Lady Kenmore - advice please

[new2melk]

Hello,

I recently acquired a Lady Kenmore 90 series and would appreciate any education that folks could provide. I am wanting to get it opened up to address a tiny rust issue along the "waterfall" and can not get this tank to open up. I tried a putty knife along the front (even with lid edges and outward) without success, and tipping back the control panel yielded no results either. While I had the putty knife even with the right side of the lid there was contact with what I am presuming to be a piece of metal hardware because I heard a scrape and then the sound of metal dropping onto metal inside of the front cabinet (oops!). I have run the machine since that "mishap" and nothing seems to be affected.

I do not have pics atm, but this model has the sudsaver, the dispenser is for LIQUID detergent, and she had dials for the cycle monitor, water level (infinite), and water temp.

She is in nice condition and I want to keep her maintained before any problems arise (my education = youtube so far) because I hate what washers have become and want this tank to last.

Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge!

 

[DADoES]

 
Including the model number is helpful for more specific instructions.

Assuming this is a direct-drive machine circa mid 1980s through mid 2000s, do not attempt to unclip and raise the top deck as was done on the older belt-drive style machines.  This one doesn't open that way, the top is attached with screws from beneath to the cabinet sides.

You were going the right way in opening the control panel.

There are two spring clips at the rear corners under the console which anchor the outer cabinet to the rear panel.  Pry the springs out of the slots in the top deck with a large flat-blade screwdriver, then the entire outer shell (top/front/sides) lifts forward and off.

You mention a detergent dispenser ... probably is not the case but if a dispenser that's flushed by water is mounted into the top deck, there may be a hose to detach through an access cover under the console before the outer shell can be removed.

 

[new2melk]

I am a novice so you might (will) have to shove me in the right direction for information - the plate on the washer reads like this:

82392800
23928 1060120 C53132108

 

[appnut]

If it's direct drive like mine, the liquid dispenser for detergent is an insert which can be removed if you want to use powder. 

 

[DADoES]

 
If the model is 110.82392800, then it's a belt-drive machine (is there a removable service panel on the lower back?).  The top should raise as you were attempting to do (not the control console).

23928 is the stock number reference, which is a partial model number.

C53132108 is the serial number.  Manufactured 31st week of 1985.

Model 110.82392800 at SearsPartsDirect.com

 

[new2melk]

Those are all the numbers present on the plate, and I see no additional sequences elsewhere on the top or front of the machine.

Yes, there is an access panel - centered on the lower backside about 14" x 14" I would guestimate (machine is in a laundry closet and tipping it toward me takes some doing so my approximations are on the fly).