1974 Lady Kenmore Washer

[corvairstorm]

Hello again everyone!

So I decided to buy a older washer than my 1980s Maytag. I went with a Sears Lady Kenmore Washer. I believe it is a 1974.

I picked it up yesterday & got it home, hooked up & tested for leaks at the inlets, I didn't see any. So far so good. So I had clothes to wash & did a load. I noticed that it drips at the front right. I put paper towels down & continued. It spun without issues while still a slow drip at the front right. When it was draining, I noticed the piece it drains through seems to leak slightly around where it clips together. Gasket? After that I saw a hose looked to be rubbed into but not rubbed through.

So a few questions, I can't tell where it is leaking at the front right. It doesn't appear to be a hose although I'll attach a photo. Also the leak from the drain pump.... Looks like it will be difficult to replace that gasket. How hard is it to remove parts to get a better view of the leaks? The other thing is if it's all together I can do testing. Maybe I need to raise it up on stands & watch from underneath.

The picture looking down at two hoses is where the front right leak is but can't see where the drip comes from. Doesn't appear to be the hose but hard to tell. The other picture is of the drain pump where the water leaks past the gasket I believe.

Any advice or machine info would be appreciated!

Thanks

Kyle

 

[corvairstorm]

Just discovered that it is the lint trap that is leaking, not the drain pump... Whoops... Is this a gasket that causes that or will I need a new lint trap unit?

 

[combo52]

1974 Belt Dr., Lady Kenmore washer

That’s a great washer, but it’s got some age on it. It was actually made in 1975 but it is a 74 model.

The self cleaning filter should be readily available. Try to find a new one and replace it. Did you have to take the inner basket out to install a new filter on this model would be a good chance to look at the condition of the outer tub and see if any work needs to be done to keep it from leaking in the future.

You’ll just have to run the machine and then raise the top and see where it’s dripping on the front right side and maybe dripping at that bleach hose where it goes into the outer tub

John

 

[corvairstorm]

Here is a picture of where the leak is. Would this just need silicone or is this hose available? I was thinking if I silicone it, will it cause issues if I need to replace or remove the lint trap to fix its leak?

 

[repairguy]

If the hose is leaking where it connects to the tub a good sealant applied to the exterior tub connection is the easiest way to fix this issue. You might hold off though if you’re going to replace the self cleaning lint filter as the wash basket has to be removed for that job and you can inspect the inside of the tub where the bleach hose connects. The triple dispenser system was known to crack and leak where the solenoid is on the end of the dispenser. It would only leak though if bleach was added.

 

[bpetersxx]

Is there any chance on pics if that gorgeous dryer back there

It I think is older as well but not sure how much

 

[combo52]

If you fix the leaky bleach hose from the outside, I would use marine sealant. It’s much better than silicone rubber sealants.

 

[corvairstorm]

bpetersxx

I posted about it a month ago I believe, pictures are there too

Vintage Kenmore Dryer Questions

Hello everyone, I just joined & I have a few Vintage appliances & wanted to start with my dryer. I purchased this about 5 days ago now & have installed it & are about to use it as soon as I get a load of clothes to dry but wanted to see if anyone out here knew more about it as quick googling...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[corvairstorm]

So question, if I'm not using bleach, would the water not come from there? That's concerning if not... Wonder if tub has a small hole. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

Also I took the penta-swirl off & it's a flat screw... What is the trick to getting it to loosen up? Obviously the agitator spins with it.

After that's off, the triple dispenser screws, two hoses then tub should pull out? Do I need to keep going from there or can I do the self cleaner at that point or does the other tub need to come out too?

I ordered the self Cleaner & a special Kenmore spanner. Hopefully here in a few days. In the meantime, I'd like to disassemble as much as I can to clean & inspect.

Oh another thought, my dryer required oil in areas, does this washer need oil for bearings as well?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[combo52]

Leaking 1974 Lady Kenmore washer

There is always water in the outer tub when you’re washing or rinsing so of course the bleach dispenser hose would leak where it connects to the outer tub whether you put bleach in the machine or not.

At this point, you need to get a new self cleaning lint filter then you need to remove the agitator. You’ll need a very large strong flat blade screwdriver to remove that screw. It can be very difficult to remove. Might be impossible to the point. You’ll have to break it off and put another transmission in the washer, but you have to hold the agitator with your feet and unscrew the mounting screw.

Once the agitator is out, you have removed the basket lock ring. Also can be difficult on an old machine hopefully not remove the inner basket and see what you got clean up the inside of the outer tub as much as possible you don’t have to remove the outer tub you can reseal the center seal, etc. by just doing it in place , and make a lot less work for yourself.

The filter is easy to replace once the inner basket is out.

There isn’t much that needs oiling on this machine, but you definitely should oil the clutch pulley bearing that could save a major repair and they tend to get dry on these machines as they age.

From what I can see it looks like this machine is in pretty good shape, but it is 50 years old, depending on how much you wanna go into it. You may have to do a major rebuild or you may be able to use it for a while with not too many problems

I have an appliance repair friend in Cleveland who might be able to help you with the machine if you reach out to me I can give you his contact information, otherwise you’ll have to do a lot of searching and reading online to learn what needs to be repaired and serviced ?

John

What on earth is the self cleaner that you ordered?

 

[corvairstorm]

Combo52

I figured because when the tub filled it would be sitting against the hose & still leak. So I will try to use a sealer to stop that leak although only after I fix the self cleaning lint trap.

I ordered a self cleaning lint trap replacement. I'll attach a picture of what I found on eBay. I matched up a part number & got lucky to find one.

Hopefully the agitator screw will come loose, seems odd to use feet to hold in place or a helper to hold too. I was debating using a drill to get it to come loose as well but although that may break something, so maybe a hand screwdriver is the way to go. Same for the lock ring, hopefully I get lucky too.

The self cleaning lint filter is easy to change once that is out but getting to it is the hard part. Figures. Haha.

I will look again where to oil although from it's first wash, it seemed okay other than the leaks. I monitored it the whole wash.

It probably would be a good idea as I live 45 minutes from Cleveland. Good to always have some expert knowledge close by. I'm a big tinkerer & enjoy working on things. Just knowing some things would be helpful. I have a manual, although it isn't always explained the best in it.

Thanks for the information!

 

[coldspot66]

If you rotate the main pulley and lift the agitate plunger so that it engages the agitator you might find it easier to get that screw out, since the agitator is in gear and will not turn.