GE Filter-Flo

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

Help Support :

Allen,

You are so right. My mom's parents had a 1958 filter-flo, it was great for my diapers and all the dogs. Their hair, that is.

 

I've not posted much on our adventures in ancient appliances or in the three really important forums over the last few months,.

 

We've picked up a few pre-WWII mixers (including jadite bowls, Sunbeam obviously didn't get the memo on what they were to have done) and fixed them, finished the 1947 Crossley (and the door seal still seals!) and found the repair parts for the thumper (and she's PANK!).

 

I will be taking pictures under her skirt once we have her set up. The volunteer who repairs their appliances had to search out a filter for me - the one in the machine on the floor had grown legs. Professional breeders in the area have a standing request in for filter-flos, so this was enormous.

 

 
 
So speaking of filters...

So what is the best washer lint filter? I'm inclined to think that any agitator/burp-up filter would be the "purest" and most effective filter since the pump doesn't have to suck anything thru the perforated tub. Anyone?
 
Well as far as self-clean...or bed of nails.....screened.....filters go, once they get filled, and run out of useable space, the flow slows down and almost become useless....mainly for high amounts of lint when washing towels or items covered in animal fur......I have seen a few self clean ones get plugged from animal fur....

IMO....the GE filter flo works best, not only because of the free flow water supply but also the "moving" pan that is good size, non clogging, and doesn't have its efficiency reduced.....also great as a detergent dispenser....

although not impressed with the GE counterpart Hotpoint's self clean rim flo, it does trap lint, but once the holes are filled, anyother water is overflowed into the outter tub, this is where the "movement" of the true filter flo can show how much more lint is removed from the water and clothing......

keep in mind GE FF filters at all levels....and the minibasket option is icing on the cake.....

thats also not to say these filters can clog with hard water deposits and some grit....but a simple cleaning with a power washer will have all the holes cleaned and open....
 
Habitat answer for fliterflo58

Habitat for Humanity runs a Re-Store (used outlet) in most counties in the country. tons of used appliances, cabinets, plumbing, windows, etc. Google up "Habitat restore" and you can find a state by state link listing stoers in your area.
 
Congratulations!!

Can't wait to see the pictures!! I miss my ol' filter-flo...
What colour was the agitator on this one??? If you need a mini-basket, I do believe I know where I can get one.
 
Bed O Nails VS FF

I think Martin nailed it pretty well. The main advantage of the GE is that huge filter surface. My little Kenmore BD portable has a bed of nails cartridge and it will filter just as well as the GE, however if you are washing animal wear, it clogs up quickly where-as the GE will just roll up big balls (lol!) in the filter hat.

 

That's right folks the GE has the big balls to prove it!
smiley-wink.gif


 

I do like the FF for my cats and such, and crude as some aspects are of the machine, mine has proven to be much more long lasting than I had imagined.

 

-Tim
 
Getting there

Picked up our filter-flo at Habitat yesterday.

The kid started to dolly it out from the front, grabbing the instrument panel to shift it. I stopped him, got two less inexperienced volunteers, told them I'd pay them if the got it into my truck without any scratches.

They treated it like a raw egg.

Ms. Thang went and got the manager who came out and said they couldn't take money, careful delivery was part of the price.

Well, my old code for the back door to the warehouse still works. Went back and gave each volunteer their promised money. Honestly, in this economy to be so nasty!

Got in the truck and roared up the hill. Missed the blizzard (shut the highway down) by 15 minutes. We're going to unpack her and bring her in in a bit - pictures will be made!

Gosh, Paul, I'd love a mini-basket, think we can find one here, though. If not, I'll be in touch. You are such a dear.

I'll have millions of questions soon, thanks to everyone for the kind words.
 
Tim,

I genuinely have no clue. I've always been a thumper man myself, so my knowledge here is very limited.

Since it doesn't have those tabbed switches, I am guessing later than the mid-70s. This is one of the many questions I will have in the coming days.

Right now, we're letting things warm up - it got down below 0F last night (again) and I don't have the physical strength to bring her in by myself.

At least, not on pure ice.

I am pleased, though, to have one with a rebuilt clutch. That is a known weakness in these otherwise wonderful machines.

GE made a lot of good stuff, once upon a time. It's sad that those days are gone.
 
Could ya stop with the drama and just show us pictures of the console, and inside the tub.
Thanks Mike
 
Drama?

Mike, that comment is one of the reasons I don't post on Imperial very often.

If Bob or whomever thinks I have issues, then let them. Goodness knows, there'd be reason enough.

Now, to get back to the important things - I am glad to have a placement around 1985. That might help with the inevitable rust problems. None to see so far, for which I am very grateful.

Right now, work is on hold while we shovel out several more inches of snow since the photos I shot this morning. Goodness, me oh my.

We will be hooking her up after lunch for the first wash. I haven't found anything which was broken, out of alignment or damaged in a thorough pre-plug in check up.

She's going into a 2" drain pipe through a diverter gate (a 1959 thumper ((and she's PANK!) and a 1970s Maytag share that line.

Pictures will follow, either of success or failure. No videos for now.
 
