How to Replace a Worn Water Inlet Gasket in Your Electrolux Washing Machine

In your Electrolux washer model EFLW317TIW the inlet valve is connected to the dispenser assembly. To prevent the connections from leaking, all three insertion points are sealed with gaskets. If one or more of the gaskets are worn or defective, you’ll notice a puddle forming on the floor near the left side of your washing machine. While all leaks are alarming, a faulty gasket is a considerably easy fix. If you would like to learn how to replace one or more of the water inlet gasket in your washer, keep reading for step-by-step directions.

Required Tools

# 2 Square Bit Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver
Pliers
Torque 20 Screwdriver

Washer Repair Safety Tips

Start your washing machine repair by unplugging the appliance and turning off its water supply.
As you repair your washer, keep your eyes and hands safe by wearing safety goggles and work gloves.
During the repair, if you become overwhelmed with the process, please stop what you are doing and contact a professional appliance repair technician to finish up the job.

How to Replace the Water Inlet Valve Gasket in Your Electrolux Washing Machine

Start by detaching the hot and cold water supply lines connected to the water inlet valve on the back of your washing machine. A small amount of water may leak out of the lines, so have a towel nearby to clean up the spillage.
Remove the washer’s maintop by unthreading the screws with a number two square bit screwdriver. After you’ve taken out all the screws, pull the maintop backwards, and then lift it up to detach it from the washing machine frame.
Take out the mounting screws that secure the vibration dampening assembly. Then, lift the assembly up and out of the washing machine.
At the back of the washing machine disconnect the power cord wire connector and unhook the grounding wire from the top of the back panel. Using a pair of needle nose pliers push out the wire retaining clip holding the wires to the back panel.
On the back of your washing machine, remove the mounting screw that secures the drain hose retainer to the rear panel, and then remove the retainer from the drain hose.
Take out the screws holding the maintop mounting bracket to the washing machine, and then remove the bracket from the top of your appliance.
Now it’s time to take off the washer’s rear panel. To do so, unthread the screws holding the panel in place. Then, pull the panel away from the washer and carefully swing it to the side of the appliance.
With the top of the appliance disassembled, you now have access to the water inlet valve. Before detaching the wires connected to the valve, take a picture with your phone to ensure you reattach them to the correct area during reassembly. If you have trouble removing the wires from the component, use a Phillips screwdriver to carefully pry the wires off the water inlet valve.
After the wires are disconnected, use your number 2 square bit screwdriver to unthread the screws holding the water inlet valve to the dispenser assembly housing, and then take the valve out of the washing machine.
Inspect the three gaskets attached to the water inlet valve and find the ones that are damaged. Once you spot the faulty components, whether it’s one or all three of the gaskets, remove them. Then, replace the worn gaskets with new ones by simply sliding the new parts onto the water inlet valve.
Insert the water inlet valve back into the dispenser assembly housing and reattach the screws that secure the two parts together. Take a look at the picture you took earlier and reconnect the wires to their respective terminals.
Swing the rear panel back into its rightful place, and reattach its mounting screws to secure the panel to your washing machine.
Next, position the maintop mounting bracket on top of your washer and rethread the screws that hold it to your appliance.
With the maintop bracket reattached, clip the grounding wire onto the part. Then, plug the power cord wire connectors back into each other and snap the wire retaining clip into the metal bracket.
Place the drain hose retainer back on the drain hose and line up the screw hole on the retainer with the screw hole on the rear panel. Once the part is correctly aligned, rethread the screw that secures the retainer and the hose.
Retrieve the vibration dampening assembly and put it back in the washing machine. Then, insert and tighten the screws that hold the assembly to the appliance.
Place the maintop back on the washer and slide it forward. Replace the screws that secure the top to the washing machine.
Reattach the hot and cold water lines to the washer’s inlet valve. Make sure you tighten the lines with pliers; otherwise, water will likely leak out of the connection and onto your laundry room floor.
With the new gaskets in place and your washing machine reassembled, plug your appliance back into the wall and open the hot and cold water supply valves to get water flowing back into the washer.
Before you write off your repair as a success, test the new gaskets to ensure they are correctly installed and have resolved your washing machine’s leak. To do so, throw a small load of laundry in your washer and start a cycle. After the cycle has finished, take a look at the floor near the left side of your appliance. If there is no puddle, you can close your toolbox and pat yourself on the back for a repair well done.

A leaky washer can have several consequences if not addressed in a timely manner. If you’ve recently spotted water on the floor near your washing machine and can’t pinpoint the component causing the issue, please contact us today, and one of our highly trained appliance repair technicians will happily find and replace the faulty part.

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