Lg Washing Machine: leaking oil

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your LG washing machine is leaking oil, you're likely dealing with a serious issue. Oil, often slick and amber-colored, may appear beneath the machine or inside the drum, signaling potential transmission or tub seal failures. Unlike typical water leaks, oil leaks indicate lubricant escaping from internal components, making prompt attention crucial to avoid further damage.

Urgency: High

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG’s official support documentation discusses water leaks but does not describe oil leaks from mechanical internals; this suggests oil leaking is not a surface water leak typically covered by user troubleshooting guides. turn(LG JP

Possible Causes

Transmission oil seal failure

How to Identify: Oil puddles under machine; oil is slick and may leave translucent stains; oil leaking from area beneath tub on machines with a transmission.

Part: Transmission / gear case seal

Tub seal failure allowing transmission oil into drum

How to Identify: Oil found inside drum or on clothes after cycles; combined with external oil leak suggests seal failure at boundary between transmission and tub. Forum cases describe similar symptoms. (forum.

Part: Tub seal (between inner drum and transmission)

DIY Solutions

Confirm and distinguish oil vs water leakage

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: clean cloth or paper towel, flashlight
  1. Shut off power and water to the washer.
  2. Clean up existing liquid and note its appearance and feel.
  3. Check if the liquid is slick/oily rather than watery (oil will feel slippery and leave translucent stains).
  4. Observe where the liquid appears under the machine to differentiate oil from water sources.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before inspecting under the washer.

Professional Repairs

Replace transmission oil seals or transmission assembly

Estimated Cost: $200 - $600+

Replace tub seal

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400+

When to Call a Professional

Oil is visibly leaking from beneath the washing machine during or after operation.
Oil appears inside the drum or on clothes after wash cycles.
Transmission area is suspected as the source, which requires disassembly.

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect for unusual lubricants during regular maintenance: Early detection of seal wear or oil leaks
    Frequency: annually
  • Avoid overloading the washer: Excess strain on transmission and seals
    Frequency: every use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine leaking oil?
Common causes include transmission oil seal failure and tub seal failure, leading to lubricant leaks.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine leaking oil myself?
First, confirm the liquid is oil, then clean it up and check for seals that may need replacing.
How much does it cost to fix leaking oil?
Repair costs range from $150 to $600+, depending on whether seals or the transmission assembly need replacement.
When should I call a technician for leaking oil?
If you confirm an oil leak, call a technician immediately due to the potential for significant damage.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Worn or damaged clutch assembly
  • Failed transmission seals
  • Leaking oil from the motor or gearbox

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace the clutch assembly. Disconnect the power, remove the agitator, and access the clutch. Replace it with a new one and reassemble the machine.

  2. Inspect and replace transmission seals. Remove the transmission assembly, check the seals for wear, and replace them if necessary.

  3. Check for leaks from the motor or gearbox. If oil is leaking, the motor or gearbox may need to be replaced or resealed.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. New House Appliance Help needed! (washer and fridge)

Community Discussions

leaking oil from the bottom

Needs a new clutch assembly.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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