Ralphie ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #1 Posted May 30, 2018 The damn thing fills with water even with both shutoff valves off! They sure look like they hold when disconnected. Taking it from the beginning, one day the washer is filled with water while sitting idle. I see water dripping down the inlet to the drum, so I shut off the water and the drip stops, so I figure it is the washer water inlet valve. I leave the washer sit with the water valves off for a few days while the part is being shipped. I told the wife and daughter they could use it if they turned off the shutoff valves when done. The day the part gets here, daughter #2 puts some clothes in the washer but I tell her to hold off until I install the new valve, but we see there is water in the washer! So I replace the inlet valve, but the new one leaks into the case of the washer, so I have to put the old one back in. I leave the hoses connected with both shutoff valves off, and this morning the washer is full of water again. The valves are 32 years old, and most other shutoff valves in the house won;t even turn off, but I can't understand how they can leak intermittently. I have the hoses disconnected now for observation while a new water shutoff valve comes in. I doubt it is a drain siphon issue that just suddenly appears without the washer being used, but who knows! I am sort of baffled at this point. The first time it filled after about 3 days, the second time within one day. Could it be possessed? Could water use in the adjoining bathroom or kitchen be the problem? Seems unlikely since the shutoff valves always have full water pressure on them. Possibly backflowing through the drain from the bathtub? Or dishwasher since that really fits the period. I did just run a load last night. I have the hoses disconnected so if it happens again it has to be the drain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #2 Posted May 30, 2018 https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/31597/Washer+slowly+fills+with+water+while+not+in+use%2C+what+is+wrong What is your water supply? These people were having mineral deposit (hard water?) problems This article has many responses. Some might help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 30, 2018 Share #3 Posted May 30, 2018 Is the washer "three rules safe"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #4 Posted May 30, 2018 1 hour ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: The damn thing fills with water even with both shutoff valves off! They sure look like they hold when disconnected. Taking it from the beginning, one day the washer is filled with water while sitting idle. I see water dripping down the inlet to the drum, so I shut off the water and the drip stops, so I figure it is the washer water inlet valve. I leave the washer sit with the water valves off for a few days while the part is being shipped. I told the wife and daughter they could use it if they turned off the shutoff valves when done. The day the part gets here, daughter #2 puts some clothes in the washer but I tell her to hold off until I install the new valve, but we see there is water in the washer! So I replace the inlet valve, but the new one leaks into the case of the washer, so I have to put the old one back in. I leave the hoses connected with both shutoff valves off, and this morning the washer is full of water again. The valves are 32 years old, and most other shutoff valves in the house won;t even turn off, but I can't understand how they can leak intermittently. I have the hoses disconnected now for observation while a new water shutoff valve comes in. I doubt it is a drain siphon issue that just suddenly appears without the washer being used, but who knows! I am sort of baffled at this point. The first time it filled after about 3 days, the second time within one day. Could it be possessed? Could water use in the adjoining bathroom or kitchen be the problem? Seems unlikely since the shutoff valves always have full water pressure on them. Possibly backflowing through the drain from the bathtub? Or dishwasher since that really fits the period. I did just run a load last night. I have the hoses disconnected so if it happens again it has to be the drain. It sounds to me like you just need to buy a new bike. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted May 30, 2018 Share #5 Posted May 30, 2018 3 minutes ago, Longjohn said: It sounds to me like you just need to buy a new bike. This response makes no sense. This is a water problem. Obviously he needs to buy a new kayak. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #6 Posted May 30, 2018 9 minutes ago, Kzoo said: This response makes no sense. This is a water problem. Obviously he needs to buy a new kayak. Buy one of each just to make sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #7 Posted May 30, 2018 Just now, Longjohn said: Buy one of each just to make sure. While he's at the bicycle/kayak store the mrs is going to be across the street shopping for washing machines. (I'd have said shopping for a plumber but I don't want to be a wisecracker.) