1987 Lady Kenmore 90 Series! Project/Restoration

[jrsydevil]

Hello everyone! This is my 1987 Lady Kenmore 90 Series Washing Machine, I recently purchased it for $100, everything works, including the Triple Dispenser! I'm proud to have this machine, as this was one of the dream machines I had been looking for. I plan on using it full time, however, It's in need of a very good cleaning. For 31 years of service, I'm impressed that everything works just fine! Just goes to show you how reliable these old machines are compared to todays HE machines in just 5 years! Right now I have some things taken apart like the cabinet, and the agitator. I'm gonna be posting questions and the progress of this machine on this thread. Once this project is complete I will make a youtube video of the washer running a load of clothes, with the operation of the triple dispenser feature! Stay tuned!

 

[washerlover]

Congratulations! Looks like the model is circa 1986 after looking at the model number. Am assuming this is one of the first direct-drive Kenmores?

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Washerlover: Am assuming this is one of the first direct-drive Kenmores?</blockquote> 1986 is 5 years in.  The first DDs were introduced under the Kenmore brand circa 1981.

 

[washerlover]

Interesting! So Kenmore/Whirlpool was making both belt- and direct-drives for a few years?

 

[yogitunes]

1986 is about correct for the introduction of the 27" direct drive units....

this was my first Lady Kenmore set I got in Platinum when they came out, as Sears was phasing out the belt drive machines....I had a choice of this, or a belt drive for half the price....I wanted the new design

only the Lady K had the chrome trim around the control panel, all other models were black...

mine had two water pressure switches, one regular, and one for overflow prevention...good and bad for if you overfilled by holding the water level switch it shut the machine down, and you didn't know why...siphon out some water manually to reset the switch and you were fine...

Auto Temp Control on these was ON all the time....this was a time when temps were boosted upwards.....the cold rinses were tempered a bit as well...

that agitator doesn't look like the original....the PLUS came out around 1989, and the TRIPLE came out around 1996...

Normal cycle was high speed wash and spin at this time frame....use Gentle cycle for lowest water level.....this was mainly where ShredMore got its name....

Ryan lucked out as the insert for liquid detergent is included....

taking the body off is slightly different with the dispenser setup.....remove the two screws on the control panel, lift/flip that up and out of the way, on the far left is a small plastic panel, slide that over, and disconnect the three hoses, insert flat screwdriver and remove the two snap clamps holding the body, and unplug the lid switch....then lift the body off the machine's base....some water will spill from the dispensers...

you may want to consider adding some insulation while its apart.....really quiets these machines down....

 

[combo52]

!987 LKM DD Washer

Hi Ryan, these are great washers and very worthy of being an every day machine.

 

These DD WP built KMs were really the best conventional top load washers ever built, they greatly outperform MTs that for sure.

 

Your new machine was built the 22nd week of 1987, keep us posted I am completely familiar with this washer and would have about any part you might need for it.

 

John L.

 

[jrsydevil]

Update #1

Thank you everyone I appreciate all your feedback! Here's a current update on this project. So I've taken the cabinet off along with the 3 hoses going into the triple dispenser. (Way easier than I thought it was gonna be!) With the cabinet off I sprayed and wiped down the inside as it was full of dust and debris. I then took apart the triple dispenser along with the 3 hoses, and washed them down, now they're in a bucket soaking in hot water with bleach for a day. I also discovered the water spout has 2 orange wires going to it, I suppose this is for the Auto Temperature Control feature? I plan on cleaning the water spout, what would be the best suggestion to doing that since there's 2 wires going to it? Also Martin, I may consider putting insulation on this washer, where would I put some, inside the cabinet? Here's some pictures of what's going on.

 

[yogitunes]

many times you can disconnect the spout, and pop it open, just scrub it real good.....sometimes soaking in a heavy concentration of vinegar will help...

that balance ring can be removed and clean under that area as well....I think I would pull the whole tub as well...

I use egg crate foam, and glue to the interior of the cabinet.....cutting out areas where the pump would be.....

many of the Quiet Pak series had a fiber board panel that snapped in the bottom, certain areas covered in foam.....which you can actually make yourself...

also the newer models used a pump with a backflow valve, which silenced the cavitation noise while agitating.....it will fit yours too, but you must also change the lower hose to fit...

 

[yogitunes]

I have this Limited set in Ebony from 1998....3 speed...but with the larger base Kitchen Aid agitator inside...

 

[jrsydevil]

Update #2

That's pretty cool Martin! So right now the water spout is getting cleaned, and I've taken out the porcelain tub, the bottom, the inside of the shaft, and the transmission shaft are pretty rusty, is there something that can be done about it?? And I'm also cleaning the plastic filter that came from the bottom of the tub. Pretty happy it stayed in one piece!

 

[DADoES]

 
Clean the basket to determine how much of that is muck and scum and how much is rust/deterioration.

Replacement baskets are available.  All the major parts, including the tub support/centerpost, are available depending on how far you want to go ($pend) on a rebuild.

POR15 is a rust treatment product that's often touted but applying it up into the neck of the basket would be a challenge.  It's also technically a primer and a topcoat should be applied for long-term durability.  It deteriorates on exposure to UV but that's not an issue on interior parts of a washer.

Another consideration is finding a donor machine with a better-condition basket.

I would leave the filter off.  It doesn't do much and tends to hold some (damp) lint which contributes to the rusting.

 

[yogitunes]

as Glenn mentioned....a FREE newer donor machine may not be a bad idea....

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/zip/d/brooklyn-washer/6802333184.html

 

[yogitunes]

spare parts....and a close matching dryer?.....

available options!

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/app/d/west-orange-kenmore-washer-dryer/6793663914.html

 

[jrsydevil]

Thanks for the information Glenn! I'm gonna try to clean out the porcelain tub and see how it turns out, also this weekend I'm going to my uncles house, I just remembered that he has the exact same model washer in his basement that's been taken apart, and out of service for probably 15 years. The cabinet, the back panel, the agitator, and the console are gone, but he still has the porcelain tub, I'm gonna check it out and see what kind of condition it's in, and probably hold on to it as a spare. Thank you for the links Martin, always appreciated!

 

[Chetlaham]

I agree that a parts donor would be best. You could even lift out the whole tub and transmission assembly out off the pedestal and put in the one from the donor. But of course that takes all the fun away.

BTW, get a pic of the tech sheet, that looks like a busy one.

Congrats on finding this machine, it is one of the best washers ever made if not the best ever made.

 

[jrsydevil]

Here's the diagram! Is it legible?

 

[jrsydevil]

Update #3

I took some time yesterday to clean the transmission shaft, and the plastic tub. I used a sturdy brush to get rid of all the gunk and rust on the shaft. And I used some cleaner spray w/ bleach and some Fantastik on the plastic tub, what do you think?

 

[jrsydevil]

Update #3

I took some time yesterday to clean the transmission shaft, and the plastic tub. I used a sturdy brush to get rid of all the gunk and rust on the shaft. And I used some cleaner spray w/ bleach and some Fantastik on the plastic tub, what do you think?

 

[Chetlaham]

Yes, thats it! No worries, I can read it.