REPOST - When did GE start to go bad?

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whirlpool862

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I’m only making this post again because the original thread was deleted for no reason. I think GE started to go bad in the 1990s when the Model-Ts came out, and then they introduced an even worse system in 2006 which was the HydroWave.

Honestly, the newer GE’s seem better than the HydroWaves AND the model-Ts, and GE now seems to keep improving. The older GE stackables with the plastic tubs seemed to be pretty bad too and those things always had the bearings fail and the tub seized to the transmission.
 
I’m only making this post again because the original thread was deleted for no reason. I think GE started to go bad in the 1990s when the Model-Ts came out, and then they introduced an even worse system in 2006 which was the HydroWave.

Honestly, the newer GE’s seem better than the HydroWaves AND the model-Ts, and GE now seems to keep improving. The older GE stackables with the plastic tubs seemed to be pretty bad too and those things always had the bearings fail and the tub seized to the transmission.
I would say 1995 when their plastic tub washers came out.
 
It wouldn't work!
Well, last July 4th 2024, with weeks of 100+ degrees here in Philly, my 18 year old, mildy used "GE" (LG guts) decided to fail one day.
I originally paid $325 for it, and an 18,000 BTU today cost over double that.
A cheap spade lug on the compressor's "start" terminal decided to corrode and overheat, literally disintegrate, causing the compressor to not kick in.
The lack of sealing on the compressor's weather cap allows corrosion to build up.
I had to rebuild the 3 conductor cable with new wiring and heavy duty very tight spade lugs after cleaning the compressor terminals of corrosion.
Then sealed the cap with enough Permatex hi-temp gasket sealer so it was air-tight.
Been fine since!
And lord knows this summer it should hold up for another 18 years now, or longer.
They build these things with cheap connectors and poor assembly - designed to fail.
 
Well, last July 4th 2024, with weeks of 100+ degrees here in Philly, my 18 year old, mildy used "GE" (LG guts) decided to fail one day.
I originally paid $325 for it, and an 18,000 BTU today cost over double that.
A cheap spade lug on the compressor's "start" terminal decided to corrode and overheat, literally disintegrate, causing the compressor to not kick in.
The lack of sealing on the compressor's weather cap allows corrosion to build up.
I had to rebuild the 3 conductor cable with new wiring and heavy duty very tight spade lugs after cleaning the compressor terminals of corrosion.
Then sealed the cap with enough Permatex hi-temp gasket sealer so it was air-tight.
Been fine since!
And lord knows this summer it should hold up for another 18 years now, or longer.
They build these things with cheap connectors and poor assembly - designed to fail.
Shame on you GE!
 
I’m only making this post again because the original thread was deleted for no reason. I think GE started to go bad in the 1990s when the Model-Ts came out, and then they introduced an even worse system in 2006 which was the HydroWave.

Honestly, the newer GE’s seem better than the HydroWaves AND the model-Ts, and GE now seems to keep improving. The older GE stackables with the plastic tubs seemed to be pretty bad too and those things always had the bearings fail and the tub seized to the transmission.
 
I am repairing now my GE Potscrubber 940, repairman ended up with hole in permatuf bottom as heating element would not come out, he repaired it with grey goop that did not hold, ordered some Rutland hi heat 500 to seal better, was considering sugru moldable glue (chewing gum type glue) but Rutland is higher temp rated - though Sugru is also, Rutland is good for another 200 degrees or so - this has been a tank, a work horse - I finally have replaced the pump and motor, timer (found out 1 timer listed was wrong one, would not shut off pump when going into dry, had to locate the OTHER timer model listed, which is perfect) - great appliance, so great to have it back working perfect, though I have included a scale water filter before my counter top hot water heater, which feeds my dishwasher and sink, and laundry - however, when I look at all new dishwasher reviews - I hate the look of most, on GE the few models that have a beige or even white, or colorful exterior have horrible record, and the bottom level ones have the build quality of a barbie dollhouse - I had pugs, if I lowered the flimsy door on the GE dishwasher, and my pug crawled up on it to steal food - it would bend - no structural quality at all. I really love to buy stuff made in America - My GE fridge from 2015 - side by side - has been great, though I miss the solid thunk of my old Amana 3 door - if I could have gotten a compressor for that model when it failed after 25 years I would have - but, the GE fridge has been good, no repairs, only complaint was dispenser not giving out cold enough water - no reservoir in fridge, just coiled tubing - and the smart-ass response from GE was to tell me exactly what the temps were of the 1st glass of water, 2nd glass, 3rd glass - I told them as the CONSUMER I don't care, it is not good enough. I do use a really good surge protector - on a fridge, made FOR a fridge - by a reputable company, UL approved, heavy enough in amps and wattage for the load - and from a good place to buy one - counterfeits are out there. I feel this greatly increases appliance life, I had to argue with GE that if they didn't want us using surge protectors (which they called extension cords, I had to cram it through their heads that I was NOT talking about an extension cord) - then tell me what they were doing to protect the delicate circuitry that I was reading about people coming home to failed, melted, delicate circuitry? Thats when they said I could use a surge protector if made for a fridge and heavy duty enough. Mine is RCA.
 
I think the original thread went away because it was going off course with accusations and such. Last time I saw the thread it got so ugly where I couldn't stand viewing anymore.

