Should I get my old Kenmore direct drive washer fixed?

[Zoey]

Neither top load nor front load washers jive well with constant cold water washes. Top loaders are just more forgiving....for awhile. If you run a cleaning cycle on the front loader twice a month, you'll probably have a cleaner outer drum than the DD....which is very notorious for buildup at the very top (thanks to the neutral drain) and bottom of the outer plastic tub, especially with cold washes.

I have clothes I've been washing in a Maytag top loader (and drying) for 32 years (same slim figure the entire duration). They are not worn out yet and that includes 120F warm washes, spray rinses, and deep rinses. A front loader will be significantly gentler on your clothes compared to a DD.

Thanks, that's helpful.

 

[sumgal]

I've got a Kenmore 90 Plus series, quite pack plus, 110.C28932790. Matching dryer. Bought these either late 1999 or early 2000. I think the last time I worked on the washer was 5 years ago. The motor was stalling, problem with the centrifical start switch. I rebuilt the switch. Motor got hot a few times before we noticed, kind smelled. But the motor survived. Have also replaced the capacitor. And the motor-pump coupler a few times. Took the timer apart once. And I did rebuild the transmission maybe 10 years ago for some reason. Really really glad it has no electronics.

But like I said, I haven't touched it in 5 years. It's almost - boring. We can go a couple weeks without doing a load, and then sometimes it's running several loads in a day. Dryer - have hardly done anything with it, replaced the igniter twice.

Fix your Kenmore. It's worth it. And it ain't done right unless you do it yourself.

 

[Zoey]

I've got a Kenmore 90 Plus series, quite pack plus, 110.C28932790. Matching dryer. Bought these either late 1999 or early 2000. I think the last time I worked on the washer was 5 years ago. The motor was stalling, problem with the centrifical start switch. I rebuilt the switch. Motor got hot a few times before we noticed, kind smelled. But the motor survived. Have also replaced the capacitor. And the motor-pump coupler a few times. Took the timer apart once. And I did rebuild the transmission maybe 10 years ago for some reason. Really really glad it has no electronics.

But like I said, I haven't touched it in 5 years. It's almost - boring. We can go a couple weeks without doing a load, and then sometimes it's running several loads in a day. Dryer - have hardly done anything with it, replaced the igniter twice.

Fix your Kenmore. It's worth it. And it ain't done right unless you do it yourself.

That's the problem. I am no longer physically able to fix it. I wish I could since it gets my clothes clean using cold water. I'm not sure the same is true for any of the new machines. I also don't have room for a dryer and prefer to dry my clothes on a rack.

 

[panasonicvac]

Thanks. That's what I'm afraid of. But the new top loaders don't sound like they're built to last. Even the LG front loaders have many negative reviews.

I have an LG front loader that I've been using now for over five years. And I can honestly say that I like it better than my Kenmore DD. I don't know what the bad reviews are from but I think they were just people who don't know how to use the machines properly, the LG was bought because the local appliance technician recommended them as the most reliable he's ever repaired.

 

[Zoey]

I have an LG front loader that I've been using now for over five years. And I can honestly say that I like it better than my Kenmore DD. I don't know what the bad reviews are from but I think they were just people who don't know how to use the machines properly, the LG was bought because the local appliance technician recommended them as the most reliable he's ever repaired.

Thank you, that's helpful. Would you be willing to share the model number?

 

[panasonicvac]

The one I have is WM8100HVA

 

[Zoey]

The one I have is WM8100HVA

Thanks!

 

[goatfarmer]

I've got a Kenmore 90 Plus series, quite pack plus, 110.C28932790. Matching dryer. Bought these either late 1999 or early 2000. I think the last time I worked on the washer was 5 years ago. The motor was stalling, problem with the centrifical start switch. I rebuilt the switch. Motor got hot a few times before we noticed, kind smelled. But the motor survived. Have also replaced the capacitor. And the motor-pump coupler a few times. Took the timer apart once. And I did rebuild the transmission maybe 10 years ago for some reason. Really really glad it has no electronics.

But like I said, I haven't touched it in 5 years. It's almost - boring. We can go a couple weeks without doing a load, and then sometimes it's running several loads in a day. Dryer - have hardly done anything with it, replaced the igniter twice.

Fix your Kenmore. It's worth it. And it ain't done right unless you do it yourself.

Not everyone has the ability, or the knowledge, to reapir it themselves.