Leak from rear of drum of Bosch Exxcel

[nik]

Afternoon all,

Model WVD2452BGB/04.
Metal drum, only leaks when water gets to a certain level. Appears to be coming from the back of the drum at the bottom. Identified location by removing front, pouring as much water in the drum as possible without it spilling out, tipping the machine back until it started leaking. Having a feel around it doesn't appear to be running down from anywhere else, but can't be certain without dismantling the whole thing. It's a slow leak, only loses about a pint in the course of a normal wash.
Any top tips gratefully received!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello Nik. With a washing machine leak you have to physically identify where it is coming from, and unfortunately no one can really help you with that. It needs someone to actually see where it is coming from. There are dozens of places washing machine can leak from. Obviously from your description it sounds like it is something fairly high up. The main suspects if a washing machine only leaks when water is high up in the drum is a hole in the door seal high up - or a crack or hole in the plastic outer drum. I have written a very comprehensive help guide for trying to troubleshoot a leaking washing machine

[nik]

Hello Andy,

Thank you for the prompt response. The leak is definitely coming from the back of the machine and the drum is stainless steel so unless this has perished in some way, I'm guessing it's unlikely to be the culprit. Having felt around the back (with the machine unplugged!) it is dry everywhere else so I'm fairly confident it is confined to the rear lower half of the outer drum.

Someone in another forum suggested, 'there is a cast cross at the rear of the drum. This has a water seal that seals the spider against the drum stainless steel rear. Sounds like that seal has failed.'

I've yet to receive a response as to the part number or name of the seal, attempts to find the part on line have yet to be successful.

I'm fishing for a second opinion!

Warmest

Nik

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

If it was that seal you would get water coming out of 2 small holds in the back of the outer drum under the drum pulley wheel where the belt fits around. That seal protects the drum bearings from water. If it fails the drum bearings would normally be flooded with water and become very noisy. 

You can’t buy that seal for many modern washing machines as they only supply complete outer drums with a new inner drum bearings and seals already fitted (which is a disgrace)

Buying a part because it might be that is crazy to me  it’s like saying you have a pain in your abdomen and someone saying it might be your appendix so arranging to have it taken out. You have to identify exactly where the leak is coming from visually before doing anything else. 

If you mean the outer drum is stainless steel then the separate parts could be available, but they can still leak, especially if a metal object has got into the machine. So don’t rule out a small hole or crack or leak from a welded seam.