Age of Filter Flo? And maintenance?

[gefilterflew]

Hey folks.. first time posting!
I bought a condo a year ago, and inherited a GE Filter Flo washer with the purchase.
I was surprised to see it still being used; my mom had one when I was a kid, and so did my grandmother.
This one is the newest (final?) design, though, whereas theirs were probably from the early-mid 1980's. Mine has the all black control panel.
I found a filter-flo pan on Amazon, since it was missing when I moved in.
My question now is HOW OLD is it? I understand that this panel design was used 1991-1994, until the demise of the Filter Flo.
I saw in another thread that the age can be determined by serial number.
Here's my info:
Model: WWA8898MALAD
Serial: RF167115G

I'm guessing it was middle-of-the-line, because it has variable fill, plus minibasket (which is ALSO missing), and extra-large capacity with ten cycles. I think I've sourced a replacement minibasket AND fabric softener dispenser, so I'm really excited about that. Neither my mom's nor my grandmother's had minibasket fill levels.

My other question is in regard to "longevity." Now that this washer is 23+ years old, WHAT should I expect to go wrong?
To my knowledge, it's never been maintained, but then... how should I know.
It seems like it runs okay, though it's a bit noisy on gentle speed.
I've read that the bottom boot seal, between the outer tub and transmission housing, has a tendency to become brittle and flood the floor. This is NOT ALLOWED, as my condo is on the third floor. It's one thing to ruin your home; it's another thing to ruin someone's home below yours.
Also, should I expect the tub to rust through? I read that perforation is an issue.

I'm a mechanic, so I feel like I can probably handle anything that needs to be done to keep this thing running. I'm much more interested in PREVENTATIVE maintenance than I am in REPAIRS.

My only problem with it is that it weighs about as much as a small elephant. Moving it is VERY difficult... although in the spin cycle, it clearly has no difficulty moving ITSELF!

Oh, also, is there a quick and easy way to get the lid off, without removing the whole top? Mine needs some serious cleaning around the lid hinges...

Thanks, all.

Also, I have no idea what went wrong with the photo uploader. So consider the high-resolution upside down pic a free gift from me to you.

 

[Chetlaham]

Age

http://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=16195

August, 1991

I say 1991 since the panel looks late 80s early 90s to me. I do not believe this is the final design, because I've seen 1995 FF with white control panels and those infamous knobs that latter came on the most ...(censored)... washers ever built. More knowledgeable people will come along to explain how to dismantle/clean it, but in my view if it works keep it and keep it in service as long as possible Few washers come close, let alone those made today.

 

[washdaddy]

Check the post in Shoppers Square! possible mini-basket set

FYI- Someone is selling a mini-basket, filter pan, and fabric softener set that they have posted on E-Bay. you'll see it mentioned in Shopper's Square forum.

Don't know if it's the one that fits your machine but if interested you could contact the seller and find out the details.

 

[brucelucenta]

You have a pretty decent machine, as I am sure you know. GE's claim to fame was the "filter flo", it became a big selling point in the late 50's when they were still making solid tub machines all the way thru till the 90's. They were one of the best washers made. As long as you take good care of it, no reason it shouldn't last a long long time. They are kind of splashy, so I would clean around the lid and top frequently and perhaps even pull the inner tub and check the boot and where it seals around the top of the transmission and bottom of the outer tub, just to be certain there are no leaks and also around the drain hose at the bottom of the outer tub. Those are usually the leakage points on these machines.

 

[combo52]

Later GE FF Maintenance ?

If it does not leak now or stink from from mineral and crud build-up from previous users using too little detergent, leave it alone.

 

Common leak areas on these are holes rusted in bottom of outer tub, holes in the upper areas of outer tub from inner basket crashing into outer tub with out-of-balance loads. Sometimes you get a small leak in the rubber boot around the transmission, the water pump seals certainly can leak [ I just put a new WP on a 1986 machine last Thursday ] and leak problems often occur around the outer tub gasket at the top of the outer tub often from rust on the top lip of the outer tub.

 

If you try to take the inner tub out be careful removing the three bolts that hold the basket in place, these can get really stuck and if you break one you may be looking for a replacement transmission.

