Acquired some Kenmore 80 and 90 series machines

[barcoboy]

Just acquired a 90 Plus Series Kenmore washer with the triple dispensers and an 80 Series dryer from Facebook Marketplace that were about an hour away from me. About a week later, I found another identical 90 Plus washer for $40 CAD and 90 Series dryer for $50 CAD about 2 1/2 hours away from me, so I decided to pick up the washer for parts (the ad said that the 2nd Rinse wouldn't work, which turns out the selector switch is damaged) and the dryer to use instead of the 80 Series dryer as I found out when I arrived to pick it up the guy had tried to repaint the top and did a horrible job. Not to mention when I tried to test it, the 80 Series dryer doesn't work at all, but I think it must be something simple as nothing on it works... no heat, no motor, not even the drum light.

Have a few questions to ask.

The 90 Plus washer is a 110.C28932790, serial #CJ4010965, which I understand dates it as being manufactured in October 1999. Initial testing worked fine, but then later on the neutral drain started going into spin after partially emptying. Is part number 388253A the right one to fix this issue?

Also, on most Kenmore direct drive machines I know to remove the cabinet the end caps on the control panel must be removed, two Phillips screws removed, two retaining clips, and then the whole cabinet tips forward. But what additionally needs to be done to get the cabinet off on my machine with the triple dispensers? Want to see what the outer tub looks like and if it needs to be cleaned. Are there any washing machine cleaners that actually work, or do I need to remove the agitator, tub retaining nut, drive block, and inner tub to properly clean the outer tub?

And speaking of triple dispensers, of course both of my machines didn't have the flow diverter and liquid detergent cup for the detergent dispenser. I don't suppose anybody would have one of these they'd be willing to part with? Both of these should be able to be 3D printed.

And finally, what is the difference between 80 series and 90 series dryers, besides when they were manufactured? In my searches I've seen some with doors that open down and some that open to the side (same with the washers... some open back and some open to the left), some have lint filters on top and some in the door, and the controls seem to be different. What attracted me to the 80 series I first bought was the picture I saw of it had more selector switches than the other ones I'd seen (an extra switch to turn Wrinkle Guard on and off), but after seeing the condition of the top panel, I decided to buy the 90 series machine to more closely match the dryer. And are there any differences between the 90 Series Plus and 90 Series washers, besides the triple dispensers, and the extra selection switch to stop the timer from advancing from Soak into Prewash, or Prewash into Ultra Clean?

I bought these to replace my GE machines. Really like my Filter-Flo, but I think water is starting to get into the transmission as I'm seeing oil spots on some of my clothes, and haven't used the dryer in ages as whenever it heats the drum starts squealing. Time to let someone else fix them up and enjoy them.

 

[agiflow]

If you dump half a bottle of Clorox in using hot water. Let it agitate and then let it sit for awhile you will have a perfectly clean outer tub. I found a direct drive that had a nasty outer tub and a tech told me just to use a bottle of bleach dump it in and I let it sit for several hours. Then ran the washer to get the currents flowing and the tub was perfectly clean afterwards.

Bleach is definitely your friend with these direct drives .

If G-D is willing I am getting a Kenmore 80 series this weekend so I'll probably do the same thing.

 

[barcoboy]

Thanks agiflow, I will give that a try for sure.

 

[d-todd]

Iirc, under a plastic or paperboard cover on the top left, you have to remove some hoses from a plastic tube thing. Sometimes you can take off less than all 3 hoses if you remove the 5/16 screw that holds it to the top.

 

[DADoES]

 
Yes, there is a removable cover at the left under the console that provides access to the dispenser clamps/hoses that must be disconnected to remove the cabinet.

 

[combo52]

Cleaning up, filthy outer tubs, etc.

I would never use more than about one cup of bleach more bleach is not necessarily better and you can damage the metal center post the inside of the porcelain wash basket, etc. bleach is a very strong product. It can also damage your nasal passages, etc. if misused.

If you use the machine properly, it will clean up on its own although it may take 30 to 50 loads we find this with front load washers that are really skanky. They do clean up if you use hot water, bleaching enough good detergent, people use crappy detergent and cold water and way too little detergent, which gets these machines in bad shape, I’d hate to wear any of their laundry lol

John L

 

[agiflow]

Reply # 5

Well I didn't say every time now. That's what I did when I got this DD Whirlpool I had last year. The outer tub was so disgusting and caked up with crud. After using the bleach I rinsed everything out. It worked perfectly though. That outer tub look like it was new.

 

[maytag85]

Whenever I use bleach, I usually use a quick dash which is or a little less than 1/4 of a cup. Anymore than that is ‘too much’.

You really only need to use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bleach if that, sometimes I think they suggest higher dosages so you use more product which means you’ll have to buy it more often, which makes their pockets deeper.

 

[barcoboy]

Thanks everybody. Found the little door for the dispenser hoses and was able to slide them off very easily, and the cabinet came right off. Cleaned up the tub ring and a few other areas on top, but could see the outer tub was quite scaley, so I am going to try a hot water wash and bleach once I get the machine in the house. Was also able to take apart the dryer and give it a good cleaning. Was a bit confused at first as the wiring ran through the top of the cabinet, but then found a video and discovered that the top hinges back, and then the front of the cabinet is held in place with two pins at the bottom and two bolts at the top.

Nobody has or wants to part with a liquid detergent dispenser and flow diverter for the washer? Whirlpool part numbers 285586 and 387691.

 

[qsd-dan]

A lot of the muck on the inner and outer tub of a DD is at and above the water line. The only proper way to get it truly clean is a teardown and elbow grease. Go easy on the cold washes in the future.

 

[barcoboy]

Yeah I noticed that. I was wondering though... how high can the water level be raised up to by holding the water level control on "Reset" before it would hurt something? A little bit of a soak in hot water would loosen the crud up where it would take less scrubbing to remove. I've also heard of people pressure washing the outer tub.

I never wash with cold water, only rinse. Wash is always hot or warm.

 

[barcoboy]

Just a note to say a hot wash with bleach made a big difference on the outer tub. I washed for 10 minutes, soaked for 1/2 hour, then washed another 10 minutes.