Kitchenaid

[repairguy]

I looked at these a couple of times on varagesale and kept telling myself that I don’t need anymore washers or dryers. I wasn’t sure exactly what they were because the pictures only showed the inside of the machines and the tops of them but no control panels. I guess that’s why nobody was asking about them because they were reasonably priced. The description did say heavy duty Kitchenaid. I’ve always wanted a set of these but they weren’t common around here even though we had a sears store for almost 40 years. They are in pretty good shape for the most part. Looks like they were maybe low use machines and taken care of. So I finally told myself after they had been for sale for about a month that I’ll go look at them. They were older than I thought they would be but I really like these control panels. I decided to remove the tub to clean everything and noticed the water pump was new. For as nice as these machines are on the outside the base had more rust than I thought it should so I was thinking the tub seal was probably leaking and since I already had the tub out I might as well remove the outer tub and put a new seal in. When I removed the outer tub the tub seal had definitely been leaking. I think that’s probably why the pump was replaced. After cleaning everything up and putting it back together it was time for the first wash. Noticed it didn’t seem to fill as fast as it should have and then I noticed a leak which turned out to be the hose on the bottom of the water inlet valve that had been replaced. So when I was going to fix this leak with a new hose clamp I found a better fsp valve that I had and installed it. Leak fixed and much better water flow. The washer is probably the lowest model built by Kitchenaid but both are much heavier and built better than the direct drives that I normally repair to sell. The porcelain tops are awesome. Dryer works good but has a little rear seal noise so I might go into it and take care of. Sorry for the story. Here’s some pictures of the machines and some during the washer cleaning and repair. One last note. I was surprised to see the washer still has the original drive coupling and it’s in great shape. Washer model: KAWE550VAL0 built 43rd week of 1989, Dryer model: KEYE750VAL0 built 30th week of 1990

 

[DADoES]

 
These are the 3rd model year of KA laundry.  1987 (S, 1987) was the first.  Then T (1988), then V (1989).

I have a KAWE760W (1990, 26th week 1991) pair bought 8/27/1991.

 

[repairguy]

They sure are great heavy duty machines. As I mentioned, I always wanted a set of these and I’m afraid I’m going to have to keep them. I really like the chrome and black panels. I’ve repaired and sold used washers and dryers for over 25 years now but I usually keep the oldies that I like. That has left me with quite a large collection of machines. I was surprised to come across these in such good shape for their age. But I guess there’s still a few people out there that take good care of things.

 

[combo52]

Nice Kitchenaid Washer & Dryer

The KA W&Ds were very popular around the DC area and were very good machines, actually much better than MTs of the same era.

 

In addition to the nice porclean tops the washers cabinet should be galvanized metal to resist rust.

 

Even though these machines looked pretty good and probably did not have excessive use I would call them abused. The user certainly did not use either a good detergent and certainly not enough for water and soil conditions, and from the looks of the dryer drum they did way too much cold water washing again with too little detergent.

 

We pulled out a pair of upper middle of the line 1988 KMs out of a house a year ago and sold the couple a new set of SQs. When I brought them back to the shop and looked at the condition of the washer I could not believe how clean they were. There was not one tiny speck of dirt in the outer tub, under the plastic tub cover, under the wash basket etc, etc, etc.

 

Needless to say a new center-post seal was not necessary, nor a water pump or drive coupling, that washer went right out the door after it easily washed a load of 12 pairs of my blue jeans without any problem.

 

Enjoy your cool vintage KA W&D, they are worth keeping, they will out wash and dry any Maytag W&D ever built [ at least by the Maytag Company ]

 

John L.

 

[repairguy]

Thanks! It is my belief that these machines were probably owned by the same person for most of the machines lives. Then they were either sold used or went through a used appliance dealer. The folks I got them from said they had them about a year. I didn’t ask why they were getting rid of them but it was a brand new house so I assumed they probably got new machines for that reason. There were a lot of marks on the cabinets that I believe were recent from someone not caring enough about these machines in their transition from where they originally were for many years until I received them.

