Washing machine woes

[wesleyonoel]

Replaced a pump then water inlet solenoid assembly a year later on a rather old heavy duty Crosley washing machine. Very little expense involved and the machine churns right along. Imagine it might use a boat-load of water but that is of minimal concern. Waiting in the wings is a 1971 model Kenmore washing machine with what appears to be a timer/selector switch problem. Not sure what to do about that...........imagine parts are obsolete but haven't chased any of that just yet............Sure do miss my Kenmore!......

 

[bosco659]

Replaced a pump then water inlet solenoid assembly a year later on a rather old heavy duty Crosley washing machine. Very little expense involved and the machine churns right along. Imagine it might use a boat-load of water but that is of minimal concern. Waiting in the wings is a 1971 model Kenmore washing machine with what appears to be a timer/selector switch problem. Not sure what to do about that...........imagine parts are obsolete but haven't chased any of that just yet............Sure do miss my Kenmore!......

I think you’re right about water usage. I’m sure my old Maytag uses 10X more water than a modern washer would, but I won’t shoot this one until it really dies on me.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I think you’re right about water usage. I’m sure my old Maytag uses 10X more water than a modern washer would, but I won’t shoot this one until it really dies on me.

Death only comes when repair parts are impossible to maintain. My cars are all fitted with light bulbs. I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[46th Georgia]

I think you’re right about water usage. I’m sure my old Maytag uses 10X more water than a modern washer would, but I won’t shoot this one until it really dies on me.

As to the water usage, if you have to wash something 2-3 times to get it clean, how much water/electricity/detergent did you save?

 

[grouchie77]

My wife and I bought our first house together back in August after living in an apartment for nearly 8 years. First thing we did was replace the stove and dishwasher. After only 3 months the dishwasher was leaking water all over the floor cause the seal on the door had gone south. Had it repaired under warranty, but I wonder how long the new seal will last.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Had it repaired under warranty, but I wonder how long the new seal will last.

Well, it should last at least three months!

 

[gggGary]

Sorry guys, but front load clothes washers are much better at cleaning with less water.
Between wrenching, farm work and wood cutting, I get clothes REALLY dirty.

 

[AUTOMAN]

My Bosch DW installed 15nov24 after the 14 year old Kitchen-aid circuit board failed.
14 is not bad. The original was 33, but the racks were rusting. Cost for new racks was $600 in 2010.

So, $600 for a new one or $600 for parts for the old one? humm-no brainer

New Bosch is smaller inside.
It uses little water and it shows on the dishes.

time will tell

cliff

p.s.
Whirlpool dryer is 48 and OK
Whirlpool washer has had 2x dog-bones installed in the 19 years I've had it.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Sorry guys, but front load clothes washers are much better at cleaning with less water.
Between wrenching, farm work and wood cutting, I get clothes REALLY dirty.

I don't think this was a front load put down. I'm maintaining a 20 year old GE front load. It works great. Repairs have proven very easy. Lately, I've had eBay as my only option for some of the parts. When I looked at replacing it, the new models did not appear to be improved, more like the opposite. Ours aren't very pretty, but we seldom have guests in our laundry room. (If you're in my laundry room, perhaps you've overstayed your welcome.) Also, the old machine predates government mandated water restrictions. As far as new, only the Speed Queen appears to be solid construction. It's reflected in the price. I usually don't spend that much to buy a car!

 

[gggGary]

Jinxed myself. start button plastic pivot gave out again. Got it fixed. but went on FB and found a nice washer that matches my dryer with a pair of laundry pedestals for $150, guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. Will pass on my still works washer for cheap.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Sorry guys, but front load clothes washers are much better at cleaning with less water.
Between wrenching, farm work and wood cutting, I get clothes REALLY dirty.

I won’t argue your point. But, mine works because it’s 22 years old. That’s a little before the shitification of everything. Yes, it’s front load.

