1978 GE washer spin drain

[ken]

So I did a test run on the 78 Filter Flo I picked up last December. It operated fine. I was surprised to see it do a spin drain rather than neutral drain. Im curious as to when GE changed the design from spin to neutral drain? And I did notice the spin isnt anywhere near as fast as our 2003 GE.

Have a couple questions after the test.

Water backed up and filled the bleach dispenser when spin started. Is this normal? I assume so. I also noticed a little water run down the outside of the outer tub. I guess a new outer tub top seal is in order.

There was a rubber sounding squeak which sounded like it was coming from the top of the agitator when agitate first started. It would fade and go away over about 15-30 seconds. If the machine was stopped for a time the squeak would happen again when started but would go away. Is something dried out or could it be from lack of use?

I didnt hear any other abnormal sounds.

 

[bajaespuma]

GE's always did a spin drain, but on a couple of our perforated-tub Filter-Flo's, if a condition for siphoning existed, the machine would, rarely, drain out a lot of water during the long pause between the end of agitation and the beginning of spin. As a kid, this thrilled me when it happened and generally led to a much more balanced and faster spin.

We had a 1872 GE TOL that did the same thing. In retrospect, I think the spline which is friction-held within the cap of the activator must have slipped or wasn't glued into the cap well enough. The activator would squeak EXACTLY as you described above. Drove me crazy but didn't seem to do any damage.

 

[ken]

Ken:

Now that you mention the agitator cap it reminds me that I was able to spin the cap in either direction on mine. Is this normal or should it be stationary?

 

[akronman]

I have a 77 and a 79 FilterFlo

GE did a spin drain for ages, not neutral drain. When your water level is somewhat high to all the way full load, there will be gallons of water thrown right up against the top of the machine. The top of the machine IS the top of the tub. I get water properly backing up into the bleach dispenser, flowing thru the fill flume, etc, It's all normal operation.

My agitator caps turn freely, it's just a snap-on cap.

Tub gaskets sometimes just need cleaned up. Remove it, soak and wash it clean. Check the underside of the machine top for dirt/grime/rust.

 

[bajaespuma]

clarification

It's not so much the cap you can see, but the top of the activator that's underneath the visible cap that houses the spline. That is the part where plastic meets plastic, that comes loose and IMO causes that loud squeak. I may be wrong because I haven't dissected the whole thing and tested it exhaustively. It may be the outer cap rubbing against the inside housing.

 

[revvinkevin]

We had a 1872 GE TOL that did the same thing.

 

 

WOW... I didn't know GE made washers WAY back then!

 

Ducks and runs........

 

[barcoboy]

Yeah, back in 1872, GE was known as PE... Private Electric. They eventually worked their way up to the rank of General.

 

[cuffs054]

Good one Barco!

 

[yogitunes]

or worse yet...GI....Goverment Issue.....although that would explain a lot for the filterflo to be expendable...and anything good they get rid of.....and replaced with worthless crap....and water restrictions....