 

[repairguy]

John L. That is pretty amazing for a set at 30 years of age to be that clean. As I’m sure you see how people treat washers/dryers these days it seems like everything I get in these days needs deep cleaning and lots of paint from misuse and cheap cabinets. I definitely send a lot more to scrap than I used to. Repairs used to be relatively simple on the direct drives(couplings, agitator dogs, lid switches, pumps) and paint was not required. Now it seems machines come in with multiple issues vs. one. I still enjoy it a lot, though. A lot more people are buying used these days due to a bad experience or multiple bad experiences with new machines.

 

[DADoES]

Used Market

 
I've had a 1999 rebuilt Kenmore 90 for sale for a couple months.  I replaced the tub support & basket drive/brake/clutch, agitator shaft/neutral drain/fresh oil, & thoroughly cleaned everything.  Also the lid switch, which broke several years ago and was bypassed but I don't want to sell it without the safety.  The cabinet & base have very little rusting after I PORed & painted it 8 years ago (it waited in my garage for 5 years prior).  I'm asking too much because of the parts involved so no takers thus far.  I won't drop the price, it'll wait in the parents' garage until the right buyer comes along, or someone in the family needs it, or maybe RJ for one of his rentals.

 

[potatochips]

No one mentioned Maytag in this thread so what value does ripping on it have to this discussion?

 

[combo52]

1990s Maytag Laundry Vs Kitchenaid Laundry

Hi Kevin, I brought up Maytag because these KAs were Whirlpools answer to Maytag's perceived domination of the upper end of the laundry market in terms of reliability and performance.

 

Maytag is probably the most discussed vintage laundry appliances on this site even though they never had more than 20% of the laundry market in the US.

 

We have over 18 vintage MT laundry appliances in our permanent museum collection, everything from the first MT automatics to the MT Neptune TL washer and MT drying Cabinet. Nobody has more respect for MTs place in US laundry history than I Do.

 

But, I will share my first hand experiences when I like from dealing with appliances in customers homes. I have been doing in home service calls for nearly 45 years every working day and am nearing 60,000 calls and still doing 25-30 each week.

We have also rebuilt and sold several thousand appliances, many of are rebuilt appliances have lasted over 20 addition years, many times exceeding the life many people get out of new appliances.

 

Getting this type of additional life out of used appliances comes from picking the right appliance for the right customer, rebuilding it properly and installing it properly and being available to service it if needed.

 

Kevin, I love this site and have learned much from it and I hope you will continue to share your appliance experiences with all of us, and I am going to do the same.

 

Thanks, John L.

 

[repairguy]

That ‘99 kenmore is like new and will probably last someone a long time. I do the same thing with some of those that are in nice shape like yours. I don’t drop the price either. They are worth every bit of it. I’ve also got a ‘68 kenmore 900 in the works. I can’t wait to get it finished and show some pictures. I’ve been slowly working on it in some near non existent spare time. Right now it’s just a cabinet, everything else is out of it.

 

[potatochips]

While I respect and look up to your experience John, I often find you have a negative tone towards Maytags. I have lurked on this forum since 2005, and this is my second account and with that time under my belt I feel that your respect for Maytags place in laundry history is anything but, even in your profile you put the company down, casting them with the likes of WCI.

 

Im not arguing your experience or knowledge, or your right to share opinions, Im arguing your negativity about Maytags.

 

[eurekastar]

Very nice job!  That pair will serve you well! 

 

[repairguy]

Thanks!

 

[rp2813]

I dis Norge washers a lot (based on user experience, mechanical failures, and hearing loss), but there are legions of people who agree with me. 

 

For dependability, Newton Maytags cannot be matched by any other make, and again there are legions of people who will agree with that statement. 

 

How well one make of machine washes compared to another is something that will always be debated here.  Some people have an axe to grind with certain manufacturers -- I'm one of them regarding Norge sourced washers -- and that's not likely to change, but throwing a jab at a particular make when it has no relevance to the discussion can be perceived as spiteful.   We may never know the backstory on this.