Looking for a good used top load machine, advice?

[westie2]

Fisher Patkel

Here is a good FP Ecosmart like the one I bought for my mother when her 40 year old Maytag 806 died on us. Very good washer and can use the spray rinse or full rinse.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/app/3902102065.html

 

[westie2]

pic

Here is the panel

 

[pierreandreply4]

have you tryed looking in your local store if they have over stock direct drive washers and if you look at this link here is a direct drive inglis whirlpool washer idk if they are still made must be since its still listed on the inglis appliance website but must be on special order only but it would be worth asking if your local store could get one for you

http://www.inglis.ca/index.php/en/products/laundry/washers/iv4500

 

[DigAPony]

How about this nice Kitchen Aid set?

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/chl/app/3917367015.html

 

[rp2813]

Oh yeah, that KA set would satisfy every requirement on your checklist.

 

[leica]

Back in the hunt

Well after being broke for a bit then working long hours I finally have some cash and time to start looking again.

DigAPony, that KA set is way too far, almost three hours away. I don't need a dryer either, my GE works just fine for now.

I will post more machines as I'm looking. I'm in no hurry yet as my machine still works so I'm trying to be patient and find a good machine for under 200 and trying to keep it local.

 

[whirlcool]

Those KA machines are nice machines, circa 1993-95 or so. And you don't see them all that often. I have a Whirlpool all electronic set from 1993. Still chugging along just fine. And as others have said parts will still be available for years to come and since everything is modular in the machine they are probably the easiest washers to work on should you ever need to.

Sometimes when a vintage machine pops up somewhere in your region you just have to act on them immediately. Three hours away is pretty close for some vintage washers.

I'm willing to bet that if you offered $135.00 for that KA set, you'd get them.

 

[leica]

I'm patient, and I'm confident something will turn up near me because I live in a highly populated area. I'd drive an hour but any more than that just isn't worth it to me. I just have to keep an eye on CL and be ready to jump at the right washer.

I'm going to update this thread each time I find a good candidate, so keep an eye on the thread guys!

 

[DigAPony]

Two nice Whirly sets:

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/app/3951642595.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/app/3953352163.html

 

[leica]

Fouind this set localy, an Estate Whirlpool? What does the Estate part mean?

Also a funky looking all electronic GE dryer which looks to have a stainless barrel, what do you guys think of these?

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/app/3959990862.html

I'm also in contact with a guy that deals in only older DD Whirlpool an GE top loaders, he refurbishes them himself and says he sticks with them for ease of repair and cheap parts. He told me he knows only one guy localy that will repair front loaders and he charges 100 bucks just to look at them!

 

[DADoES]

 
Estate is a Whirlpool brand, sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and other big-box stores.  They're slightly less-deluxe than the main-line brands of the family (Whirlpool, Kenmore, KitchenAid, Maytag).

 

[leica]

Anyone know anything about that dryer? I don't really need one, but if I can get both at a good price I'll take it as long as it's not a model that has issues.

 

[leica]

Well so far I've failed to find a decent machine, have gone to look at a couple that turned out being not what I thought or ragged out. Still looking, and found this Kenmore Elite set. Opinions?

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/app/3972966086.html

Also a Whirlpool set:

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/app/3971997547.html

 

[DADoES]

 
The Kenmore set is good.  3-speed motor on the washer, although 4 water levels instead of fully variable.  Dryer likely has moisture sensing auto-dry.

The Whirlpool washer likely is 2-speed, and the dryer is "standard" capacity instead of "super-size" based on the pic of the interior.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

In addition to what Glenn said, I think the Kenmores are a better bet than the Whirlpools unless the WPs have some sort of warranty from the re-seller.

The Kenmores are possibly as much as 7-10 years newer than the Whirlpools, as these are mid to later 1990s consoles. I think the Kenmores are from the early to mid 2000s.

The Whirlpool dryer is a standard capacity, though the best way to tell on these is to look at the placement of the door. There is a side-swing door big-drum dryer that uses the same bulkhead -- its a 6.5 cu ft. version instead of their biggest one with the non-flat bulkhead, which is approximately 7.0 cu ft. The doors are an easy way to tell as the large drum door is closer to the top of the dryer, and the standard door is more centered.