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #8 Posted May 30, 2018 1 hour ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I have the hoses disconnected so if it happens again it has to be the drain. Pull the drain hose too, then if it happens again it’s possessed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 30, 2018 Share #9 Posted May 30, 2018 You're welcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #10 Posted May 30, 2018 29 minutes ago, donkpow said: You're welcome. I made it through almost two minutes of this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizeye Posted May 30, 2018 Share #11 Posted May 30, 2018 And the bad news is, you missed the Memorial Day sale. Oh wait, they are always on sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 30, 2018 Share #12 Posted May 30, 2018 16 minutes ago, Longjohn said: I made it through almost two minutes of this. For a more practical philosophical approach: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #13 Posted May 30, 2018 7 minutes ago, donkpow said: For a more practical philosophical approach: One of my kayaks came with a Pelican book. I haven’t read it, operating a kayak is not rocket surgery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 30, 2018 Share #14 Posted May 30, 2018 Just now, Longjohn said: One of my kayaks came with a Pelican book. I haven’t read it, operating a kayak is not rocket surgery. Ha! Pelican doesn't do rocket surgery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 30, 2018 Share #15 Posted May 30, 2018 In the end, one has to ask, "What would Zed do?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #16 Posted May 30, 2018 I replaced my washing machine recently and if you listen to the new one run you would think it was possessed. It has sensors and it determines the optimal water level for your load. It adds some water, then runs for a couple seconds, adds some more water, etc...... I close the lid and when I come back the clothes are clean. That’s all that matters but the first time I ran it I thought for sure I was going to have to wrestle it back to the store for replacement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted May 30, 2018 Share #17 Posted May 30, 2018 Dear @RalphWaldoMooseworth : There is nothing wrong with your washer. It will not work without water inside of it and this is it's natural state. Respectfully, @Page Turner ( author of "Zen and the art of Washing Machine Mechanics" ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #18 Posted May 30, 2018 This is getting deep 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parodybot Posted May 30, 2018 Share #19 Posted May 30, 2018 I think you may have my crazy Aunt Sally in your basement. Hot as all get out but crazy as the day is long. BTW, she is a spinner. Either that or you have the makings of a great horror story. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post maddmaxx ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Popular Post Share #20 Posted May 30, 2018 The valve seems ambivalent about it's state. It's sort of wishy washer. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted May 30, 2018 Share #21 Posted May 30, 2018 really doubt it's the drain backing up, you would have water on the floor. And it would stink. And you would have many other problems. Do you have a nearby sink? That would have a lower drain. Your shut off valves are no longer shut off valves, they are slow down valves. And the deposits that messed those up probably did in the washer fill valve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #22 Posted May 30, 2018 Where’s Ralph? We made all of these wonderful comments on his post and he hasn’t responded yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #23 Posted May 30, 2018 13 minutes ago, Longjohn said: Where’s Ralph? We made all of these wonderful comments on his post and he hasn’t responded yet. He is probably still swimming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Share #24 Posted May 30, 2018 Fills with water with the shutoff valves closed??? Are you sure you're looking at the right shutoff valves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Author Share #25 Posted May 30, 2018 46 minutes ago, MickinMD said: Fills with water with the shutoff valves closed??? Are you sure you're looking at the right shutoff valves? They are the only two in the room! I guess I'll just replace the washer inlet valve and keep a VERY close eye on this sucker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Author Share #26 Posted May 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Longjohn said: Where’s Ralph? We made all of these wonderful comments on his post and he hasn’t responded yet. I hope you bastards enjoyed yourselves! After reading through maxx's links, I figure I'll just replace the inlet valve, cause the hot water inlet screen does look pretty deposity. Plus I don;t see how it could have backfed through the drain since it gets pumped oot, so shirley there must be a check valve in there somewheres. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted May 30, 2018 Share #27 Posted May 30, 2018 2 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: They are the only two in the room! I guess I'll just replace the washer inlet valve and keep a VERY close eye on this sucker! ...have you ruled out the shutoffs by routing the hoses from them into a bucket or sink instead of the washer and checking after an hour or so ? I thought that suggestion aboot the shutoffs having magically transformed into slowdowns was a good guess. Those valves are often olde, and get a lot of particulate and mineral buildup in most situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted May 30, 2018 Author Share #28 Posted May 30, 2018 4 minutes ago, Page Turner said: ...have you ruled out the shutoffs by routing the hoses from them into a bucket or sink instead of the washer and checking after an hour or so ? I thought that suggestion aboot the shutoffs having magically transformed into slowdowns was a good guess. Those valves are often