Amazing amount of information on this forum! Also, scary to think how many appliances we own that fit into the "vintage" category -- scattered around various properties we have.
I'm looking for some advise regarding a Kenmore top loader. Model: 11092599200. Common setup except this washer and the matching dryer have the solid state control w/ touch pad. I bought them new back in the 90's and other than a few odd fixes to the dryer nothing but normal maintenance. When I used to travel a lot they were covered by the local utility so the family could get service if I was away -- that ended 10 years ago. I love the machines -- lots of settings and they are quick.
Last year the tub started to wobble violently and looking online all things pointed to either the 3 main springs and/ or the odd spring in the back. I ordered the parts from Amazon as it was this time of the year and we needed the washer working the next day. Also had a used 4 way control valve that I picked up on e-bay (It's NLA) to fix the three dispensers on the top of the unit that had stopped working. Upon opening it up I discovered the single spring in the back had cut through the bottom hole holding it in place and the main coil on the original valve to the dispensers had failed. Drilled a new hole and used one of the coils from the used part -- cleaned it up and all was well.
So here we are a year later and I'm thinking about some preventive maintenance. I did notice a small amount of what looked like rubber dust when I cleaned everything up last year. Nothing was very dirty and there was no oil anywhere. I returned the amazon parts as I could tell they were not OEM and the springs had odd ends. The only other odd thing about this washer: Every now and then it leaves a few dark spots on things. Typically sheets. Once or twice a year I will see a small smear on something -- or a what looks like grease on the bottom of the tub. It takes a lot to remove ?? I assumed there was some grease or oil leaking from the transmission and a bed sheet was getting under the agitator and picking it up. So yesterday I took the agitator off thinking I would see oil all over the place -- nope. There was a tiny amount of grease in and around the top of the shaft -- but it all looked cleaner than expected. I did notice a couple a bits of something lower down inside the agitator that I first thought looked like rubber or part of a seal -- not that but it was what would have caused the marks. They were tiny and I could smear them between my fingers (maybe 4 of them) ... almost like the stuff in a garbage disposer ??? Can you get strange buildups in the tubs someplace on top loaders --- we use bleach?
So here is my maintenance question. The unit seems to run fine. Not loud in any way, although I don't think as quiet as when new. My plan was to order a new motor coupler and figured I would replace the 4 springs. I was really thinking I was going to find grease under the agitator and need to replace the gear case and the brake and drive tube. (I have the spanner wrench and the basket block and nut). I do notice a small noise when the washer is full and the spin starts on slow -- if I had to guess it's the spin clutch starting to go. It's minor and no one would notice and it does not leave the stuff wet. But -- if I'm going to take this apart again I want to fix anything while it's open. What's the best way to proceed. Should I order a new brake and drive tube that comes with the clutch lining -- or keep it simple and just order the clutch and leave the drive tube and not try and take the tub off. ShouldI try and install a new seal at the top of the drive tube? The little white plastic guides looked intact and I did the cam things in the agitator last year as well.
wow -- sorry for the long post!
I'm looking for some advise regarding a Kenmore top loader. Model: 11092599200. Common setup except this washer and the matching dryer have the solid state control w/ touch pad. I bought them new back in the 90's and other than a few odd fixes to the dryer nothing but normal maintenance. When I used to travel a lot they were covered by the local utility so the family could get service if I was away -- that ended 10 years ago. I love the machines -- lots of settings and they are quick.
Last year the tub started to wobble violently and looking online all things pointed to either the 3 main springs and/ or the odd spring in the back. I ordered the parts from Amazon as it was this time of the year and we needed the washer working the next day. Also had a used 4 way control valve that I picked up on e-bay (It's NLA) to fix the three dispensers on the top of the unit that had stopped working. Upon opening it up I discovered the single spring in the back had cut through the bottom hole holding it in place and the main coil on the original valve to the dispensers had failed. Drilled a new hole and used one of the coils from the used part -- cleaned it up and all was well.
So here we are a year later and I'm thinking about some preventive maintenance. I did notice a small amount of what looked like rubber dust when I cleaned everything up last year. Nothing was very dirty and there was no oil anywhere. I returned the amazon parts as I could tell they were not OEM and the springs had odd ends. The only other odd thing about this washer: Every now and then it leaves a few dark spots on things. Typically sheets. Once or twice a year I will see a small smear on something -- or a what looks like grease on the bottom of the tub. It takes a lot to remove ?? I assumed there was some grease or oil leaking from the transmission and a bed sheet was getting under the agitator and picking it up. So yesterday I took the agitator off thinking I would see oil all over the place -- nope. There was a tiny amount of grease in and around the top of the shaft -- but it all looked cleaner than expected. I did notice a couple a bits of something lower down inside the agitator that I first thought looked like rubber or part of a seal -- not that but it was what would have caused the marks. They were tiny and I could smear them between my fingers (maybe 4 of them) ... almost like the stuff in a garbage disposer ??? Can you get strange buildups in the tubs someplace on top loaders --- we use bleach?
So here is my maintenance question. The unit seems to run fine. Not loud in any way, although I don't think as quiet as when new. My plan was to order a new motor coupler and figured I would replace the 4 springs. I was really thinking I was going to find grease under the agitator and need to replace the gear case and the brake and drive tube. (I have the spanner wrench and the basket block and nut). I do notice a small noise when the washer is full and the spin starts on slow -- if I had to guess it's the spin clutch starting to go. It's minor and no one would notice and it does not leave the stuff wet. But -- if I'm going to take this apart again I want to fix anything while it's open. What's the best way to proceed. Should I order a new brake and drive tube that comes with the clutch lining -- or keep it simple and just order the clutch and leave the drive tube and not try and take the tub off. ShouldI try and install a new seal at the top of the drive tube? The little white plastic guides looked intact and I did the cam things in the agitator last year as well.
wow -- sorry for the long post!
