First Time Filter Flo!

[bajaespuma]

Unless you like out of control suds cake boilovers,

doubling the detergent dose on a Filter-Flo is NEVER a good idea.

The first time a repairman came to our house and pulled a sock out of the drain hole in the outer tub, he suggested we switch from FAB to a low-sudsing detergent. DASH became our family brand and remained so until P&G discontinued it.

 

[yogitunes]

Well the variables are always changing, but if you have a real dirty load, there won't be much suds left, not to mention, most of todays detergents rarely form much suds.....

although a sudslock is possible with any machine, it takes a lot to bog down a FilterFlo...rare, but has been done!

 

[tecnopolis]

I've found that when you have excess suds in the load, suds build up in the filter pan and the lint and debris gets flung out over the top of the filter pan due to the washing motion. So yes detergent dosing is critical. I do however use bargain brands such as TAD and Xtra. Not exactly HE formulas. Surprisingly, they do get the wash clean and I have not had any ill effects using them in lower doses in the Neptunes.
I just can't justify the cost of Tide.

 

[mistereric]

Yes indeed,Geoff, she followed me home from Steve's. I like the machine so far. Not sure how much water I'm using, or if I want to know. I have a straight vane agi thats stripped out, so I am looking for one for comparison's sake. Both pans, two of the mini-tubs with the lip. Would love to find one without.

The capacity and turnover is so-so, rinsing is great. I'm wondering how healthy the beast is overall... the tub leans to one side and the gentle speed is pretty noisy.

 

[mickeyd]

Congratualtions, Eric

So glad you got one! Are you going to alter the fill flume the way Martin recommends for the wonderful waterfall fill and spray.

 

[tecnopolis]

You need to swap out the straight vane agi for a ramp type. Lots of turn over.

 

[launderess]

Have Some Of That Wisk As Pictured Above In My Stash

And am here to tell you low sudsing the stuff is not. Even when used at the local coin-op laundrette the SQ front loaders have problems rinsing all the froth away.

Tried using 1/2 of a packet (product is in boxes of laundromat sized boxes) in the Whirlpool portable and even then still got tons of froth and detergent residue that two deep rinses couldn't shift. One knows this because when the loads were chucked into the spin dryer froth came out of the spigot. Tried using a small amount in the Miele and it took quite allot of defoamer to keep the suds down and even then they would creep back after awhile.

 

[geoff]

Hi Eric!!

I remember using that machine many times at Steveie's old house. I was going to take it off his hands but wound up moving so I'm glad it went to a good home. Does the tub still spin while it's agitating or does it just bang against the brake still???

 

[geoff]

Oh and...

He had the straight vain agi that went with it. I experienced it once but wasn't impressed.

 

[akronman]

straight vane versus ramped

I have nearly identical late 70's Filter Flo's, one with a ramped agitator, the other with the original straight vane. Frankly, I can't tell the difference in performance. Both are great at turnover with any clothing I throw at them. I admit they aren't both together in use to watch exact comparisons, but I am getting fantastic results from the straight vane, so I'll just leave the ramped one sitting un-installed as is until it is time to swap around a few machines in the working lineup. Heavy blue jeans, large blankets, full loads of towels, double bed sheets, everything seems great in either machine.

 

[mistereric]

Th straight vane seems to be stripped. The tub still bangs on the brake.

 

[yogitunes]

Gentlemen, we have the technology...........

Eric

what exactly are you looking for?......or rather which straight vane is the one your looking for?.....and I presume you need a tranny?

send me an email and we'll see what we can figure out!

you machine original equipment should have been a ramped activator....but anything can be changed to your liking....

 

[applianceguy47]

"I'm wondering how healthy the beast is overall... the tub leans to one side and the gentle speed is pretty noisy. "

As for the tub leaning- Is the machine sitting level?
It could also be the suspension cable is bound up.
Or the rollers that cable is suspended from are damaged/missing.
Is the balancing block/brick in tact or there?
It could also be that one or several of the 4 arms of the undercarriage have slipped out of the brackets that are mounted on the corners.
It may be that one, or several of the black tensioners, in those brackets, is damaged or missing.

The motor not sounding right on lower speed most likely means the motor clutch will need to be maintenanced. That may require replacing some of the shoes, possibly a clutch drum, and you will need some specialized tools for that.

http://www.applianceaid.com/ge-older-style-washers.php

 

[mistereric]

I'm not too excited about a straight vane agi. Is the wide-opening mini basket only available for the straight vane?

I'm pretty happy with the ramped agi.

As for a tranny, is that what would cause the tub to index? Or is it the brake? The machine is on level floor. Was also level at Toggles' place. Sounds like this puppy needs a going-over. I made a video:

 

[akronman]

can't wait for the answers

Your FF indexes differently than mine: (watch the nibs in the clothes guard to see index action)

 

Yours takes 2 or 3 steps clockwise, then takes same 2 or 3 steps CCW. Overall stays within some 15 degree arc, or so.

 

My 78 Suds---takes one small notch clockwise every agitation stroke, slowly moves around the entire circle, very slow.

 

My 77 FF--I never paid any attention, it's currently out of active use.

 

What is the cause or cure? My suds model will be back up and running today, I'll check it again. It's minor indexing, great agitation and turnover.

 

[yogitunes]

Tranny.....not a deal breaker, it will work fine with this indexing, just the banging can get on your nerves, for the most part I am gonna say its the brake, or more or less the sliding mechanism that holds the tub still is not fully engaging....I'd panic more if the tub was actually spinning while agitating....

I have a tranny that "knocks" four times when it stops spinning instead of two.....but functions fine otherwise.....

the larger mini basket is available for the ramped agitator as well....I have ramped agitators as well......

and that chattering from the clutch during gentle speed is somewhat normal....just louder than regular speed....if it chatters during normal speed, then we have a problem....

keep me posted

 

[akronman]

oh Martin

There's so many FF threads right now I get confused. My 78 suds model is back together, the minor indexing is when full of clothes, it doesn't occur with water only. It's minor and slow, I will keep an eye on it and not worry for now.

 

[geoff]

Eric

We always knew that the banging tub was not normal, yet it has done this for 8 or so years. You could hear it in the upstairs of Stevie's old house. We never saw it as a real problem. It does have to do with the brake. I don't think it's a real issue until it becomes a real issue if you understand what I mean. As far as the straight vain. I'm surpised. The last time I was there it worked fine. Maybe the spline has loosened. I think if that 4 vain agi was in a longer stroke machine it would have worked better..

 

[doug]

Out of the blue question!

I just recently went to take my extra large capacity ramped agitator out of my ff and was going switch it out for a while for my heavy duty 18 straight vane activator. When i pulled the ramped agitator out, the spline pulled out of the agitator and is stuck on the tranny shaft. I had a couple loads of laundry to do yet so I didnt want to mess with it at that time and attempted to push the ramped agitator back onto its spline which is frozen onto the tranny shaft and the agitator would not go back down onto the spline because of the rubber on plastic contact. So I attempted to put some petroleum jelly on the spline and then push the agitator onto the spline and it worked. This theory worked for a couple more loads And then I had a big load in the washer and the agitator wouldn't agitate. My guess is that the petroleum jelly between the out side of the spline and the inside of the agitator is causing it to slip. I know the spline isn't stripped out. So before I done anything I wanted to get your all opinions. Are you suppose to use anything when installing a new spline in the agitator? And how could I get the frozen spline off the tranny shaft?

 

[applianceguy47]

A hair dryer, rubber mallet, pin holes drilled for dripping liquid wrench into top of agitator...
for starters.