How To Replace The Water Inlet Valve On A Washer

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If your washing machine doesn't fill or fills slowly, it is time to replace the water inlet valve. The water inlet valve joins the hot and cold water lines from your house to the back of the washer. Here are some tips to replace the washing machine inlet valve.

Prepare to Work

To make this repair, you need:

Check your owner's manual for the specific inlet valve model you need. Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply, which is usually located on the wall behind the washer, by rotating hot and cold valves to the right

If you can't find them, or there isn't a shut-off valve, turn off the house's main water supply. Get someone to help you move the washer away from the wall slightly for easy access to the back.

Remove the Old Inlet Valve

For easy access, pull the drain hose, a tube secured with a clamp, from the machine, squeezing the ends of the clamp with pliers if needed. Disconnect the access panel on the inlet valve by loosening the screws with the Phillips screwdriver. Pull the panel to the back, then raise it up and off.

On some models, you may have to slide a putty knife under the edges of the panel to remove it. Top-load washers will not have hoses connected to the inlet valve, which means you only need to remove wires.

Take pictures of the wires and hot and cold supply hoses, or label them with tape. Set buckets under the hoses before you disconnect them to catch water, and remove the hoses with the channel lock pliers.

Disconnect the wires from the water inlet valve with the needle-nose pliers. Loosen the mounting screws of the valve with a Phillips screwdriver, lift it out, avoid letting it slip into the cabinet while you remove it, and discard it.

Install the New Water Inlet Valve

Align the holes of the new valve with the mounting screws, and tighten them with the screwdriver. Using your photo or labels as a guide, reinsert the wires, drain tube, and hoses. Don't make the connections too tight.

Rotate the screwdriver until it stops, then rotate it firmly once to secure the screws. Reinstall the panel, and push clips in place, if needed. Thread the hoses back in place, and secure them with the channel lock pliers. Plug the machine in, and turn on the water.

Your washing machine should work properly with a new water inlet valve. If it still doesn't work, contact a major appliance repair service.


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