Well, I've got good news and bad news:
LW260 Maiden Wash
- Thread starter bajaespuma
- Start date
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The good news is that this machine works. The bad news is that there are a few issues. First load, what GE would have described as "mixed colorfast light fabrics". What I describe as "socks and crap". After loading clothes I attached lint filter to agitator(an operation that Consumer's Reports would have described as a "minor pain in the nuts") and then placed the lame detergent spill dish on top of that and loaded it with a good 1 1/2 cups of FOCA:
Gotta go for now.
I've never used a "timed-fill" machine before, so I had to get the hang of setting the control dial(which needs to be recalibrated; there are two screws so Hotpoint must have anticipated this need). When I set the machine to run, nothing happened. It's like a Whirlpool; you can advance the timer in the "on " position, so I moved it until the fill started. Unfortunately that meant that the machine started to agitate before completely full, so I had to turn it to "HEAVY" again and restart it. Then it worked fine.
I'm going to have to come back to this, my pictures aren't loading properly. Have to see if I've done something wrong. Also, I made a bunch of videos but have no idea how to post them. If anybody can help, thanks.
I've never used a "timed-fill" machine before, so I had to get the hang of setting the control dial(which needs to be recalibrated; there are two screws so Hotpoint must have anticipated this need). When I set the machine to run, nothing happened. It's like a Whirlpool; you can advance the timer in the "on " position, so I moved it until the fill started. Unfortunately that meant that the machine started to agitate before completely full, so I had to turn it to "HEAVY" again and restart it. Then it worked fine.
I'm going to have to come back to this, my pictures aren't loading properly. Have to see if I've done something wrong. Also, I made a bunch of videos but have no idea how to post them. If anybody can help, thanks.
At first, hot water barely piddled into detergent thingy. Don't know if this is right, but part of the stream is cut off by the rubber collar around the opening. Warm water worked better. Once agitation started, everything rosy. Machine remarkably quiet--Maytag quiet, through first wash and spin. On second wash, which is the one I videoed, there was a squeak and for some reason the audio pickup on my camera is very sensitive; makes the machine sound quite noisy and it isn't at all. Spins like a top, well balanced and hardly any brake noise when spin stops. Don't understand what CU had against these machines. Maybe I got a good sample.
Check out the condition of the porcelain inside the cabinet:
I used to do this with all our GE's love to watch the festivities with the top of the machine up:
That all-porcelain cabinet is in exceptionally good condition. While I had it open I did a little snooping and some housekeeping:
That was the "kick switch" for the famous "RESET" button which operates exactly like the unbalance switch on the old Maytags. I removed the rubber collar to clean it and also to reposition it so it won't interfere with the fill flume.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I have a feeling from seeing members' posts that I might just be able to substitute my vintage turquoise spiral Hotpoint Fountain-Filter agitator for the slender OE bakelite beauty. Now, if only I can remove the agitator. I have it! My old reliable "Boiling Turban of Terror"!
Well, that was a crashing failure! On to Liquid Wrench and wooden shims cause there ain't nothin' that's going to get under this agitator with less than 1/8 inch clearance. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. It seems that this agitator's drive is very high on the post, sectagonally shaped and easily revealed by the agitator cap, but this baby is sealed on tight!
Another big problem which you'll see if I ever figure out how to post the videos: the machine goes right into spin after the wash cycle, but after the overflow rinse cycle, the motor starts up for the spin cycle, but nothing happens. I had to move the tub with my hand to get it going both times. Any ideas as to what might cause this. I would have suspected the drive belt but it went into the spin just fine after the wash portion of the cycle. This only happens after the rinse.
And thank you for the info on the model year! It's coincidentally the same year as our first GE.
Another big problem which you'll see if I ever figure out how to post the videos: the machine goes right into spin after the wash cycle, but after the overflow rinse cycle, the motor starts up for the spin cycle, but nothing happens. I had to move the tub with my hand to get it going both times. Any ideas as to what might cause this. I would have suspected the drive belt but it went into the spin just fine after the wash portion of the cycle. This only happens after the rinse.
