Frigidaire 1-18 Service Needed in Ohio

[Timohio]

Greetings and Merry Christmas!

I need help! My mother, Betty's 1970 Frigidaire 2 speed 1-18 is still running strong...except the spin cycle. Sometimes it will spin on its own, and others it just sits there and I have to help it get going. I called Dave Harnish of Dave's Appliance (a wonderful man and appliance resource on the internet) and described the problem. He sent me the parts that I need and a manual...but after reading, I am scared to death to attempt to put in the new clutch linings and tub seal.

A little about the washer...Mother purchased this brand new in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio. It has the matching dryer and all. The dryer works great still today! When my father decided he did not like the gold look any longer - he purchased her a new Whirlpool washer & dryer. She would not part with the Frigidaires...so we installed them in our outside heated garage and used them for the towels we used to wash the cars with. When I moved away from home I took them with me and have been using them ever since as my overflow machine when the Neptune is backed up!! Mother died in 1998 from cancer...so the machines have sentimental attachment.

Would anyone be willing to help? I have the parts needed and if any other item is needed, I can acquire this from Dave.

I can be reached via email at [email protected]

Peace to each of you,

Tim

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Tim, welcome to the club! I can't blame you for wanting to keep your 1/18, its a wonderful machine and you wont ever be able to buy something new like it again.

I'm a bit confused, you have the parts and the instructions, are the instructions not clear? If you can let us know exacly what you need help with maybe one of us who has done this before can be of assistance.

 

[goatfarmer]

IIRC,it's pretty straight forward,removing the transmission,and changing the tub seals,and also removing the clutch to install new linings.When these were still under warranty,I could remove a trans in about a half hour,but I had done a LOT of them.The only special tool you might need is a set of bellows pliers,and even they aren't absolutely necessary(but make the job soooo much easier...)

When you get to where you remove the retaining nut,that holds the tub support,be sure to soak it with good penetrating fluid,for at least a day.

Any questions you have I'm sure will be answered by someone around here.

kennyGF

 

[gregm]

guy in PA - OUCH !!

hope you got better advice than me, I brought my 1/18 TWICE, yes TWICE to that guy in PA and he did not fix it, he "talks big" PERIOD, yes, I thought he was the nicest guy on the planet and was so impressed to the point that I drove two Frigidaire washing machines to him in PA, six hours away, so he could fix them. Well YA THINK he would test them out PROPERLY and not with "two cups" water before my picking them up, ........ NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I think some of his tips are good ones RE: email and he is knowledgeable but oh man this guy is still a thorn in my side and he DOES NOT want to TAKE THAT LITTLE EXTRA EFFORT that makes a difference. Sure would have to me. My 1/18 still does not spin and he claimed he installed new clutch linings. Now both machines leak, they are actually in worse shape now then when I brought them to him. Sorry to vent "so much" ...... I will shutup now, this happened to me a couple months ago and I never told anyone and anyone in this club who knows me ..... knows I NEVER go on any kind of personal tyrade on anyone but this dude deserves it big time.

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Great Story

Tim,
It is great that you have your Mom's set!
I wish you the best of luck in fixing them. I am sure that it will turn out fine.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Brent

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Wild

Hey Greg,
That is terrible about your experence.
I am sure that you will get them fixed!
Do you think that you could win your money back if you went to court?
That sucks!
Brent

 

[gregm]

no money

he never got paid ....... sorry for my tangeon, hahahaha, welcome Tim !!!!!!.......hhahahahahaha

 

[jetcone]

Hi Tim welcome

If you have the service manual then you have the photos of what to do. I have done many of these machines and can answer any of your quandries along the way. You should have a good working knowlege of tools and how things are put together. I know what these machines must mean to you, I also lost my mother to cancer and treasure my little mementos of her.

I would start by reading the manual cover to cover while the front panel is off the machine that will help de-mystify the process for you as you will be able to see the parts on the machine and in the book. The service manuals are very specific.
Each service procedure is individual and can be done on its own. These machines were designed for service.
Use this thinking---> you can't loose because the machine is already broken! So its a win win situation already.

Jet

 

[Unimatic1140]

And the Moral of Greg's Story

The Moral of Greg M's story is something I too had to learn years ago. You MUST MUST MUST take the time to learn how to work on your own machines if you want to have your collection in good, operating shape. It’s not difficult, but it takes lots of time and patience.

 

[westytoploader]

Even though I haven't had to work on any of my machines yet, I've been studying my Westinghouse/Kenmore/Whirlpool/GE repair manuals to become familiar with the procedures in case something does happen. That way it's less frustrating when a procedure is attempted for the first time...at least it's been looked over.