Kenmore belt drive issues

[syber_collie]

Hello, new here but have been into appliances for a long while. I have worked on vintage belt drives before but this one is stumping me. Just picked up this 82 Kenmore limited edition bd for $50. Machine is in amazing condition. I haven’t water tested it yet, but I’ve noticed that the agitator is extremely hard to turn. And sometimes the machine needs a hand in getting going for the spin cycle. And help would gladly be appreciated!

 

[repairguy]

Congrats that’s a great washer. My suggestion would be to tip it towards the front or lay it on its front on a blanket for a short period of time to see if water comes out of the gearcase. The mid eighties machines had a bad habit of the spin tube seal failing and filling the gearcase with water.

 

[syber_collie]

fluid doesn't look like its had water mixed in

I have checks the gearcase for oil, surprisingly it has some (most of the bd's I get are bone dry). I was planning on pulling the gearcase out to see f the shaft is still stiff without being in the pin tube. I've actually never had to pull a gearcase out of a bd so its a bit nerve racking but it doesn't seem too bad. i am wondering if there is a way I could make it agitate empty, with the electronic controls.

 

[repairguy]

You should be able to because the water level switch is not electronic.

 

[syber_collie]

How so then? I’ve only ever done it through machines with the suds return

 

[washdaddy]

you might check inside the console on the top of the machine to see if there is a tech sheet for trouble checking the washer. Don't know if it came with one or if it would still be there if it did. But it's worth at least checking. I had the DD version with an electronic console and I discovered paperwork in the console. It gave you instructions for how to check all the functions on the machine. I could make the washer do anything I wanted. It was fun to be able an check all the machines different functions.

 

[repairguy]

To me the simplest way is to use a spare pressure switch tubing. With the washer unplugged remove the back panel on the console. Remove the tubing connected to the switch. Connect the spare to the switch. Plug the washer in and set to fill. Slightly blow a steady pressure into the tube. When the switch clicks the machine should start agitating. Unplug after this test and don’t forget to reconnect the tubing from the washer after removing the spare.

 

[syber_collie]

I will have to check that, I also owned an electronic dd and it did have the paper for diagnostics in the console.

 

[syber_collie]

Will have to try the tube method, hopefully there is some form of diagnostics though

 

[syber_collie]

Quick update

Got the machine to agitate, seems like the tube and agitator shaft are kind of stuck together. Any thoughts?

 

[yogitunes]

seems like the shafts need cleaned and oiled.....at least thats where I would start...

 

[combo52]

Wash Basket Moves Somewhat When Agitating

This may or may not be a problem, hook up the washer to water and run at least a dozen loads through it and see if there are any other issues before you start tearing the washer apart because there may be other issues and you probably only want to tear it apart once.

 

I have this same pair in black in my 2nd home.

 

John L.

 

[syber_collie]

Thanks for all the advice, I still have yet to run water through it yet so I’ll have to see. Hopefully all goes well. I’ve had a belt drive in the past that had a somewhat stiff agitator shaft, but nothing like this. I’ll keep you updated for when I run water through it.

 

[syber_collie]

More kenmore

So I did the machines first run with water, no leaks but this issue is still present, it started the first spin fine but if I stopped it and started it again it’d do this, agitator is still stiff. Any help appreciated!

 

[yogitunes]

most likely you need spin clutch replacement...

and the shafts are going to need some lubrication....

 

[syber_collie]

More spin issue information

I’ve discovered more of these oddball symptoms in this video. Honestly kinda baffling me at this point.

 

[maytag85]

The agitator shaft needs some grease or oil on it, and a new spin clutch and that should solve the issues you are having with it.

 

[syber_collie]

I’m tempted to try to grease the shaft first and see how that goes as finding a clutch at the moment is fairly hard. What’s the best grease to use for these shafts?

 

[yogitunes]

Zoom Spout Oil...