A very sad day for my Whirlpool belt driven double duty washer.

[paulwash]

Well my friends at AW.org.. I purchased a 1983 Whirlpool washer from an estate sale about a year an a half ago for $40.00. It was in great shape! I took it home and put it in the basement and used it as one of my daily drivers. Very fast cycle as compared to the newer machines.. Capacity was good. Now mind you I have used many washing machines since age 8. I did have a whirlpool in my life late 1960's model my mother purchased from a yard sale two buttons and one water level. I washed many loads of clothes in that washer over from 1988 till 1991 when it was pushed to the side for my love of a 1970's model speed queen solid tub which lasted a whole 8 months of me running that machine to its grave.I will never forget that day I used solo detergent and lavender sachet fabric softener only to find water all over the floor when I arrived back home.. I did hear a funny noise as well when it went into the last spin. Alright but back to my story. I was in a hurry yesterday to get a lot of wash done due to working a lot of hours. So I used my whirlpool which I have not used in about 5 month due to giving it a break and using my other two machines. I put a small bathroom rug in it and came to find out the machine would not pump out water and.... a burning electrical smell? I disconnected machine and laid the drain hose on the basement floor to the drain and let it drain out. Many people around here in Niagara Falls, NY.. Or Buffalo NY for that matter WILL NOT work on an old belt driven machine..So I am probably going to strip it and send it to the scrap yard. I also wanted to mention the spin cycle before this pump issue was getting slower too . I have 8 more washing machines in my garage and two in my basement. Whats a guy to do? I am itching to bring in a washer from the garage and play with one of those for a while. Of those is an older Maytag 1985 model, an Estate, two Kitchen Aid superba washers and a 1989 lady Kenmore washer and not sure what else is out there covered up LOL. Any advice? Thanks all.

 

[kenmoreman]

It's probably a bad belt. Possibly also it needs a pump depending on the condition of the one you have. Easy fix and not expensive. This is a good machine.

 

[turquoisedude]

It may be a stalled pump - did you notice if the water output was also low while having trouble spinning? 

The good news is that it's not a difficult fix and you should be able to find a replacement one fairly easily.  John L (combo52) here on the site has a lot of parts and Gordon (kenmoreguy64) is one of several folks here who have repaired and rebuilt a Whirlpool belt-drive washer or three.   

 

[akronman]

pump, belt

I've had similar problems after a machine sits quite a while. It turns out that getting a channel locks on the pump spindle, to kind of free it from its rest, and then a good belt-tightening, will often get an older belt-drive WP/KM working wonderfully!

 

[yogitunes]

I wouldn't give up on that machine just yet.....most likely a few little tweeks, and your back in action....

if you are going to toss it, offer it to someone here to save.....these belt drives are getting harder to come by.....the machine is in too good of a shape to give up on it....

 

[goatfarmer]

I had a WP BD years ago, that I got in from a trade in pile. It acted similar to what you're describing.

 Someone had washed a rug, with a rubber backing, and most of the backing had come off, and jammed up the pump.

 

[gyrafoam]

Sounds like you need to fix that one and then drag another inside to get up and running just for the fun of it.
What happened to the SQ?

 

[washdaddy]

Just because you have other machines that you can fall back on so you don't get all backed up with laundry is absolutely no reason to say farewell to a machine that is a very good washer when it's operating correctly.
These machines are easy enough to work on and you have more than enough willing resources here who can help you through the repair.

Hope you decide to give this diehard workhorse another chance before you toss in the towel on it.

Good Luck!

 

[washerlover]

I agree with everyone that this machine should be saved! I just had a recent breakdown on my ‘85 Whirlpool and learned it was a solenoid fix. Although I’ve never performed such an operation, I just got the replacement part and am going to give it a try. These machines are too precious to let go to the crusher!

 

[imperial70]

That looks like an Imperial 70 but the tub is not dura-white. It does have the double duty super surgilator and the push button water temp. Please someone, don't let that become a victim of scrap.

 

[yogitunes]

1982-1984 Whirlpool 'Supreme'....Super Capacity....4 water temps buttons, variable water levels...2 speed....4 cycles....Magic Clean filter

'Imperial' would have added 5 water temp selections, and SuperWash to the Normal cycle

 

[imperial70]

Thanks for clarifying that Yogi. Is that Supreme in your post yours? Simply beautiful.