Kenmore Elite 45986 Front Load Washer Logo
Posted on Dec 09, 2009
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My detergent drawer will randomly leak out water at the beginning of the wash cycle only. What's up?

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  • Master 15,935 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 15, 2010
Anonymous
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Joined: Dec 21, 2008
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You could have a clog in the housing underneath the dispenser where the water flows through a hose into the tub.
Pull the dispenser drawer completely out.
There is a tab that needs to be depressed to release the drawer and remove it.
Check the opening at the bottom of the housing just inside the dispenser housing opening to see if a small sock or garment is clogging this opening.
Reach down into this opening to see if an item is inside the hose.
This is the normal issue that will cause water to leak out of the dispenser housing.

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Wash the dispenser drawer thoroughly with warm water. Make sure that you pull off the siphon covers and wash all siphon holes. This process is described in your owner's manual. Replace the dispenser drawer and try the washer again.

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Water leaking from detergent drawer

The first thing to do is take note of what the washer is doing when water leaks out in order to help pinpoint the cause. Does it only leak when filling? Is it leaking during wash or rinses? Or is it leaking only when it goes into spin?

Only leaks when filling

  • Water pressure that's too strong. Some dispensers can't cope with high water pressure. Make sure the washer is level as one leaning forward can leak if combined with high water pressure. Try turning the tap on the washer down. Only suspect this if you know the water pressure is high and it looks like it's gushing in quite fast on fill
  • If there is an optional detergent flap fitted in the drawer for holding liquid detergent make sure it is removed or drawn into the up position if using powder otherwise it prevents detergent running down into the drum
  • A build up of grease and slime in the nozzles at the top of the dispenser where the water flows in causing water to spray at the front and run out when filling. Check this article -black jelly-like substance in soap dispenser and on soap drawer (In extreme cases I've had to replace the dispenser.)
  • A build up of undissolved detergent in the base of the soap dispenser under the drawer (depending on the design). Remove the soap drawer and check the bottom of the soap dispenser for a build up of detergent that could allow water to run over the lip of the dispenser
  • Blocked dispenser hose: Some washing machines can flood water out of the soap dispenser if the hose leading out of the dispenser into the tub gets blocked. Blockages can be something put into the drawer by a child or a chunk of undissolved detergent tablet. Indesit, and Candy, as well as some of the later Hoover washing machines suffered from this design flaw. The hose where the water is flushed down, was right at the front of the soap dispenser on these washing machines and it wasn't wide enough. Undissolved powder from a tablet or lumps of detergent through poor water pressure can block this hose solid causing water to back up. Unplug machine, remove lid and feel this hose carefully for obstructions.
  • Overfilling: If the washer starts to fill and never stops it will flood out of the drawer eventually - Washing machine overfills
Leaks out of drawer during the wash or rinse cycle
  • Too many suds? If you can see the door glass is white with foam up to the top it could be foaming out of the dispenser. Too much foam in the washing machine
  • Overfilling: If the washer starts washing but the water doesn't stop coming in it will eventually fill the drum so much it will start to pour out of the soap drawer and other places. If this is the fault you should be able to see the drum is so full of water it's making a different sound, maybe labouring under the load, and the door glass full to the top with water. You should also hear that water is still running into the machine and be able to detect it by opening the drawer. However, in most cases an over filling washing machine should trigger an error code long before it gets to this stage but if you suspect overfilling check this page - Washing machine overfills
  • Surging: There are (often intermittent) faults that can cause the motor to spin out of control on wash or rinses. Instead of turning slowly the fault causes the motor to surge into spin instead which throws the laundry and all the water about violently. Water can then be forced out of the soap dispenser drawer. This fault should be relatively rare these days but if you observe this behaviour call an engineer to diagnose the cause.
Leaks from drawer only when spinning
  • If it only comes out on spin it can be caused by a partial blockage preventing the water being pumped out fast enough resulting in excess water being thrown around on spin and backing up into the dispenser. This fault is similar to the surging fault described in the last list but different in that the problem only occurs when it's on a proper spin cycle and much of the water has been pumped away. Troubleshooting this fault is all about finding out why it isn't emptying the water properly which is usually due to a partial blockage. Follow the same troubleshooting as described for a washer not pumping any water out at all - Washing machine won't empty water
  • If water is being forced out of the drawer when the washer is spinning but it is on wash or rinse and shouldn't be spinning follow the procedure for surging in the previous section above
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The softener holder just fills with water but will not drain.

Is water left in the dispenser at the end of the cycle?
About two tablespoons of water remaining in the dispenser compartment at the end of the cycle is normal. At the end of the wash cycle, fresh water automatically cleans the dispenser. Check that the cycle is complete before opening the dispenser drawer.
Is the dispenser drawer clogged?
A clogged dispenser can block the flow of water through the dispenser and cause water to leak out. Manually remove the dispenser, and clean any leftover detergent or additives that could clog the flow of water through the dispenser. Also, check that the detergent drawer is always completely closed during the cycle. If the drawer is not closed completely, water can leak out onto the floor.
Are the additives dispensing too early?
Here are a few things that can cause the additives (detergent, fabric softener or liquid chlorine bleach) to dispense early:
  • Check that the dispenser is not overfilled. Do not fill past the MAX fill lines on the dispenser. Overfilling can cause early dispensing of liquid chlorine bleach and/or fabric softener.
  • Check that the detergent separator is in the correct position. For liquid detergent, the separator should be in the front position. For powdered detergent, the separator should be in the rear position. If the separator is in the rear position while you are using liquid detergent, it will dispense immediately, which is not how it is designed to work.
  • Use powdered HE detergent when using the DELAY WASH option. Liquid detergent may dispense prior to the start of wash.
Are the additives dispensing too late?
The additives will not dispense until the proper time if the DELAY WASH option is selected.
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Whirlpool front loader WF665/1 spilling water during cycle. Water is leaking from where the powder is deposited into the machine during the filling stage of the washing cycle. The machine will continue its...

that means that the water is leaking from the hows at the back of the detergent drawer.

This is not a difficult fix, however the washing machine must be taken apart to access the detergent hose and find the leak.

Always better to call a technician.
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Leaking water

Possible your detergent drawer is clogged with old dry detergent. Pull out the drawer and clean with tooth brush. Things shd be fine. Also use only detergent for 'front loading machines'.
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He2 leaking from detergent dispensor

Plug off the wall, etc. Remove the rear cover. There is a thin tube coming from the control panel area to the base where the water exits, this should not be blocked, remove from top and blow to check, refit. Next clean out your outlet filter, it could be clogged, refit. This tube controls the water level. Another thing that could be the problem: Try to take the top of the machine off; there are three tubes coming into the dispenser box, these may hv come loose or something. Connect well.
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