3385556 Whirlpool â¤Drain Hose is a âdrain hose assembly used on Whirlpoolâ washing⣠machines; it is⢠a âflexible conduit component â¤manufactured to channel wastewater from the appliance’s tub and pump assembly⤠to the household drain or standpipe. The partâ isâ typically formed from durable, abrasion-resistant polymer â(often corrugated â˘or smooth-bore PVC or rubber) and â¤includes â¤fittings or â¤barb⢠ends designed to mate with the drain pump outlet and theâ external drain connection; â˘the hose⤠is intendedâ to withstand â¤repeated flexing, exposure to detergents⤠and hot waterand clampingâ forces at connection points.
within the appliance system the drain hose functions as the primary⣠fluid â¤conveyance â¤path during the drain and spin cycles and thus directly interacts with â˘the drain pump, tub outlet,⢠hose clampsand the external plumbing (standpipe or laundry sink). Proper routing and attachment are required to prevent siphoning or⣠backflow, to maintain pump head and flow âcharacteristicsand âto â˘avoid kinking or âŁhigh-resistance runs âŁthat can increase pump loading. The âŁhose’s internal diameter, lengthand routing affect âhydraulic performance and can influence faultâ conditions reported by control âelectronics or pressure/flowâ sensing elements.
In âthe article⣠that follows,â readers will find a technical overview of âthe drain hose’s function and common specifications, guidanceâ on⢠model compatibility⣠and how to verify âfitment, a summary of â¤typical failure symptoms â(leaks, clogs, âŁreduced drain performance, âpump noise orâ overload), step-by-step troubleshooting âproceduresâ to âŁisolate hose-related issuesand âpractical⢠replacement considerationsâ such as material selection, correct diameter and length,â proper connection and routing techniquesand safety precautions during service.This information⤠is intended to help technicians, engineersand appliance ownersâ assess and⣠address drain-hose-related problems methodically.
Table ofâ Contents
- Function and âŁrole of⢠the Drain Hose in Whirlpool Washing âSystems
- How the 3385556 Whirlpool Drain Hoseâ Interfacesâ with the âPump, Check⢠Valveand Drain⢠Port Inside the Appliance
- Common Failure Symptoms and Diagnostic Indicators of a Compromised Drain Hose
- Compatibility, Replacement Considerationsand Step-by-Step Installation guidelines for the 3385556 Drain Hose
- Q&A
- Final Thoughts
Function and Role of the Drain Hose in Whirlpool Washing Systems
The 3385556 Whirlpool Drain Hose serves as the primary fluid conduit that carries wastewater fromâ the washer âtub and discharge pump to the household⢠drain or standpipe. In â¤normal operation the hose must maintain â¤a flexible, leak-free connection, resist hot water and detergent exposure,⤠and present minimal internal restrictionâ so the drain pump can â˘evacuate water without excessive backpressure.⣠Compatibility depends on matching the pump outlet âgeometry, â¤clamp style and âmaximum recommended length; a âcorrect replacement ensures â˘the hose slides over the pump⣠spigot â˘and seals under⢠the clamp âŁwithout altering pump load or⣠sealing surfaces.
- Primary â˘functions: convey discharge, prevent â˘leaksand â¤avoid siphoning/backflow when ârouted with⣠a high⤠loop âor air gap.
- Key⤠behaviors: must remain kink-free, resist âcrushing at routing points, âand tolerate thermal and chemical exposure.
- Compatibility⣠checks: verify pumpâ outlet diameter, clamp typeand⣠overall hose routing length before installation.
- Commonâ failure symptoms: slow drain, standing water, visible leaksor pump noise from cavitation.
