Your description is not unusual.
It's very important not only to use "HE" (High Efficiency-Low Suds) type detergent--but to use the correct amount.
Nearly all brands of "HE" detergent have incorrect dosage instructions.
The correct amount is as follows:
HE: (2) Tablespoons Per Washload
HE 2X (double concentrated) : (1) Tablespoon
HE 3X (triple concentrated): (1) Teaspoon
This reduces/prevents:
1) Musty Odor
2) "LE" Error/Interrupted Cycle
3) L-O-N-G Cycle Times (longer than time displayed)
4) Insufficient Cleaning Results
5) Small Water Leaks from the air vent behind the washer or at the
front door gasket
6) Damaged Hall Effect Sensor (on 2007 or older LG washers)
7) Reduced Spin Speeds (laundry not spin-dried effectively)
Most consumers were doing what is *normally* the right thing to do, which is to follow directions on the detergent label. In this rare case--those directions should be entirely disregarded.
Additionally--in many LG washers--the liquid dispenser cup (blue cup) has a "MAX" line on the white siphon cap.
This was a very big *faux pas* on LGs part--this "MAX" line has NOTHING to do with measuring detergent and should never be used as a guide for determining correct detergent amount.
The "MAX" line indicates how much liquid must be in the blue dispenser cup before it DISPENSES from the bottom of the cup.
This is a very,very frustrating mistake that gives owners much grief.
After three months of incorrect type of detergent or incorrect amount of the correct detergent used--musty odor begins to occur.
After more than two years--a significant amount of soap scum/curd has accumulated in the washer. Odor-causing bacteria flourishes on this build-up.
It is imperative to remove this slimy residue. Tide sells a product called "TIDE WASHING MACHINE CLEANER" which is very effective.
Once a tub has become heavily contaminated--normal methods of performing a TUB CLEAN cycle won't "cut it".
Add the entire packet of "TIDE WASHING MACHINE CLEANER" directly into the tub (no laundry) and close the door.
Press and hold: SPIN SPEED & SOIL LEVEL buttons--then press POWER button.
Wait for door to lock.
Press the START button (6) times--this will fill the tub with hot water to the maximum setting when it stops filling.
Press the START button two more times--this will enable the tub to tumble.
After 3 hours--turn "off" the washer.
Turn the washer back "on".
Select the shortest wash cycle (usually "quick wash") and press "START". This will rinse out the tub.
This method of "TUB CLEAN" is *not* from a service manual but has been the best method for cleaning out LG washers more than a year into incorrect detergent useage.
After this--use the correct amount of "HE" detergent & perform a "TUB CLEAN" cycle every (4) months using the *tub clean* option on the control panel.
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jwest:
The seal design on the washer traps water causing mildew to grow.
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john63:
If the door gasket has a small hole at the six o'clock position--it is clogged with soap scum. Use compressed air to blow this hole clear.
This allows water to drain back into the tub
If there's no hole--this is an older model LG which did not have this upgrade
Wiping the door gasket with a rag after the LAST cycle of the day helps prevent debris from accumulating. Some consumers add (1) teaspoon of bleach to a spray bottle with water--and spray the older type gaskets after the final laundry load finished--to keep the gasket clean.
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jwest:
The detergent and softner dispenser is gravity feed and builds up with "gunk". It has to be cleaned regularly and while the tray is removable, the inlets are not; so you have to fish out the sludge with a paper towel.
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john63:
This common on almost all front load washers.
Remove the dispenser tray. Remove the blue liquid detergent cup. Add all to the top rack of the dishwasher---run a cycle. This makes much less a chore of cleaning the dispenser tray assy.
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jwest:
The washer broke down about 6 months ago (roughly 2-2-1/2 years old). The waste pump went bad. No service reps in the area and the place that sold them to us quit selling LG after numerous complaints. I went to a local appliance parts wharehouse that sells just about every part known to the appliance world and when I mentioned LG, the guy at the counter smiled and shook his head. "You have to order it online.
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john:
You are correct---parts & service is still lacking in some areas, regrettably.
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jwest:
The dryer has an auto dry feature which never fully dries the clothes so we wind up manually setting the dry time to an hour
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john63:
LG gas dryers are VERY temperamental in long vent set-ups. I've posted more information relating to this in another thread (post).
If fabric softener sheets are used in the dryer--clean the two stainless steel strips of metal on the lint filter housing with a SCOTCHBRITE PAD--scrub back & forth several times to remove the waxy residue from the fabric softener sheets. Most,if not all manufacturers do *not* recommend using sheets in dryers that have a moisture sensor (electrodes).
However--using a SCOTCHBRITE pad keeps the wax off those sensors which can be seen if looking *into* the dryer drum and at the lint filter housing.
If only *liquid* fabric softener is used in the washer--clean the dryer sensors once a month. Liquid softener also contains wax which can slowly accumulate on the dryer sensors from the laundry washed in the washer.
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jwest:
With no error code showing up and the glitchy flickering of the display, I'm eyeballing the main board.
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john63:
Unfortunately--that appears to be the fault (main board) if the lights for the cycles that circle the control panel knob flicker or do not fully "light up".
Main Board Part #
6871EC1121D**********************
jwest:
My response to LG... NEVER AGAIN!!!
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john63:
I don't blame you---I wish you best of luck.
