Washing machine leak repairs:

This article describes the causes, diagnosis & repair of oil leaks at washing machines. We discuss where oil may be coming from if it shows up on clothes after washing or on the floor under or around the washing machine.

The article describes typical repairs at washing machine drums, baskets, and transmissions.

Links are included to related appliance diagnostic and repair procedures.

How to Diagnose & Repair Washing Machine Oil or Grease Leaks

Reader Question - Pete said: [1/29/2014, originally posted at x]

My ejector pump went out and the basin was filled with oily water. Why? Where did that oil come from? The broken pump? which I replaced. Could my washing machine water which drains into the basin, have oil in it? Could that mean my washing machine is about to break down? Where did that oil come from?

Reply: common oil leak points at clothes washing machines

I'm guessing that the pump motor failed and you are seeing pump lubricants in the basin.

Certainly a washing machine motor and transmission also contain oil.

Photo at left: a floor stain behind a washing machine. Feel this stain: if it's greasy the washer has an oil leak that needs to be diagnosed and repaired.

[Click to enlarge any image]

[If your washer is leaking water, not oil, see WASHING MACHINE LEAKS]

We've seen oil inside the cabinet or even on the floor beneath a failed washing machine. But how oil from components that are below the washer tub (the tub bearing, pump or transmission) enters the washer tub and from there would be pumped to a drain is more interesting.

A bad seal on a top loading or front loading washing machine tub may allow bearing lubricant into the washing water. I've seen this show up as surprising new black or dark brown stains on clothes that have ploveed through a wash cycle.

A washing machine "hub and seal kit" can often repair this problem that may also show up as squeaks and squeals when the washer is running.

Conversely, I think that most transmission oil leaks (from a washing machine) drip to the space below the appliance. On some washer transmissions such as Whirlpool, there are two transmission seals, a top transmission cover seal and an input shaft seal - both of which can be replaced.

At below left we show a different washing machine leak problem: water leak stains on the under-side of subflooring beneath a washing machine that was leaking from a supply hose.

Below is an example of a sewage ejector pump where one might detect oil or grease from a leaky washing machine.

Washing machine transmission oil leak repair?

Some washing machine transmissions have a fitting through which transmission oil can be added, but doing so without fixing the transmission oil leak would be pointless IMHO.

Replacing an entire washing machine transmission is possible (I've done it in the past) but the cost can be about half the cost of a new machine.

If you are not a do-it-yourself'er (or maybe even if you are) you may still be able to diagnose this problem far enough to decide whether or not to call an appliance repair person.

Look at the floor beneath your washing machine, look inside the washing machine body at the upper surface of its bottom floor (more trouble), and look in the washer as well as on clothes that went through the washer for signs of oil or grease stains.

Since we're talking about your sewage ejector pump basin (photo above), keep in mind that any oil source in the building would end up there. But the washing machine is a good start.

Keep us posted.

Clothes Dryer Fire Hazard Warning

Watch out: as well while you are checking your clothes washing system, take a look at

your CLOTHES DRYER VENTING instllation too: you want to be sure that system is safe as well.

A leaky washer transmission may stain clothes or leak onto the floor but an unsafe clothes dryer vent can set the building on fire.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-05-07 7 by (mod) - what causes oil to leak when a washing machine is running?

@ADAMS, typically there is a failure of a seal in the transmission or a failure of the seal around a drive shaft of the motor that operates the washing machine.

Allthough those can be repaired, the cost is often so high that the machine itself is replaced instead.

On 2021-05-05 by ADAMS

what causes oil to leak when the machine is working?

On 2021-04-21 by (mod) - washing machine leaves oil spots on clothes

@cindyhagerman@yahoo.com,

Usually that means if there's an oil leak in the transmission. It's repairable but often the cost of repair is so close to the cost of a new washer that people reconsider the repair plan.

On 2021-04-20 by cindyhagerman@yahoo.com

my 30 year old washing machine is leaving what appears to be oil spots on clothes. I want to fix the machine, as it works in all other respects. Please email cindyhagerman@yahoo.com.

Thanks!!

On 2020-07-08 - by (mod) -

@Joanna, Of course I want to be helpful but never forget that any diagnosis that's performed remotely and just based on a bit of text or photo is often guessing.

On 2020-07-08 by @Joanna,

Thank you, we were hoping to salvage it but went out this evening to look for replacement. Was hoping to be able to replace just the tub seal (for under $50.00) but if transmission than not worth it for sure. Truly appreciate your response.

On 2020-07-07 - by (mod) -

Joanne

Indeed the transmission seal on a clothes washing machine usually fails to drip oil below the machine but it can absolutely fail as well in such a way that it releases oil into the tub and therefore stains the clothing.

Fir an old washing machines such as yours it may be that repair is not economically and replacement may be in order.

On 2020-07-07 by Joanna

Stains on clothes x3 weeks.

Checked trans tub seal, it's dry around seal and under trans but oil in tub and inside agitator.

Frigidaire laundry center model glet1401as1, about 19 years old (?).