Hose âcondition affects the entire âdrain path: partial occlusions increase âpump current and reduce flow,â while external damage can leadâ to leaks that âdamage cabinetry or floors. technicians verify performance byâ inspecting â˘the hose for soft âspots, splitsor sharp bends, confirming clamp torque andâ routing a high loop or connecting âto an air gap⤠to prevent contamination⢠of â¤the washer. â˘For practical replacement, remove clamps, compare the old hose to the â˘replacement⣠for spigot fit âand length, âand test by running a drain cycle while observingâ flowâ andâ checking for leaks.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Flexible rubber or thermoplastic resistant âto heat and detergent |
| Interface | Designed forâ commonâ Whirlpool âpump spigot⤠and clamp connections; confirmâ physical fit |
| Typical issues | Kinks, clogs from lint/residue, clamp failureand â˘thermal/abrasion damage |
How the 3385556 Whirlpool Drain Hose Interfacesâ with the⤠Pump, Check Valveand drain⢠Port Inside the Appliance
The 3385556 Whirlpool â¤Drain Hose interfaces directly with the appliance by sliding over the pump discharge â¤spigot⣠and seating against⢠the âmolded drain port on the washer/tub â¤assembly. A âproper fit requires the hose’s âinternal profile to match⢠the OEM spigot so the hose âŁcovers the barb fully; installers secure the joint âwith a worm-gear or spring clamp â˘to prevent leakage under the pulsating flow produced by the⤠drain pump.Many systems⢠incorporate aâ check valve either integrated into the hose assembly or as a separate âin-line component; the valve must be âoriented with flowâ away from the pump so it prevents backflow or drainback intoâ the tub while allowing the pump toâ evacuate water quickly. The hose’s reinforcement and material selection maintainâ lumen integrity during suction â¤pulses â¤and resist household detergents and temperatures encountered in typicalâ drain âcycles.
In practice, technicians confirm compatibility and correct⤠function by checking that the hose fully engages the pump spigot,⣠the clamp is positioned over the barb, âand any check valve shows the correct arrow â¤orientation; a short drain test will reveal leaks, siphoning,⢠or restricted flow. Common failure modes include split hose ends, loose clamps, kinked â˘routing,⤠and missing or reversed check valves-each of which can cause slow⢠draining, repeated pump cyclesor âwater remaining in â˘the tub. â˘When replacing the âhose âŁduring a pump service, match theâ hose geometry and âlength to the appliance,â replace clampsand route the hose with a steadyâ downward slope and gentle bends to preserve pump performance and prevent inadvertentâ siphoning.
- Connection type: slip-on over barbed spigot, secured with clamp
- Check valve: in-line or integrated;⢠must point away from pump
- Routing: gentle curves, downward slope,â avoid⢠kinks or high traps
- Inspection tips: pull test â˘at⣠connections, run a short⣠drain cycle, check for leaks âand proper drainback
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Pump outlet | Barbed/molded spigot onâ pump; requires fullâ hose engagement and clamp over barb |
| Check valve | Prevents backflow;â located in-line or âwithin hose assemblyâ and mustâ be installed with correct⤠flow⣠direction |
| Drain âport | Molded tub or cabinet port where the hose terminates; alignment affects sealing and ârouting |
| Clamping | worm-gear or⤠spring clamps recommended to maintain pressure at the barbâ without cutting the hose |
Common Failure âSymptoms and Diagnostic Indicators of a Compromised Drain hose
The drain hose is the primary wastewater conveyance between âthe washer pump and the household drain; the replacement part referenced as â3385556â Whirlpool Drain Hose is âŁdesigned to match âŁthe appliance âoutlet diameterâ and routing constraints used by âŁWhirlpool. As a â¤flexible, typically reinforced PVC or rubber component, the hose mustâ maintain an open lumen, resist kinkingand retain its seals at the pumpâ outlet and drain connection. A correctly functioning hose shows steady, âŁunobstructed flow during the drain portion of the cycle, no visible âseepage at connection points, âand â¤no collapse or crushed corrugations under bending stresses. Compatibility matters: mismatched diameter, improper clamp type, â˘or too-short length can âŁproduce siphoning, backflowor strain that accelerates wear and â˘fatigue in âtheâ material and âfittings.
- Slowâ draining -â water remains inâ the tub â˘orâ drains only after multiple pump cycles.
- Intermittent pump cycling – pump runs repeatedly orâ longer than â˘normal as it attempts to clear a partial restriction.
- Visible leaks or wet floor – steady drip, sprayor pooled water around hoseâ runs or at⤠clampâ junctions.
- Foul odors or gurgling – trapped debris, partial blockage,⤠or air entering the line causes odor carryover and noise.
