New washer cold water gushes, hot water trickles!?

We just got a new washer (Whirlpool model #WTW5520SQ). It's a traditional style top loader. When we start a cold wash the cold water flows stronlgy into the basket and fills up quickly. When we start a hot wash the hot water trickles into the basket- taking forever to fill up! The flow rates are so different that when we start a "warm" wash we get cold because the mixture of hot/cold is totally biased.

I've tested the water pressure at the hot and cold spigot and both are at 65psi. I've also verified that both hoses are unkinked and unobstructed inside, and there are no blockages at the wire mesh screen at the hot/cold washer inlet ports.

Does this sound like a bum unit? Is there anything in the washer I can access that would allow me to adjust these flow rates? Or should I not even go there and just call Sears (who installed it), or Whirlpool for help?

Thanks for suggestions.

 

I believe the washing machine is attempting to heat the hot water as well, that is why it comes out slower. Mine is the same way.

 

Also, make sure the HOT water hose is connected to the bottom inlet.

 

"I believe the washing machine is attempting to heat the hot water as well." How is this done?

 

I'm pretty sure something is wrong in my case. You have to see the rate at which the hot water pours to beleive it. But I can say that it takes around 40 minutes for the basket to fill with hot water before the wash cycle even starts! Cold water fills the basket in under five minutes.

I'm just trying to figure out if there's anything I can do before geting on the phone.

 

Not a repair person here, but I keep thinking that if both hot and cold water supplies are working properly and washer is supposed to be getting good volume, that perhaps the screen in the water inlet valve is clogged or defective. Hopefully, someone will help us further identify the problem.

 

My first thought is that it sounds like a defective water inlet solenoid on the hot water side. I'd try this: disconnect the hot and cold water lines at the machine, and reverse them, i.e., put the cold water line on the hot water inlet, and vice versa. Then start a cycle to see how the water flows. If you're getting good hot water when you select cold water, but slow cold water when you select hot water, then I'd be more convinced it's a defective hot water solenoid. Since it's under warranty, I'd phone Sears.

 

There is a little elf with a torch inside the unit, keeping the crock pot hot.

 

bigfred's test was a good idea. When swapping the hoses at just one end selecting cold results in good hot water flow, and hot results in poor cold flow. So I guess there is definitely something wrong with the hot side flow mechanics (the screens on both ports look clean and unobstructed).

Thanks for the idea- I think that really confirms it for me. I'm calling Sears tomorrow!

 

I don't know which is best, helping someone else, or getting help. Both are good. :-)

 

bigfred- I agree. I've gotten some really solid help on this site with my car that's saved me tons of dough and time and I've been able to help a few folks myself and it's a toss up as to which is best, although I lean a bit toward the helping out side. I just wish we had some surf fishers around here.

 

As a follow up, the Sears technichian came out today and determined that the water inlet valve (for the hot) was defective. He had to order a new part and schedule another service visit for January 8. I hope he's right and that's it.

Man- dealing with an appliance that is defective out of the box is a serious pain in the butt.

 

I purchased this same washer from Sears in early January; and had the same problem (probably with more than a 'trickle' from the hot water feed; but definitely a flow of about 1/3 of the cold feed). We had the Sears repair person out about 3 weeks ago, and he agreed this was a problem, and a new part (turns out to be a combined set of solenoid valves for both hot & cold) was ordered.

The repairman (same fellow) returned today to put the new part in - but the flow from the hot side is still much less than that cold - in fact, it's pretty much the same as the original condition. After this, he said that this is normal; that is (as I understood him to explain..), the machine has an internal temperature probe which will control the feeding from hot/cold sides as needed to produce 'Warm' -- and that the slower feed from the hot side is not a problem.

So....; I'm curious, cruiserandmax, was your Jan. 8 repair experience different from this?

Thanks for your input.. MH