[Talius]

My washing machine is a direct drive Kenmore (Whirlpool) which is leaking quite a bit of oil, in addition, it looks as though the coupler is wearing out and needs to be replaced, note the fine black particles surrounding coupler.

Questions:

Is the oil leak associated with the coupler damage? or is the oil leak a separate problem?
(see attached photo)

Can the oil leak be repaired by replacing a worn seal or must I replace the entire transmission (gearbox)?

I don't anticipate a problem in replacing the coupler.

Thanks to ALL who can lend some advice and direction.

[bettyboop]

The norm is to replace the trans, if you can find a replacement oil seal, and you are a decent mechanic It's not too hard to do. replace your coupling with the heavy duty motor coupling part# 285753A.,While you have the trans out, if the spin clutch got soaked with trans oil replace it. If it looks not too worn, you can wash it with brake clean degreeser and maybe salvage it

[Talius]

Hello. Thanks for the advice. I will try to locate a seal for the trani, but don't hold out much hope as individual parts like that are nearly impossible to come by here in BC Canada. The clutch looks to be in decent condition and untouched by the oil (see photo). I will post back once the job is done.

Thanks

[juggledoug]

Did you get the washer fixed?

I'm having a similar problem. There's a lot of oil on the ground, some black stuff mixed in from the coupling, and even though I can hear the motor running the agitator won't turn.

I found a great page with pictures that walks you through replacing the coupling:

Sears Kenmore Washing Machine Repair

But I think my machine might be too far gone.

[Talius]

Greetings friends. My First and last post stated that my Kenmore aka Whirlpool washing machine was leaking oil and that I needed to fix it. Here is what I ended up doing. I replaced the transmission a.k.a. gearbox with a rebuilt, the clutch (though I may have been able to get a few more months out of it), the coupler because it was literally disintegrating, the water pump because it was seized onto the motors shaft due to minute amounts of water leaking and traveling out of the pump to settle at the point where the motor shaft is seated inside the pump turbine. I replaced the outer tub main seal ( less than $10.00) because the machine leaked due to the original seals less than ideal condition when I put the thing back together. So I am intimately familiar now with our washing machine which is currently churning out another load of wash. So to conclude, yes it cost me just under $400.00 for parts but the machine is like new. I priced out an equivalent machine new, and I would be looking at at least $600.00.. I don't think so. So I hope this helps others. I have tonnes of photos if anyone is interested in what the parts looked like during the rebuild, just contact me through the forum and I will gladly send you what I have.

Cheers

Talius

[Talius]

Greetings Jugg. Yes the machine is working. I do however have an annoying clicking sound that only comes once in a while when the machine is spinning in the rinse cycle. I have too much of life to deal with right now to spend the time to search for the clicking sound, but eventually I will remove the cover and have a look while the machine is in a rinse cycle. I have digitally recorded the sound for those interested or who might have an idea as to where it is coming from, but all in all the machine is working great, absolutely no complaints. It gets lots of use each day with 7 in our family.
All the best