Frigidaire Imperial Automatic Washer, Model: WIN

[automaticwasher]

My grandparents' Frigidaire Imperial Automatic Washer, Model: WIN, is still in use by my parents. It was manufactured in March 1967. It spins like nothing I have ever seen! A disturbingly loud noise (in the transmission?) has developed in the agitate cycle, however. My mother called a repair guy today. He didn't even want to look at it. He told her that no parts would be available and that she should just buy a new one. She loves this machine. Is there any hope?

 

[mayken4now]

Yes there is Automaticwasher. I hope I can get her machine!

Steve

 

[pdub]

Does it sound like a loud banging or knocking while it is agitating?
I looked in the Repair-Master book and it says -High Sound Level/Agitate Knocking Sound:
1> Agitate arm or agitate wheel improperly spaced.
2> Agitate arm or agitate wheel bearing damaged.
3> Ball support loose or damaged. (be nice Togg!)
4> Lower agitate bushing in spin shaft worn.
5> Agitate wheel ring loose.

I am far from a repair expert on these but I know other members will jump in and offer advice. I would take off the back service panel cover and look at the mechanism while it's running to try and determine where the noise is coming from. You may only need to tighten and or adjust something if you're lucky. You've come to the right place to ask for advice. Definitely do not get rid of the machine. Someone will know how to fix it. If you can, we'd love to see a picture of the machine.

Patrick

 

[panthera]

silly repairman

Thomas,
Whatever the problem may be - and the five listed above all sound well possible, that "in-duh-vi-duh-al" didn't know what he was talking about.
Parts might not be easy to get, but they are out there - especially this club is brilliant at finding things.
And that machine was built back when 39 years of service were nothing. In fact, Frigidaire did an ad not too long before that one was built in which they boasted "our test showed the first major repairs only after 40 years of service!"
Whether in water consumption, cleaning quality or reliability, this machine places very well compared to the stuff on sale today.
My advice: Keep it, don't turn it back on again just yet in case something is just loose and might end up bent beyond help, wait for some of the more experienced members here to write in. They will...
Oh, I saw two working Rollermatics and a couple of 1-18s at ARC in Fort Collins last sommer/fall. So the stuff about no parts nowhere, nohow is bullshit.
(Silly me, you may not know the names - those are machines sharing similar characteristics to yours).

 

[goatfarmer]

Possibly a bad roller.Parts are NLA from parts sources,but someone here should be able to help out.

kennyGF

 

[jasonl]

Find someone that can fix it or send it to me ;-)

 

[automaticwasher]

I did everything I could to save it from the crusher. But my father insisted that my mother buy a new one. She ordered a Maytag front loader. I even told the appliance shop that the Imperial was a classic and should not be discarded. He said that he would take it to the dump or leave it at the house.

I would definitly save it and work on it myself, but the problem is that I live in Aspen, Colorado and my parents live in Pawcatuck Conneticut (between Mystic and Westerly, Rhode Island). The appliance shop people are taking it away today. I certainly would like that one of you that appreciates this machine to have it. If you can arrange to pick it up, I can posibly have it left in the garage for a couple days.

 

[bajaespuma]

I'm in Connecticut, about 50 miles away from your parents. I am interested; is there any way to post a picture?

 

[bajaespuma]

Is there a matching dryer?

 

[goatfarmer]

Post a picture? Matching dryer? For free,and that close,I would be there in a heartbeat!FWIW

kennyGF

 

[trainguy]

Grab That Machine !!!!!

I've got all the rollers, agitate arm, coupling, etc. still NIB.

I've also got the matching dryer in white.

 

[gyrafoam]

Can 'ya imagine tossing out a WIN for a new Maytag anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honey puhleeeez!

Might just need the simplest adjustment to make 'er like new again. (Although its likely time to make sure the drain holes in the tub, are clear of lint build up,clean the rollers, install a new spin bearing, and give 'er a good "high mileage" going over, etc.)

 

[angus]

I would be interested also. There has to be a way to fix that machine.....

Ken, what town are you in? And do you have a truck? I am in Fairfield.....

 

[bajaespuma]

I'm in Stony Creek. And no, if I had a truck, I would have gotten it by now. Want to do a road trip? Actually, this club has inspired me to start shopping for a truck. For the first time in my life I have a sedan instead of a wagon and I need something for hauling.

 

[shawn]

I live in Waterford Ct but my mother lives in Westerly R.I.
she has a garage. If I can be of any help saving the machine let me know.