That being said, I'll just say this for the record. GE is not my first choice to go to for a laundry set regardless of model. While I'm glad my folks bought a couple of GE top loader sets, one Filter-Flo and one T, if I could go back in time I know I would've bought something else over them like a Kenmore. From my experience they weren't bad, I've just simply used better. But certainly either one of those two I had I'd glady use over any new top loader GE sells today. As a matter of fact the T dryer up at the rental cabin just recently had it's first ever service where the vent got completely cleaned out. The matching washer is still going strong. So if they ever break, I'd fix them up because for over 20 years they've had a really good run and fixing them could last another long while where they may be the only set the cabin would ever see at least for as long as we keep using the place. If I can get a second set for my next place, I certainly wouldn't mind picking up another T set cause they're so fun to use in my opinion.
 

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Honestly, GE never seem to ‘get it’ with laundry appliances and such. Sure they were made with quality, but had flaws that were never worked out from the beginning. For example, the GE FF washers essentially were a solid tub machine with a perforated tub put into place, that may have saved on the engineering and development costs, but unfortunately were absolute water guzzlers since they used a lot of water and the washing and rinsing performance wasn’t any better than the offerings from Maytag or Whirlpool.

The GE FF washers could puke it’s 2 quarts of oil onto the floor if the brake assembly punched a hole into the transmission, or the transmission top corroded away letting the oil into the tub making a BIG MESS.
 
Honestly, GE never seem to ‘get it’ with laundry appliances and such. Sure they were made with quality, but had flaws that were never worked out from the beginning. For example, the GE FF washers essentially were a solid tub machine with a perforated tub put into place, that may have saved on the engineering and development costs, but unfortunately were absolute water guzzlers since they used a lot of water and the washing and rinsing performance wasn’t any better than the offerings from Maytag or Whirlpool.

The GE FF washers could puke it’s 2 quarts of oil onto the floor if the brake assembly punched a hole into the transmission, or the transmission top corroded away letting the oil into the tub making a BIG MESS.
I've had the oil on the floor episode, although I miss that washer and dryer pair. I will never forget its characteristic sounds.
 
I honestly don’t like any modern or somewhat older GE washer, GE came out with the Model-T wash which was just an utter disaster, then the HydroWave which was even worse, and GE also had WCI make the majority of their laundry centers. GE still makes decent refrigerators, although the GE fridges were better before Haier bought them, but their laundry appliances are not good.

The newest GE’s aren’t that great but they are a far improvement over any HydroWave or Model-T. A very common issue with the model-Ts and HydroWaves was that the tub strap would fail after being off balance. The HydroWaves also often, when they got off balance, caused the metal motor housing to move to the bottom of the washer, causing an awful scraping noise.
 
I was surprised that the 2005 GE air conditioner that gave me trouble last year was actually made by LG.
The front badge says GE, but all the inside guts had LG labels on them and LG part numbers.
Cheap light duty spade connectors were the issue until I un-cheapened them all
My other two GE air conditioners also are built with LG guts.

To me that's deceptive advertizing.
You can't trust a brand name anymore, due to out-sourcing.
 
GE used to even build there own Food processors and microwave ovens. I think now they do source form LG made in Korea, or at least they were. Their refrigerators haven't really changed much, other than Led lighting.
 
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I think the simple answer to the question is, "When they closed Appliance Park in Louisville and had their products produced in Mexico". This does NOT imply anything bad about Mexico or Mexican workers but the new Harvard Business School culture of greed that undervalues customers in favor of stockholders and greed-driven management where it's considered "competitive" to sell-out life-long American employees and American communities.

This is why I have nothing but contempt for politicians like weasel Mike Johnson and his gang who walk around with American Flag pins on their lapels. Phooey.

I grew up with GE appliances in our homes and, with 20-20 hindsight, I still think they were among the best America had to offer.

Below are two drawings of our Kitchen circa 1962:19th Street kitchenfridge.jpg19th Street kitchenstove.jpg
 
I think the simple answer to the question is, "When they closed Appliance Park in Louisville and had their products produced in Mexico".

My understanding is that Appliance Park has not closed. Production continues there after Haier bought GE, although presumably some items are also produced elsewhere.
 
Zenith, the huge home TV manufacturer made a serious mistake back in the early 1990s.
Their long time slogan was "The Quality Goes In, Before The Name Goes On"
They started having their TV picture tubes made in Mexico, mainly the table model 25" color sets.
Well, surprise!.... those sets were going bad left and right!
The picture tubes started shorting out, and destroying the chassis along with it.
So they tried to save themselves by replacing the chassis and CRT free of charge.
Our shop was busy for a long while, and my back was sore lugging those tubes out of sets, then having to re-align the chassis adjustments for a proper picture.
Shortly after, Zenith went bankrupt, and LG/Goldstar offered to save them, by investing in the Zenith brand name.
The rest is history.
 
I think the simple answer to the question is, "When they closed Appliance Park in Louisville and had their products produced in Mexico". This does NOT imply anything bad about Mexico or Mexican workers but the new Harvard Business School culture of greed that undervalues customers in favor of stockholders and greed-driven management where it's considered "competitive" to sell-out life-long American employees and American communities.

This is why I have nothing but contempt for politicians like weasel Mike Johnson and his gang who walk around with American Flag pins on their lapels. Phooey.

I grew up with GE appliances in our homes and, with 20-20 hindsight, I still think they were among the best America had to offer.

Below are two drawings of our Kitchen circa 1962:

1755334602347.png


I just want to say I love those double outlets. I wish ever kitchen had those. Also like the fact you provided 3 outlet boxes for the counter space, I've seen vintage kitchens with only a single duplex outlet for the whole space.

I personally like having 20 amp T slots but thats just me.




1755332518826.png

I also like when red outlets are mixed in connected to an automatic emergency standby generator.


1755332745053.png
 
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