Kenmore Top Loader?

[blockeight88]

Reply 18

Thank you for your input. Do you know why they advertised these as having King Size Capacity then? Are there any advantages over the other tub?

I also enjoy having a warm rinse option available, even though, from everything I have read, it's not very beneficial with today's detergent. I do feel it rinses better because the scent is nearly gone when I pull the laundry out of the wash.

 

[DADoES]

 
King Size Capacity is partly a marketing term, and may be partly features if the machine has a Triple Action agitator on which the auger is spring-loaded to lift itself slightly upwards and press down on the load for helping promote rollover.  The effect during agitation doesn't trigger unless the load is very large to provide enough resistance.

You can determine if it's a Triple Action agitator by pulling upwards on the auger to feel the spring resistance.  Some models have Triple Action Agitator descriptive text on the agitator cap.

This video on how to remove/replace the auger shows the spring mechanism.


This video (which is not mine) shows the vertical "triple" action with a set of king-size sheets and a king-size blanket.  Watch closely, it's subtle.  Easier to see at full-screen on a computer monitor than on a little phone.  Many people probably would say the machine is overloaded but it's not.

 

[blockeight88]

Reply 20

Very interesting. I was not aware that the triple action agitation moved up and down only when there is more resistance in the load.

Does this model have a timed bleach dispenser?

Also how do you bypass the lid switch on this model?

 

[blockeight88]

Does this model have a timed bleach dispenser? And how do you bypass the lid switch?

 

[DADoES]

 
Timed bleach, probably not but need a photo with the lid open, or the model number to be 100% sure.

The temporary/manual lid switch bypass depends whether it's plunger-style (poke a finger, stick, straw, pencil, etc. into the plunger hole) or hinge-style (unscrew the lid hinge on whichever side, loosen it from the lid and turn it down as if the lid is closed).  A more permanent solution either way is splice the wires together.  Or place a jumper across the connection plug instead of cutting the wires, but full motor current passes through it so that isn't the best method.

 

[blockeight88]

Bleach Dispenser

I'm going to see the machine later today and get pictures. Do you have a link to the bleach dispensers that are timed? Are they the more round ones? From my research, the Kenmore Elite washers usually used these.

 

[blockeight88]

Model Number

Here is the model number. The selling is going to completely recondition the machine. Replace the neutral drain kit, suspension, and clutch.

 

[DADoES]

 
Parts diagrams shows it has a timed bleach dispenser of a design that wasn't used for long.  I've not run across a machine with this dispenser design or seen one operate so my assumptions on how it operates are by observation of the design.  A reservoir with a valve operated by a wax motor is incorporated into the tub ring.  The funnel immediately drains into the reservoir with the bleach presumably held there until the wax motor opens the valve during the wash period at which point it releases into the outer tub for mixing into the load.

That's assuming wax motor still works and/or the tub ring hasn't been changed to a different style or any other related modifications.

Serial CM3246395 = factory production August 5-9 of 2002.

 

[blockeight88]

Interesting. So when does the bleach get dispensed into the load? What if you set the wash to 4 minutes?

I also observed the washer do several spray rinses, both after the way and rinse cycles.

 

[appnut]

Probably dispenses at 2 minutes like all the other DDs I have come across with auto bleach dispenser.

 

[DADoES]

 
I searched for a tech sheet and wiring diagram for timer sequences, didn't find anything.

 

[blockeight88]

Was this a rare model then?

 

[Chetlaham]

Tech Sheet

Should be able to be pulled up by a registered service tech. Can anyone help?

Typically unless a user has trouble with their machine and asks for the wiring diagram on a forum linked to Google, they are hard to come by, as unfair as it is.

The machine in question is not rare, in fact these tend to show up more than BOL machines in seller listings.

As with anything Kenmore, you're buying the creme de la creme of a Whirlpool product, and one of the best overall washer line ups ever made. No better balance of clean-ability, flexibility, longevity, durability, clothing care and servicability has ever been offered for the price IMO. I wouldn't hesitate as this machine has all the legit features and combinations a user could ask for.

 

[blockeight88]

Chetlaham

Except according to the owner’s manual the warm rinse is controlled to 75F. It also doesn’t do a hot/warm which bums me out.

 

[DADoES]

 
I found the tech sheet.  The timer sequence chart indicates Bleach Dispense during the last 3 increments (6 mins) of the wash period on Ultra Clean.  Last 2 increments (4 mins) on Perm Press.

 

[DADoES]

 
A warm rinse (warm such as it is) with hot wash can be had by changing the setting to either of the Warm rinse choices after the wash fill is done with hot.

Or you can be a dial-pusher and get a warm rinse at the warm *wash* temps by using the Pre Wash cycle as a manual extra rinse.

 

[blockeight88]

Rinse

Yea but why did they omit hot/warm? The first machine pictured has it. My warm wash temp gets to about 100F. The rinse should too, when selected. The knob should read “Warm/Cool” as that more accurately describes the rinse temp.

 

[Chetlaham]

Nice! Can you post or link to the cycle sheet?

(The ones I've seen for EM Kenmore Elites are relatively simple for all the cycle options, a big plus in dependability and repair)

I personally would not worry about having a 75*F rinse. IMO, no enhanced rinsing is gained at 100*F vs 75*F. Both temps relax the fabric and will dilute away detergent. The whole idea of an ATS warm rinse is to allow the user the option of not having to rinse clothes in stone cold water during the winter while saving energy over an unregulated warm fill which can get quite warm in the summer even with a 30/70 water valve. I say this on experience, 65*F cold water and 150*F hot warm makes for a strong warm.

Hot/Warm- I hear you! I wish all washers could have this feature. Sadly not so. If you really wanted it I guess you could tinker with the fill circuit and set something up as previous generations of Kenmores offered hot/warm.

 

[DADoES]

 
Hot/Warm as a direct choice, of course, was eliminated for energy concerns.

 

[blockeight88]

Thank you for the info on the warm rinse. I guess 75*F is sufficient. So if warmer water relaxes the fabric, then why isn't' this option widely available on today's machines? I live in the Midwest where the winters are extremely cold and the incoming water is between 42-50 in the dead of winter. How do these new machines wash out detergent residue in cold climates?