Washer was 13 months old when problems began. Steam cycle was intermittent, chronic water leak and service techs unable to resolve problem. The techs claimed no leak from washer to unrepairable because of lack of part availability.

The last tech insisted the leaking part was the Washer Housing. When the part arrived, it did not fit because my washer has the steam function. The part was for the regular model. Now into month 3, I reassembled the unit (minus the top) and ran it through an entire cycle. No leaking until the steam cycle at which time "Old Faithful" geyser erupted. All attempt to order the melted part were futile (PART NUMBER: DC62-00182A), no one had it in stock. I resorted to ordering the entire Hose Assembly at a significantly higher cost (PART NUMBER: DC97-12578E). Part arrived but it was not the same as the original and had the water flow running the wrong direction as well as lacking a valve. Out of desperation, I attempted to disassemble the new until extracting the part that was melted on mine. It worked, however, once installed the until melted.

I am not a service technician and I tried to talk to someone who is but they all wanted another $80. I was not willing to fork out any more money for unsuccessful repairs.

I finally did fix the unit myself. I removed the inner workings of the little valve at the bottom of the DC62-00182A part so it would function the same as the newly designed part but without having to purchase all new hoses to fit the new part.

I removed the heating unit and cleared out all the calcium and lime that had built up inside. Also removed the mineral deposits from the hose lines and the little spray nozzle that is inside the washer.

I am happy to report I now have a working washing machine. The Washer Housing is not leaking (never was). What happened is mineral deposits had clogged the PART NUMBER: DC97-09101L Substitution: DC97-09101H end nozzle causing a pressure build-up in the system. The original design release valve failed causing the plastic casing to melt and crack thus releasing the steam pressure.

If anyone has this problem, I'll be happy to walk ya through as to how to repair it. Will take about an hour of your time. Took me three days cuz I had to figure it out.

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. The repair guys had no clue why my washer was leaking or how to fix it, but after I read this, I knew it was the same issue so I ordered the part for $70. Indeed the old steam assembly was totally clogged with mineral deposits. Today it is fixed!