HELP!!! FILTER FLO MOTOR BURNING UP!!!

[geextrarinse]

Hey everybody! Well, this is something I haven't encountered so I wanted to seek advice before I proceeded.

I was away and a friend was staying at my apt. He was reluctant to use the older washer and dryer but I told him it would be fine. And of course, as luck would have it, he called and told me he had to shut it off because it was smoking. He unplugged it .

I got home today and removed the back panel and turned it on to spin. The motor started up but sounded strained and then began to smoke so badly that the entire room was filled with thick smoke. I was alarmed but not panicked as I know everything is fixable.

Now this is my precious 69 3-speed from John Lefever. The clutch does need work but I've always just run it on full speed. The clutch has been a bit loud and clackety. I'm thinking its binding up and putting too much strain on the motor?

I am servicing to replace the motor and will hav to rebuild the clutch, which has been in my list of things to do anyway. What should I do in the mean time? Use a two speed motor and clutch or a single speed? Could it be something else? Suggestions please!

THANK YOU!

 

[yogitunes]

If the motor is SMOKIN'....I would say that does need replacement, and might want to replace the relay also....

they all used a single speed motor, its the clutch that changes the speeds....

as far as clutches, if you have a single speed, that would be the quickest and simplest to replace for now....then as you get the 3speed re-built, then that can go in place of the single...

you might find that you'll like the kick-ass washing of the single speed clutch, and not go back...just a thought

 

[swestoyz]

Matt - you could do with your 3 speed what I did with mine.  Just swap out the motor/clutch assembly for a single speed clutch assembly from a parts machine.  Easier than trying to rebuild that clutch and replace the motor.

 

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

Sure something is not binding, maybe stuck in the pump?

 

[geextrarinse]

Thanks guys...

I haven't had time to really take it apart and have a good look. The clogged pump did cross my mind. Still though, with the way it was smoking, it was definitely burning up. I'm going to want to change it out anyway. I have an old parts dealer here that prob has a few motors around. Ill swing by tomorrow and see what I can come up with. I think switching to a single speed for the time being is my best bet. Then when I have a chance, I can look into rebuilding the three speed. The single speed is pretty much all I use now anyway.

 

[coldspot66]

Make sure you match the correct relay with whatever motor you use. If you caught it right away, you may have just needed a new relay.

 

[cfz2882]

probably the relay is faulty and caused the motor burnout-when the motor in my filter flo ground to a halt with failed bushing,it did not smoke-just tripped the thermal protector.

 

[geextrarinse]

Could it really be Just the Relay?

Ok so I put another motor in from my 68 Programmed and it hums really loudly and then this one also started to smoke. So I know its not the motor. Could the relay be the case?

 

[geextrarinse]

Also...

Can these motors still run even after having been smoking and apparently burning up?

 

[geextrarinse]

Just spoke to my local repair man...

and he said it could be the motor switch? But I am now using a second motor and its doing the same thing - so I'm sure its not that. Anymore suggestions would be helpful...

 

[cfz2882]

relay

i'd swap out the relay-repairman is probably thinking of the centrifugal switch used in most other washer motors. The motors that smoked could still be good.

 

[geextrarinse]

Ok Thanks

Thats my last option before I'm at a loss. I'll have to do it tomorrow as I need to go up and get the relay from the other machine.

 

[arbilab]

There is no centrif switch in a GE?

And this relay, what does it do? I have very limited exposure to GEs.

 

[cfz2882]

no centrifugal switch in filterflo motors-they use current type start relay much like that of a hermetic refrigerator motor.Not sure why GE used this arrangement,but it does allow the motor to be flatter than it would be if a centrifugal switch was used.I am not sure if the earliest solid tub 1950s filterflos used the relay start motor.

 

[arbilab]

Ah, similar to how 50s Hotpoint dishwashers measured water level. Thanks.

 

[cfz2882]

dishwasher

so those dishwashers would stop filling once the impeller grabbed water and put a load on the motor?-neat idea!

 

[arbilab]

Yes, a current-sensitive relay. But I had no idea any such had been used as a start-winding cutout.

The only thing I ever fixed on a GE was the pump coupler on a 70s singlespeed.

 

[jetcone]

yes GE 1950's used start relays

Not sure if Roberts AW-6 did , he never lets me look under her skirt!

Relays can become dirty with oil and gunk. If they do then they don't drop out and keep the start windings energized which will cause A LOT of smoke. Sometimes all they need is a good cleaning with contact cleaner. BUT GE relays can only be installed UPRIGHT , they depend on gravity to drop out. There will be alittle arrow on the relay, don't miss that.

Your motor maybe toast it may not. Also I think some GE's have a capacitor in series but if that goes the motor won't start at all, it'll just humm.

I'd start by cleaning the relay; when you shake it up and down you should hear a rattle if its clean. Otherwise you've got a bound up tranny somewhere.

Have fun.

jet

 

[geextrarinse]

Thank you everybody!

It was indeed the Relay! I swapped it out and now I'm back in business! I didn't realize that could cause such problems. Well, learning from experience is always the best- even if its sometimes the hard way.

I'm so grateful to this group and website for the knowledge and experience available here.