- Hose deformation or movement – collapsed sections, pinholesor hose slipping out of âthe outlet â˘or⣠drain.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Slow drain | Likely partial blockage, internal collapseor tight bend; inspect forâ kinks, âremove hose and run water through to confirm â˘flow. |
| Excessive pump cycling | Indicativeâ of intermittent restriction or air leak at a connection; verify clampâ torque and test hose under load with a drain cycle. |
| Visible âŁleak | Pinholes,⢠abrasionor failed clamps; locate wet spots, perform a âŁpressurized leak test by runningâ a drain cycleandâ replace hose orâ clamp âŁas âneeded. |
| Gurgling/odors | Debris collecting in⢠corrugations or⢠improper routing below the trap line causing siphoning;â clean or replace hose and ensure⤠correct elevation and slope. |
Technicians diagnose⢠failures⣠by⣠combining visual inspection with functional checks:â run a drain cycle while observing the hose for â¤motion, spray,⢠or collapse; disconnect and pass water through the hose to pinpoint internal âŁobstructions; andâ measureâ fittings⣠to confirm compatibility with the pump âŁoutlet and⤠household drain. In⢠many serviceâ casesâ the root cause is mechanical (kinked routing, worn clampsor abrasion fromâ contact points) rather than pump failure,â so repairing routing âand⤠securing âconnections or installing a⣠correctly sized âreplacement hose restores proper behavior without unnecessary component replacement.
Compatibility, Replacement Considerationsand Step-by-Step Installation Guidelines for the 3385556 Drain âŁHose
The 3385556 Whirlpool Drain Hose functions â˘as the flexible conduit that âcarries discharge fromâ theâ appliance pump to theâ household drain âor standpipe.â It must match â¤the pump outlet⤠diameter, coupling styleand routing constraints of the appliance to avoid leaks, backflowor siphoning. Material choice and wall âconstructionâ determine its âresistance to kinking, abrasionand the modest thermal andâ chemical exposure present in typical drain service; âreinforced PVC â˘or EPDM compounds âare common for this application.For compatibility checks,compare theâ hose inner diameter,end-fitting⢠style â˘(barbed,push-on,or threaded),and length with the appliance service sheet⣠or parts lookup; global replacement hoses can work when âan â¤appropriate adapter or clamp is⢠used,but mismatched diameters or incorrect routing will compromise drainage performance⤠and may trigger âfault codes on modern control systems.
Follow a controlled replacement sequence and verify sealing and â¤routing after installation.⢠Disconnect powerâ and water supply ⣠before⣠startingand use new stainless-steel worm-gearâ clamps if the existing clamps â˘are âcorroded â¤or damaged.⢠During installation confirm the hose seatsâ fully on â˘the⢠pump outlet or adapter, tighten clamps until âŁtheâ hose⤠compresses against the fitting⣠without flattening, create an anti-siphon high loop or⣠secure to the cabinet at the recommended heightand â˘run⢠a diagnostic or short cycle to inspect for leaks and⤠proper drainage. If the âappliance has a check valve in line with the â˘pump, verify orientation andâ seating when reattaching the hose; replace the â˘check valve if degraded to maintain correct⢠one-way flow.
- Turn off power andâ waterand drain⤠residual water from the appliance.
- Loosen and remove clamps, detach the old hose from pump and drain connection.
- Inspect pump outletâ and drain inlet forâ damage, clean mating surfaces.
- Fit â˘the new â3385556 Whirlpool Drain Hose â˘onto the outlet, then install clamps and tighten evenly.
- Route hose with an anti-siphonâ loop and secure to⣠chassisâ to prevent vibration or kinks.
- Restore power/water, run a test cycleand check for leaks and correct flow.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Typical inner diameter | Approximately 5/8″-3/4″ (16-19 mm), verify against pump outlet. |
| Typical length | 1.2-2.4 m (4-8 ft) available; choose length⤠to avoid excess loops and kinks. |
| Material | Reinforced PVC or âEPDM for abrasion and mild chemical resistance. |
| Clamp type | Stainless-steel worm-gear âclamps recommended; avoid spring clamps that can corrode. |
Q&A
What is Whirlpool part 3385556?
Part 3385556 is an â˘OEM replacement drain hose sold for certain Whirlpool-brand appliances. It is⣠a flexible hose used to carry wastewaterâ from⢠the appliance’sâ drain pump âto a standpipe,â disposeror sink drain. For exact fits and appearance, consultâ the official Whirlpool parts page or âyour appliance’s⤠parts diagram.
How do Iâ check if 3385556 fits my specific Whirlpool model?
