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Vanity: Home repair: Clogged washing machine inlet
Vanity | 10-1-2010 | Frantzie

Posted on 10/01/2010 8:14:45 PM PDT by Frantzie

Any tips on how to fix a clogged washing machine?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: clogged; repair; replace; washingmachine
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The water fill has been getting weaker and weaker. It takes 50 minutes to fill. I changed the hoses. The pressure is backing up at the cold faucet to burst even on low pressure.

The problem is the 12+ year old Whirlpool is clogged. I turned it on the front side and wet vacuumed the hot (red) and cold (blue) inlets. The screens have a greasy reddish/copper residue. Like a car radiator can get.

I poured a little vinegar to see if it could unclog it. It is just sitting there. CLR? Anything? Radiator flush? I can only get a capful of vinegar on the inlets and it sits there.

A new decent one is about $300 but it works fine besides the clog. Thanks and sorry for the vanity.

1 posted on 10/01/2010 8:14:50 PM PDT by Frantzie
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To: Frantzie

temporarily you could hook a hose to the sink faucet and help fill the washer faster.


2 posted on 10/01/2010 8:19:31 PM PDT by UB355 (Slower traffic keep right)
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To: Frantzie

Replace the inlet valve.


3 posted on 10/01/2010 8:19:53 PM PDT by ThomasThomas (I still like peanut butter)
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To: Frantzie

Are there screens inside the inlets. They may be clogged.


4 posted on 10/01/2010 8:19:55 PM PDT by Elderberry
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To: Frantzie

There’s a screen right where the hose connects....check to see that it is clear, if so, continue down the line...you’ll eventually find the cause.


5 posted on 10/01/2010 8:21:04 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: Frantzie

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Plumbing/Laundry-Room-Plumbing/how-to-clean-a-washing-machine-inlet-screen

Here is something about using needle nose pliers to remove the screens and clean them. I will try that.

They also say:
“If your washing machine fills with a slow trickle, you might need a fill/inlet valve.”

Is this hard to change? I probably should just dump it.


6 posted on 10/01/2010 8:21:20 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: Frantzie

Take the hoses off. Look in the fill valve inlets. There are fine screens in them.
With a small screwdriver you can ease them out and clean them..
Do Not leave them out.!!!

If some of the pieces of debris gets into the valve it won’t close off the water supply and you’ll end up with a flood.

There should be screen washers in the hoses at the house water spigots also.


7 posted on 10/01/2010 8:21:29 PM PDT by Vinnie (You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Jihads You)
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To: Elderberry

That’s the problem I had with mine. Cleaned the little screen with a knife and cue tip. Worked fine after that.


8 posted on 10/01/2010 8:21:40 PM PDT by hampdenkid
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To: UB355

LOL...clever AND practical!


9 posted on 10/01/2010 8:22:03 PM PDT by rlmorel (Puritianism is the fear someone is having fun. Liberalism is the fear someone is making money...)
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To: Elderberry

Well I see you have screens.
Can you pull them out to clean or replace them?


10 posted on 10/01/2010 8:22:39 PM PDT by Elderberry
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To: Frantzie

Washing machines if that vintage are generally very simple. Don’t bother trying to fix any individual part. Get the model number, take a few pictures, and head to your local parts supply store.


11 posted on 10/01/2010 8:22:57 PM PDT by Minn
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To: Frantzie

There is also a solenoid at the fill valve...a simple rebuild kit could fix that.


12 posted on 10/01/2010 8:22:59 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: Frantzie

Punch them both out with a screwdriver(carefully) at the machine inlets.

Then get some screened hose washers at the hardware store and install them up at the hose inlets at the washing machine valves. They will be much easier to get to there for cleaning or replacing.


13 posted on 10/01/2010 8:25:19 PM PDT by headstamp 2 ("My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter")
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To: ThomasThomas

I think that may be it. I will try to take the screens out and clean them but I doubt that will work.

I will try to find a schematic or article on the inlet valve if the screen clean does not work.

Thanks.

Here is how to replace the inlet valve.

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2006/07/12/replacing-a-water-inlet-valve-for-some-common-top-loading-washing-machines/

Now I have to see if I can figure that out. I think Lowes or HD will be selling a new washer in the AM.


14 posted on 10/01/2010 8:25:57 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: Frantzie

1. You can pry the screens out and replace them. Or even leave them out. You can probably get replacement screens online easily enough or from a local vendor.

2. If you have rust deposits inside the solenoid (the part that automatically lets the water in and shuts it off), you could try getting some CLR in a syringe and squirting it in the inlet.


15 posted on 10/01/2010 8:27:14 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Islam is the religion of Satan and Mohammed was his minion.)
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To: hampdenkid

You gotta a treat her like a lad-ay
Um-hum, all the best you can do
You got-ta treat her like a lad-ay
She give into you...


16 posted on 10/01/2010 8:28:15 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: Vinnie

Thanks. I am going to try but I think it is the water inlet valve. Maybe the cleaning or the screens will work.

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2006/07/12/replacing-a-water-inlet-valve-for-some-common-top-loading-washing-machines/


17 posted on 10/01/2010 8:28:18 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: Frantzie
"I am going to try but I think it is the water inlet valve. Maybe the cleaning or the screens will work."

Brothers, Barry White knows about two things:
He understands making love to a beautiful woman
and he understands domestic appliance repair.


18 posted on 10/01/2010 8:36:08 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

I may try that. It is laid on it’s front side. I put a cap full of white vinegar (have no CLR at home). The screens are out but the vinegar is sitting there.

I will see if I can figure out how to get the back off the thing. Screws and clips.


19 posted on 10/01/2010 8:38:48 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: Frantzie

If the screens are clean the inner layer of the hose may have collapsed.


20 posted on 10/01/2010 8:46:14 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, A Matter Of Fact, Not A Matter Of Opinion)
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