Kenmore front loading washer leaves black marks over entire load of laundry

Hello Dennis

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On some Kenmore front load models, if the black gasket around the door opening is unseated (for example, because you drag some heavy wet laundry over it) the door will not engage the lock and stay closed. This is a feature to prevent the washer from leaking when the gasket is not sealed. To fix it, simply reseat the gasket and the door will close and lock.

There is a washing machine cleaner that resolves this issue, needs to be run through monthly. This is different from laundry detergent.

I would recommend getting the door gasket (boot)replaced.

This can be accomplished by running the washer empty for a quick rinse cycle. Add an entire cup of bleach at the start of the cycle. The bleach is effective at destroying organisms, such as mold and bacteria. However, running it once will not be completely effective. I suggest pouring another cup of bleach into the wash tub, after the cycle has completed. This will leave bleach as the standing pool and should prevent the growth of mold or bacteria. However, if you do this, before doing a load of laundry you should run an empty rinse cycle again, to avoid damage to the clothes from the bleach left standing in the wash tub.

This is most likely caused by laundry getting stuck in the front seal of the washer.

leave the door ajar between uses if possible , there is a product on the market now to assist the odors of front loaders. www.affersh.com . you MUST also use an HE detergent ( specifically designed for front loading washers)

sounds like a bad rear bearing.causing grease to get into laundry.

Is the residue coming from the back or front of the drum? Most dryers are equipped with 2 drum roller supports in the rear under the drum. You may have a drum roller that is going bad and some of the rubber residue is getting past the drum seal. Some dryers are quipped with an additional pair of drum rollers under the front of the drum as well. I would check all the drum rollers to see if they are all in good shape. A definite symptom of a bad drum roller is finding black residue along the outside of the drum where the rollers ride. You will have to open the dryer cabinet to see the outside of the drum. Also, check the rear drum seal to make sure it is not crimped or folded inwards in the drum. The felt seal in the back should should ride evenly all the way around the drum and should not be that visible inside the drum itself. That is, you may see some of the seal, but you shouldn't see part of it folded inside the drum or bits of it tattered or torn. I hope this makes sense to you. Let me know if this helps.

bob, if your model starts with 417. this is a mother of all jobs. The black marks are coming from the rear bearing assy. in the tub. I just changed one out and it is misery. I don't believe the boot is causing the black marks. When I tore this one apart I found the tub, tub to drain pump hose, pump itself, contaminated with this black crap. Replaced them all. The tub and bearing comes as one piece and it is no fun to put in. The whole washer has to come apart to do this job and it requires two men to do it. The boot (bellow)itself is a pain to install. You might want to check with Sears and see if this is covered under the 5 year warrany on the bearing and tub, parts only, if not, it's not worth the time or money..Catriver..post back.