Fixing a Kenmore HE Elite Front Load Washer

Tips* on Fixing a Kenmore HE Elite Front Load Washer

Original text from BigChiefM1 on Epinions

Symptoms

Foul Odor

F2 Error

Washer Not Draining

Tools
9/32 socket or T-20 torx head bit.
Bunch of rags you don't want when you're all finished.

Directions
*****UN-PLUG THE WASHER******

Lay on the floor in front of the washer and look under the lower panel. You will see three silver colored torx head screws, one on the left, right and center. Loosen these up with your socket or torx head wrench.

[Erin's note: apparently this is a torx wrench, and apparently we had one - who knew?]

Remove the lower front cover and set it aside.
See all the wires? Did you make sure to UN-PLUG the washer?
Good.
Now look at the center of the bottom of the washer. You will notice a white cylindrical contraption.

This is a drain trap where all of the junk from your washer gets hung up so it won't clog up the water pump that discharges the water from your washer. On the front of this drain trap is an access cap. BEFORE you open this place the rags under the trap, along the sides and under the washer. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Now open the drain trap access cap by turning it counter clockwise. Be prepared for some smelly water to come out, probably 1-2 cups worth.

Once the water is drained, pull the trap completely out. [Erin's note: this is when I picked up the video camera, since photos didn't do it justice. Check out the rough video.] You'll find the reason your washer stinks in the trap. We had a blob of black goo and a security label from an article of clothing we bought. That was the culprit. The drain trap was "trapping" all of this junk and getting real funky.

Now clean the drain trap out with hot soapy water and a little bleach. Clean out the cylinder where the drain was. Wipe it out with a rag soaked in bleach and soap. Once everything is clean, replace the drain trap and tighten it down. Do not over tighten this or the seal may leak.

Replace the front cover and the three torx head screws.
Plug the washer back in.
Run the washer through the SANITARY CYCLE with bleach.
Your problem is solved

* This post is not guaranteed to help. These steps helped me, so I wanted to share the 411.