Looking at a Duet - what should I check out/potential problems

[mattl]

Going to check out a 5 or 6 year old Duet my neighbor is selling, what possible problems should I check on? If I put it in the spin cycle it should run smoothly, correct? How do I spot a bad bearing?

What things should I check?

 

[laundromat]

mildew on the boot
rust or corrosion on the door and door hinge
residue and goo on the dispenser drawer
strange mildewie smell inside

If you are able to,run the unit through a rinse and spin. Listen for any kind of noises that don't sound normal.If the unit sounds louder than usual during the final spin,the tub bearings are probably in need of replacement.Also check for any leaks. remove the lower front panel and check the pump by removing the cover and look for any foreign objects like coins.pins,buttons and nails.Good luck!! I,myself,just got a Duet Sport for $50 from a local farmhand who said it didn't drain and the repairman said it was the transmission???. There was a large paper clip stuck in the pump keeping it from rotating.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Be sure to ask the seller how often the machine was used. Also check for "play" in the bearings. Make sure there is no vertical movement of the cylinder. The repair history is good to know too, you don't want a lemon. Also get rough price estimates for replacement parts such as motor/motor control board, computer board, spider assembly, etc. If you have access to one of those small "snake" cameras, maybe send it through one of the hoses that go into the drum, and examine the spider for corrosion. If the spider has extreme corrosion, you may want to PASS on the machine!!

 

[mattl]

Thanks, going to look at it tonight or tomorrow. I think the best I can do is put it through the spin cycle since it's in the garage. If it sounds OK I may go for it, as other minor problems, other than a circuit board can be fixed at a reasonable cost.

Been wanting to try a FL, missed a Duet Steam unit last week, but I was adverse to paying $250 when it kept displaying error codes. Could have been anything from a $80 part to a $400 board, too much of a risk there. Apparently someone here bought it, but I have not heard from him what the problem was. In his post he said it needed a new pressure switch, but nothing since.

 

[mattl]

I went and checked it out. No water, but I did put it in the spin cycle, did hear a little rubbing at low speeds coming from the front, but I recall reading that there is something up there that needs to be tightened down. When it got up to full speed, there was no unusual noises what so ever.

I'm excited, bringing it home monday...

 

[rp2813]

Best wishes for no problems. I loved my Duet of that same vintage.

 

[mattl]

Got it home, pain getting it down the basement with a landing, slid it down the stairs. This puppy is HEAVY!

All excited to get it hooked up, ran it empty on Quick cycle, found it would not drain. I heard a whirring/rubbing sound when I tested it out on the spin cycle, though something was rubbing. The lady I got it from said the lady she got it from said it didn't always spin out the clothes. The lady I bought it from had never used it, she bought the set as a parts donor for her and her mom's dryer.

Anyway pumps are EXPENSIVE, especially for what they are. Did find a trick or two. First I ordered only the motor assembly, whirlpool does not sell it that way. Supposed redesign, $35+ shipping. Turns out I could have bought the GE version for $19 and used it instead. 3 Screws hold the motor/impeller assembly to the housing so it's a quick fix, just very frustrated i can't use my new toy.