Solved

Crack in lastic outer drum

EIEileen
Asked over 4 years ago 6,562 views
0

Does this look like them lines should be there and if it’s been glued before

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.

Washing machine leaking from suspected outer drum crack

The problem
A two-year-old washing machine was leaking. The owner first suspected straight lines on the plastic outer drum, wondering if they were cracks or signs of a previous glue repair. After checking the filter and hoses and finding two £2 coins, they investigated further and identified a small hairline crack on the outer tub.
Likely cause
Most of the straight lines discussed were considered to be normal moulding lines, not damage. The supported diagnosis is a hairline crack in the plastic outer drum/tub, with coin damage mentioned as a possible cause but not proven.
What fixed it
Forum advice was that a cracked tub normally needs replacing, though a small crack might be repairable. The owner carried out a plastic repair by heating and smearing plastic across the crack, then applying adhesive sealer over it.
Checks to try
  • Checked the filter
  • Cleaned all hoses
  • Removed the motor for better access to inspect the suspected crack
  • Compared the drum with a new drum
  • Test run after repair showed no drips
Parts or tools mentioned
  • Heat gun
  • Small flat head screwdriver
  • Adhesive sealer
  • Two £2 coins

Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.

Confirmed fixedGenerated 18 Aug 2026 · AI summaries can make mistakes — read the full thread below.
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11 Answers

Accepted Answer
0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 4 years ago

Yes I’ve seen this before. The lines are far too straight for it to not be part of the mould.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
EI
Eileen
Answered over 4 years ago

This was brand new two years ago n it’s started leaking from where them lines are

0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 4 years ago

Are you sure it’s leaking from the lines and not leaking from higher up and just dripping off there? Leaks from the drum are almost exclusively caused by damage (cracks or holes) caused by metal objects left in pockets such as coins.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 4 years ago

That would explain damage to the outer drum and leak. But there’s no way a coin could cause a crack so perfectly straight.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
EI
Eileen
Answered over 4 years ago

There was two pound coins found after I’d checked the filter the first time and after cleaning all the hoses out and no problem I’m looking for cracks which looked like there was one there but had to remove the motor to check properly and to me it looks like it’s already been glued together and comparing with a new drum it’s not same

1
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 4 years ago

Hi. If the tub is cracked it would need replacing. Small cracks might be able to be repaired as described in my article here how to repair cracked plastic drum on washing machine

If a coin damages a washing machine outer drum it is often high up or even at the front. I've never seen a crack that was in perfectly and long straight line though. Often the coin punches a hole. I can't see any cracks in your photos, only manufacturing lines.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
EI
Eileen
Answered over 4 years ago

I think iv found the problem

0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 4 years ago

Is it top left just above the red numbers?

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
EI
Eileen
Answered over 4 years ago

Yes that’s it, I’m hoping it’s an easy fix with the way you said

1
EI
Eileen
Answered over 4 years ago

Thank you for your help Andy i didn’t have a soldering iron so I used a heat gun to heat a small flat head screwdriver and smeared plastic from one side to other then I put a layer of sticks all adhesive sealer on top and tried it out today and no drips so thank you so much x

0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 4 years ago

Excellent. As long as it was only a hairline crack that didn't form a full circle it should be ok as long as there's no more coins!

You can imagine what a flood would occur if a whole chunk of that section dropped away.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.

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