Kenmore 80 series leaking....plastic tub cracked on the bottom

First, see the Sears parts diagrams / breakdowns for your washer:

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Kenmore-Parts/Washer-Parts/Model-11026832690/0582/0153200?pathTaken=

Next, see the following illustrated description of how to tear down the washer and remove the agitator(s) and tub.

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=137&osCsid=34f87d06c7e28f58d4898529d732dedb

And see the Whirlpool / Kenmore Service Manual for these machines.https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

It's unlikely that a sock made it thru the inner basket but, I'd check the hoses to and from the pump and the inside of the pump to check for any blockage before pulling the agitator(s) and basket.

NOTE: If you have to remove the inner tub, you'll have to remove the drive block.

You don't have to buy a special spanner wrench ($20) to remove the spanner nut. I've used a short 10" pipe wrench (about $9.00 also good for cracking walnuts) hooked over one of the tabs on the spanner nut, tap the handle with a hammer and it should loosen.

Also, don't directly hit the drive block with a hammer. Use a short piece of wood under the drive block and tap up on the wood.

When replacing the drive block, basket, make sure that the tabs align on the block.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getModel!retrieve.pd?modelNumber=110-25864400

and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

See the section for the basket and tub assembly's

I'd pull the cabinet in order to get to the hoses going to and from the pump first.

See the following:

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=131

If the hoses are fine, I'd also check the gaskets at the bottom of the tub.

If you're reasonably mechanically inclined, these are easy fixes.

If you have to get to the gaskets at the bottom of the tub, see the following for how to remove the agitators, pump, motor, transmission, spin tube and basket.

(It sounds a bit complicated but it's not really that difficult.)

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=137

You don't have to buy a special spanner wrench to remove the spanner nut. I've used a short 10" pipe wrench hooked over one of the tabs on the spanner nut, tap the handle with a hammer and it should loosen.

Also, don't directly hit the drive block with a hammer. Use a short piece of wood under the drive block and tap up on the wood.

As an aside, see the following Whirlpool Service Manual for top load direct drive washers.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

Depending on the problem (hoses or gasket) it's certainly less expensive than calling in a repair person.

If the bottom agitates and not the top, the problem is likely the 4 "agitator dogs" designed to allow the top agitator to turn only one way.


I assume that your model number starts with a 110 instead of 100.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getModel!retrieve.pd?modelNumber=110.26842692

Look at the section on the Sears site for Agitator, basket and tub.

See the part "Dog, agitator "

Remove the fabric softener unit, lift the top agitator cap (use a screwdriver) and you should see a plastic part in the center of the top agitator with a 1/2" square drive.

Remove the drive and lift off the top agitator. Turning it over you should see the 4 "dogs", replace these and the top agitator should turn in one direction only.

Replace the 1/2" drive, the cap and fabric softener unit and the top agitator should work.


Following is an illustrated description of the above.

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=136&osCsid=0da65cea0e338fe930b1fde153a243f0

The agitator on most Kenmore top loaders is a split design. The upper portion is called the auger, the bottom is the agitator. It comes apart by followng these simple steps:

1. Remove the center cap on the auger by either pulling straight up or gently placing a flat blade screwdriver into a slot located in the cap. Make sure you keep the gasket. This is used to create an air gap to keep water from leaking into the transmission, so make sure you seat it properly for a good seal when you reassemble.

2. If the auger is equipped with an inner cap underneath with a handle, remove this as well by pulling straight up.

3. Remove the center bolt of the agitator. You will have either a 7/16” hex bolt or a recessed square plastic nut. If you have the square recessed type, use a 3/8” to ½” ratchet adapter to remove.

4. With the center bolt removed, you can remove the entire assembly with the auger still attached to the top of the agitator, by grasping the bottom flange near the bottom of the tub and carefully pulling straight up. Try to keep all the parts assembled while doing this, so do not pull too hard. This will make this reassembly much easier.

If the agitator comes apart and you need assistance in how the parts go back together, refer to searspartsdirect.com for some helpful exploded view diagrams under the "Agitator, Basket and Tub" parts section.

If you have any questions, or if your agitator is different from what has been described, please post back with your complete model number (located on a nameplate around the wash tub opening) so that I may be able to provide you with better assistance. I hope this helps you.

Hello. Anything is worth trying! But I would recommend epoxy. It works alot better with plastic and rubber items. Most of the leaks I have found in Kenmore machines are at the water pump. You may want to take a peek while it's running, just stay away from the wires!! Thanks!

You need to clean the tubs.

Unplug the machine.

Remove the agitator top. Remove the screw or plastic sleeve that holds the agitator down. A 1/2 inch socket extension will fit in the plastic sleeve. Pull the agitator out.

Now you will need to remove the nut that holds the inner tub. A spanner wrench is the best way, but you can use a large screwdriver to lossen the nut. Pull the inner tub. If it doesn't release take a hammer and a driving tool aka anything that will reach and not destroy the crown and tap all the way around the crown. If that doesn't release it, get someone to tap while you pull the tub. Be careful not to break the fill tube. I have broken quite a few being in a hurry. Haste makes waste.

Now with the tub pulled, clean the inside of the outer tub and the outside of the inner tub. Reassemble the machine.

FYI, liquid fabric softener and/or using too much detergent will cause the sewage smell. Liquid fabric softener is terrible for your machine. Use dryer sheets if you can adapt to them.

The cheapest way is to go to an appliance supply store and get touch up paint for the drum (don't forget to bring your model number). Once it hardens it's nearly indistinguishable from the orrigional color and just a tough. If you want to replace the drum, you have to open the console (usually 2 screws in the front or back where it meets the top of the washer) Remove the 2 brass colored clips underneath (this will let the top, front and both sides come off as one assembly). You un-clip the plastic ring at the top of the tub and remove. You pop the top cap off the agitator and remove the bolt underneath so the agitator come off. Lastly, you use a manufacture specific spanner wrench to remove the nut on the top of the tub. The Replacement basket and the spanner wrench are usually availible at local parts stores or from the manufacture on line.

Once you have the console open and the cabinet removed, take off your tub ring (the white plastic cover over basket) and you agitator. Unfortuneately, you're right there is a special tool for removing the 4 notched nut. I would check with my local appliance part store or order it from the manufactures web site. I belive they call it a spanner wrench. After that, your basket will lift out.

the inner tub and outer tub has a seal under the agitator. this must be replaced. use a spanner or a large channel lock plier to remove the nut. seal is underneath it.