Washing machine leak repair Questions & Answers:

This article series describes the causes, diagnosis & repair of oil leaks at washing machines.

Washing Machine Oil or Grease Leak Q&As

These questions and answers about troubleshooting and fixing leaks at washing machine transmissions or other oil leaking parts were posted originally at WASHING MACHINE OIL LEAKS. You'll want to review that article.

On 2018-10-16 by (mod) - stop using a washing machine that's leaking oil

I wouldn't continue to use a washing machine that was leaking oil. I figure it's just going to make more and more of an oily mess, the transmission is destroyed, and I'm risking a more serious water flood in the building.

Also I sometimes find the transmission oil showing up inside the washer - ruining a load of clothes.

On 2018-10-15 by Lillie

Can I still use my machines if they are leaking oil

On 2018-09-26 by (mod) - transmission oil leaks out of vent during washing machine transport

Thanks for the follow-up, Monica. That will help other readers.

FYI: the same problem can occur when a washing machine is transported - which is a reason to keep it upright.

And a similar problem occurs in refrigerators - liquid refrigerant and oil can seep out of the compressor motor into a metering device where it causes clogging of the refrigerant control if the refrigerator is transported with the "wrong" side down..

On 2018-09-26 by Monica

Thank you so much for your response it was really helpful I thought I had completely broken it but your right it stopped the leaking

On 2018-09-26 by (mod) -

It's possible that transmission oil leaked out of a vent;

If you have set the motor up right and left it that way for 24 hours, remaining oil will drain back to its proper position and the motor will be fine.

However if you lost a significant amount of oil that is more than just a fraction of an ounce may need to add oil.

On 2018-09-26 by Monica

I just recently took my washers motor of so I could change the clutch and just left it on it’s side meanwhile I get the replacement clutch part delivered

and then I noticed the next morning it started leaking oil only while on it’s side, so if I turn it upside normal will that fix the problem? Or did I break something in me actual motor when I gave it a wash from all the rust ?

On 2018-02-06 16:53:57.053220 by (mod) -

Gina,

when a washing machine transmission is leaking oil it's typically a seal failure or a bearing failure.

On 2018-02-03 23:58:36.281774 by Gina Neff

oil is spraying out from underneath our Whirlpool washing machine. What would cause that?

On 2017-12-21 17:57:04.649155 by Anonymous

Whatcausesand greaseleakunderwashingmachin
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On 2017-11-04 10:27:55.577716 by a. gibb

the washing machine has started to leave oil marks on the clothes during washing

On 2017-02-25 23:20:49.407700 by (mod) -

Indeed that sounds like an oil leak

On 2017-02-25 20:51:42.566512 by Shelman

I have brown circular strain underneath my washer it a whirlpool washer

On 2016-12-24 13:46:52.829262 by Claud

Can the 1/2 bolt holding the agitator in place be something else other than a bolt?

On 2016-11-27 22:46:44.053543 by (mod) -

Good question, Gina. Unfortunately the answer is yes. If the washing machine transmission is failing oil may show up on the floor below the washer and, depending on which seals fail, possibly inside the washer and on clothings.

Mike: oil on the floor usually means a leaking transmission. The usual repair is to replace that component.

On 2016-11-27 01:01:00.995489 by Gina

Can our washing machine be putting oil stains on our clothes

On 2016-10-07 23:28:13.738156 by Mike

My whirlpool washer in spin cycle stops and comes up ul and lights flash. So I took basin out. Looks ok. Flipped it over and there was a circle of oil on floor and on bottom inside of washer frame. Why and how can I fix it

On 2016-07-13 17:59:14.594801 by (mod) -

Sounds as if there may be a transmission oil leak in the washer.

On 2016-07-12 19:35:17.657424 by Mary

I've been noticing clear circular oil stains on my clothes after they have been washed. I thought it was the detergent so I switched and still notice these marks. You can see them more on cotton pieces of clothing. Is this a problem with the washing machine?

