LG Front-Load Slow Leak
Our 2015 WM3370HWA front-load washer has developed a slow leak. We first noticed it the day after doing laundry when my wife saw that some water had pooled in the cracks in the tile floor in front of the machine. I cleaned it up and slowly over the next 15 minutes it reappeared. Checked the rear of the washer and saw some water on the floor back there also, but not as much as front. Checked all hoses/drain and no sign of leakage. No water at all on rear panel of washer. Cleaned up all water and ran a few empty load cycles. Leak did not reappear and I hoped it was gone, but later that night it reappeared.
Turned off both water feeds overnight then opened the hot side for 24 hours with no issue. Closed hot, and opened cold, and within 12 hours the water reappeared at the front of the washer.
I have a technician coming out next week, but I'm concerned about his ability to diagnose/solve the issue because the problem is intermittent and the leak very small. If you've had any similar experience and can point us to the part(s) within the washer that might need repair/replacement, it would be appreciated. Thanks.
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
LG WM3370HWA slow leak traced to water inlet control valves
- The problem
- A 2015 LG WM3370HWA front-load washer developed a very slow leak that appeared after use, with water pooling at the front and some water also seen on the floor at the rear. The leak was intermittent during wash cycles but would reappear later, even after empty test cycles.
- Likely cause
- Confirmed failure of the internal water inlet control valve assembly, specifically on the cold-water side. This was supported by the leak stopping when the cold water tap was closed and by the drip appearing from the bottom rear centre, indicating water was running down from higher up inside the machine.
- What fixed it
- The two water inlet control valves were replaced. The original poster confirmed this solved the leak. Although the leak was on the cold side, both valves were replaced while the machine was opened up.
- Checks to try
- Turned off both water supplies overnight and the leak stopped
- Opened hot supply only for 24 hours with no leak
- Closed hot and opened cold supply; water reappeared within 12 hours
- Checked external hoses and drain with no sign of leakage
- Observed a slow drip from the bottom edge of the rear of the machine near the centre
- Confirmed no water on the rear panel
- Parts or tools mentioned
- LG 5220FR2075L
- LG 5220FR2006H
Safety: Disconnect the appliance from the mains before internal inspection. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
6 Answers
Hi. If you turned off the water taps and the leak stops it has to be leaking from one of the fill hoses where it connects to the wading machine or the tap. Try holding some kitchen roll or tissues i around there. If there is the slightest leak it’ll soak it up like a sponge.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Hi Andy, thanks for your reply. I spent a fair amount of time today watching the rear of my washing machine with a flashlight/torch. (Fun, huh?) The leak is not coming from the hoses. It appears as a slow drip at the bottom edge of the rear of the machine approximately in the center. It stops after some time once the cold water tap is closed. I am thinking that something in the electronic valve system interior to the washer and located at the top rear where the hoses attach is the source. The cold water pressure in our building is very high (80 psi) and that may have contributed to the problem although it has worked well and without issue for five years.
Hi. I’m struggling to work out how the leak can stop when the water supply is turned off. A drip from the bottom of the drum may well be running from higher up. Once you observe it dripping disconnected machine from mains and use a tissue to touch around the drum to see if water is running from higher up.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Just watched a good video on this:
That's the only other thing it could have been if turning the water valves off stops the leak. I didn't think of it though because it's exceptionally unusual. I can't remember the last time I had one do that.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Just wanted to close the loop on this: took me a while to get parts (LG 5220FR2075L & 5220FR2006H) and arrange for repair help, but replacing the two water inlet control valves above did solve the problem. The leak was on the cold side, but it made sense once all the trouble had been gone through to unstack the dryer and open up the washer to replace both valves. Thanks.
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