Confirm compatibility by entering⢠your appliance model number on the Whirlpool parts lookup or a reputable âŁparts⤠supplier site âand searching for part â¤3385556. You can also compare the âold hose’s âconnection⣠size, shapeand âŁmounting âpoints âŁto the replacement â¤photo/specs. if in doubt,provide your⣠full model numberâ to a parts dealer or Whirlpool support.
Whatâ sizeâ and material âis the 3385556 drain hose?
Specifications such as âŁoverall âŁlength, inside diameter and material are⢠listed on the product⤠page for the part. Drain hoses for washers and dishwashers are⤠typically â˘made from flexible PVC or rubber and have corrugated sections for flexibility.â Because sizes vary by model,⣠verify the length and inner/outer diameters against your appliance or the original hose before ordering.
How do I install⢠partâ 3385556 safely and âcorrectly?
Turn off and unplug the appliance and shut off the water (if â˘applicable). Remove the⤠old hose by loosening the clamps â¤or clips at âthe pump outlet and atâ the drain connection. Route the new hose following the original path, making sure ther are no kinks and that the hose forms the required high loop âor connects to an⣠air âgap/standpipe per local codeâ and⤠manufacturer instructions. Secure both ends with appropriate clamps⢠(worm-drive or spring clamps) and âŁrestore power/water.Run a short cycle and check for leaks.
Can âI extend or âshorten⤠theâ 3385556 drain hose if it’s too short or too⢠long?
You can shorten a drain hose by trimming and reinstalling with a secure clamp, âbut be careful to preserve enough length for proper routing âand the high loop/air-gap. To extend, use a compatible hose of the same inner diameter and material⣠and join with a proper hose coupling and clamps. Extensions and â˘modifications âmustâ maintain proper âslope, âavoid siphoningand âcomply â˘with local plumbing codes-when in doubt, use the exact OEM part length or consult âa technician.
Why might the â3385556 hose leak,and how â˘do I⢠fix it?
Leaks are commonly caused by⤠loose or corroded clamps,cracked or split âhose sections,improper connections,or kinks that âstress the hose ânear the fittings. Inspect the hose for visible damage, replace clampsor install a new â˘hose if cracked.⤠Ensure fittings are seated fully and âclamps are tightened evenly but not soâ tight as to cut the hose. If â˘the leak is â¤atâ the⢠pumpâ outlet,⣠check the â˘pump collar and â¤sealing surfaces âas well.
Is it better to buy the OEM 3385556 hose or a universal replacement?
OEMâ hoses like 3385556 are manufactured to match the original fit âŁand connections for the intended models, reducing âthe chance of fitment or⢠routing issues. Universalâ hoses can be less expensive and may work if you match diameter and⤠length, but you â¤may⤠need â˘additional fittingsâ or clamps. For best reliability⢠and warranty compatibility, OEM isâ recommended when available.
How should I maintain the 3385556 drain hose to prevent clogs and odors?
Periodically inspect the hose for blockages, kinks,⤠and wear. run⣠periodic âmaintenanceâ cycles (per manufacturer guidelines) andâ avoid flushing large solids or grease â˘into the appliance drain. If you suspect a clog,disconnect the hose and flush âit with water or use a mild drain cleaner safe for PVC/rubber hoses. Replaceâ the hose if you find hard-to-remove buildup, deep⢠scoring, âor splits.
Final Thoughts
The 3385556 Whirlpool âdrain hose serves a fundamental role inâ the washing â˘machine’s âplumbing by channeling wastewater away from the tub âŁand intoâ the âhousehold drain. Its condition directly affects the appliance’s abilityâ to empty properly, prevents leaks and water damageand supportsâ overall machine performance and hygiene. As a component designed to fit specific â¤models, a sound⣠drain hose contributes to reliable drainage and long-term appliance function.
Timely âŁand accurate âŁdiagnosis of drainage problems-whether caused byâ blockages, kinks, wearor physical damage-is essential to determine if the hose âisâ the â˘source of the issue. When inspection indicates compromise orâ failure, replacing the hose with the correct, compatible part and following recommended installation practices restores â˘safe operation and âhelps avoid secondary damage. Consulting manufacturer guidance or a qualified technician can ensure the⤠replacement is appropriate â¤and effectively resolves â˘the â¤problem.
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