On 2016-06-12 21:35:00.248097 by (mod) -

Michelle, usually that's a sign that the washing machine transmission is failing; depending on washer age and condition repair may still be worthwhile;

On 2016-06-12 20:43:58.661376 by Michelle

Moved the washing machine to clean begind it and machine seems to have dropped oil over the floor

On 2015-12-25 00:35:33.056631 by (mod) -

Edd

Chances are the problem is described in the article above

On 2015-12-21 19:34:35.904050 by big edd

I have an amana washer , ihave a redish pink small amount of oil in my basin tub any help??

On 2015-12-04 by (mod) - what to do if washing machine leaked from the transmission while you were moving the washer

Anon:

The washing machine has a transmission (a gear case) that controls the movement of the tub in agitation and spin cycles. The transmission is filled with a gear oil. There are these possible causes of an oil leak out of that component:

1. oil may seep out of a vent opening in the transmission - brand and model dependent

2. jolting of the washer while on its side could have caused the tub and spindle to stress a bearing that passes into the transmission, causing an oil leak at the bearing or seal

3. the washer transmission may have already been failing and leaking; the change in position may have allowed oil to show up where it was visible

I suggest leaving the washer upright for 24 hours before using it.

Wipe off any oily surfaces before installing and connecting the washer.

If only a very small amount of oil leaked out - a few teaspoonfuls - the unit may have survived.

Try a simple short cycle of operation with no contents, just water;

After the cycle has completed disconnect the washer and check below for signs of leakage.

That will tell us if the machine is usable or if it needs repair.

On 2015-12-04 by Anonymous - I laid my washer on its back

I laid my washer on its back while moving it now there is a puddle of oil under it.why is that?

On 2015-09-16 by Natalya - oily feeling inside the washer drum

Noticed inside the drum an oily feeling. Like all over. Bleach washed. Will see what happens

On 2015-09-13 by (mod) -

Quite possibly it's oil from the washing machine's transmission - a sign that you should stop using it and hope its under warranty.

On 2015-09-13 15:32:44.173944 by Andy

I have a red fluid leaking from my front loading Whirlpool. What could this be from?

On 2015-09-12 14:07:59.158782 by (mod) -

Usually, Joe, the oil in washing machines is coming from the transmission; perhaps the transmission is leaking oil into the washing tub and from there it entered the pump

. Also depending on the constituents of the "junk" in the washing machine pump you may be on the track of other internal failing parts.

On 2015-09-12 10:42:50.645758 by Joe

My Hotpoint machine failed to empty its last load. I checked the pump and found quite a bit of junk in the chamber in front of the impeller, which i cleared out. However there was also quite a bit of oil coating the chamber and some of the junk.

The impeller was free to move once i'd cleared it, and i tested to see whether the pump was working: the machine drained fine and the pump sounded normal. My question is: did this oil likely come from the pump, and if so, should i be getting it replaced anyway, or am i ok to continue using the machine?

On 2015-08-26 16:47:24.969524 by (mod) -

Re-posting without advertisement:

Bonnie Watts said:
Great article. You are right that it is very important not to forget to turn off the water when we are leaving home. My brother did this mistake. It was a nightmare when he got home.

On 2015-08-03 12:03:32.293342 by Anonymous

More oil on the floor, possible oil stains on clothing if the seal leaks into the washer interior, ruined clothing, clanking, noise, ultimately seized machine, possible destruction of the drive motor, overheating, and less likely, electrical fire.

On 2015-08-03 03:01:02.513644 by Lucy

If I continue to use the washer as it is (greasy material under the washer) , what should I expect to happen?

On 2015-08-02 19:03:31.867326 by (mod) -

Lucy I've included your question and a detailed answer in the bottom of the article above. Let us know what you find or use our email found at the page bottom CONTACT link to send us photos of what you see in your washing machine and we can comment further.

On 2015-08-02 17:45:01.879205 by Lucy

My washer is 19 yrs old. I just detected a brown ,greasy material under one side of washer .Is it worth repair or should I purchase new?

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