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roto204

roto204

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Feb 5, 2010
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The Evil Kenmore of 1961 revisited me in the form of an otherwise innocent-looking early-eighties Whirlpool. After a few days of using our lovely new set, David and I noticed a mild leak.

It was a tiny leak, but was remarkably persistent. After a day of heavy laundry, eventually, it covered the back half of laundry room with an eighth of an inch of water.

Sigh.

I poked and prodded, and could only find the water coming from the side of the baseplate, which pretty much limits it to the center seal or the sump seal (unlikely), or a tub bolt (way unlikely).

So, I tore it all apart with David's help today, and...yet another super-rusted centerpost compressed the seal! Hooray!

Note to Whirlpool Engineering: If it's underwater, plate it or paint it, or decide against it. (Please.)

The new seal's in place, and I also fixed a tiny dribble from the bleach dispenser tube. So, here's the house in 3D at the moment. :-)

roto204++4-24-2010-21-30-13.jpg
 
Plus...

The Double-Duty Surgilator that would not quit: No boiling water or penetrating oil required here. I tried both; eventually sawing it off. Every last fragment that contacted the spline clung as though it was glued. I have grease for the next one, but DAMN, I have never had an agitator stick so badly. Funky, and removal with a hammer was required, down to the last fragment...

roto204++4-24-2010-21-35-15.jpg
 
Nate -

If you ever have a stuck agitator again, a large screw-driver driven into the top of the agitator with a heavy hammer will quickly split the agitator and it will come right off. It takes about 10 - 15 seconds. I hate doing that, but have done it at least five or six times.

We're the splines rusted? Stuck agitators are more common on standard centerpost models vs. the short centerposts.

Looking forward to hearing more about this machine.

Gordon
 
Oh Nate, I hope it gets better for you. But why do I have this sense that you don't really mind sawing things up to fix a situation? You know, problem solved using a method that also allows you to take out your frustrations on the thing that's causing them. Surely you enjoyed a measure of satisfaction from that!

So hey, does the clock actually work? I don't think you tested it that day when you picked it up. I like where you've put it.

An island is OK. Start worrying if a peninsula begins to take shape.

Ralph
 
Hijo de...

Sorry for the delay--today was all about replacing the door-catch, belt and support rollers on the matching dryer. I lubed the door springs, support rollers and idler pulley, and had a chance to do some additional vacuuming. Lo and behold, someone had dropped a box of toothpicks (the contents, not the actual box) down the lint filter chute, and I found them akimbo at the bottom of the duct. Good thing I had another teardown opportunity!

It purrs quietly now, rather than sounding like it had an errant pair of sneakers in it all the time. It sure doesn't seem to take much roller deformation to make those dryers noiiiisy. Boy, that thing was so much easier to take apart than the old machines. I had it totally apart (much to David's chagrin) in no time!

Here's to hoping for the washer. :-)

Thanks for the agitator tip, Gordon. No corrosion--but no sign of lubricant. So, the plastic stuck tightly to the spline. Maybe a Monday after a long weekend at the factory?

Jamie, I like your thinking :-P
 

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