Champion (Parnall) Spin-Washer - Disassembly.

[grnappliance]

One tough part about restoring a rare vintage washing machine is that most times you don't have a great understanding of the parts, and hence, disassembly can be uncomfortably tricky. Especially with my recently acquired Champion Spin-Washer, it's not like I can just wing it and hope that it comes apart just fine.

For this thread, my aim is to educate myself on how to go about taking apart my 501, and to learn as much as I can about the machine's mechanics. I will mention that I do already know how to remove the agitator and also the cabinet, but anything after that is a mystery. As usual, any pictures and helpful info on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'll provide some more photos:

 

[grnappliance]

Update

Here is the progress I have made so far...

 

[grnappliance]

The Cabinet and lid have been taken off to reveal the inside.

 

[grnappliance]

[No message]

 

[grnappliance]

This is where I need help.

With the agitator removed, I can see that there are a few screws that can be undone. Which ones to do first is a mystery, as well as that black cap on the shaft.

 

[grnappliance]

A first look at the front.

 

[grnappliance]

Also noting these screws. I wonder when to take out the outer tub.

 

[grnappliance]

Another look at the front. This time, without the wiring.

 

[grnappliance]

Inner shot of the pump assembly, and another outer-tub screw.

 

[grnappliance]

Unsure of how to remove the valve-to-tub hose from the tub.

 

[grnappliance]

[No message]

 

[grnappliance]

A little concerned about the lid switch seal as well. I also don't know how to take that off from the outer tub, but it will need to get fixed for sure.

 

[grnappliance]

Where do I go from here?

Hopefully I provided enough pictures. If more are needed, feel free to let me know. Now where do I go from here? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[slowspin66]

Info

Did I send you the service document ?

 

[grnappliance]

I went through my e-mails and found no service document, but your one with the user manual is still there. If there is a service manual, feel free to e-mail it to me at [email protected]. Thanks!

 

[grnappliance]

My first time looking underneath the machine. The belt does look pretty ancient, but no visible rips or tears in it.

 

[slowspin66]

Info

I will get the info scanned and sent to you asap . The machine mechanically is the same as the UK spinwasher except the one I have is semi automatic .. if your able to leave taking the wash basket out until you receive the information as there is a way of doing it . Also I wouldn’t take the gearbox to bits unless there is a problem . It sits under the agitator in a dome like housing . I will get the info to you . Regards
Get

 

[grnappliance]

Thank you, Darren. There's no rush to take the machine apart, I'll be working with my father on Sunday to figure out a way to get the fill nozzle off the outer tub. Regarding the Gearbox, I wouldn't mess with any of the gears, but I am still a little concerned about the amount of oil left in there after the spill it did. I would like to refill it if it's easy to take the lid off. Thanks again for sending me the info!

 

[keymatic]

Morning Gabriel,

I have a UK version of the same machine you have recently acquired (Parnall Spin Washer Mk2) i haven't really done much to it as it was in working order when i got it some 15 years ago. I guess the only thing i would say is due to the age i would be mindful about leaning it on it's side, as you have already discovered, one the oil escaping but also the fact that these machines have a very large conical rubber cone inside which protects the drive to the agitator, this sits within the water storage tank, if this in anyway splits / cracks etc the replacement would be a nightmare !! I have never seen this rubber cone to gauge the thickness etc

I know with my machine i had difficulty in getting the braking right and had to use feeler gauges as it was braking to abruptly.

Wishing you all the best with the project

Regards
Keith

 

[grnappliance]

The first roadblock in the project is taken care of. I originally couldn't even move the fill nozzle because it had ceased in place on the outer tub. After cleaning the edges with a wipe, I took a putty knife and gently broke it free of the outer tub. After this, It still wouldn't loosen up enough for me to pull it off. A reasonable solution to this issue appeared to be heating the rubber up with a hairdryer and making it more flexible. Sure enough, after only about 3 minutes under the heat, it simply popped off the outer tub. Completely undamaged! That was a great Problem-Solving moment for me.

 

[grnappliance]

Any updates on the Service Document info? I myself have been out of action for the week because of sickness, but I'm back up to strength and eager to resume my progress. No new changes to the machine have occurred since the last post.

 

[slowspin66]

Info

I’ve resent the info to your email address . Regards Darren

 

[grnappliance]

I've received the Service Manual. Thanks!

Looks like the first thing I must do is remove the "Agitator Head Plug Unit," which gives the appearance of a black cap on the shaft. Unsure of how to get it removed, but studying the diagram of parts in picture 1 shows me it might need to be unscrewed. A confirmation would be nice before I actually attempted that.

Part 247 in the diagram.

 

[grnappliance]

[No message]

 

[slowspin66]

Is there a problem with the gear box ?

Is there a problem in the gear box ?

 

[grnappliance]

Whoops, I misunderstood the sequence. Turns out the agitator drive shaft doesn't need to come apart for the tub to be taken out.

According to Step 5. To Remove Basket Assembly, I will have to remove "12 mush. hd. screws from clamping ring," and the basket assembly will lift off. I circled these screws in red. It then goes on to say that you can take off the Basket Liner by removing the 6 Philips screws and nuts holding it in place, circled in yellow.

I'll do that later today, and once that's out, I'll need to figure out what to do next, perhaps step 6.

 

[grnappliance]

The tub might be stuck. I think it was designed to come off of the dome housing, but it stayed connected when I attempted to lift.

 

[grnappliance]

Update:

I pried off the metal ring, and it looks like I will also need to remove the 8 Philips screws holding the center in place. I thought the blue base was 2 pieces screwed together, but it looks like it's one piece. Anyhow, I'll still get those screws removed, and we'll see if it comes out then.

 

[grnappliance]

Screw Trouble

I got the Agitator Tube cleaned up as best as I could. I then proceeded to apply some WD-40 to the screws. They are unfortunately about to round out and are beyond my ability to loosen with my screwdriver without damaging them further. I really don't know how to solve that issue, so I'm getting ready to research some solutions. Any ideas?

 

[gizmo]

1. Clean out the slots in the top of the screws.

2. Soak in Inox, not WD40. Leave a day or two.

3. Try a selection of screwdriver bits to use in a cordless screwdriver/drill. Try both Phillips and Pozidriv bits, in several sizes each. Only one will fit Perfectly.

 

only trial-fit them first in the screw heads, don't use them in a driver/drill till you have chosen the perfect fit. This gives you the best chance of undoing the screws without damage.

 

4. Maybe try a cordless impact driver with the correct bit?