My partner's top-loading washing machine has slowly developed a leak. Like a lot of things, it happened slowly enough that at first he assumed it was water splashing out, and then just got used to not stepping on the wet spot on the floor. I however, am also using the machine now, and I dislike wearing wet socks. Also, it's pretty obvious that there's a small
leak somewhere inside the machine, near the front. So, this weekend's project was to open up the clothes washer and see what was going on. These instructions are for a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II clothes washing machine with Quiet Wash. They might help you open another brand or model, but they might not. It seems like every model of washer is different. The first thing I realized
here was that not all washing machines open up in the same way. After a decent while perusing the web, I figured out the combination of secret keys that would work for this model. At a high level, most washers that look like this one seem to follow the same basic set of steps: Step 2: Safety First!There are a few safety steps you should do before touching any of the covers of your washer:
Great! You're unlikely to do damage to yourself or your home. While not safety related, you should also label which water valve is which (hot/cold) before disconnecting things. This will make you life easier later. If you can't tell which is hot and which is cold, look behind the washer and mark whether the hose is connected to the top or the bottom. Step 3: PrepareTools:
Optional Supplies (not shown):
Step 4: Make RoomIf your washer is tucked into a corner, you'll want to make some space to work around. Disconnect:
Move:
Step 5: Open the Control PanelThis is the part that seems to be somewhat different depending on your make and model. If you have a different type of washer, hopefully you can find instructions online.
If you were looking for something to fix for a knob or control button, you might be able to stop here. For any water leaks, continue on. Step 6: Release the BodyThere are three pieces that need to be disconnected before you can remove the main body cover and reveal the internals of the washer: One cable connector and two clips. Cable Connector
Clips
Step 7: Remove the Main Body CoverThe main body cover is the nice white metal that you see on the outside of the washer, including the lid. It's one piece, and so reasonably heavy and awkward. You may want a friend to help lift it off.
Step 8: The InsidesSee the photos for some help finding the part of the washer you need. If water leaking is your problem, check that all the hoses are in good condition. You can try pouring a bucket of water into the tub to see if it is one of the lower hoses.
Other parts that might cause a water leak:
Step 9: ReassemblyReassembly is very similar to disassembly:
Be the First to ShareRecommendationsWhat is the capacity of a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II?Ft. 10-Cycle Super Capacity Plus Washer - White on White.
How long is a normal wash cycle on Whirlpool washing machine?A normal wash cycle usually takes between 50 minutes to an hour to complete. However, this time could be faster or slower depending on load size and the cycles or options you choose.
How do I reset my Whirlpool Ultimate Care II washer?Open and Close the Lid
Unplug the machine. Wait 1 minute before plugging the appliance back in. Open and close the lid six times within 12 seconds. Wait for a beep or for the control panel to light up to ensure it's reset.
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