I've got a Maytag washer that is at least 12-13 years old. Yesterday it started making a higher pitched noise continually when it washes and spins. I've checked the belts and they are intact. I'm worried that it might be some kind of bearings or something. If the machine is ran for awhile...such as through a normal load of clothes, it will start smelling like something is burning.

My wife says that twice recently (within the last few months) that water has come out of it somewhere at the bottom...not as if the the drain were plugged up or anything. The noise that it is making started yesterday but it will continue to go through all of the cycles and wash clothes. The noise is very even and continual...not pulsing or uneven.

Thanks for any help.