.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Don't worry about the "Small Plastic Vial", they are there to catch the shipping pins when the yellow rip cord in back is pulled to pull the three shipping pins releasing the upper tub assembly from the lower support base.  Sometimes the plastic vials with the no more needed shipping pin inside of it will fall off and you will find them on the floor.

The residue under the machine looks pretty much normal.

The open/close of the lid while in spin mode and running but not spinning simulates the pause the timer should do after a 2 minute drain cycle to release the transmission from neutral mode.

If the timer isn't doing the 2 to 3 second pause after a 2 minute pump out/drain phase then the transmission won't shift out of neutral into spin mode.  When you open the lid you simulate this pause and the tub spins after you close the lid again.

[BobNJ]

So I might have a problem with the timer?  Any way to test that before putting everything back together?

[DADoESTX]

Run a cycle and pay attention if the motor pauses momentarily at the proper times ... after wash agitation before drain, two mins drain (which shouldn't involve any spinning if the neutral drain mechanism in the transmission is working properly), then pause again and resume for spin.  Same behavior after the deep rinse.

The pauses are necessary for the transmission internal mechanism to function properly.

Just to say, the rubber piece in your 5th photo isn't the entire coupler.  It's a bushing that fits between the two other pieces that mount to the motor shaft and the transmission shaft.  The complete "coupler" is three pieces.

[BobNJ]

On 2/8/2025 at 8:38 PM, DADoESTX said:

Run a cycle and pay attention if the motor pauses momentarily at the proper times ... after wash agitation before drain, two mins drain (which shouldn't involve any spinning if the neutral drain mechanism in the transmission is working properly), then pause again and resume for spin.  Same behavior after the deep rinse.

The pauses are necessary for the transmission internal mechanism to function properly.

Just to say, the rubber piece in your 5th photo isn't the entire coupler.  It's a bushing that fits between the two other pieces that mount to the motor shaft and the transmission shaft.  The complete "coupler" is three pieces.

I'll test it out as you and BAR suggest.   Stupid of me not to test it out before taking it apart.  

On an unrelated note, in the first photo, the drain hose is not attached with a clamp like the other hoses.  Should I put one on there?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

9 hours ago, BobNJ said:

On an unrelated note, in the first photo, the drain hose is not attached with a clamp like the other hoses.  Should I put one on there?

No, that black plastic hose inside the machine is hot welded to the white plastic drain hose attachment part.

[BobNJ]

Ok, we have done several loads without a hitch.  I clearly jumped the gun, being eager to spend a few hours taking apart and reassembling an appliance.  On the bright side, I saw a couple of parts that will probably need replacing in a couple of years so I'll order those now.  Thanks for everyone's input.