Is my Kenmore worth saving

[suds14]

After many years of faithful service my Kenmore washer's motor burned out on the first wash this past weekend. I am wandering is it worth replacing the motor or should I scrap the machine. I would first remove the parts I am able to in case someone would need them. Model number is 11072784100. Please let me know your thought, wife thinks it was and is scrap. For the time being I have hooked a 3 yr old GE my son gave me when his wife got her front loader. I am not liking this machine very much, only thing I like is the heavy loads spin dryer.[this post was last edited: 7/12/2016-18:46]

 

[akronman]

Motor

Kenmore Motor's are readily available on the used market, and inexpensive. If that's the only problem, it's an easy repair.

But now and then one must listen to one's spouse, too!
Who does most of the laundry?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

David

You washer does not need to be scrapped unless you want it to be.

There are lots of motors out there for your 1977 80 series machine. My go-to source would be eBay.

Let me give you a couple search tips:

If you want new, there are many new in box Whirlpool/FSP motors available, but being new, most of these are varyingly expensive, depending on what each seller wants for them, from full retail and down from there. The Whirlpool part number is 285222. Search that, you will find many results. This motor comes with a capacitor (as did your original motor) which must be installed on the motor, then you will have to install the old motor mounting brackets onto the new motor. You will also have to swap the motor pulley.

If you are ok with used (the rest of your machine is by now very used) then when you search 285222 some sellers will list used motors under this part number. Look those over carefully. I have bought them everywhere from $14.95 and up. Shipping is not cheap because these motors are heavy.

Finally, search part number 357822. This is the late model part number for two speed square capacitor start motors made by Emerson. They were what MOSTproduction was shipped with in the late 70s through the end of the belt drives.

I will do these exact searches for you now. If I find something interesting, I will report back.

Gordon

 

[kenmoreguy64]

What I found

A listing for a brand new motor for $70 free shipping.

Also found a 357875 / 285222 used motor for $45 plus $15 shipping. Motor looks awesome.

Finally I found a 357822 used motor that looks promising.

There are some lower priced alternatives, but some look a bit "well used" and others, very surprisingly are single speed motors. Don't buy one that doesn't have a terminal for the orange wire on the start switch unless you want to lose the delicate cycle.

Gordon

 

[beekeyknee]

David,

Have you looked into what caused the motor to fail? If it was something other than just a bad motor or start switch, a new motor might fail again.

Brian

 

[suds14]

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for the information, I will look at them when I get home cannot access e-bay or most other parts /shopping sites from work.

David

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Burnt motor?

Have you checked the motor? Most calls I get on a "burnt motor" are not the motor, but a burnt belt. When the belt wears it gets loose and starts to slip, causing enough friction at the motor pulley to cause some smoke and end with a broken belt.

 

[toploadloyalist]

Do you have pictures of your Kenmore?

 

[suds14]

I found a picture of the Kenmore.

 

[washdaddy]

you should try and save that machine. They don't make machines like that anymore.

If it's the motor, as you've seen here, they are still available for your machine. It's just are you willing to do the work. It isn't too difficult to do. There's more than enough members who would offer you some assistance/guidance if you ask.

If you do decide to go with another machine offer this one to someone here in the group for a small price and you'll probably get someone who would take it.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[brucelucenta]

Have you thought about joining the 21st century and getting a front load machine? There are many good ones out there and they do a whole lot more than your old Kenmore did. They do it better with no lint or residue and virtually no wear on your clothes. The clothes take longer to wash and rinse, but the drying time is practically nothing compared to what it was with the Kenmore. You save a lot on water and energy too.

 

[suds14]

I want to try to get the Kenmore fixed. I really do not like the G E. I do not think the people who make these washers ever washed a load of clothes. Bruce I would go insane with a front loader. They take way to long. When I was baby sitting my granddaughter and did my daughter in laws wash I could not believe it took 45 min to an hour per load, and sometimes minutes kept getting added to the cycle. I love the old belt drives. I really need to get the Whirlpool with suds saver running. They just don't make then like that any more. Thanks for all the help and information.

David