I have a kenmore elite he3 front loading washer and the plastic molding around tub is wearing down due to friction from the tub during spin cycles the tub seems to be resting on the plastic when not in use when you maually spin the tub it rubs against the plastic molding on the front of the washer

SOURCE: My Kenmore Elite He3 sounds like it has water in the tub after washing AND smells of MOLD?

there is always some water left inside the machine and that is probably what you are hearing are you using liquid detergent? if so this is almost certainly the cause of the smell. liquid detergent leaves a nasty slime inside thge machine and smells like drains. put on a boil wash with no clothes and revert to using powder detergent

SOURCE: I can't get the front panel off my HE3 #44836 to

Read the owners manual. Many washers have 'self cleaning' filters that will get clogged with big stuff. The 'moldy odor' is caused by MOLD. Run a 'extra large' empty load of HOT water with normal detergent + 1 PINT of ordinary bleach. Add another shot (pint) of bleach to the rinse cycle. Sometimes a small article (sock?) will escape the clothes basket and get trapped in the tub--it can't get drained out and can't get back into the clothes basket. The bleach will kill the mold, but if it returns you will have to take the top off and fish the lost article out using a bent clothes hanger as a hook.

SOURCE: Kenmore Elite HE3 front loading washer, model

Your water inlet valve is leaking it needs to be replaced.You need to remove the top to access it.There are screws along the back edge holding it on.

SOURCE: My front loading Kenmore Elite HE3 washer leaves clothes soaking

There is a water pump in the machine which pumps the water out of the outer tub and into the drain, after the wash and rinse cycles.
It is possible that this pump isn't working properly. I think if it weren't working at all, you wouldn't be able to get beyond the wash cycle.

It has been my experience that small articles of clothing may get washed or spun out of the inner tub and into the area around the pump pick up, thus partially blocking the flow to the pump.
It's also possible that the drain hose from the pump to the drain may be partially clogged.
It is also possible that the pump doesn't run sufficiently long to get all of the water out because its' motor gets hot and shuts down or because of a problem in the control mechanism which manages the the starting and run time of the pump.

First, I would unplug the washer from the wall outlet and probe under the inner tub, or possibly remove the tub to see that there is no blockage from clothing.
It's also possible that things left in clothing pockets like paper clips, small plastic items, etc. can get into the pump and lock up the impeller.
If you're sure it isn't blocked you can then run a "short cycle", no load and water only, and watch to see how much water comes out of the discharge hose where it's hung on the drain pipe.
It should gush out, and tub should be free of standing water prior to the start of the first rinse cycle.
If it does not, then you'll have to access the pump and clear it of obstructions or replace it, if defective.

As it drains, it should start spinning slowly, then speed up as it drains; the final portion of the spin cycle is very fast.
Essentially, the spinning tub wrings out the clothes using centrifugal force.

With the water remaining in the bottom of the tub, it would appear that it is:
a) not spinning long enough, or
b) there is something preventing all the water from getting out in the time allotted by the timer to perform this task.


A fair handy man can get to pump either from the rear of the machine with back plate off, or by removing the cabinet cover from the frame, depending on the model of the the machine.

As always - before attempting any repair, UNPLUG THE UNIT!



When clothes are wet at the end of a cycle, check these:

Motor coupler
To test the motor coupler, re-start the washer in its spin cycle. Let the machine run for a minute, and then open the lid and notice whether the tub is spinning:
If it's spinning when you lift the lid, the coupler is fine.
If it isn't spinning--and your machine was produced by Whirlpool®--you may have a broken coupler. Many Whirlpool-made washers use a small, relatively inexpensive device called a motor coupling. This plastic-and-rubber component is mounted to the shaft of the motor on one side, and to the transmission on the other. Over time, the coupler wears out and fails. When that happens, you need to replace it completely.

Spin cycle
If the washer doesn't reach its proper spin speed, the clothes may be too wet at the end of a cycle. Check to be sure the load is properly balanced and run a spin cycle again. If the clothes are still wet, you may have a worn or loose belt (Maytag®), a worn clutch (GE®/Hotpoint®), or a worn motor pulley or tub bearing. Replace the applicable component.
Alternatively, there could be clothes caught between the inner and outer tubs. Read the "It spins but won't pump" section of the "It won't drain" section. Also, there could be other things that cause friction on the drive train. Seek the assistance of a qualified appliance repair technician.

Siphoning
If the water that pumps from the machine goes right back into the machine after the spin cycle, it may be because your washer is siphoning the water from a laundry tub with a slow drain, back into the washer. Try to improve the draining of the laundry tub. (Is there something stuck in the drain?) Also, be sure the drain hose doesn't reach more than about 4 inches into the laundry tub. If it does, cut off the excess.

Water-inlet valve
Water-inlet valves eventually fail. One problem that may develop with a water-inlet valve is that it can no longer completely shut off when the electricity is turned off to it. Then, the valve may leak and drip water into the clothes tub--you may notice that your washer has water in it when you haven't used it for a few days. To fix this, replace the valve.




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SOURCE: Kenmore Front Load Washer Drive Belt Keeps rubbing up against Tub

Check the Vibration damper rods to be sure that...
1. They are there and mount is solid.
2. If they are broken in 1/2.
3. The plastic knuckle mounts are not missing/broken.
4. There is oil in the shock absorber/spring section of the rods.

Also - there are suspension springs on the bottom of the tub that could be broken and/or missing.

Replace/repair as necessary.

IF THIS IS A BRAND NEW INSTALLATION - be sure you hav removed the basket shipping pins (4) that secure the tub during shipping.

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