1967 WCIL Problem

[davy1063]

Here's what happens.
I start the washer and it makes a humming sound, does not agitate. Eventually it will start agitating. I checked to see if the agitate roller was binding and checked operation of agitate arm and shaft and they are moving freely with no problems. It seems as if it's the motor (regretfully). It spins with no issues but it just seems to have an issue agitating. Once it gets started it's fine. It runs so quietly!

So, my questions are:

1) is it the motor or a component thereof? Can I fix it?
2) how do I get the motor out?
3) if it is the motor, then what? Does someone have a donor motor?

This thing still has loads of life to it, and I don't want to get rid of it. It's a beautiful turquoise piece of art gratiously swapped by TrainGuy for my '59 WCI.

 

[filterflo]

Quick diagnosis:

1. Motor start capcitor is weak/bad.

2. Start winding in the motor is weak.

3. Mechanism is binding somehow, somewhere.

Motor removal from a Rollermatic requires a complete ( and I do mean complete) tear down. Usually its better to find a good usable mechanism for a swap.

The motors in Rollermatics seldom go bad as they were ruggedly built by Delco for GM. Most of the time a bad motor symptom is just a bad start capacitor........

 

[davy1063]

Where is the motor start capacitor found?

 

[qsd-dan]

It's located behind the rear lower panel on my 63.

 

[davy1063]

Mechanism Removal

I have the Service Master for the Rollermatic, however it flipflops between the 1-18 and the Rollermatic mechanism. Can someone give me guidance on the removal of the mechanism? Does it come out from the top or bottom? I know i have to remove the agitator, tub, etc...but I don't have the bellows pliers or special wrench to undo the nut. Any alternatives?

Dave

 

[qsd-dan]

Wish I could answer your questions, but I can't. It seems fairly difficult to get advice for Frigidaire washer repairs here sometimes. They're complicated animals though.

I'm curious too if there is an alternative to the bellow pliers. I heard a hint of noise from the spin bearing(s) on the last load I washed in the 63, so I see a tear down in the near future.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I'm curious too if there is an alternative to the bellow pliers.

Yes I used to use C-Clamps before I had the bellows pliers.

Can't speak much to Rollermatics because I have never really worked on one, as I've never had one for very long in my collection. I can tell you that to remove any Frigidaire Mechanism, the agitator and tub do need to be removed.

 

[qsd-dan]

Thanks Robert!!

 

[davy1063]

thanks Robert and Dan,

Does the mechanism then lift out from the top of the machine or do i pull it out from the bottom?

Dave

 

[jetcone]

Mechanism goes out the bottom

once the tub is out you can use a small screwdriver to lift the one folded tang which is lapped up against the large mechanism support nut located ontop and against the rubber support cone. Use a large pipe wrench to loosen and remove the mechanism support nut, then with all the wires and hoses and springs (mark their locations) disconnected and the cross brace removed the whole mechanism will drop out the bottom.

Sounds to me like you have a leaking bellows and water in the shaft bearings or it could be the main bearings pressed into the mechanism.

jet

 

[davy1063]

okay, so I got started

however I'm having a hell of a time with the screws at the bottom of the inner tub. I actually broke two off. I tried heating it with a MAP torch with no luck.

HELP!!!!!!!

 

[davy1063]

Here's Where I'm At

Notice the screws

View attachment 4-1-2008-11-07-4--davy1063.jpg

 

[Unimatic1140]

Those screws do not need to come out Davy. After you remove both bellows there is a 1.5" tub mounting nut around the spin shft, after that is removed, then the tub will pull out.

Those screws at the bottom of the tub are mounting the tub to the tub hub, both tub and hub are pulled out together. There is very little reason to ever remove those big stainless steel screws at the bottom of the spin tub.

 

[davy1063]

Uni....I owe you a beer!!!!

Thanks buddy. Actually I'm taking pictures of this whole process which I will post. I got the bellows off using the C-clamp trick (which wasn't too difficult)and both bellows are supple and intact (whew). Is there anything else I need to know? The RepairMaster isn't really much of a roadmap.

 

[davy1063]

Easier Said than Done

that nut is rusted fast. I've tried heating it and using a sledge hammer and pipe wrench. It won't budge. Is there a trick? I'm assuming lefty loosy, correct?

 

[saltysam]

lefty loosy

Hey Dave, yes lefty loosey on the tub nut.....you did exactly the same thing i did when i took my machine apart. i thought the stainless steel screws had to come out for the tub to come out.....little did i know that the big nut in the center was the only thing that had to be loosened.......a couple of things when you get the agitator and tub out and before you lay the machine down to remove the mechanism. Be sure to support the mechanism somehow before you lay it down. It will keep the mechanism support from getting twisted and possible damaging it. The mechanism support is impossible to find (if that is even possible) I found a trick to get the mechanism out without having to remove the mechanism support...i will send you an email to describe the procedure....Mark

 

[filterflo]

VERY IMPORTANT FOR TUB REMOVAL!!!!!

This is VERY important when you pull the tub out: There is a small keyway (1/32 in thick by 1.5 in long piece of metal) that fits in the tub shaft and drive block. DO NOT LOSE THIS PIECE. It MUST be returned to the slot when reinstalling the tub. The keyways sometimes fall out when pulling the tub and if you dont know what they are or what to look for get lost in the residue of the outer tub. Without the keyway reinstalled, the tub will not spin. I dont think the manual shows any of this......All Rollermatics have that keyway......so be alert when removal of the tub begins.....

 

[goatfarmer]

Also remember, the cross brace at the bottom is SPRING LOADED! Just another thing to be aware of.

kennyGF

 

[davy1063]

Well, I have determined....

that the motor itself is bad. Since I couldn't outwit the tub nut, i decided to tackle it via the south. Took off the pump, removed the rollers and allowed the motor to spin freely. I powered it up and the motor sat idle, unless i spun it by hand, then it fired up. Funny thing though, depending on which way i spun it, that's the direction it ran.
So.....now what the "F" do I do?

Davy