Tub Leak

Confirming External Leak and Fixing It

Unplug the washer and move it out about 6".
Slide a putty knife between the top and the cabinet, about 3 inches in from each corner. The spring clips securing the top can be released by pushing in and pulling up on the putty knife handle. Don't use a screwdriver or you will chip the porcelan top. If you have a manual-clean lint filter, you will only be able to raise the top a few inches without removing the water circulation hose. Expand the spring clamp and slide it down the hose a couple of inches. Remove the hose. Slowly lift the top with one hand and hold the lid with your other hand until the top and lid are resting firmly against the wall. Shine a flashlight all around the tub looking for leaks. You will have the best luck finding the leaks if you look right after doing a wash. Closely inspect all tub penetrations such as a bleach dispenser or the water level air dome. If you find a leak in the tub, thoroughly clean the area around the leak and let it dry. Apply silicone sealant over the area of the leak and let it cure for one day. Lower the lid, fill the tub and check for leaks.

Confirming Internal Leak and Fixing It

If all external tub penetrations appear sound, start looking for internal tub leaks. Look for water coming off the tub platform, usually towards the back of the washer. If water is coming out from under the tub and dripping off the platform, the problem is usually a leaking agitator column tub seal.
Remove the 1/2 inch nut securing the snubber spring and swing the snubber off the tub ring and out of its slot in the cabinet.
Compress the clamp on the water inlet hose and slide it down the hose a couple of inches. Pull the hose off the water inlet which is setting on top of the white plastic tub ring. Bend the hose back and secure it out of the way by sliding it behind the tub support rod.
Unsnap the tub ring clips and lift the tub ring off the tub including the rubber gasket.
Remove the agitator cap and the agitator bolt. Pull the agitator off the shaft. If you have an auger agitator it has an upper auger portion and bell shaped agitator below. The whole thing will come out in one assembly after you remove the agitator bolt.
Place a flat-blade screwdriver in one of the slots of the locknut on the top of the agitator column. Strike the screwdriver with a hammer to unscrew the locknut in a counter-clockwise direction. Use caution to avoid striking the porcelain coating on the basket.
Rock the basket until it is free on the drive block. Grab the basket on the inside rim and lift it out of the tub.
Locate the rubber seal at the base of the agitator column or centerpost. Thoroughly clean the top of the seal and dig out the soap deposits and rust between the seal and the centerpost. Use a hairdryer to get the top of the seal and the area between the seal and the centerpost completely dry.
Apply silicone sealant to the grove between the seal and the centerpost. Form a new seal with the sealant.
Reassemble the basket, tub ring, snubber and water inlet hose. Allow 24 hours for the silicone sealant to cure before you test to see if the water leak has been stopped.