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.

Is it ok to keep using a clothes washing machine that leaks oil?

Can I still use my machines if they are leaking oil ? On 2018-10-15 by Lillie

Advice 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 will be destroyed once the oil is mostly or totally lost, and you're also 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.

My washing machine leaked oil after I laid it on its side to fix the clutch. Did I break something?

I just recently took my washers motor off 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 2018-09-26 by Monica

Explanation by (mod) - transmission oil leaks out of a vent unless the machine is laid with the vent facing "UP"

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.

Followup 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

Answer 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..

Why is oil spraying out from below our Whirlpool washing machine

oil is spraying out from underneath our Whirlpool washing machine.

What would cause that? On 2018-02-03 by Gina Neff

Answer by (mod) - failed transmission seal, maybe failed transmission

Gina,

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

Can a washing machine actually cause stains on clothing?

Can our washing machine be putting oil stains on our clothes On 2016-11-27 by Gina

Answer by (mod) - Yes, e.g. from a transmission oil leak

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.

What causes round or circular stains found on clothing after run through the washing machine

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

Answer by (mod) -

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

We vound oil dripped on the floor under our washing machine. Why?

Moved the washing machine to clean begind it and machine seems to have dropped oil over the floor On 2016-06-12 by Michelle

Explanation 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;

I laid my washer on its back and it leaked oil. Why?

I laid my washer on its back while moving it now there is a puddle of oil under it.why is that? On 2015-12-04 by Anonymous -

Answer by (mod) - Your washing machine leaked from the transmission - now what?

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.

What's the red fluid coming out of my Whirlpool front loading washing machine?

I have a red fluid leaking from my front loading Whirlpool. What could this be from? On 2015-09-13 by Andy

by (mod) - washing machine transmission oil

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

Pink oil found in the washing machine tub of an Amana unit

I have an amana washer , ihave a redish pink small amount of oil in my basin tub any help? On 2015-12-21 by big edd

Reply by (mod) -

Edd

Chances are the problem is is a transmission oil leak for which diagnosis and repaire are described in the article WASHING MACHINE OIL LEAKS

I Found junk in Hotpoint washing machine impeller assembly, also oil: from the transmission?

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 2015-09-12 by Joe

Reply 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.

Thank you to our readers for their generous comments

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. - 2015-08-26

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