Info about this Kenmore TL, please?

[revvinkevin]

Here I am again, coming to the experts looking for information on a washer!

What can any of you tell me about this Kenmore washer? I do know it's a 24" wide, standard capacity, direct drive (I believe) AND I think is BOL (or not since it has 2 cycles?). I would like to know the year and anything else you out there in washer-land would like to share.

Oh, also, as you can see in the photos, it's missing the knob for the water level switch. Do you have an idea where I might find it at a reasonable price?? I went to the Sears parts & repair store... and I can order the correct knob, BUT they want 35 DOLLARS FOR IT!!!! OMG! I replaced the timer control knob and it was ONLY $25!!!! Help?

Thanks in advance!
Kevin

 

[revvinkevin]

Close up...

 

[qsd-dan]

Got a pic of the water control knob? I have a several spare knobs for Kenmore's of this vintage.

 

[revvinkevin]

Hi Dan, sorry no, I don't have a picture of it. I just got this washer and the knob was missing. I assume it looks something like the timer knob, but smaller and probably with a pointer for the water level notations.

 

[tuthill]

Early direct drive w/ spin drain!

 

[fredfred9633]

when i was getting my kenmore fl washer i had the choice between that and the fl. i was stupid and chose the fl. now i have arthritis in my knees and i cant kneel. i should have gotten the tl

 

[tuthill]

Arthritis?

You're 14 wtf

 

[fredfred9633]

it runs in the family

schuks

 

[revvinkevin]

When was it built??

Does anyone know how old this washer is??

Thanks!

 

[DADoES]

Seems to been manufactured in 1984. SearsPartsDirect.com lists the knob at $22.50.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The machine was made in the 6th week of 1984 in the Clyde Ohio plant. The model was originally issued in 1983 and is considered a standard capacity.

The machine is not really BOL believe it or not. Since it has an adjustable water level and a Perm. Press cycle, there are a couple models below it.

As far as finding a knob, used appliance stores probably have what you'd want from a scrap machine, therefore CHEAP, if you find the right place. Check ebay as well. The trick will be to find one with the D-shaft in the right spot, since the control is pointed to the 9-o'clock position vs. the usual 12-o-clock. This may make the knob on your machine less common.

The part number is 382824. Try ebay if you're not in a hurry. There aren't any there right now but I know I've seen them.

Good luck!

 

[revvinkevin]

Thank you all for you help!

Thank you Gordon and to all others for all of the information on this machine, I really appreciate it!! Now all I have to do is start scouring all of the old appliance stores.... but first I need to figure out where they all are!

I create a new thread and post other photos once I complete my plumbing project...

Thanks again!
Kevin

 

[whirlcool]

Look at the control dial printing. "Cotton/Sturdy". It's in that computeresq font that was so popular for appliances back in the 80's.

 

[supersurgilator]

I have a machine just like this!!! ANd the matching dryer. We bought ours in 1983. It was doing 2 loads a week up until about 5 years ago when I decided to stop using it as a daily driver. Still works great though. Yes it does do a spin drain.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Kenmore switched from "Normal" to "Cotton/Sturdy" in 1981 when they re-did the print layout on all their control panels. I never liked the title "Cotton/Sturdy" as much as "normal", but noticed by the 90s when they started to re-think the cycles on the DDs (they had a new "heavy duty cycle" and the normal was changed to slow agitate speed) that "cotton sturdy" was no longer used.

 

[revvinkevin]

QSD DAN... can you e-mail me please??

I'd like to chat with you about the extra control knobs you have.

My e-mail is in my profile, thanks!
Kevin

 

[revvinkevin]

SearsPartsDirect.com lists the knob at $22.50.

Yes they do... but by the time you add sales tax and shipping, it's $35!!! Yikes!

 

[revvinkevin]

Forgot to add....

Even if I order it in the store, they charge for shipping too.... so the price in the store is the same ($35).

 

[revvinkevin]

Update......

I have done a couple loads in this washer, one "real" load with my cloths and another with garage towels / shop rags. Now I know why these have the nickname "Shredmore"!

One of my shirts came out damaged when I washed my cloths (inner lining shredded). When I ran the load of shop rags, there was one towel which had seen better days. Once finished, the towel was shredded, tangled and tied in knots AND there was lint on every square inch of everything else in that load!

I guess I have been spoiled by the gentleness of the front loaders for the last 12 years!

Anyway, as much as I liked the little Kenmore for shop rags, etc, I decided I did not want or need two direct drive machines, so I put it on Craigs List yesterday and sold it! Now I have room for another non-DD machine (Filter Flo, Maytag, BD Kenmore???).