A long-awaited washer test

[turquoisedude]

What's this? Rigged-up water pipes running into the garage in Ogden....

 

[turquoisedude]

Where can they lead?

 

[turquoisedude]

Can it be?? The '65 Lady Kenmore ready for a water test??

It is indeed! I am in that autumn rush to get the summer's finds out of the garage and I had frankly intended to do some work on the GE v-12 that I suspect has a leaky transmission boot, but a local repair technician who is looking to get out of the business offered to help me with a tear-down and rebuild of the Lady K, so who was I to refuse? The work was done last week (no photos alas) and this week, well, I just HAD to try the washer out!

 

[turquoisedude]

Water's flowing!

 

[turquoisedude]

And it's holding! That's no surprise, though - when the tub was out last week, I found the inner tub was in wonderful shape.

 

[turquoisedude]

And it washes like a champ!

 

[turquoisedude]

And now for the BUT....

As with any vintage machine, there is the possibility of other components going wonky... I should not have been too surprised to see this...

Knowing my history with washers, any guesses as to what was the source of the leak?? (HINT: Both the 63 GE and 51 Kenmore this summer had issues with this component)

 

[turquoisedude]

Full marks if you picked the water solenoid! GRRRR!

 

[turquoisedude]

And it's a fancy one, too... I've never seen a three-solenoid water valve on Whirlpool-Kenmore-Inglis washer before. I will attempt to fix it but I will hope that the part might still be available somewhere!

 

[turquoisedude]

Here's another component that I figured might cause me a headache or two - the bleach and fabric softener dispenser!

 

[turquoisedude]

Some good news on this - the solenoids both work and I could see the plungers which hold the bleach or fabric softener in their respective chambers actually release, so there is some hope! I'll take this apart for a good cleaning when I can get down to Ogden again (which won't be next week due to work committments).

 

[turquoisedude]

And, I fear I may have an issue with the infinite water level control... I couldn't seem to make the washer start at a low water level - I'll attack that after the water valve though.

I am soooo close to finally getting a turquoise washer into the Ogden laundry - stay tuned...

 

[philr]

Did you test all the agitation speeds? Are the noises gone?

 

I really like this machine!

 

[turquoisedude]

Phil, I did test all three speeds and they work fine! I'll have video proof of that later this week, I hope.

And all those awful screeching noises are gone, too! YAY!

 

[combo52]

1965 LKM

Great Progress Paul the few problems you mentioned are all easy to fix. The inlet valve you showed should always have all three valve seals replaced unless it was never used, this is fairly easy to do. When you disassemble it not the positions of the valve mounting brackets and solenoids as they can be reassembled in several different positions. Also do not remove the five screws that hold the cover plate over the thermostatic modulating plunger assembly unless this plate seal is leaking and must be removed for resealing. I would also not remove the four screws that hold the outlet port in place and instead just make sure all this screws are tight.

 

On the fabric softener- bleach dispenser if it doesn't need to be disassembled to replace a part I would just flush it with lots of very hot water. Often if you try to remove the two 1/4" screws that hold the top bracket to the clear dispenser reservoir the screws have rusted a little and as you try to turn them you just break the plastic reservoir.

 

[turquoisedude]

Thanks for the advice, John, as always, I appreciate your input!

The worst leaks seem to be from around the outlet plate where the fill hose to the tub is connected and from the top solenoid (I guess that is for the cold inlet). Is there a 'rebuild kit' for these valves still available?

Thanks for the tip about the bleach and fabric softener dispensers, too. I have never, ever owned a machine with this fancy feature so I sure don't want to risk messing it up...

I am going to be climbing the walls until I can get down to Ogden again.

 

[mickeyd]

Paul, I'm turk with envy--

it's beautiful. Love the delicate tabs, the lighting, but most of all the the Roto-flex. Don't know why I'm so crazy about it, maybe because it's so unusual, like an octopus. Would be so grateful if you could show it working at a low water level, even if you don't get the "leveler" fixed. There's always a spot on LK dial that allows agitation with any water level. We've never seen the Roto flexing its tentacles at a low level. You could make history, Paul--go for it!

 

So happy you have your dream up and working. Ear to ear grin on you.

[this post was last edited: 9/24/2012-13:31]

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Ugh, that is such a stunning control panel!

 

[pdub]

Great machine Paul! I've always wanted to see one of these in person and "depress" the selector buttons.

I'm sure the seals in the water valve have just dried out from non-use. Hopefully you can find replacements.

Enjoy!