olde, and get a lot of particulate and mineral buildup in most situations. They held for days over the weekend and all day today open ended into a bucket. Maybe I had them on for a little - I guess that is the only possible explanation. In any case, the inlet valve is cheap enough I can try it. If it is still possessed, then it is off to the races again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted May 30, 2018 Share #29 Posted May 30, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 30, 2018 Share #30 Posted May 30, 2018 If you ever have the opportunity to replace the shut off valves, I recommend quarter turn ball valves. Very dependable and easy to use in this application. Here is a nice solution specifically designed for washing machines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Further Posted May 30, 2018 Share #31 Posted May 30, 2018 12 hours ago, Longjohn said: I replaced my washing machine recently and if you listen to the new one run you would think it was possessed. It has sensors and it determines the optimal water level for your load. It adds some water, then runs for a couple seconds, adds some more water, etc...... I close the lid and when I come back the clothes are clean. That’s all that matters but the first time I ran it I thought for sure I was going to have to wrestle it back to the store for replacement. Me too. For the first month I swore it wasn't working right. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted May 31, 2018 Share #32 Posted May 31, 2018 1 hour ago, donkpow said: If you ever have the opportunity to replace the shut off valves, I recommend quarter turn ball valves. Very dependable and easy to use in this application. Here is a nice solution specifically designed for washing machines. Does this work better that a couple vice-grips on the supply lines? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted May 31, 2018 Share #33 Posted May 31, 2018 9 hours ago, Kzoo said: Does this work better that a couple vice-grips on the supply lines? No. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 31, 2018 Share #34 Posted May 31, 2018 12 hours ago, Page Turner said: What a dumb ass. That’s not a dish washer. Who the heck sold them a front load clothes washer and told them it was a dishwasher? Not only is it noisy but it will ruin their dishes. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted May 31, 2018 Share #35 Posted May 31, 2018 Don’t listen to these guys. Here is a washing machine repair tutorial: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 31, 2018 Share #36 Posted May 31, 2018 4 minutes ago, F_in Ray Of Sunshine said: Don’t listen to these guys. Here is a washing machine repair tutorial: I hope it had the extended warranty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted May 31, 2018 Share #37 Posted May 31, 2018 2 hours ago, Longjohn said: I hope it had the extended warranty Yeah, I doubt even the sharpest legal eagles would think to put something in the T&C exempting that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onbike1939 Posted May 31, 2018 Share #38 Posted May 31, 2018 On 5/30/2018 at 12:26 PM, Longjohn said: I replaced my washing machine recently and if you listen to the new one run you would think it was possessed. It has sensors and it determines the optimal water level for your load. It adds some water, then runs for a couple seconds, adds some more water, etc...... I close the lid and when I come back the clothes are clean. That’s all that matters but the first time I ran it I thought for sure I was going to have to wrestle it back to the store for replacement. You think yours is smart. My new washer/dryer seems to do everything and even uses steam to refresh clothes and when tumble drying. Not only this but it comes with an app on my smartphone which allows the machine to speak directly to the engineer if it goes wrong. That said, it keeps overcooking my scrambled eggs. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted May 31, 2018 Share #39 Posted May 31, 2018 6 minutes ago, onbike1939 said: You think yours is smart. My new washer/dryer seems to do everything and even uses steam to refresh clothes and when tumble drying. Not only this but it comes with an app on my smartphone which allows the machine to speak directly to the engineer if it goes wrong. That said, it keeps overcooking my scrambled eggs. I’ll bet it does a crappy job of folding your clothes too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted May 31, 2018 Share #40 Posted May 31, 2018 19 hours ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: hot water inlet screen does look pretty deposity so guess what is in what used to be a shutoff valve? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted May 31, 2018 Share #41 Posted May 31, 2018 1 hour ago, 12string said: so guess what is in what used to be a shutoff valve? ...but with time and patience, they will complete the process, and shut off the flow entirely. So there's that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted May 31, 2018 Share #42 Posted May 31, 2018 If you open and close it a bunch of times you can sometimes get it working again. But then the packing leaks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share #43 Posted June 3, 2018 The new Robertshaw valve works great! No leaky. A banner day for plumbing - fixed both the leaky sink faucet and the washer. Boo-ya! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted June 3, 2018 Share #44 Posted June 3, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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