 

[mayken4now]

After reading this first post following the initial thread, I knew it would end up like this, that's why I cut through all the chase and said I hope I get your machine.

I guess Sistah thought I'z wuz pla in.

Steve

 

[automaticwasher]

My father had the appliance store, Cogan-Gildersleeve Appliance, Inc., take the washer away yesterday. I got their number from the phone book: 860-536-4929. They are located at 2 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, Conneticut. I asked the "owner/manager (?") not to take it to the dump, as it is a "valuable classic" machine - a collector's item. His response was that I could keep it, if it was so valuable. I would have loved to have had it. I'm sure (with all your help) I could have fixed whatever is wrong with it. But as I said, I live in Colorado. I certainly hope one of you can retrieve it and enjoy it. Perhaphs, it is still on the back of their truck and hasn't gone to the dump yet.

It is white. Its dryer mate was replaced with a new Whirpool a few years ago. My mother commented that there wasn't a scratch on the washer's top surface. Even the florecent light still worked.

 

[jasonl]

Please someone call that number and get that washer.

 

[westytoploader]

Someone close had better save this machine. Especially after what happened with the last ABC-O-Matic up for grabs that was posted a while back; it ended up GOING TO THE KRUSHER.

I really want to know what's up with everybody losing interest in vintage machines lately. First a perfectly good 1-18 on Craigslist, an early bolt-down Kenmore, and the ABC-O-Matic. Some of y'all live in areas filled with vintage machines and don't even so much as lift a finger to get them when available. You should be fortunate these machines are still around where you live; us who live in the Land of Rust aren't quite so lucky. This machine doesn't need to be the next one sent off to the Krusher. It needs to stop NOW; I'm serious.

*Steps off of soapbox*

--Austin

 

[angus]

Unfortunately I have a sedan also - OK Connecticut guys - any ideas????? Perhaps we can put our collective heads together and help out.

 

[sudsmaster]

Someone go to Home Depot and rent a truck, please, for God's sake.

If I lived within 200 miles of there I'd have picked it up by now...

 

[appnut]

Austin, BIG AMEN!!! I probably wouldn't have said it as nice and I"ve wanted to say something for the last day or two. that ABC-O-Matic being krushed really pees me off. Get your act together guys. This is a very important machine and it's so darn close!!!

 

[geoff]

Alright, here's a thought

I also have a sedan BUT My friend Carl has access to a truck plus he has a Grand Cherokee. I am also renting a Silverado this weekend (for other reasons), but I could keep it an extra day (Fine by me). I'm not interested in the machine myself but I wouldn't mind helping my fellow Nutmegers out. Throw it around. Whoever let me know if that could [email protected]

 

[pulsator-power]

What is the status of this machine? Anyone ger it yet?
Jerry

 

[jasonl]

Austin, well said! Us southerners are STARVED for vintage machines. At least you own a few. I don't own the first one. They're non-existant here and there are still lots of them up north waiting to be taken. If someone finds a vintage machine, get it, put it up for sale. Shipping is a b*tch but I'd do it for the right machine (68-71 Kenmore 800 in excellent condition).

 

[mayken4now]

Jasonl

Listen Mr. LeBoufe.

You know I live in Florida, but, have I got a secret for you. Take highway 90 towards Eunice, that would be going west. Somewhere between you and there is a HUGE appliance junk yard, near Lawtel if I remember correctly. I have seen it many times when going to Eunice to my late grandparents home.

Let us know how you fare.

Steve

 

[jasonl]

I have never seen it going towards Eunice but I'll look for it.

My guess is they're pretty rusted out and in sad shape.

 

[bajaespuma]

You'll all be happy to know I got it.

Thank you everybody for your offers, help concern etc. I am now the proud owner of, not one, but two vintage machines! I took a trip to Mystic today and met Kevin, the sympathetic and helpful service manager of Coogan and Guildersleeve Appliances, who escorted me to their backyard where I got to see the Frigidaire WIN (which turns out to be a Rapidry 1000!)Kevin admitted to me that he had tossed it off of the truck in the middle of the bad rainstorm we had here this weekend. When I spoke to him on the phone he described the machine as "junk" and "junked". But upon inspection I think this thing has good bones:

 

[bajaespuma]

It's a little waterlogged inside, but the agitator, tub and control panel seem to be in perfect condition(minus 1 operating light-bezel):

 

[bajaespuma]

Kevin is going to deliver it to me next week (what a guy!)and threw in this c. 1978 coppertone GE with minibasket: