Looking for a fabric softener dispenser for my Filter Flo

[stuftrock1]

I just recently bought an ‘80s filter flo and it’s matching dryer. (I just wanna say that even though I was expecting a high build quality, I was still shocked by how nice it is, even compared to my dads Maytag dependable care LAT4914AAE from around 1992.) The washer is gonna need a thorough cleaning and some minor repair work, but overall it’s in pretty good shape. Unfortunately, it did not come with a filter pan or a fabric softener dispenser. I managed to find a pan, but I’ve looked everywhere and for the life of me I cannot find a dispenser. Anyone know where I can find one?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Have you checked eBay or thrift stores?

 

[stuftrock1]

I’ve looked all over eBay. Don’t really know any thrift stores in my area.

 

[repairguy]

Congratulations on your filter flo find! Post pictures when you get a chance. The fabric softener dispenser is part number wh47x39. AMRE Supply shows to have 2 in stock. Good luck!

 

[stuftrock1]

Thanks! I won’t get home till late Friday night so I’ll post pictures then. But jeez, that’s a bit expensive. Would you consider that to be a fair price for something like this?

 

[repairguy]

I guess it all depends on how bad you want one. You could always wait until one pops up on EBay but these machines haven’t been made since 1995 and the softener dispensers weren’t that common even when these machines were popular, at least in my experience anyway. Maybe another member has a spare they are willing to part with.

 

[stuftrock1]

Yeah for $50 I think I’ll wait for now. Fabric softener is a luxury not a necessity. And I don’t wanna spend that kind of money at least until I rebuild and refurbish the washer.

Off topic, but don’t you remove the filter flo agitator by simply pulling it? I pulled and pulled with all the muscle I can muster and it wouldn’t budge and I stopped because I was afraid I might break it.

 

[repairguy]

You could always get a downy ball. Ah, the stuck agitator! This has cost a many of members here great blood, sweat, and tears. Yes it should pull straight up. There are threads you can search here for various methods.

 

[stuftrock1]

Oh lord I’m scared now. I couldn’t find and threads about the stuck agitator. Think you could link some for me?

 

[yogitunes]

I believe you have to be an upgraded member to search/view archived threads....

if its a true 80's machine.....you may have to cut into the top and spray some penetrating fluid in there first and let it set....those agitators pull straight off....

if its a machine from the 90ish era.....some of those have a set screw in the top....

 

[stuftrock1]

It’s an 80s machine I’m certain of that. Here is a picture I have of the control panel:

 

[DADoES]

 
Search using Google.  The Imperial and Deluxe (and Super) forums are open for search engines to index.  Use relevant terms and add site:automaticwasher.org to the search.

 

[repairguy]

So you’ve got a 1990 +|- a year or so. Serial will determine build date. You should be able to pull the agitator out without removing any bolts on this model. I did a quick search for GE agitator removal and didn’t find anything that I thought would be helpful to you. I am not good at links but when you are logged into this site you can do a search in the imperial forum. When I used to work on these a lot, I would grab either side of the bottom of the agitator with my fingers between the bottom of the tub and bottom of the agitator. While I would pull up I would wiggle side to side. As stated earlier this doesn’t always work and they can be difficult. I would try this first and see what happens.

 

[stuftrock1]

I thought about doing that, but I didn’t because I was worried about breaking the agitator.

On a side note, you think by looking at that picture you’d be able to tell which size filter pan I should get? WH45X141, or WH1X2531?

 

[repairguy]

Wh45x141

 

[stuftrock1]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[jons1077]

Check eBay again

I found one that fits your machine

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/202667523793

 

[jons1077]

Stuck agitator

I don’t know if you’ll have access to something like this but I found the perfect solution for this problem. I’m an ICU nurse and we had recently switched to a new style of IV fluid pressure bags and were getting rid of the old ones. I grabbed a couple of old ones and decided to try using them to remove the stuck agitator in my 1970 filter flo. Same concept as the agitamer and it worked beautifully!

 

[stuftrock1]

Thanks! And that price ain’t half bad either. However, one of the reviews said it doesn’t fit overtop the filter pan?

 

[stuftrock1]

And as for the stuck agitator I have no access to IV bags so I’ll probably just squirt some WD-40 through the top. Hopefully it doesn’t end up separating the rubber and metal pieces that are supposed to stay in the agitator. I really don’t wanna end up having to cut it out, even if the cuts are covered up by the Activator cap.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I read that review about it not fitting with the filter pan in place. I think this dispenser required the use of the filter pan with the solid dish-like recess in the bottom near the shaft to give enough depth for the dispenser to fit down onto the shaft part of the pan. Sorry if this does not make sense.

 

[stuftrock1]

I read that this particular dispenser model was designed for the Rimflo models, so it wasn’t designed to fit on the filter pan. The dispenser mounting hole isn’t big enough and it doesn’t have the correct “teeth” to fit on the pan. Look at the pictures of the underside, then look at a picture of the filter pan.

The dispenser I need is WH47X39

 

[stuftrock1]

Alright so I got the model and serial number. Anyone know what year it’s from?

 

[repairguy]

April 1986. I was off a little more than I thought. I have a model like this one where the styling is the same and it is a 1990 model.

 

[stuftrock1]

86? Neat. That makes it 6 years older than my dads Maytag, if I’m correct in assuming it’s a 92 machine.

 

[stuftrock1]

Oh, what does the WH mean at the end of the model number? I’ve been looking at part diagrams just to get an idea of what my machine looks like underneath and part prices and availability before I start working on it, and apparently the WH isn’t a part of the number. So what do they mean?

 

[circlew]

I would think the "WH" indicates the cabinet has a White finish.

 

[stuftrock1]

Possibly. I didn’t know these things were made is any other color.

Perhaps it indicates that this model doesn’t have a mini basket option?

 

[circlew]

To the best of my knowledge, they were available in White, Almond, Harvest, and possibly Coffee at that time. I think Fresh Avocado was discontinued by then. Someone else such as Pulltostart may know for sure.

 

[stuftrock1]

Alright so I’m home now and here are a couple pictures: