I think GE Filter Flos hate me!

[volvoguy87]

Last week I replaced the clutch on my grandmother's Filter Flo (yes, I will post pictures as soon as I find the transfer cable for my camera). Now the motor is dead.

I disconnected the pump drive and the belt and the motor will hum loudly but not start. I gave the pump drive on top of the clutch a spin by hand and the motor hummed and maintained that speed for a few seconds before slowly coming to a humming halt. I could also smell the scent of scorched windings.

I know how to replace the motor, I just need to get one. Does anyone out there have a spare they would like to get rid of?

I think this washer is cursed. In the last 2 months, the boot has come loose, I have replaced the clutch, and I have replaced the belt. After the motor, what's next?

Thank you,
Dave

 

[classiccaprice]

You are lucky you have so much persistance Dave. I know if your parents had their way they would have a new p.o.s. Maytag there instead (not to be confused with vintage amazing Maytags). Good Luck.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Dave it could just be the external motor start relay and not the motor itself.

 

[volvoguy87]

Smell.

I was not present when the problem first reared its head. I was told the kitchen filled with smoke and there was a horrible smell like burning oil. When I took the back off of the washer tonight, there was still a smell of fried "electronical stuff." My grandparents have very poor hearing and almost no sense of smell so they had no idea there was a problem with the washer until a relative walked in. My concern is that the power was on to a stalled motor long enough that it might have caused serious damage to the windings.

My entire family is saying to junk the machine and replace with a nice new shreadmore (they still firmly believe that new is ALWAYS better). I need to work very quickly and cheaply in order to keep this GE in regular service. Since speed is of the essence, I am hoping to replace the motor ASAP. I can test the old one later.

Right now there are over 30 family members coming for Thanksgiving, and none of them have any interest in repairing the GE. I am between a rock and a hard place and I would like to wiggle out of it as soon as I can.

Thanks Robert, I don't doubt your diagnosis, but I wonder if further damage was done.

Dave

 

[Unimatic1140]

Maybe the solution here Dave is for you to keep your grandparents GE at your house and let them get a new machine. You can then keep that GE running forever without the stress of having to get it done fast.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Dave -

Robert is very likely right. Sometimes older machines that ran and ran and ran until the weakest link finally gave out can't "appreciate" a strong, new part for very long. It fixes the immediate problem, but all the rest of the worn parts that work in concert with the new one begin to show their age.

Persistence is a golden trait to have, especially when you're working on something of your own. When you are dealing with someone else's item, and you're working upstream against the "get a new one" bug, sometimes you're fighting a loosing battle.

It sounds to me from my experience, that the motor, your old belt, and possibly the pump all had extensive use and wear, which when installing a tight, new belt protested and began to fail. I've had that happen in high-mileage Kenmores, and high mileage Mustangs too. What happens next is you begin to replace everything else that is involved. That leaves the pump and transmission.

You may want to think about what would happen a couple months down the road if you get a replacement motor in the machine, only to find the pump giving out next, or the transmission knocking, etc.

If your grandparents really want a new machine (a decent DD isn't so bad) then I'd bet they'd let you have the GE all to yourself and you can enjoy it for what it's worth to you without anyone else having any pressure on you about it.

Can you tuck the GE away at your place somewhere?

Happy Thanksgiving Dave, I wish you luck! I know how you feel...

 

[classiccaprice]

Robert and Gordan are right Dave... I've been trying to catch you to talk about this for a couple of days. Why don't you invest the money and send the machine to Wes's basement? I know you love the machine and it is very special to you, being your grandparents and all. However, what happens when you move (as you plan to do) and it breaks? They will just throw it out and get a new one. At least if you get it now, you get to keep it.

Remember how easy it was to get the Maytag's out of Savannah? Remember how happy your family was with your/my Maytag set in the garage? Remember your family's track record with your grandparent's treasures? I'm sure they would not be very quick to want to keep the old machine, without you being there prodding. Based on it's recent track record it may be better to get it now than risk fixing it only to break 6 months after you move and your parents replacing it. You might as well get the dryer while you're at it too. Look at it this way, it helps you to start your washing machine basement you always wanted and you don't loose them to the crusher.

Call me sometime.

 

[spinout]

GE parts

Lots of vintage GE filter flo parts cheap on ebay if you search for them. I had a similar motor failure and bought the very same motor as you need, a NOS GE replacement motor none the less, for about $35.

I sure wouldn't give up.

 

[bajaespuma]

Abnormal Brain--Don't use!

It would help if you posted a picture of this machine and its control panel. There are so many GE's on Craigslist and on ebay (and owned by members who sometimes sell them)that you could do what I have done and buy one(for less than a part sometimes) from the same year and cannibalize it for whatever parts you may need. I've popped a control panel from a 1977 Filter-Flo onto a Hotpoint clone from a different vintage. GE tended to use parts with the same specs for many years so with a little ingenuity and some help from the experts you can play Dr. Frankenstein with ease.

 

[volvoguy87]

An update.

The washer is a WWA8344VCLWH (the WH on the end indicates color). Things are a little crazy right now because there is still family in my home from Thanksgiving so I can't take a picture. The timer is on the right, there are 2 toggleswitches on the left side for spped (2 speeds) and wash temperature (hot, warm, and cold). There are 2 knobs in the middle, one for load size including mini basket, and one for an optional second rinse. The activator is a 4-straight vane.

I need to obtain a new or new-to-me motor. I also probably need a new speed control solonoid and a motor relay just for fun. I am also keeping my eyes peeled for a new second rinse selector switch.

I think the death of the motor is my own fault (I hate when that happens). I read a small blurb about hgow I should replace the speed control solonoid when replacing the clutch or else the motor would burn out. I neglected to replace this solonoid. I assumed that when the blurb was written it was intended for service professionals who worked on machines but did not know the specific history of the machines on which they worked. I assumed that replacing the solonoid was reccommended because it was assumed that the clutch was being replaced because the speed was changed while the washer was running, which could certainly damage the solonoid.

How the heck does the speed selection solonoid cause the motor to burn out? It worked just fine with the old clutch. The clutch was shot, but it had 2 speeds. The new clutch worked perfectly for over a week, then the motor burned out. What happened to cause this?

Thank you for your patience,
Dave