Liquid in Clothes Washing Machine for balance?
The washers are shipped with water in them. The reason is that, at the factory, they have to test them before shipping. Which means you hook them up and turn them on. Washing machines don't drain 100% of the water from the drum, so what you're hearing is the remainder of that test. In most cases, it's probably 1-2 gallons.

The water doesn't hurt the machine(it's designed to hold this residual water, after all). As to freezing, if the water was frozen the liquid water it would add to start a new wash cycle would likely melt it enough to not harm the machine.

A Sears salesman confirmed this on their site


  All washers are tested for leaks with water. It's not uncommon to find a slightly wet spot on the box. The spin basket also has a balance ring attached at the top which is half filled with water that you may be hearing sloshing around. This is normal and the balance ring is sealed to prevent the water from escaping. The balance ring is not likely leaking and the wet spot is likely from when the washer was tested.