Why does my kitchenaid mixer leak oil? Stop beating yourself over this problem because we have the answer, and we’re going to tell you how to fix it.
Your KitchenAid mixer might leak oil because of overheating, overuse, mismanagement, or generally high temperatures.
It shouldn’t stop you from using your stand mixer, right? Yeah, that’s the spirit!
To fix a mixer that leaks oil, you’ll need to take the machine apart one by one.
It’s a ten-step-long (Although easy!) process, and we can’t wait to show you how it’s done.
As long as you have a flathead screwdriver and a knife, you can fix your kitchen stand mixer all by yourself!
Before your KitchenAid mixer claims the second-largest oil spill in history, let’s fix it, shall we?
5 Common Reasons Why Your KitchenAid Mixer is Leaking Oil
It’s not uncommon for any mixer to leak oil. For now, we can think about five reasons why your KitchenAid mixer might be leaking oil and from where.
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Overloading the Mixer
The oil keeps the gears well-lubricated during use. All KitchenAid mixers come with years’ worth of gear oil. But overloading can use up more oil than usual, dripping a few drops of oil here and there in the process.
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Infrequent Use
Using your stand mixer infrequently can play out in two ways- the grease can either harden up or melt through the drip ring.
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Hot and Humid Conditions
Your KitchenAid stand mixer is not the most weatherproof of all appliances. High temperatures and humidity can affect its internal gear, causing the mixer to leak oil.
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Problems in the Planetary Cover
The planetary cover is what separates the main gearbox from the outside.
Nearly all the oil is inside the gearbox. Five screws secure the planetary cover to the housing. So, if the mixer is leaking oil, check the screws and the pin.
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A Loose Drip Ring
The drip ring or the beauty ring is supposed to catch the leaking oil in the first place. If oil is leaking from the planetary and dripping down the beater, you need to look at the beauty ring.
Identify Where Your Stand Mixer Is Leaking from
Check if the location of the leak matches the ones we’ve stated below! Then, we can move on to the repairs.
- Grease dripping off the beater
- You see oil pooling below the rear part of the stand mixer
- Oil is coming out of the Speed Control Buttons
The last one is likely a handling problem during the shipping.
You can try following our KitchenAid mixer troubleshooting guide below or contact the KitchenAid Service Providers in your area.
How to Fix a KitchenAid Mixer that Leaks Oil?
If your KitchenAid mixer is leaking all over the place, don’t panic.
We’ll tell you how to fix your leaking KitchenAid mixer at home. Keep reading!
A point to note- the following repair process applies to all professional KitchenAid mixer models whose numbers begin with KSM, K45, or K5.
These are all the things you’ll need to get started.
- A flathead screwdriver
- KitchenAid stand mixer grease (Only if you hear a grinding sound)
- A putty knife (Not compulsory)
Step 1: Unscrew the Rear Housing Cover and Remove the Power Cord Strain Relief
After taking off the rear housing cover with a screwdriver, you can remove the cord strain relief.
Step 2: Detach the Beauty Ring and the Planetary Pin
The beauty ring will come off after a few rounds of gentle prying. Next, you’ll notice that a pin holds the planetary to the gearbox. Gently tap its head with the screwdriver, and it should come through the other side.
Step 3: Take the Planetary off and Remove the Screws
Pry open the planetary to reveal five gearbox screws. Unscrew them first and then move on to the four screws at the back. Take note of the retaining washer, as in which rear housing screw has it.
Step 4: Disengage the Motor Housing from the Stand
Lift the motor housing off the mixer stand. The gearbox should stay face-up at this point.
Step 5: Scoop Out the Old Grease with a Knife
Now, it’s time to put that putty knife to use. Carefully scoop the old, sticky oil from the gearbox.
Step 6: Apply the New Gear Oil to the Gears
Replace the old grease with the same amount of KitchenAid Stand Mixer Oil. Use a clean knife this time.
Step 7: Seat the Motor Housing on the Stand
Your work is almost finished!
From this step on, you’ll be doing precisely the opposite of what you’ve done so far.
Begin with clamping the motor housing on the stand.
Step 8: Screw All the Fasteners Back to Their Slots
You must screw all nine of the screws you’ve taken apart from the rear motor housing and the planetary.
Remember to put the lock washer in the exact same place.
Step 9: Attach the Planetary Pin and the Drip Ring
You might find wedging the pin back inside the hole a bit difficult.
All the planetary gears need to be aligned. So, it’s a good idea to lubricate their edges first slightly. Attach everything the same way you took them off.
Step 10: Clamp the Rear Housing Cover Back on
Before you get to the rear housing cover, don’t forget to clamp the drip-catcher ring around the planetary.
Be gentle and careful.
Finish by placing the rear housing at the back of your mixer. Replace the power cord’s strain relief, and there you have it!
This is how you can repair your KitchenAid mixer without damaging anything.
How to Prevent Your KitchenAid Stand Mixer from Leaking Oil?
If your KitchenAid mixer has only started to leak oil, you can curb it in the ways below!
Trust us on this- these will minimize and even stop the leaks right away.
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Turn up the Speed Level
Did your KitchenAid stand mixer sit unused on the countertop for months?
Then you can turn it on and let it run for two minutes at medium to high speeds.
What it will do is drain any watery grease through the planetary cover. Turn off your stand mixer and wipe it down.
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Allow the Mixer to Cool Off
If you use your stand mixer often during the day, you should give it a few minutes to rest in between.
Otherwise, it could overheat the gears and liquidize the solid grease too fast.
Allow all your appliances some time to cool off before you can use them again.
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Run the Mixer without Any Ingredient
We found a very helpful hack for our KitchenAid mixer, and it can save you from a lot of trouble!
All you have to do is run your stand mixer without any ingredients at first. It will get the gears running and dispose of any excess oil near the planetary head.
Just try! You’ll thank us later!
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Store in a Cool Place
Keeping your stand mixer in a cool, dry place is always a good idea. So, if you have the mixer sitting on the countertop at the moment, make sure it’s not too close to the sink, micro oven, or stoves.
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Bottom Line
This was our answer to why does my kitchenaid mixer leak oil and what you can do about it.
We’ve broken the whole process down to ten easy-to-follow steps. And we hope they’ll help you fix your KitchenAid mixer without any complications. Best of luck!