I may be giving up on Frigidaire 1-18s?

[jons1077]

I have a couple of Frigidaire 1-18s. One is working just fine and someone in the club has spoken for it and will be getting it perhaps in the coming spring.

I pull out my other 1-18 which has been sitting for a little while since I did a huge amount of work on it. A few years ago I did a complete tear-down of this machine, cleaned it from top to bottom and replaced the old bearings. It was extremely difficult especially due to the tub seal leaking. I found a new tub seal but that one leaked like crazy because it had a crack in the carbon seal. Amazingly found another new seal and replaced it yet again. (Anyone who has done this knows that replacing this little seal is no small task.) The spin was quiet and the washer was finally leak-free. However, something still wasn't right because during the spin there is this horrible screeching sound like something is grinding somewhere. I suspect it's the clutch brake assembly but by the time I got to this point I was so tired of trying so I put the machine aside.

Today, I hooked it up and to my disbelief it is leaking water like crazy. I'm not sure where I went wrong or how this new seal could leak like this but it is and I'm about done with it altogether.

I appreciate any input. I'd love to see this machine work and stay with me but for the most part I'm ready to move on.

Thanks for listening.

Jon

 

[slowspin66]

Don't give in

Dear Jon I know exactly how you feel but DONT give up or dump the machine.i have a done a few restorations and often you know you take one step forward and 2 backwards !!!
My AW counsellor always says "just leave it Darren and do something else. " some times a total break will help to clarify your thoughts and develop a few alternative options in the problem solving. .A year or so ago I came to the states on holiday with a nightmare problem with a clutch . Before I left for holiday it was a none starter when I got home after the holiday it was repaired so quickly !!!! The break just clarified my thoughts and next plan of attack ? Hold in there alll things are possible . Darren

 

[goatfarmer]

Are you sure it's the seal, and not a rusty outer tub, or similar?

 

[christfr]

hey jon don't give up just yet.. but I do have to ask the experts here if there is a trick to the tub seal? I have done a tub seal on 2 1-18s the first machine seemed to be fine for about a year the second machine the seal crapped out after a few weeks, and now mark is having the same issue with his 1-18 new seal and still a leak. from what I remember and was told the machine came apart all was clean with no rust the old seal came out the new one went in no prob. but not long after same leak. so whats the trick? never had any noise issue just a water leak

 

[jons1077]

Yah I'm baffled by the same thing Chris. Perhaps I need new water bellows? That's the only other possible leak source. It's definitely not rust, etc. This washer is completely rust free.

 

[glomain]

bellows

jon,i would say one of the bellows has a hole in it or a tear,it is not a uncommon problem w 1-18s,best bet is too fill with hot water and let sit for awhile if its not been used for awhile,but once it leaks from a bellow it too late,needs replaced again.DONT GIVE UP BEST WASHERS EVER MADE (just tempermental)

 

[jons1077]

I won't give up just yet...

I have no idea where to even start to find new bellows for this machine or even the bellows pliers for that matter. When I last worked on this machine I was still friends with a member of this club who let me borrow his pliers. He hasn't returned a call or email in 3 years.

The washer only started leaking once agitation began. That doesn't really help because, again, that could be a bad bellows being stretched and opening a tear or poor contact between the tub and the tub seal. I also wonder, if in fact it is the seal, should I put a small amount of mineral oil on the carbon seal. I don't think I did that and I'm wondering if that has something to do with it too.

As for the squealing, I have a good idea of what that is. One of my biggest challenges in working on this machine was my lack of proper tools. During the process of removing the old bearing from the spin tube I did my very best at being gentle and try not to damage the ends of the tube. When it was all said and done I had deformed the end of the spin tube and the threading. I did my best to rethread it so that I could install the brake clutch assembly. I was sort of able to get it back together but the threads are just no good. I think it's the brake clutch that is squealing and I probably just need to take it off and not have any tub brake.

Anywho, I guess I should try to locate new bellows and pliers in the meantime.

 

[washerlover]

Hi Jon,

Please don't give up yet! A word to the wise: and I am afraid to even bring this up, but a few years ago I had a '65 Lady Kenmore combo. Needed tons of work, did most of it myself, then couldn't get it all back together again and running properly. I had a job offer in another county and in my haste, scrapped the entire machine before I moved. Boy, did I get in BIG trouble from a few members of the club for doing that!! So hang in there -- this club is extremely helpful and supportive!

 

[christfr]

YEA DONT SCRAP IT .. YOU KNOW THE FIRST TIME I DID CHANGE THE BELLOWS THE SECOND TIME I DIDNT BUT EITHER WAY THEY WERE SOFT AND IN GOOD SHAPE. I HAVE A FEELING IS A SIMPLE THING THAT I JUST CANT GET RIGHT

 

[goatfarmer]

A "C" clamp will work in a pinch for bellows pliers.

 

[goatfarmer]

Also, IIRC, when you install the new seal, run it in a dry spin for a few minutes. That helps mate the seal surfaces.

 

[beekeyknee]

There's a bellows at a locally owned appliance store store here, but I don't know which one it is. I'm not a Frigidaire expert. I think they come in different sizes for different models. If memory serves it's a WCI bellows. I'd have to look again. It's been there for years but it's still soft and pliable. If you want I could go look at it and get the part #. It maybe an off brand, like Robert Shaw or something, so the part # might not match up. I could take a picture of it for you.

B.