Help needed 1999 (not quite vintage) Amana washer question

[crevicetool]

Now, I had known for a while that the bearing/seal was going out. It was just a matter of time NOT being available to investigate the repair, blah, blah, blah...

So, here is what I THOUGHT had occured.

That bearing had finally gotten to the point where it had caused enough drag that the extra effort caused the motor to overheat and the thermal thingy kicked out. Not the case. The motor is fried. Once it gets heated up, spin action is slowed, and when the thermal protector kicks out, it is preceded by a loud "buzzing" - that of the motor trying to start up but can't.

A new motor has been ordered.

I think when it comes in and is installed, I might do a video of the operation of this machine if you care to see it....

I'll check back in,

Rick

 

[ozzie908]

No way!

Do you have a spare?

After all that hard work too...

Sometimes you have to ask is it all worth it ?

Austin

 

[crevicetool]

Yes, I believe it is worth it. I don't think a front loader will ever be accepted in this house, and the new top loaders (other than the current model of Speed Queen) all seem to be of the "energy star/eco friendly" machines that in my opinion, just don't cut the mustard. Further, they are all digital, and as in the case of this GE, you have no choice during the cycle of the load to make it do what you want it to do.

For instance, if I wanted a "1st" rinse with spray, I would simply reset the timer to six minutes of wash on the Amana. Then, when the "real" rinse came up, it was actually a second rinse and I could then use softener at that point. The GE has a super rinse option, and says it won't dispense softener from the agitator mounted dispenser until that rinse. Well, it does...I guess they think nobody would think to put a magnet on the safty switch and see that it mearly dumps softener without a tub fill for it to do any good.

To change "mid-stream" on the GE, well....you can't. It starts all over again, and if there is any water in the tub, it drains that, and starts a new cycle. Additionally, like I said above, it either doesn't circulate clothes like a "tumble" action from top to bottom and ties sheets into knots. Admittedly, that would ON OCCASION happen in the Amana, but rarely. I put a magnet on the GE to observe the operation and it just doesn't move clothes around like I think it should for a clean wash.

 

[mrb627]

Passing Thought

Is there a capacitor attached to this motor?

Malcolm

 

[crevicetool]

No,

There is no capacerator, but there is a centrifugal switch which does operate. I checked that out when I cleaned up the motor.

 

[estesguy]

Hmmmm

Did you notice my earlier post about my Amana frying the motor after the seal went out?? Anyway, trying to look at the model number on your GE, and if it is a GTWP2000, or close to that, it does have a very easily adjustable water pressure switch on it. More water in the tub can do amazing things to help out a washers performance.

 

[spinmon]

Adjusting the water level ourselves is great,but isn't it a sin that the new machines ruin themselves AND our clothes set the way the factory/government mandates.

Is bad enough for our laundry equipment to come under such ''penny-wise,pound-foolish'' thinking,but it seems nearly everything the government does reeks of similar short-sightedness. God help us.

 

[mrb627]

Economy Stimulus

The Government is simply trying to stimulate the economy. Machines will be run into the ground so you will have to replace it. More jobs. Clothes wear out quicker due to poor washing habits. So you'll have to replace them. More jobs.

So, in the Government's eyes, a win win!

Malcolm

 

[combo52]

Great Rebuild

These are sturdy washers, but getting one apart after just a few years use is why very few will ever be repaired.

Because of the mineral build-up on the lint filter you should use either a better detergent or a lot more of it, these build-ups also affect seal life and if you can keep them down the machine may last even longer the second time around.

 

[crevicetool]

Well,

The new motor came in early Friday morning, and it was installed in just a few minutes that evening. It had to be pressed into service quickly, so I did not do a video of the mechanism running. My thanks to all for the comments, and the help. The new motor has a "turned" brass pulley on it rather than a two part pressed steel like the original but is identical otherwise right down to the model/specification sticker.

Interestingly, this is the second seal that I have replaced. The first one went out very early on - (no doubt fifteen minutes out of warranty) - and there was no "build-up" then to speak of, and the parts disassembled quickly and with no effort. I put that seal in too, and it lasted all this time.

The washer is used quite a lot and at one time suffered under overloading conditions (the offender has since moved - LOL) so, with the repair, all the new parts, and the new motor - I hope it will be around at least another five years or so. At which time both units can be replaced and hopefully those will last my remaining time on earth.

 

[combo52]

Glad You Got The Motor In So Easily

The motor pulley that looks like brass is actually plated steel [ which is better than brass or the orignal stamped steel pulley ] Yay

John L.