Oh, Dear

Well, we got extra drama, and I need help.
Lots of water running out of the bottom. We can't tell whether there is supposed to be a seal around the lip at the bottom of the tub and it has completely come loose or whether there is another problem.
The picture is a bit blurry, to my untrained eye, it looks as though the rubber seal with the honeycombs might have been intended to go on that lip?
I don't know filter-flos on the inside, at all.

Any help is much appreciated.

panthera++2-25-2011-18-21-4.jpg
 
boot rupture!!

That's why you aren't suppose to put these machines on their side. The boot has to be put back on the outer tub. If the boot has indeed come off the outer tub, be prepared to get close and personal with this machine. You must remove the wash basket to reseat the boot.
 
tranny boot

looks like the tranny boot slipped loose-an easy fix as long as the
agitator and washbasket pull up easy,just pull agitator and basket,
reposition boot and tighten clamp ring.While apart,check boot for any
developing cracks and if the rubber is starting to get hard as an old,hard
tranny boot caused vibration problems with a member's filter flo on here.
 
Thanks!

OK, I think that is indeed the problem. Now, a few stupid questions.
I was able to pull the agitator - the cap came right off and then the agitator pulled straight up easily.
I see the three bolts holding the assembly in place and have an appropriate socket wrench to tackle them.
What I don't understand is what is meant by 'agitator bearing from transmission hub'. Do I pull the three bolts first and then this will be clear to me? Where is this transmission bearing, exactly?

Sorry for the stupid questions but seriously a novice when it comes to filter-flos.

It was transported on its back, that's how they put it into the truck for me. I wouldn't have known to tell them otherwise, to be honest.

Thanks for any help.

A copy....
**Unplug washer. Remove agitator from washer by pulling straight up on
it, some agitators have a bolt under the cap, remove cap and look for
a bolt first. Remove the agitator bearing from transmission hub. Get
top up by pressing on 2 clips located about 6 in in from side between
top and cabinet. Putty knife or flat blade screwdriver works well
here. Take the filter flow tube off. Lift top. Remove three bolts
holding basket to hub. Lift basket out of washer. Remove the two
clamps holding the black boot to the tub and to the transmission.**
 
agitator bearing? Are you referring to that gray, white, or black device thing under the agitator on the bottom of the shaft?
 
"agitator bearing"

"agitator bearing"is just the plastic cover over the 3 bolts for the basket,
agitator rides against part of it so it is considered a "bearing"
 
Frankly,

I don't have a clue. I've spent the last few minutes trying to find a diagram on the internet which would tell me the answer to that question. Is this bearing in the tub? Is it in the plastic housing of the transmission?

Basically, all I have done so far was to remove the agitator cap, pull the agitator and find a serious socket wrench. Now, the next question is, of course, where do I apply pressure to stop the tub from rotating when I tackle those three bolts? The torque involved is enormous, to by vague recollection.

Sorry to be so d-u-m, dumb here, but I've just never done these GEs before. Next to no rust to be found so far, by the by.
 
Oh, thanks!

Message came in while I was writing. Thanks! It would have never occurred to me to call the 'cap' a 'transmission bearing'. But, gosh, with the help from y'all, I'll get it.

Anyhoo - the transmission bearing is, obviously out. Next step - where do I arrest the rotation of the tub so I can get those 3 bolts out?

Again, thanks!
 
there is no bearing to worry about for what you are doing.....

remove agitator
remove plastic agitator bottom disc which is covering 3 bolts
remove 3 bolts
remove filter flo flume
pop the clips that hold the top down, and lift top, prop in place
inner tub is heavy, use gloves and grasp firmly and lift out of machine
check boot for any damage or cracks.....if OK, loosen clamp, reposition, and tighten clamp....check other clamp while your at it....
replace inner tub and bolts
replace agitator disc and agitator
insert filter flume-----if you choose, use a cable tie around lid switch for machine to operate with lid open.....also you may want to flip the water spout over on itself, this will allow water to spray into the inner tub, not behind it...
lower top, and press down to snap in place
pull filter flume thru splash guard

you are all set to try it again....

good luck Keven!
 
Thanks, Martin!

I will give it a shot. Still having trouble stopping the tub from rotating. I'm big and heavy but just can't quite manage to 'conter' the movement from turning the bolts.
Any ideas?
Thanks, again, to all!
 
Well GE has a lot of drama with the filter flo, what with all the water circulating in the FF pan.

Keven, can you not take a compliment? I said you seemed to be in a good mood for finding this GE. The fiber must have helped!
 

Similar threads

thatwasherguy
How To Replace The Two Speed Clutch On A G.E. Filter Flo
2
Replies
31
Views
728
combo52
combo52
combo52
1961 GE filter flow washer picture of the day
Replies
11
Views
140
qsd-dan
qsd-dan
P
1955 GE Filter-flo
Replies
10
Views
387
appnut
appnut
pierreandreply4
What would be your dream washer dryer set to own in 2024
Replies
3
Views
106
bajaespuma
bajaespuma
barcoboy
Acquired some Kenmore 80 and 90 series machines
Replies
12
Views
910
markvturner
M

Latest posts

Back
Top