This old Amana clothes washer with center agitator intermittently leaks from the back of the outer drum. It’s wet below the seam of the upper ring that clips onto the drum. It’s dry at all points above including the inlet hose fittings and valves as well as the drain pump below. Forced to guess, the suspension is weak and it’s sloshing or it’s overfilling. I can’t correlate it to load size, weight or washing mode. The effluent is clear, not soapy. Yes, it should be replaced but it otherwise works as it should. Thoughts?

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 173K miles

Not sure what era of Amana you have, but if it's a Speed Queen or Maytag era machine, they had a siphon break that Maytag called an "injector" on the water inlet line between the solenoid valve and the tub inlet. With age, they'd build up hard water deposits and start spraying water on top of the tub ring when the washer fills, dripping down the side of the tub.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

That channel could be leaking but it looked clean and dry when I checked. I’ll give it a closer look.

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 173K miles

It’s leaking from the junction of the hot side solenoid and valve. I guess it had dried when I was looking for the source. It only leaks during cold loads so maybe it’s a directional leak only when there’s pressure on the downstream side of the valve. I’m not sure that even makes sense but it doesn’t leak when not in use nor during warm loads.

I appreciate the tip!

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 173K miles

? Were you able to find a new part and fix it ? .

I miss my 1964 Maytag washer, it gave sterling service into the late 1980's even after I put it outside in the weather as my ex wife's request...

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I haven’t bought a valve yet. I’ll see if I can stomach feeding the local economy before going online. They look readily available.

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 173K miles

I'm still rockin' a 1984 GE Filter-Flo in "Harvest Wheat" color. I refuse to replace it, nothing else gets the dog hair off clothes or cleans grease and grime out of clothing like it.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

I can dig that ! I have a 1987 Kenmore gas stove I bought from SEARS, it still works fine .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Haven’t found an affordable valve. It only leaks during cold washes. Not when off even with hot water valve open. I can leave it until it gets worse or try to reseal the solenoid against the valve. Since parts aren’t sold at lower than valve assembly level, should I not try to reseal it?

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 173K miles

I don't see why not .

I once had a bad water pump (it leaked at the shaft seal) and it co$t me something like $125 in the 1980 ! .

It was almost all cheapy plastic and when I asked why $o much lolly, the parts guy smirked and said 'good luck finding one any where else' .

Sometimes you're just stuck .

I'd give it a try as it's junk now and the worst thing is you can't fix it better .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

It’s not quite junk, it’s working well and we use it as is. Leaks less than a cup a wash set on cold. Doesn’t leak set on warm or when not in use.

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 173K miles