It's Question Time - The 1-18 Has Finally Arrived....

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angus

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 23, 2001
Messages
929
Location
Fairfield, CT.
OK, so here's the deal. Some time ago I posted that the boys at one of the local appliance stores pulled a 1-18 (model WIC-A)from an older person;s home and were holding it for me. It tested out fine and was in very decent cosmetic shape. The repair shop next to the appliance store did a few minor adjustments.

ANYWAY, since they were delivering my new microwave yesterday, I was finally able to get them to deliver the washers. Needless to say, I was thrilled to send the Whirlpool shredmaster to the garage(if I ever sell the house, that will be the machine that comes with it.) While they were installing the microwave, I gave the WCI-A a quick clean up so it could go into the laundry alcove (very tight space so the sides had to be wiped down before setting it in place). Then I set about getting it ready for its maiden voyage. Since it hadn't been used in at least 8 months, I put some hot water in and let it sit for a while. Then I did a more thorough clean up inside. The filter, agitator cap, bleach dispenser cup and the inside of the agitator cone all had some mildew. Also, the previous owner apparently was very fond of liquid fabric softener, so a good hot water and bleach scrubbing was in order. The filter was a big challenge - it was really kind of gross. Then I cleaned around the filter port and around the top of the outer tub as best as my access would allow. Finally finished filling the machine, added some Clorox, STPP and detergent, let it soak, then ran it through a cycle. It was amazing how much crap that flushed out - probably years of congealed fabric softener along with some dead earwigs. Then I did real laundry. Now you must remember that I have limited exposure to Frigidaires. I must say that it is one awesome machine. But then you all know that anyway - I have to laugh at myself - the sound when it shifts from fill to wash still makes me jump. Overall, I was incredibly impressed and I DO love the panel lamp. I will try to post some pics since later this week since the control panel choices are a bit complicated. I am not sure if that indicates that it was more of a top of the line model or not.

Now here's the question that shows how mechanically inept I really am. While the machine cleaned up well, there is still a musty/mildewy smell that I think requires me to lift the top and really clean the underside of the top and around the outer tub. OK, so how do I do this?
 
Angus

A) Remove the control panel:
1) Remove the two chrome screws on the front of the control panel
2) tip panel back 45 degrees then lift towards you and up.
3) Now tip panel back and reach in and disconnect the air pipe from the water level switch.
4) next using A soft touch push screw drivers agianst the nylon stops on the connector harness, wiggle back and forth and pull up to remove upper harness from machine top.
Now you should be able to remove the controls completely from the machine.
B) Remove machine top panel:
1) take a putty knife insert at front corners push in under top to release the two metal snaps at the front corners.
2) push front of top up JUST off snaps no higher!
3)Poke air pipe down through hole in top, pull top FORWRARD >>> then lift all the way up to free it from the nylon backstays.

Now you should be looking at the sub top. You can completely remove it for cleaning if you are confident about removing the water inlet connectors and lint filter connectors OR you can just remove the 8 steel clamps around the edge and lift it up to clean underneath.

I think WICA is a late machine but if you find that the clamps are the early stainless steel style you will have to remove them carefully as they will bend permanently and you will not be able to use them again as they won't hold the top down. In the early 70's Frigidaire replaced the SS clamps with green steel clamps which can come off and a 1,ooo times.

I find SIMPLE Green really does a super job on all that gunk-on-plastic !!

send pics!
-
 
Ya don't need to take off the console,IIRC.Take the front panel off,and you'll see the 2 clips that need unsnapped.Push in on the clips,lift the front of the top off,and pull it towards you.The wiring will disconnect from below,the only problem will be the small hose for the water level.You can take off the back panel of the console to remove it.

kennyGF
 
Thanks, Jon and Greg- I probably won't get to that project until next weekend. It's a good thing I asked you guys for help or I would surely have broken something in the process. BTW, the serial number is 71EE-5432 - would this make it a 1977 model?

OK, now for the next questions.

A) As many times as we have discussed using today's liquid detergents in older machines, would that apply to this machine? Why I ask is that I can use any of my stockpile of Fab, Ajax or Fresh Start Powders and in a pinch I can use Tide HE powder. But sister has that allergy to fragrance, so needs a "free" product and I would prefer something low sudsing. That would lead me to Tide HE Free Liquid. Thoughts?

B) The boys also delivered my window lid copper brown W-2 (serial number 41EJ-7749)yesterday. That is the machine I found at an estate sale back in the summer. It is also the machine that I was told needed all new bearings and was leaking "down the shaft". Now other than that, the machine seems to operate fine, and is incredibly clean. I talked with a few former Frigidaire servicers. They have searched, but apparently the bearing kits for that model are not to be found around here anywhere. Any ideas where else I might search?

And an aside - Two of the servicers I spoke with are small family owned businesses as well as dealers and have been around for several decades. Both were thrilled that I found a couple of those machines and are anxious to help with the servicing. Finally, people who are not saying things like "why do you want to save those things when you can get a new washer for almost nothing?" Enough said.......

Thanks again for all the encouragement - now if I could only find a nice Poppy Red set, I would be thrilled - but hey, I don't want to be greedy.........
 
Angus, I am so happy for you!! Can't wait to see pictures of her. You know how I love those lighted consoles!!!! Terry
 
Hey way to go on the 1-18! I know my 78' WC-6 has a bit of 'funk' to it, but we rarely use it right now. We haven't really tried to run much to clean it out, or have had time. Looking forward to more pics cleaning!

Ben
 
Anthony, if you need help with the control panel setting, you can post or email me. I've got it all memorized. With the lighted control panel sounds like it is an Imeprial or Custom Imperial, most likely the latter. Bob
 
In fact today, I'm washing all my towels. I've done a couple of loads of them since Dec., but this is the first time I have them all dirty. I try to wait until they're all ready to wash so the wear is consisten, allbeit staggered dut to purchase time differences. Anyway, I'm now washing the towels that were done in Austin's 1/18 and they're all screaming "what the ...., where that much better towel washing machine?" IN fact, it's taking me 2 loads rather than the one big one. One at full water level and the other at 2/3 to 3/4.
 
Well, I actually figured out the control panel today, and it really wasn't all that difficult. Basically all the temperature and speeds are programmed in the cycle selection. Then you have the "options" dial for extended soak, soak, extra rinse, prewash, prewash and extra rinse. Then you have the "cold" option dial which apparently will override the soak/wash/rinse temp provided by the cycle selection.

Now any thoughts on the W-2 I mentioned earlier?.....Inquiring minds want to know......
 

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