The short answer
A Costway washer that finishes full is nearly always obstructed somewhere between the drum and the house drain, and the pump itself is the least likely part of that path. On this class the usual cause is a drain hose hooked over a sink above what the pump can lift, with the drain hose kinked or crushed behind the machine next to rule out.
What you actually observe
- Water stays in the drum whenever the sink is used for the hose — The hose height is the variable that changed.
- The machine sits humming at the drain stage — Something is being attempted and not achieved.
- NEAR MISS: water on the floor rather than in the drum — That is a leak, and it has its own page and its own cause list.
The causes, most likely first on this brand
- A drain hose hooked over a sink above what the pump can lift — Ranked first on a Costway unit: a portable machine drains over a sink edge, and a sink higher than the pump can lift is the commonest reason one of these leaves water in the drum.
- The drain hose kinked or crushed behind the machine — A hose flattened between the machine and the wall throttles the pump completely, and it is the easiest fault on this page to create by pushing a machine back into place. Ranked second here: a hose that is coiled and uncoiled for every wash takes a set and kinks where it was stored.
- The pump impeller jammed by an object from the drum — Ranked third here: a small pump on this class jams on very little.
- Too much detergent, leaving the pump trying to move foam — Ranked fourth here: last, though these machines foam readily given their water volume.
Check in this order, and why this order
- Look at how high the hose end sits above the machine — A pump on this class has a modest lift and a high sink asks for more than it has.
- Pull the machine forward and follow the drain hose along its whole run — A flat section or a tight bend is visible and it explains everything.
- With the filter out, reach in and turn the impeller by hand — An impeller that will not turn, or grates when it does, has something in it.
What an owner can safely check
- Hook the drain hose over a lower point and make sure it cannot fall out of the sink — A hose that slips out mid-drain floods the floor as well as failing to drain.
Tools: cable tieAbout 15 min
- Straighten the hose and leave a gentle loop so pushing the machine back does not crush it again — Secure the hose so it cannot fall behind the machine when it moves.
Tools: torchAbout 20 min
- STOP HERE if the next step needs a meter on live terminals or a panel off — That is where an owner check ends and a service call begins.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the machine or switch off its breaker before opening a pump filter or reaching into a pump housing, because the impeller can turn under power and its edges are sharp. There is more water behind a filter cap than most trays will hold, so release it in stages with towels down. Never defeat a lid or door interlock to force a drain.
When to call a technician
Call once the filter, the hose and the standpipe are all clear and the drum still holds water, because a failed pump or a blocked internal sump needs the machine opened. Call sooner if the machine trips its breaker while trying to drain, since a stalled pump draws heavily. Bear in mind when you decide that parts for a value import are not stocked locally and a replacement unit can cost less than a part plus a labour call.
Nearest pages of this class
What this page does not cover
This page covers the Costway washer as a class, not one family or model line. Filter locations, pump types and hose specifications all change from build to build and are deliberately not here. Where a family or model page exists for your machine, it is the more specific answer and the one to read first.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