 

[Adamc]

I have a SMEG RANGE COOKER I have been using daily for over 20 years. Recently when the electric oven is used it blows the trip in the consumer unit; one element is going to earth. A new identical cooker is £3,500 which is too much for me. I replaced three oven elements, the main commutator, two thermocouple and a few knobs; plus a full rewire, all for £300. Good for another 20 years methinks.

 

[Pat D]

The washing machine at the shop is at least 50+ years old, I recently replaced the "ejector" pump with a NOS unit from Ebay. My folks bought the machine around 1972. There is an underground community out there that does nothing but snatch up old 30+ year appliances, fix them and flip them to luddites like myself. Most folks replace both washer and dryer when one fails, the other is typically in fine operating condition, and the broken one is usually repairable if old enough. Circuit boards ruin everything.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

My go-to for fixing appliances Repair Clinic

 

[jetmechmarty]

My go-to for fixing appliances Repair Clinic

And YouTube! Minor issue with YouTube is that sometimes it takes a few minutes to find the person who actually knows what he’s doing. I’m sure we’ve all suffered that.

 

[Pat D]

And YouTube! Minor issue with YouTube is that sometimes it takes a few minutes to find the person who actually knows what he’s doing. I’m sure we’ve all suffered that.

Knows what he is doing and gets to it promptly! Cripes, some of those guys go an and on before they get to the issue. I know what a hammer is, I don't need a 5 minute tutorial on the different types and how to use 'em.

 

[maximusrising]

I traded the reliable 40 year GE laundry pair for lower water use front loaders 10 years ago. I went in and "fixed" a circuit board push button made of rapidly degrading plastic with JB weld, that was two years ago.
No matter the device I always figure it's worth it to disassemble and take a look to see if there's a fixable problem before replacing it. If nothing else some of the components can then be put in the recycle bin. A dead breadmaker Allison really liked, got a new (chinese) drive belt last winter and I get yummy warm bread again.

I grabbed a pair of "new" (10 years old) LG "modern" W/D for free. They don't work he said. They don't spin. The dryer was a sock stuck in the fan, the washer needed an $8 sensor. What I wanted to say is that the motor on the "modern " washer amazed me. So simple, seemed futuristic, precise, just so simple it's complicated. I had to face it, some new shit is pretty good. But I wouldn't pay $1,000 each EVER. Like we all agree, it's handy being handy and curious. and having a pickup truck. and an 83 Heritage Special. My friend gave it to me years ago. I'll never get rid of it. I certainly don't sleep well the older I get.

 

[maximusrising]

And YouTube! Minor issue with YouTube is that sometimes it takes a few minutes to find the person who actually knows what he’s doing. I’m sure we’ve all suffered that.

Amen.

 

[noodlenoggin]

We've replaced our stove and fridge so far, and you know what all of the review websites recommend? LG, Samsung, Bosch because of all the "features" like Bluetooth, and touchscreens, and cameras, and "smart modes." They say avoid GE because you don't get any "features" for your money.

You know what the sites that track reliability say? LG, Samsung and Bosch have great features but the core functionality dies easy. Like a fridge that has cameras inside and huge screens, but the compressor dies in six months. They say GE just keeps running.

So now we have two GE fridges - one is now the garage fridge.

 

[46th Georgia]

We've replaced our stove and fridge so far, and you know what all of the review websites recommend? LG, Samsung, Bosch because of all the "features" like Bluetooth, and touchscreens, and cameras, and "smart modes." They say avoid GE because you don't get any "features" for your money.

You know what the sites that track reliability say? LG, Samsung and Bosch have great features but the core functionality dies easy. Like a fridge that has cameras inside and huge screens, but the compressor dies in six months. They say GE just keeps running.

So now we have two GE fridges - one is now the garage fridge.

Kinda' like auto manufacturers complaining about tariffs causing car prices to rise. True, but if you would stop making your "Base" model with more features than a Caddy or Lincoln had 30-40 years ago, I bet that would make them more affordable and more reliable.