How to Fix a Drain Pump for a Leaking Washer

A damaged or defective drain pump will often leave you with a puddle of water underneath the body of the washer. This is because the drain pump itself is typically mounted toward the base of the washer. Sometimes the drain pump may not be receiving power, or it might be damaged or clogged. It is common for small items such as coins to get stuck in the drain hose and drain pump. You will need to inspect the drain pump to see if there is any blockage or if it is cracked. Make sure that you also have a multimeter handy as you may need to test the pump motor to make sure that there are no electrical issues.

This simple guide will help you figure out if the drain pump is behind the leak and what you should do about it. If you need a new drain pump, we will show you how to install a replacement part and restore your washer to full working condition.

What is a Drain Pump?

The drain pump is responsible for removing water from the washing machine tub during the wash cycles. Depending on your model, the drain pump may have its own motor mounted onto the pump body or it may not. If your washer is leaking, the pump could have a clog, a broken seal, or a crack in its body. It is also possible that it may not be receiving power from its motor.

To find out if there are any problems with your drain pump, you will need to locate the pump in the machine and examine it or test it with a multimeter if necessary.

Where is the Drain Pump Located?

You can find the drain pump mounted at the bottom of the washer or mounted on the washer itself.

General Location of the Drain Pump in a Front Load Washer

General Location of the Drain Pump in a Top Load Washer

How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Drain Pump in a Top Load Washing Machine

1. As with all repairs, begin by unplugging your washing machine and moving it away from the wall.
2. Look at the back of your washer and make a note of which hose goes to the hot connector, and which one goes to the cold connector.
3. Next, remove the two hoses. Have a bucket or towels close by as it is normal for water to pour out at this point.
4. Depending on your washer model, you may need to remove the entire washer cabinet to expose the drain pump at the bottom of the washer. On most washers, the pump is accessible from underneath the machine.
5. Once you have found the drain pump, you will note that it has an inlet hose connected to the tub and a drain hose going out from the bottom. Remove these two hoses.
6. Examine the pump’s inlet and outlet to see if any items are clogging the pump.
7. If you do not find any clogs, remove the two clips on either side of the pump and slide the pump off the motor shaft to examine it more thoroughly.
8. Examine the pump itself for any clogs. On top-load washers with their own pump, remove the filter screen to verify that the pump is not clogged. If there is no clog and you hear the motor running, the impeller might be damaged. If it is, you will need a new drain pump.

How to Install a New Drain Pump in a Top Load Washing Machine

1. Follow the steps in “How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Drain Pump in a Top-Load Washer” to remove the old drain pump.
2. Remove the bolts securing the drain pump to the bottom of the washer tub and put the old pump aside.
3. Take the new pump and position it at the bottom of the washer tub.
4. Reinstall the mounting bolts to hold it in place.
5. Plug the wire harness into the new pump and close the wire harness cover.
6. Reconnect the inlet hose and the drain hose to the new pump and secure them with spring clamps.
7. Slide the cabinet back onto the washer or stand the machine back upright.
8. Fit the main top and console of the washer back on.
9. Restore the washer’s power supply and your repair is complete.

How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Drain Pump in a Front Load Washing Machine

1. Begin by unplugging your washing machine and moving it away from the wall.
2. On some washers, you can remove the back panel to access the drain pump. On others, you may need to remove the console/control panel and the front panel and move the door boot. The method will depend on your washer model.
3. Once you have access to the drain pump, remove the plug from the small drain hose on the pump body to drain any water remaining and place it back on afterwards.
4. The pump may have two or three hoses attached to it. Carefully remove the spring clamps and pull the hoses off the pump body.
5. Depending on your model, the pump may be secured to the base using bolts or a locking tab. Remove these bolts or press on the locking tab to detach the pump from the washer.
6. Disconnect the wire harness connections off the drain pump.
7. Check the pump for any clogs or cracks. If there is a blockage, you will need to clear it and if there is damage, you will need to replace it.
8. If the pump is clean and undamaged, take your multimeter and touch a probe to each terminal. If the reading is not within range or there is no reading, the part has failed and will need to be replaced.
9. Shut off the power to your washing machine and move it away from the wall.

How to Install a New Drain Pump in a Front Load Washing Machine

1. Follow the steps in “How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Drain Pump in a Front-Load Washer” to remove the old drain pump.
2. Some manufacturers sell the motor and pump as one, while others offer them separately. You will need to verify what your model requires as you may need to replace either the whole assembly or the drain pump only.
3. If the pump comes separately, remove the drain pump out of the pump body and pry off the cover on the motor, if it has one.
4. Take the new drain pump and insert it into the pump body.
5. Place the pump body back into the washer base and secure it with the mounting bolts.
6. If you need to replace the whole assembly, simply pull the old one out and insert the new one.
7. Reconnect the wires to the new drain pump.
8. Route the wires through the tiebacks on the drain pump.
9. Reconnect the hoses and secure them with spring clamps.
10. Depending on how you accessed your drain pump, you can now either reposition the front panel, console, and door boot onto the machine or set it back upright.
11. Plug the washer in, and your repair is complete!

Next: Troubleshooting the Tub

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