Washer keeps draining during agitation

[Coco]

Hi.

I have an 18 year old Kenmore top loading washing machine - Model C110.

It has worked well for many years. Yesterday my wife told me that the spin cycle was starting and stopping and as a result, the clothes were really wet when done. After looking in this forum, I decided to check out the lid closing switch. With the washer empty, lid open, and my finger holding the switch down the spin cycle worked fine. So I tried it with a load of laundry, intending to watch the whole cycle with the lid open and holding the lid switch down.

The washer would fill, come up to the proper level, and agitation would start. Then the water level dropped a couple of inches and the agitation stopped and the fill started again. I pulled out the drain hose out of the standpipe (top of standpipe is about the same height as top of washer) to watch what was happening. During fill there is no leakage from the drain hose. But as soon as the agitation starts, the washer pump kicks in and starts draining like a garden hose at full open. Once the level in the tub falls a couple of inches, the agitation stops and the fill starts again. This happens over and over again, every couple of minutes.

Can you tell me what might be wrong? Is it worth fixing or should I be looking at a new one?

Thank you for your help.

Coco

[Dan O.]

Pump problem?

Kenmore top loading washing machine - Model C110

C110 is only the very first part of a model number, and a Canadian one at that, made by Inglis/Whirlpool Canada. Unfortunately the rest of the model number (which we'd usually require to identify the appliance design) won't help as Sears Canada does not provide facilities to the general public to look their appliance models up. I assume it is belt drive model. You can read about that particular washer design at the following link:

LINK > Sears and Whirlpool Belted Washer

The washer would fill, come up to the proper level, and agitation would start. Then the water level dropped a couple of inches and the agitation stopped and the fill started again. I pulled out the drain hose out of the standpipe (top of standpipe is about the same height as top of washer) to watch what was happening.

Good. An improperly installed drain hose can lead to premature draining (see the following link).

LINK > My washer doesn't seem to be able to hold water. What's the problem?

During fill there is no leakage from the drain hose.

Than syphoning as explained at the link above is not likely the cause.

But as soon as the agitation starts, the washer pump kicks in and starts draining like a garden hose at full open.

Than there may be a problem with the 'flapper' valve inside the pump or the flapper valve's lever mechanism or linkage system. It could just be that the linkage clip has broken or fallen off.

Once the level in the tub falls a couple of inches, the agitation stops and the fill starts again. This happens over and over again, every couple of minutes.

Yes, that will likely be the washer's water level control (see the following link) detecting the shortage of water.

LINK > How does a washer's water level control work?

Is it worth fixing or should I be looking at a new one?

If that is the only problem with the washer, it is most likely repairing (or at least being looked at) before scrapping it. It could require only a very minor (relatively speaking) repair.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.ca
The Appliance Information Site
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[Coco]

flapper valve

Thanks for your help Dan O.

I looked very carefully at all the areas you suggested. Finally I pulled off the hose at the outlet of the water pump and fished around inside. I found a rubber covered metal circular object just larger than the diameter of the outlet port floating around in the pump. I'm assuming it is the flapper valve broken off and causing my problems. Given the age of the machine, I'll probably be getting a new one, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help.

Thanks, Coco.

[Dan O.]

I found a rubber covered metal circular object just larger than the diameter of the outlet port floating around in the pump. I'm assuming it is the flapper valve broken off and causing my problems.

Quite possibly

Given the age of the machine, I'll probably be getting a new one

Buying a $400-600+ machine rather than replacing a $30-40 pump??? Well, that's up to you.

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help.

You're welcome. Hopefully your new washer will last 1/4 of the years your old one did. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

TTFN

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.ca
The Appliance Information Site
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