LG washer/dryer combo (WM3988H*A) drainage issue

[flpirate]

Hi, O helpful ones!


Working on the LG washer/dryer combo (WM3988H*A) at our house again.


We discovered a few days ago that the machine's tub wasn't draining, and the machine doesn't give an error code, but displays a message that says to check the drain filter and drain hoses, which we did. Cleared the drain filter and pretty much every hose we could find on the machine. The tub still won't drain and the machine gives us the same message. At some point while testing to see if the drainage problem was fixed, we noticed the drain pump didn't sound right. On looking at it, we discovered that it's getting power and seems to be trying to work, but it looks like the impeller isn't moving even though the drive shaft is rotating. We also noticed some cracks in the impeller (see photos below). (By the way, I hope it's actually called an "impeller." It's referred to that way on several videos we saw, but they were British videos...)


Whole drain pump + impeller (apologies for the blurriness ... the light was low):





Cracked impeller (there's another crack in about the same place on a different section of the impeller, but I didn't try to photograph it; it looks like it's slightly visible in the above photo as a dark line in the left third of the impeller):





So ... is it likely to be the cracked impeller that's the problem? Should we check or re-check something else on the machine?


Also, if this means we just need to replace the whole drain pump, is there any way to jury-rig the part for the time being, so we can at least wash clothing while waiting for the new drain pump to arrive?


Thanks in advance for your help!

[AJ]

So ... is it likely to be the cracked impeller that's the problem?

Yes, that's the problem.

Should we check or re-check something else on the machine?

Make sure there are no coins and stuff in the drain hoses, sounds like you already did that though.

Also, if this means we just need to replace the whole drain pump, is there any way to jury-rig the part for the time being, so we can at least wash clothing while waiting for the new drain pump to arrive?

Not that I know of. As a professional I don't like to jury-rig things.
With that impeller in the hot soapy water and such I don't think you would have much luck keeping it on the motor any more.

Should not take long at all to get the new pump if you ordered it from the parts link below.

I looked up your model washer and it uses drain pump part # 4681EA2001T

[flpirate]

Alas for our poor drain pump! But thanks for the confirmation and the link!

Out of curiosity, is there something you know of that tends to cause cracks in that part of the machine? Just wondering if there's something we can avoid doing that will prevent this problem from recurring.

Thanks again!

[AJ]

Out of curiosity, is there something you know of that tends to cause cracks in that part of the machine?

Either a foreign object hit the impeller and damaged it or the plastic simply failed and cracked.

All these front load washers have this same basic style drain pump.
Drain pump replacement is a very common repair that I see on all brands of front load washers.

They don't make pumps like they use too.

[flpirate]

They don't make pumps like they use too.

What's the world coming to?

Anyway, I've ordered the part and I'll post an update after it gets here.

Thanks again, a bunch!

[AJ]

What's the world coming to?

lol 

Anyway, I've ordered the part and I'll post an update after it gets here.

Sounds good, keep us updated.

Thanks, 

[flpirate]

DOH! I never came back and updated this, but the replacement part fixed the issue completely. Belatedly, thanks once more for the information and helping hand!

[AJ]

Good to hear, thanks for the update.