Any ideas? (image of the inside of agitator)

On 2020-02-29 by Eduardo

thanks

On 2020-02-27 by eduardo - oil leak from Samsung Silver Nano Front Loader clothes washer

My Samsung silver nano washer front loader has been leaking oil just right below the control knobs. its been like this for almost a year' what should i do? thanks

Moderator reply:

Eduardo

First double check that this is really oil and not detergent or water mixed with detergent.

If it's oil, stop using the machine immediately - as washing machine transmission oil leaks are likely to ruin clothes run through the washer.

It's unusual to see an oil leak form the upper part of a clothes washer but not impossible.

Unfortunately an oil leak at a washing machine usually means that the transmission has failed; while clothes washer transmissions can be replaced or repaired the cost may approach the cost of a new machine.

On 2019-09-14 - by (mod) - every time we wash our washing, there are drops of oil on the floor

Hennie

It would help to see a photo of your old washing machine and of its data tag if there is one.

I'm guessing that you turned the unit on its side to make repairs and some of the transmission oil has leaked out. IF it was just a few drops you're probably OK. If more than an ounce of oil has leaked out you might need to replace it.

On 2019-09-14 by Hennie

I have a very old Hoover twin tub washing machine. Model H-450P.

The spinner which dry the clothes stopped working. Luckily it was only the wire from the brake to the lid that was broken.

After I have fixed that, every time we wash our washing, there are drops of oil on the floor. Where does it come from and what to do?
Also do I need to oil some parts?

On 2019-08-27 - by (mod) - replacing leaked-out washing machine transmission oil due to moving the unit: how much?

Anon:

If you can accurately estimate the volume of oil leaked-out so as to avoid the damage used by over-filling, you should be able to replace the lost oil by finding the filler tapping/plug on the washing machine transmission

- the exact location of the fill plug will vary so you'll need to identify your washer brand and model and then pick up a copy of its repair manual if you don't find one here at Inspectapedia.com

Be sure the washer remains upright for 24 hours or more before running it.

On 2019-08-26 by Anonymous

washing machine was on its side and leaked oil is it ok or were would you ad oil

On 2019-08-13 - by (mod) - loud washing machine bearing noise: lost oil?

Jody

Thanks for an excellent question: what sort of oil is used in a washing machine transmission?

The exactly-correct transmission oil for your washing machine may be specific to the washing machine brand and model, but a typical example would be Whirlpool 350572 Gear Case Oil.

Watch out, however. When a washing machine tranny has leaked out all or most of its oil, I figure there's a very high probability that the transmission has been destroyed.

Furthermore, just adding oil without finding and fixing the oil leak (such as a failed gasket) is going to mean a continued oil spill mess under the washer and more damage to the machine.

In addition sometimes when the washing machine transmission is leaky oil leaks into the drum and ruins clothes being washed.

Those worries combined with the labor cost to try to disassemble, clean, inspect, and repair the the washer's transmission probably explain why washing machine repair techs more often simply replace the transmission with a new one. Finally, if the cost of a transmimssion replacement is approaching the cost of a new washing machine, I'd forego the repair and buy a new machine.

Keep us posted and perhaps post a photo of the situation with your washer and we can comment further.

On 2019-08-13 by Jody

Bearings dry very loud What type of fluid do I need to use and the transmission

On 2019-03-31 - by (mod) -

Bob

IF the total quantity of oil that leaked out was just an ounce or so you're probably fine.

On 2019-03-31 by bob

I transported my Whirlpool washer on its side and left it in the truck overnight. When I unloaded it and set it up in the new location, there was oil on the floor that had leaked out of the bottom. I ran it thru a cycle and it seemed alright. Is it alright?

On 2018-10-16 by (mod) - don't keep 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.

On 2018-10-15 by Lillie

An I still use my machines if they are leaking oil

Reader Question: oil leak at washing machine: how much does it cost to repair a washing machine transmission?

2 August 2015 Lucy said:

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?

Reply: confirm that the washing machine transmission is shot, then consider replacing the washer: repair cost vs new washing machine cost

Lucy,

If the brown goop is from a leaking washing machine transmission the typical repair cost is a bit steep - typically around $500 USD for parts and labor, enough that I'd consider replacing an almost 20-year-old washer.

You'll see that the transmission part alone may be a bit under $200. but an expert repair will typically replace a few other parts to give a more reliable overall repair job. That plus labor is how we estimate around $500. for a new direct-drive washing machine transmission replacement job.

Shown at left, a Whirlpool® washing machine direct drive transmission replacement unit for sale at Amazon.com in 2015 at a price of about $130. USD.

You could buy a new Frigidaire washing machine for about $550. or a new Samsung washing machine at Amazon.com for under $650. making those choices appealing.

Before deciding to buy a new washer, take a closer look inside the machine you have.

That will involve getting some help (as the machine may be a bit heavy) to disconnect the washer and move it to a spot where it can be opened from its back or bottom access panel.

Take a look at the transmission that drives the machine to confirm that oil is leaking from the transmission.

You'll see a silver colored cast or casing that is typically below the center of the washing machine tub. If that component is oozing oil it should probably be replaced. Or it's time for a new washing machine, as we discussed above.

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Continue reading at WASHING MACHINES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WASHING MACHINE OIL LEAK FAQs - questions and answers about oil leaks from clothes washers, posted originally on this page.

Or see these

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