Washing machines like those made by Electrolux have surged in popularity in recent years due to their modern appliances, superior efficiency, and sleek low-profile design.
Homeowners love being able to toss a whole load of dirty clothes into these large-capacity washers to save time on laundry day. However, as convenient as they seem, these machines also come with a common downside – messy washer leaks.
It’s not unusual to discover puddles of sudsy water on the floor under your Electrolux washing machine. A water leak can not only cause stains and damage nearby walls and flooring, it’s also an indicator that your washer needs some repair or maintenance attention.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with expert troubleshooting advice to detect exactly where your Electrolux washer is leaking from. You’ll also find clear directions outlining how to fix the leak yourself.
How To Fix Electrolux Washer Leaking From Bottom
If you notice water pooling underneath your Electrolux washing machine, chances are there’s an issue causing water leakage from the bottom of the machine. Let’s explore the most likely culprits behind bottom leaks and the best ways to remedy them.
1. Damaged Drain Pump
A damaged drain pump is one of the most common reasons that’ll make your Electrolux washer leak from the base panel area.
The pump is responsible for draining water from the wash tub at the end of a wash cycle. If the pump housing develops any splits, cracks, or the internal bearings wear out, leaks can occur.
Replacing a damaged drain pump is the most direct solution to resolving leaks from this component. To replace a damaged drain pump follow the instructions outlined below:
Supplies Needed:
- New drain pump compatible with your Electrolux model
- Adjustable pliers
- Screwdriver set
- Bucket
- Rags
Steps Involved:
- Unplug washing machine power cord from outlet to prevent electric shock.
- Locate the access panel and remove screws with a screwdriver. Lift off the panel.
- Spread rags underneath the washer near the drain pump to catch leaks.
- Use pliers to detach the drain hose from the pump outlet port. Allow water still in the hose to drain into the bucket.
- Disconnect wire harness plug from rear of pump.
- Using screwdriver, loosen pump mounting screws. Remove screws once loose enough to slide the pump out.
- Carefully extract the pump out of the washer cabinet, taking care not to damage surrounding parts.
- Align replacement pump into position, insert mounting screws. Tighten screws with screwdriver.
- Reconnect wire harness plug to pump electrical terminal.
- Attach drain hose to outlet port on new pump. Ensure connection points are leak-free.
- Replace access panel, screw back into place. Plug the washer power cord back in.
- Run a short test cycle and verify no leaks coming from the new installed drain pump.
2. Too Much Detergent
Too much detergent in your washer loads can also lead to leaks down below. Excess of suds (ie., a lot of foam) may clog drainage pathways and start backing water up until it seeps out the bottom of the washing machine.
Always measure your detergent carefully and use only HE formulations designed for front load washers. Refer to your detergent container to verify you’re using the right amount based on load size for your front load washing machine.
3. Torn Tub Seal
On some occasions, a tear in the tub rubber seal allows water from the inner drum to escape into the cabinet underneath. And if something causes the drain pump to stop emptying properly, the tub may start overflowing.
For a leaky tub seal, the repair is more complex. You essentially have to take apart the washer tub, replace seal and bearings as a unit, then reassemble. Not a quick job but it solves the root issue. Here’s how to do it:
Supplies Needed:
- Tub seal & bearing replacement kit for model
- Screwdrivers
- Adjustable wrench set
- Gloves & bucket
- Wood blocks
Steps Involved:
- Unplug the washer and turn off the water inlet valve. Open the front door and pull out the detergent tray.
- Pry off the top panel. Unscrew vibration dampener block. Detach all water supply hoses/wiring connected to inner tub assembly.
- Tip the washer back carefully onto wood blocks. Unscrew front panel screws and remove panel.
- Disconnect shock absorbers by removing tub mounting pins. Pull shocks off tub assembly.
- Disconnect drain pump hoses & wires. Dislodge pump from cabinet.
- Unhook suspension springs, lift and lower tub assembly out onto floor while supporting weight.
- With wrench unscrew outer tub bolts, separating front and rear outer tub halves.
- Use a screwdriver to pry out the old tub seal from the rear tub groove. Apply liquid soap to the groove.
- Press in the new tub seal from the replacement kit using a screwdriver until fully seated.
- Rejoin outer tub halves, replace bolts using wrench.
- Lift tub assembly back into washer cabinet, reconnecting suspension springs & components.
- Reattach all hoses, wires, panels in reverse order of disassembly.
- Restore water supply & power. Run a short test cycle to verify fixed leak.
- Note: If the pump merely malfunctions, installing a brand-new drain pump restores normal drainage to prevent overflow leaks from below.
How To Fix Electrolux Washer Leaking From Back
If you notice water pooling on the floor behind your Electrolux washer, the leak likely stems from loose connections or damaged hoses (including tub-to-pump hose and fill hose) at the rear. Now let’s take a more detailed look at the potential causes of back leaks and their solutions.
