Filter-Flo finally functioning!

[turquoisedude]

It's been a while since I have had the time to work on the collection and the current unpleasant situation at work has left me less than motivated, however after scoring that lovely 57 GE dryer, I managed to drag myself up and get busy on a machine fix that would help me keep my frame of mind more upbeat. And the machine I decided to tackle first is my prized 63 GE V-12 filter-flo washer!

I got the machine last May and although in remarkable condition, I discovered a baffling leak that appeared to be coming from the transmission. I was more than a little puzzled by this....

Well, thanks to the inspection camera hubby got me for Christmas, I found that the leak was actually coming from the tub seal above the transmission. No coincidence either that even in the GE Washer Repair-Master the number cause of a water leak was suggested as the transmission boot!

 

[turquoisedude]

Now, I have always been a little intimidated by GE machines (the trauma inflicted by the repair person who said that they'd have to break the agitator to fix an oil leak on the much-revered V-12 of my youth had stuck...).

Getting the agitator off was a non-issue on this machine, but then there was this tub boot 'collar' that had me stumped...

 

[turquoisedude]

Well, I learned that this part is not really even necessary but that if one was patient, it could be pried out with the help of a small screwdriver (and thank you again, combo52 (John), for your guidance and advice!!)

With a small screwdriver and an assist from the remote camera, I managed to free this in just a few minutes!

 

[turquoisedude]

And there's the tub bolts! I had a slight moment of panic when I looked at the bolts and found they were not standard hex-head ones. But one of hubby's socket sets had the right kind of socket and they came out remarkably easy. I was most encouraged!

 

[turquoisedude]

Now the tub lifted right out! Didn't have to stand in this one to loosen it... LOL

But geez those GE tubs are heavy! I managed to remove it alone somehow.

Now we can see the culprit - that tranmission boot may look good, but it's just putting on a good show for the camera...

 

[turquoisedude]

Removing the old boot was pretty easy - two clamps to be undone and that was it.

 

[turquoisedude]

Exhibit 'A'

There's the proof of where the mystery leak was coming from. Tub boot - you are sentenced to the trash!

 

[turquoisedude]

I'd ordered a replacment boot back in fall when I knew I'd be getting the 57 GE washer - and it was a piece of cake to re-install!

TIP: to help properly seat a new boot, press the middle of the boot as you push down on the edge that goes over the lower lip. That saved me a good deal of cursing!

 

[jetcone]

I hope

you have a new boot!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Not quite done....

When I had been inspecting the washer with the remote camera, I had dectected another leak from the side of the tub - this opening was the apparent source. Not wanting to have to remove the tub at a later date, I gave this port as well as its twin on the other side of the tub and the drain opening a coating of high-heat silicone. Great stuff, but I had to wait 24 hours for it to cure! [this post was last edited: 1/27/2013-15:12]

 

[turquoisedude]

And I just had to give the inner tub a good cleaning! It was worth it.

 

[turquoisedude]

Fast forward to last Friday (Jan 25th). It was time to water-test the washer.

 

[turquoisedude]

Yep, I even figured out that I should do this first water test BEFORE re-installing the tub....

As my father always asks when I come up with one of my hare-brained schemes, 'Are you sure ziss vill hold vater?' Well, ziss von does!! LOL

 

[turquoisedude]

I decided to go for broke and try running the machine. It looked just fine from this angle...

 

[turquoisedude]

Best of all, the floor was DRY! Not a leak to be seen. I was doing the 'happy dance' around the basement, what can I say...

 

[jetcone]

tsk tsk

running a FF without the basket installed! tsk tsk!

 

[philr]

Nice work Paul! I'm happy to see it works (and I heard it too!).

 

 

 

[turquoisedude]

The re-assembly went well - but I did need hubby's help to get the tub back in! Those tubs are heavy! So with the tub back in, 'activator' back in place, and lid snapped back on, it was time for a second thest test. I am thrilled to say that it passed!

 

[turquoisedude]

What's this? Dirty laundry?? Horrors, whatever shall I do??