LG WD-3274RHD Washer/Dryer combo unit - drain pump not pumping

[teal]

Hi all,

I think the drain pump on my LG WD3274RHD washer/dryer combo unit is heading south.

It's not draining the water when it should be in the cycle. Rather, it isn't draining about 95% of the time. It does try. Instead the motor makes a noise that is hard to describe... the closest I can come is the sound made when pushing air through your front teeth with your tongue. Not that sharp, though; it undulates but there are no clicking sounds. The other 5% of the time, the motor kicks in after a few seconds of that noise and the water is drained as expected.

Because it does work a small percentage of the time, I'm wondering if there's something in the pump. It could be my hair, which is quite long (almost to my butt) and fine and which would easily escape the trap.

Things I have done:
 - checked the trap... nothing.
 - checked the drain hose and connections... no kinks, all in good order (and draining properly when the pump does work)
 - cleaned around door gasket and drain hole entry (no blockage... I had cleaned this thoroughly some months ago and intermittently as lint and bits of stuff collected)
 - used pipe cleaner in same drain hole... came up dirty but not much else.
 - downloaded the WD3274 Service Repair Manual

At this point my next step to review the service manual and then, if possible, try to remove and/or examine the drain pump assembly. I wanted to post here first in case someone has compelling reasons for me to do something else instead.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I'm not an appliance repair tech, just a handy mrs. fix-it.

Thanks! 

[JWWebster]

 I have found strings and junk in electric pumps. Most of these pumps come apart fairly easy. Get the pump off there and bust it open is what I would do. Get whatever I find out of it, oil it with zoomspout oil. Put it all back together. Here is one I took apart and found strings in. Not your model but you get the point.

[teal]

Thanks for the help. It's nice to know I'm on the right path.

I took the pump apart. It seems that the impeller is capable of moving separately from the shaft. I'm guessing this is the source of the problem since there's nothing else I can see. No debris or hair.

Before I go and get another pump assembly... the impeller shouldn't be able to do that, right?

[AJ]

Before I go and get another pump assembly... the impeller shouldn't be able to do that, right?

Right, you need a new pump motor.

Here is the one for your model washer.

Pump Motor Part # 4681EA2001T