 

Unless you are looking for a big project I would not take the inner tub out of a GE FF washer that is working fine.

 

[joeypete]

I'm the person who listed the mini basket set on ebay. The agitator is the same style as the Large capacity but the mini baskets for the extra large are bigger...I mean it probably would be ok? I'm not sure though to be honest. The filter pan and FS dispenser would work though.

My machine was an 87 model. Biggest issue is leaking and noise. Mine leaked around the top tub seal...it was a pretty easy fix, I just added some silicone caulk around the top and that fixed it. The top seals are still available to purchase though. Unfortunately I didn't notice that it was leaking for a long time and it ruined the floor in my laundry closet. Thankfully I'm on the first floor so no worries there...but still.

Yes the tub boot is usually the cause of any catastrophic leak. Mine looked like it was in good shape though. Other than that, the pump is known to leak as well. Rust is definitely an issue. I had some minor rust on the outer tub where it looked like it went out of balance and the inner tub scraped the outer...I think that's how it happens a lot.

I had to fix the suspension bars in mine too...one came completely out and made a lot of racket on the Gentle agitation mode, and spin. Put new snubbers on too and that helped a ton.

Other than that, these things are like tanks. My biggest issue was noise...mine would get very whiny and loud. It was getting very annoying (aside from it ruining my floor). I have an apartment style condo so noise control is definitely a concern, so that's why I got rid of it. Yours being the ExtraLarge capacity, you can fit quite a bit of stuff in there. Mine was about 2.0 cu ft...the XL is about 2.8-3.0 I believe.

They are great machines though, really. I have a repair manual actually. If you want it, it's yours if you just want to pay shipping. It's pretty useful. It's older, from the early 80's but everything should be the same. Just let me know.

Best of luck![this post was last edited: 1/17/2017-11:22]

 

[combo52]

Later GE FF Maintenance ?

I forgot to address the issue having this washer in a 3rd floor condo., In one word I would not chance it unless it is in a good metal pan at least 2 1/2" deep with at least a 1 1/2" drain.

 

GE FF washers are one of the worst machines of this era for severe floods, leaks.

 

You can lessen your chances by replacing the rubber transmission boot and possibly both clamps [ these often break at the welds ] that hold the boot in place. Also consider the water inlet valve, they can stick open and can cause quite a mess. A new set of premium inlet hoses are not a bad idea either for the H&C water.

 

I would watch this machine when in use and never let it run when away.

 

[mayken4now]

Hey GEFilterFlew

Curious, did you have one of these machines prior to this new 1991?

 

If so, it would certainly explain "Flew"

 

Betch ya flowing now though.

 

[gefilterflew]

In response

I purposely did NOT mention the mini-basket auction on EBAY, because I was afraid that someone on this website would outbid the family member who is presently planning to get it for me for my birthday!!!
HA!

I would probably be interested in that manual, JoeyPete.
Is there a way for us to communicate?

It does not leak, but it does stink. Has a musty, mildewy smell, PLUS the traditional Filter-Flo smell.
All this talk of leaking does have me quite nervous.
But I'm pretty confident that I can replace the boot seal preemptively.

Yeah, my mom's Filter Flo back in the day had a ring around the top of the outer tub where the wash basket had whacked against it for 20 years. That ring was rusty, but it never rusted through. The top seal went out, and dad and I replaced that. The clutch went out, and dad and I (mostly dad, for sure, as a 7 year old) replaced that.

I'm halfway considering just rebuilding the whole darn thing. But it's my only washer, so it would have to be well planned! But new motor, new clutch, new belt, new seals... where do you guys buy these parts?

Thanks so much, everybody!

 

[joeypete]

lol...funny! My email is on my profile if you want to send me one. If your family member gets the auction then I can just put it in the box with it. But hit me up. It's [email protected]

Mine also had a mildew smell somewhat...more so it stank of Tide...but I used good detergent and washed in all temps...also using STPP (phosphorus) helped immensely to rinse away and residue or build up and kept the mildew smell under control. Also make sure you leave the lid open after...so it can dry out.