Patrick

 

[gansky1]

You're so close! Keep fighting the good fight and you'll be triumphant. That is one pretty Lady!

 

[bendixmark]

water level

That is one of my favorite kenmores I sold a few of them back in the day dont know why I didnt have the sense to keep one.I have a 68 kenmore 800 which is similar and has the rotoflex.I take it you had no trouble removing the agitator,mine is stuck.From your video the low level looks about right believe it or not.Your scrubber is in the same shape as mine so at least I know I am not alone.To think at one time I had a whole box of those ,DOOOHHHH!!Is this the washer you got in New Hampshire?Right in my back yard practically .I hope to find one of those.Yesterday I came across a 72 800 but it was a mess so I robbed the agitator and some other parts.Great machine would love to see more video.

 

[turquoisedude]

Just uploaded a longer video of the LK first wash test - No splashing at low water level (yet) but a definite distinct demo of the three (yep, count 'em - three) wash speeds!

Can't wait to try this machine with some clothes in it soon!

 

[pdub]

Very Nice Paul!

Cute video and you really can see the different speeds.

The spin looks and sounds great too.

Patrick

 

[autowasherfreak]

That Extra Slow is really slow. Nice looking machine!

 

[combo52]

3 Speed Lady Kenmore Demonstration

Thanks for posting Paul, the Roto-Flex agitator has long been my favorite agitator for standard tub BD WP built washers. WP started a trend in more gentile agitation in TL washers in 1964 with the introduction of the 1964 LKM and then the 1965 introduction of the 3Sp WP Imperial Mark 12 washer. Almost all other large washer manufactures followed suit in the next few years except MT in the quest to build more gentile washers.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Paul -

I noticed something fascinating in a recent Kenmore ephemera document which may interest you - it advises the service field of changes to late 60s models which were about to be introduced, and in one or two paragraphs it mentions alterations to water levels, specifically the Low level, in Roto-Flex and Vari-Flex equipped machines. The low previously to this on Roto-Flexes had been 8 inches of water (which seems like a lot in a standard machine as compared to Roto-Swirls). If that's where your machine is filling to on Low, it may be fine!

Incidentally, the low on Vari-Flexes was one inch higher. I had no idea that Kenmore/WP tailored water levels to blend with specific agitators!! I do not think this continued into the later 70s or 80s as many models used common pressure switches but different agitators.

Gordon

 

[mickeyd]

Ohhhh Paul.....

Only the fins of the minimalist Rotoflex could disappear in the ever so slow spinning Kenmore.

 

Appreciate how your elegant graphics imitate the genteel effect of the panel, and I agree with Fred: This may be the most beautiful Lady K. of all.

 

[ovrphil]

More video too

Good job to getting it back up and running.... great looking/operating machine.

Roto-flex sounds like a plumber's tool to ream out the drains :^P . But, the roto-flex yellow/gold colour is also echoed in the gold starburst pattern, surrounding the dial. The design, lights, operations...nice example of mid-century at its best, I think. Any idea - was this console design with the alpha keys only seen in 1965 - it sure was unique!

Thanks for posting your work and I'd enjoy seeing more videos of the machine in operation, especially the panel lights for the different operations. I like that video you posted - nicely done!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

was this console design with the alpha keys only seen in 196

Yes, and no, depends on how you look at it...

This specific console was used only for the 1965 Lady K. Previous and later year model Ladies K, such as the 1964 and 1966 were completely different in appearance and styling, though 1963 and 1964 were chrome laden like the 1965 and of similar functionality overall.

The console architecture (framework and overall shape, position of the flourescent light, etc) was also used in the 1965 800 model, however it lacked the clear buttons, the filtering light, etc. This occurred in 1962, 1963, and 1964 also, where the basic design shape and theme of the console was used in other models as well, going up the line the models gained glitzy/fancy features, chrome, lights, etc.

The 1966 version debuted the 'piano key' design of selector buttons, which saw the Lady K into the mid 1970s when cost cutting and a greatly reduced emphasis on fancy redesigned the console for the rest of the belt-drive era.

Gordon[this post was last edited: 9/26/2012-14:00]

 

[mickeyd]

The 65 was the only model with the fine clear tabs detached at the top, a real stunner, and unique; some have theorized that this set-up may have been too delicate, that maybe it would not stand up to heavy use, but I don't think we've actually heard of any breakages. John and Gordon will know.

Although the 65 is the most beautiful, the Keyboards are more versatile, offering more options.

Here's the chromed 62 Gordon was talking about, not nearly as pretty. Indeed "Filtering" but too glaring to see the orange/red glow.