Hi Everyone,

I have a Kenmore front loading washer that is relatively new with the detergent/bleach/fabric softener dispenser that pulls out like a little drawer. Lately when I put the fabric softener in -it all leaks into the load right away instead of waiting to release during the rinse cycle. Does anyone have an idea why this is happening? :confused:

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

I have a Kenmore front loading washer that is relatively new with the detergent/bleach/fabric softener dispenser that pulls out like a little drawer. Lately when I put the fabric softener in -it all leaks into the load right away instead of waiting to release during the rinse cycle. Does anyone have an idea why this is happening? :confused:

Thanks!
Read the owner's manual, see if this is normal. You did not say if it was still under warrantly, I know you must have at least a yr warranty, if you can't find the manual, find the model number proably on the front door frame or the door itself, then go to Sears.com, see if you can locate the manual online there by putting in your model number. You should be able to see the warranty online, if not call Sears, ask what the warranty is, then ask the question about the softener.

I just started looking for this same problem a couple of days ago. :eek:

Same thing happens with the Kenmore I have access to in the suite I rent. Carefully fill the hopper, slide it closed, piddle-iddle-iddle, as it dumps the softener (like the sound effects?). :D

Here's a quote I found on another site (they were talking about bleach):

The dispensers on most FLs (I can't swear that this is the case with your machine) do not have any moving parts - they work on a syphon principle, where the liquid stays in the dispenser until it goes above a certain level (ie, when the machine adds more water as a trigger), at which point it all drains into the machine. If your bleach drained in immediately, it almost certainly means you added too much or too quickly and the level went above the trigger line. - DR

I guess it works just like a toilet bowl... Partly full, okay. Add more = whoosh.
Don't fill it above the "full" line, don't slam it closed, and see if it still does it.

Yet another site (they were talking about bad smells), mentioned that the whole tray can come out by pressing a tab on the left side (I'll have to check the next time it's my turn with the machine). Maybe try cleaning the tray in the sink in case there's something messing with the "normal" siphon action.