1. Damaged or Disconnected Water Inlet or Drain Hose
The hoses connected to the back of your washing machine can sometimes spring leaks. Check the hot and cold water hoses as well as the drain hose for cracks, holes, or loose connections.
If a hose is damaged:
You will need:
- New hoses
- Pliers
- Bucket
Steps:
- Turn off the hot and cold water valves behind the washer.
- Unplug the old hoses from the faucets. Use pliers if needed.
- Unplug the old hoses from the washer. Put a towel under to catch water.
- Check the washer and faucet fittings for cracks. Replace washers if missing.
- Attach the new hot water hose to the hot water faucet. Tighten by hand. Red hose = hot water.
- Attach the other end of the hot hose to the washer. Tighten by hand.
- Repeat steps 5-6 for the cold water hose, using the blue hose.
- Turn the water on fully. Check for leaks. Tighten with pliers if leaks.
- Run a test cycle to check for leaks before washing clothes.
2. Loose Hose
Even inlet/drain hoses in good condition can spray water out if their fittings loosen up. This happens because the constant vibrations from the wash cycles may cause connections to loosen slowly over time if not tightened properly.
For connections at supply lines or discharge pipe, hand tighten any fittings that show gaps using pliers. Don’t overtighten or you may strip threads. Ensure rubber sealing washers inside the female connections remain in place – If they are missing, replace them.
Provide some slack for hoses so they don’t rub and wear against the wall with machine vibrations. Periodically check clearance. And consider replacing older hoses every 5 years as preventative maintenance.
7 Most Common Electrolux Front Load Washer Problems
How to Fix Electrolux Washer Leaking From Door
Leaks streaming out around the door perimeter as your Electrolux washer runs can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. However, inspecting and addressing door seal issues promptly can eliminate the problem for good.
1. Damaged Door Seal/Gasket
First check for any visible damage to the rubber door gasket that frames the opening. Cracks, gouges, or holes along the door seal compromise its ability to keep water safely contained within the drum. Residue buildup left unchecked can also affect the seal over time.
Start troubleshooting by running your finger carefully along the rubber door gasket, visually inspecting as well to check for cracking damage or holes allowing floodwater to escape. If there’s any defect after inspection, the seal needs to be replaced.
To replace a damaged seal, follow these set of instructions:
Supplies Needed:
- Replacement door seal for your Electrolux model
- Gloves
- Needle-nose pliers
- Screwdriver
Steps Involved:
- Unplug the washing machine from the power source. Turn off water supply valves.
- Open the washer door and inspect the damaged door seal. Identify type of seal attachment such as adhesive or plastic retainer.
- Wearing gloves, use your hands or pliers to peel away damaged seals from door opening. Remove all residue.
- Thoroughly clean door perimeter seal seating area using appliance cleaner and lint-free rag.
- Ensure the new seal shape matches the door opening. Align seal ends if multi-piece style and press adhesive strips firmly.
- Starting at corners first, hand press the new seal into place around the entire door opening perimeter to adhere.
- Using flat screwdriver, insert plastic seal retainer into designated slots around door perimeter, securing full seal attachment.
- Inspect final seal placement by closing the door and checking for uniform contact and a tight seal with no gaps.
- Plug in the machine power cord and turn water supply valves back on after replacement.
- Run a test empty cycle while observing for leaks to confirm fully fixed door seal replacement before adding laundry.
2. Overloading
Another common source of leaks stems from overloading the drum past recommended capacities. Items that get wedged between the seal and door result in water bypassing an otherwise intact gasket.
Be sure to wipe clean the door seal with weekly machine maintenance using warm, soapy water and rags. This removes any lingering dirt, soap scum, or overgrowth of mold from impeding proper contact all the way around the opening perimeter.
Loading problems that frequently cause leaks relate to overstuffing and unbalanced washing machine drums. Make sure to leave several inches of clearance around the inside and don’t exceed the maximum dry load weight rating. This allows enough extra room for garments to float freely without catching along seal edges.
Electrolux Washer Error Codes E10, E11: How To Fix Them
Conclusion
As inconvenient as leaks can be with your Electrolux washer, identifying the leak or water source (i.e., the root cause of the problem) accurately first makes repairing them much easier.
Start by inspecting door seal, clamp, inlet hose of the machine (i.e., including the drain hose), pumps, and tub seals systematically to pinpoint flaws allowing water to escape or overflow. Follow step-by-step instructions provided to properly replace damaged parts like torn door gaskets or cracked drainage pumps.
And remember preventative maintenance goes a long way – regularly wiping away residue buildup and replacing worn out seals/hoses prevents many leaks.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