Gordon

 

[DADoES]

 
This Kenmore 90 I refurbed a few years ago (the parents have it now) is very similar to the ad unit but without the auto-soak-advance function.  My machine is circa 1999 per the serial number so the ad unit with the updated console is definitely newer.

 

[leica]

The great thing about it is it's a front opening instead of left side opening which I cannot have unfortunately. Trying to get ahold of the guy now, hopefully he doesn't sell it to one of the many dealers around here.

 

[leica]

Well, lost that set to a "dealer" I'm sure. Any cheap top loaders have been going quick, cleaned up and then relisted at a higher price. Kinda frustrating but I may have to just get a machine from a "flipper".

That being said I have a line on a '08 Speed Queen for a hundred dollars but the seller isn't returning my emails, check your spam folder when selling on CL people! I'm gonna be so mad if I see it relisted for three times the price.

 

[pierreandreply4]

i do not know if your willing to pay for shiping from canada

i do not know if your willing to pay for shiping from canada but here is a rebadge whirlpool roper brand washer dryer set but the set may need to be cleanup repainted as the pain has kind of yellowed abit and here is a kenmore set for sale as well direct drive kind of look brand new

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter...VEUSE-SECHEUSE-TRES-PROPRE-W0QQAdIdZ509710989
http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter...-paire-laveuse-et-secheuse-W0QQAdIdZ509814346

 

[leica]

Finally got ahold of the Speed Queen seller!

Hopefully going to see it tomorrow, model# AWS44NW, and it's an Alliance not Raytheon! Wish me luck!

If anyone knows anything about this particular model# that would be awesome too. From the looks of a google image search it seems pretty standard.

 

[dustin92]

Pierre, I hate to say it, but those Ropers are probably trash. The yellowing looks like cigarette smoke, and there is no way you would ever get the smell out without replacing Every. Single. Part... Cigarette odor permeates everything, and there is no way I would even bring them into my house.

 

[dustin92]

Good Luck with the Speed Queen, those are excellent machines, and at a great price!

 

[leica]

Picked up the Speed Queen today, got it for $60!!!

I've never been so excited to do laundry before haha. Pics for you guys:

It's a bit dirty inside on top of the tub, Can I just go at it with a hose or is that a bad idea?

 

[whirlcool]

Those Roper's look VERY smoked up. How could somebody stand even looking at those like that?

 

[rp2813]

Nice!

That SQ looks like new, and the tub just needs to be wiped out a little.  A steal at $60!

 

I'm looking forward to further reports on how this machine performs for you.

 

[mtn1584]

You STOLE that washer for sixty bucks!!!!

She is a beauty, and no need to adjust the water level on this baby because she is pre-2007 water usage restrictions, clean her up, run a hot wash with soap to clean her out with an extra rinse, maybe take her front off, and give her a good dusting!!! Good luck,
Mike

 

[leica]

Any more suggestions?

Just wondering what I should be looking for when I get the cover off in terms of maintenance items, like which parts that typically get worn. I'd like to get it all sorted out and cleaned up before I plug it in and get to washing. Like for instance, how do I inspect the pump to see if it's still working like it should? Anything I should take apart and get a good look at? I'm not afraid to take things apart and put them back together, I imagine this machine is pretty simple.

Also, can I use HE detergent in it? I have a lot left over from my front loader.

 

[rp2813]

I'd say hook it up and give it a whirl -- without any clothing in it.  If anything looks or sounds strange, report in here (perhaps starting a new thread that addresses any problems) and you'll likely elicit expert advice.   This is presuming the seller advised it was in proper working order and didn't have any issues.  If you want to take the front panel off and do a visual inspection, the belt would be the first thing to check but even if it shows signs of wear the washer should still be able to run through all of its paces.  If there are no signs of leaks, let 'er rip.

 

He detergent will work, but it will produce less suds than the regular stuff.

 

[leica]

The seller said it hadn't been run for awhile but that it ran fine before that.

I'll take the cover off, clean it up good and run it then report back.

 

[billiedyer1954]

I believe you should put about a quart of water in the tub before you try it out. when I got mine new, the installer did that, he said the pump would be damaged without some water in there, since yours has not been in use for some time, I think the pump retains a little water between loades.