My Kenmore Front Loading Washer Is Leaking Oil

Water Valve Screens

• It’s common to find rust particles and sediment in your household water supply, and the screens on the cold and hot water supply valves are supposed to filter them out. However, if a screen breaks or severs, rust and sediment will get into the front-loading washer’s tub and could cling to its walls. The substance might even appear to be oil. Close the valves and disconnect each valve's hose. Remove each valve’s filter and run it under the faucet to remove any dirt. Inspect the valves thoroughly for damage, and replace one or both if the screen is torn or punctured.

Water Supply Hoses

• Although new Kenmore front-loading washers typically come with new water supply hoses, these hoses generally last only about 5 years before they should be replaced, according to Repair Clinic. The rubber used on newer hoses made since about 2000 is often less durable than the rubber of older hoses, and thus doesn’t hold up as well. When a hose deteriorates, it releases an oily substance that gets into a front-load washer when it fills with water and sometimes stains clothes. If your washer’s water supply hoses are more than 5 years old, replace them with new ones.

Tub Bearing

• Certain Kenmore front-loading washers are outfitted with a tub-bearing joint that supports the tub as it rotates. The joint is covered in a high-temperature grease to decrease friction and make turning easier. Occasionally, a bearing might drip grease, especially if it was recently lubricated during annual maintenance and too much was used. As a result, you could find a small pool of oil behind your washer. Wipe around the bearing to remove excess lubricant. Contact Kenmore if the leak persists or the washer starts to squeal when its tub spins, because that means the bearing could be damaged.

Transmission

• A front-loading washer could leak from a faulty transmission or bad transmission seal, according to Manage My Life. Kenmore added a seal in the 1990s to most of its washing machines, including front-loaders, to prevent transmission leaks. However, a transmission with a bad seal could still leak oil below a washer. Contact Kenmore to inspect the transmission and its seal. In most cases, a replacement seal will stop the leak; however, if the transmission is wearing, it might need to be replaced as well. In the meantime, slide a piece of plywood underneath your washer to protect your laundry room floors.