So this last weekend while Marshall was at work I figured I’d attempt to do some laundry in addition to some much needed yardwork. The yardwork ended early when I ripped a hole in my hand (see earlier post) and much to my dismay so did the laundry when I received an error code indciating the washer wouldn’t drain. Dang it!!
I attempted to find repair instructions online and although several posts looked promising, I couldn’t figure out how to remove the front panel to get to the drain. After promising my buddy Mike that I would call a repairman tonight if I couldn’t it out myself I realized the pressure was on. I do NOT want to pay for something I can do myself. Plus there’s my “fix-it-yourself” pride to think about as well. 😉
Fortunately I found this link which has excellent instructions for troubleshooting and fixing the problem I was having. Sweet! For anyone else who is thinking about attempting this and would feel more comfortable seeing what it’s all about, here you go. =)
This is what all the fuss was about (missing piece at bottom of washer otherwise known as the “front panel”). I figured I could handle things once I got the front panel off, I just couldn’t figure out where the screws were. FYI, the screws are at the very bottom of the washer and require a 6.5mm socket and extender to get to.
Don't mind the mess around the washer (or the clothes that have been sitting in stale water since Sunday). "Oh, that's Naaasty" - Cleveland from Family Guy
Place a bag under the drain before removing the plug as you will have about 2-3 gallons of water drain from an undrained load of laundry. Warning, if you’ve let this sit a couple days like I did this water will stink and stink bad. Fortunately my nose is pretty well desensitized to wicked bad stenches as our dog Lotus has been sprayed by a skunk twice in the last month. =)
A plastic bag works great for collecting the excess water left in the washer bin.
Once the water is drained, squeeze the black tube connected to the drain to see if any socks or other debris have become stuck. I used channel locks to easily compress the metal clip around the tube in order to disconnect the hose from the drain. I wanted to make sure nothing was lodged in one of the joints where I couldn’t detect it from the outside. Nothing stuck here so on to checking the drain filter.
There's a lot more room to work on a washing machine than a V6 Jetta thankfully. I was amazed that it was actually relatively easy to reach everything. =)
Wow, amazingly enough a bobby pin and rope pieces from one of Lotus’s dog toys managed to get through the drain plug and get stuck in the filter. Fortunately I was able to remove the debris before the motor burned out.
Disconnected black hose directly behind drain with nasty bobby pin and rope debris puled from the housing of the filter (see small hole between main drain and pump assembly).
Ok, that was the hard part. Now to put everything back together again (ideally with no extra parts). 😉
Reattaching the black hose to the drain after confirming nothing was stuck in it.
After clearing the hoses and filter it was time to screw in the drain plug and reinstall the front panel.
Looks good. But will it work?? Profit!! =)
Hurray! 33 minutes left on my whites... mmm, clean socks... =)
Thanks to Rhondacat at www.fixya.com for her post on how to fix this problem. Awesome info. You saved me a repair bill and bruise to my ego. 😉
Super happy about fixing my washing machine (and having clean clothes tomorrow). Watch out yard, I'm coming for you next. 😉
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