Help save a washing machine from the dumpster!!

[pacifica66]

Ok, i've determined that this website is where real washing machine experts reside. so, i'm coming to you for help.

i have a Whirlpool belt drive imperial washer, probably from the early '80's. the model number is LA7000MNO, though the last 3 letters may actually be MWO (it's hard to read). the problem with my machine is that it doesn't agitate. when i remove the agitator cap, i can see that the agitator shaft is turning vigorously, but the plastic agitator itself just sits there barely twitching. Unlike modern washers, i know i'm not dealing with a system of "dogs", right? From my very limited knowledge, what i can see is just that the agitator has somehow become "separated" from its shaft, so that they don't turn together anymore. Attempts to remove the bolt atop the agitator shaft met with failure. My wife wants to throw this antique away, but I cannot bring myself to do it without making EVERY EFFORT to save it! What can i do?? Any help is very, very appreciated, thank you!

 

[coldspot66]

Sounds like stripped splines on the agitator. If you can, put the washer into agitation so that the agitator shaft doesn't freewheel,stop the machine in agitation, then try to remove the bolt. If you get the agitator out, look at the splines on the agitator shaft. If they are worn down, or stripped then it may be time for a new machine. You would have to replace the agitator shaft, which involves dropping the transmission from the machine and cracking it open. If the splines are good, then a new agitator may be all you need.

 

[cfz2882]

classic BD

Don't throw that out-lots of parts(new and used)still are
avalible for the classic BDs(not totally sure,but i think
agitators from the"DD"washers fit the later BDs?)
Does your washer have the "dual action"agitator with the
ratcheting auger upper section-that is what my two model 70
BDs have
Another good reason to repair that BD is the sound-no other
washer sounds as cool as those...

 

[volvoguy87]

Stripped agitator splines?

With the agitator off, look at the splines inside the agitator. If they are stripped, you'll need a new agitator. They're affordable on ebay.

Also, try the washer in agitation and push down on the agitator and see if that makes it work. If so, it's indicative of a different problem.

Dave

 

[combo52]

NON AGITATING WP BELT DRIVE WASHER

John from Mass. gave the correct answer. If you bother to look up the model# you can see that it doesn't have a Dual-Action agitator, and no DD agitator will not fit any Belt Drive machines. Dave pushing down on the agitator shaft of a belt drive washer will never make a washer agitate if it has a transmission problem, the agitate gear in the trans that engages the pin on the agitator shaft drops down on the pin to start agitation. Pushing the shaft down if anything would disengage the agitator. Welcome to the world of internet advice where most of it is useless.

 

[volvoguy87]

There's always the possibility of error.

Thanks for the correction.
Dave

 

[goatfarmer]

"Welcome to the world of internet advice where most of it is useless."

Geee....tough crowd!

 

[pacifica66]

So, it's either the agitator or agitator shaft?

Well then, it sounds like either the agitator or agitator shaft. i can say pretty definitively that my washer does not have the "dual action" agitator. incidentally, i confirmed that the model number definitely ends in "MNO", though i should say i have found no reference to my exact model on the internet through a google search. the "MWO" ending is a different story, though-- there seem to be lots of parts available for those.

tonight i'll try removing that bolt when the machine is stopped in agitation mode, as you suggest, because as of right now my biggest problem is that i'm unable to remove the agitator and have a look-- when i try to remove the bolt atop the agitator, it just spins in place. i'm guessing that this is because i'm simply rotating the entire shaft and not moving the bolt at all.

again, thanks for the help and i'll let you know how it goes.

 

[combo52]

REMOVING AGITATOR BOLT

Allow the washer to fill with water to the lowest water level, and start trying to agitate, this will lock the agitator shaft in gear stop the washer and try unscrewing the bolt.

 

[DADoES]

 
The difference between MN0 and MW0 is color.

MN0 is almond.

MW0 is white.

There's also likely another letter in the model number: LA7000XMN0?

M = 1984 model year.