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Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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stricklybojack

stricklybojack

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Feb 24, 2014
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South Hams Devon UK
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The Kenmore pictured below was in the free section of Craig's, and stated to be working "well". I got there within 30 minutes but it was already loaded onto a very loaded truck.
Who made this and are they any good?

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It's made by Electrolux; also branded as Frigidaire and GE. Had various versions of this machine for years. They are a fine washer that used more water than the 2010 redesign (three rinses rather than two). Bearings were a weak point.

Nothing to cry over, but they were a good little (3.0 cu. ft. tub) workhorse.
 
FD Built Small Door FL Washer

FD built MILLIONS of these great performing washers, quality control was top notch. These were the first truly modern mass produced FL washers built in the US.

 

Frigidaire was absolutely STUPID to stop making this size washer, FD has lost almost all the replacement sales that are now often going to other companies. This size cabinet FL washer was introduced by Westinghouse in 1964, this machine was often stacked or slid under standard height kitchen counters. Customers must now remodel in many cases to replace these washers and BUY a new DRYER as well when the washer fails.

 

The major weak point of this washer were broken drum support spiders and as Eugene mentioned bad main seal and bearings. The cast aluminum spider was too thin and corroded and broke, on the next generation FD FL washers we have seen NO broken spiders.
 
I just rebuilt Mark's for him, new bearings and seals.....let me tell you, he is doing something right, this machine was the best I have ever seen inside.....super clean.....he'll get another 15+ years out of this.....

this was my first re-build of one of these......although this one was too easy to come apart, and reassemble.....if they all only could be found like this......but the whole process was easier than you think.....

I am on the hunt to add one of these to my lineup......this exact model seems to be the best with features and functions.....

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Martin,

 

Great job!  Man, this machine is clean!

 

These are really fun machines.  Good washers.  I have one but it is not hooked up at the moment.  I have a Kenmore version that I got for $5.  The owner said it was dead.  Brought it home and found out that somehow the door became misaligned.  Tightened the door and it would then trigger the switch in the lock that proved the door was closed. 

 
 
yeah, I know......this is the way Mark/williams637 brought it to me, I didn't think he even used it.....

the best tip for taking one apart was from a guy on youtube, remove everything from underneath, and slide a thick board underneath, it helps the slide the unit out, and when you step on it, it raises the unit to allow easy access to attach the springs...with all those weights attached, it is one heavy mother to try and slide in that cabinet....

in fact, I have it running this moment to make sure there are no issues, but it is just humming along.....

yeah, I prefer the Kenmore versions, we like knobs, buttons and options galore......I also prefer the Kenmore dryer, it offers the 'soft heat' feature and a stainless drum.....
 
no, no heater installed for any of these......but is does have a true 'Auto Temp' control.....not dubbed down, in fact it adds more hot water as needed.....

then again, I think my water is too hot for it, only cold and warm are adjusted....hot is straight from the tap......I think 160 degrees is plenty hot...

these ones were very flexible for installations of any sort.....they fit the bill for so many people...

Brent, you got yours for a great price.......I came across one that needed an adjustment on the door, or rather, the switch wasn't being pushed in enough for operation....simple fix.....

their actually simple built machines, nothing complicated to work on....
 
Got the Frigidaire version.  Last of the HEs that actually use water and the temp you ask for.  Squinting to find a fault with it, all I can come up with is this:  The motor module doesn't tell the timer that it has been unable to balance.  Doesn't happen often but when it does, can skip the shorter rinse spins.  BTW there are 5 rinses counting the suds break spray.

 

Like the Badfinger song went, "If you want it, here it is, come and get it". Well kept, light use, no bearing noise.  For that matter, about the only noise it makes is running water. 

 

Doubt I'll ever have a home again and these retirement poorhouses don't allow laundry machinery.  (I snuck a Chinese twintub in, doesn't 'look like' a washer.)  Brother loaned it to girlfriend until she moved in with him, he's storing it now but everything he does is subject to change the next time the phone rings.  Hope she didn't gunk it up with LFS.... too badly.
 
I'm glad Robert started this thread. I have one of these too that was given to me because of a bad pump. Replaced the pump, ran it a few times and am ASSUMING that the spider broke. Made a deafening crash, boom, clang and bang during spin. Will still wash without issue,but spin is another story. Any advice?
 
if the spider is shot, it shouldn't wash or spin.......

could be one of the struts....

these are easier to work on than you think......can't wait to tackle another one...

when JohnL decides to have one of these work parties, I seriously suggest anyone wanting to know how to rebuild one to attend....
 
out of curiosity, take the belt off and spin it......just ruling out noise from the motor, those bearings could need replacing as well....

usually struts will break at their connections, attached to drum or base....
 
Probably A Broken Spider

It is just not broken completely YET, its easy to rule out a broken shock just by taking out two screws and removing the lower panel, and if either shock is broken loose at either end you may just need a set of shocks. However my moneys on a cracked- broken spider, you can also often tell if the spider is breaking in one of these washers by turning the tub by hand and if the edge of the rubber door boot makes a squealing-rubbing noise you have a broken spider.

 

Often when pieces start breaking off the spider you will find corroded pieces of aluminum in the sump and caught in the drain pump.

 

In every case we have ever seen where the spider has broken on a FLW, it has been caused by poor washing practices. Certain detergents do not cause spider failure but rather the LACK of sufficient amounts of detergent, LCB and using cold water that leave coatings of minerals and dirt and scum on the surface of the aluminum spider that causes it to corrode and break.
 
My neighbor gave me one of these a few years ago when it quit and they were going to junk it.  It just needed a new motor which I found on ebay for a fraction of RepairClinic's price.  Went ahead and did the bearings while I was in there.  It really was easy to fix.  I then sold it for a profit since I had no place to keep it at the time.  But we washed a load in it sitting outside just to see how it would do. 
 

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