It could also be the load size switch, which is essentially a water level switch. If the volume of water coming out of the bottom of the machine is significant (gets the floor pretty stinkin' wet), then it's probably this. Leaks from seals or pumps usually are slower leaks. Voluminous water is often indicative of water being 'dumped' from the drum by the drum's overflow tube because the 'load size' water-level switch has allowed too much water to enter the drum. If on a 'small load' setting, the problem goes away, you can almost be rest assured that it is this switch. Some switches have an adjustment screw, but it is meant to be factory set and is usually coated with a thread lock of some sort. You can try to back the screw out a little to adjust the level down (usually tightening it makes it worse, increasing the height of the water level), but I found that it really only works well to increase - not decrease - the water level. On my GE, I scraped off the threadlock and then tightened the screw to make the medium setting into the large setting, and now I just never use the highest setting. But if others not so mechanically inclined (visitors, etc) come over and set it on the extra large setting, you're screwed and will end up with a pretty badly flooded floor. The best thing to do is to replace the switch.
Ultimately, there are a million reasons why water can be coming out of the bottom of a washer. It's best to get visual access and just run a cycle to see where the leak is coming from, taking care not to get your fingers near any moving parts while doing so (also, make sure curious cats are safely locked out of your work area).
meow the doggs, April 2004