And thank you for the info on the model year! It's coincidentally the same year as our first GE.
I gotta say that I love all these old solid-tub machines. I can see why CU downgraded these machines for poor sand-disposal. But ironically, I first experienced these solid-tub machines when we lived at the beach; everybody had one,GE's, Hotpoints, Frigidaires and Norges. I suppose because everybody went to the same second-hand appliance store and bought old machines because they were for the "beach house" and since there was sand everywhere, nobody ever complained about it. They were just happy not to have to take all the clothes to the laundromat.
I've developed an appreciation for solid tubs and overflow rinses, and I'm loving the news that this machine is as quiet as a Maytag. Looks like one you'll enjoy.
Perhaps Nate can advise on the spin assist issue. His WCI had the same problem and I think a new belt and perhaps other incidentals fixed it.
Perhaps Nate can advise on the spin assist issue. His WCI had the same problem and I think a new belt and perhaps other incidentals fixed it.
That is a rare and wonderful find you have there. IMO I would not risk getting too aggressive with that old (and brittle) Bakelite agitator. I know the temptation to play is strong but----- it would be a real shandah if it broke.
How's that fill now that the rubber flange is aligned better?
Really amazing how nice the inner cabinet is after all these years.
How's that fill now that the rubber flange is aligned better?
Really amazing how nice the inner cabinet is after all these years.
No agitator has bested me yet.
Be assured, I'm going to try my best to keep the agitator in one piece, but I've got to try to remove it(just one of those things...). Do any of you know exactly how it's attached? I'm assuming it's holds on a hexagonal knob that's flared toward the bottom. Is there something else holding this #$^^@#@#%^! thing down? I've just finished soaking the nut with liquid wrench and am allowing it to penetrate, but it gives no sign of budging. As most of you know, the bottom of the agitator is sitting in a fitted "well" that precludes sliding anything fatter than a nail file underneath it, and I will NOT risk damaging the porcelain.
Be assured, I'm going to try my best to keep the agitator in one piece, but I've got to try to remove it(just one of those things...). Do any of you know exactly how it's attached? I'm assuming it's holds on a hexagonal knob that's flared toward the bottom. Is there something else holding this #$^^@#@#%^! thing down? I've just finished soaking the nut with liquid wrench and am allowing it to penetrate, but it gives no sign of budging. As most of you know, the bottom of the agitator is sitting in a fitted "well" that precludes sliding anything fatter than a nail file underneath it, and I will NOT risk damaging the porcelain.
You're doing the correct things to get that agitator off, it's on the block just as you thought. The cap is (normally) the only thing holding it down. You might try soaking it with the Liq. Wrench for a while, then agitating a big load to help loosen it. Watch it carefully though, you don't want it to come loose and damage the agitator while moving.
The spin issue you're having sounds like either a belt problem, or possibly a clutch issue. I'd start with a new belt and go from there. Belt guide says 8L330 for that model.
Good luck!!
The spin issue you're having sounds like either a belt problem, or possibly a clutch issue. I'd start with a new belt and go from there. Belt guide says 8L330 for that model.
Good luck!!
I struggled for months trying to get the agitator off of the old block on my '60 GE. I sprayed it every day for months with PBlaster. I tried whacking it with the rubber mallet. Hot water treatments, everything. Nothing. It was as though the old bakelite had fused itself into the cheap "pot metal" of the drive block.
One day a friend who is an experienced appliance repair person was visiting and was trying to help me with it. He got just a tad too aggressive and POW, the top of the agitator that meets the drive block broke away.
Just try and find a "spare" agitator for a '60 GE----it is dead-in-the-water without one. A shandah.
One day a friend who is an experienced appliance repair person was visiting and was trying to help me with it. He got just a tad too aggressive and POW, the top of the agitator that meets the drive block broke away.
Just try and find a "spare" agitator for a '60 GE----it is dead-in-the-water without one. A shandah.
HOTPOINT SOLID TUB WASHERS BELT REPLACEMENT
Don't try to replace belt if its not bad. It can be tightened by moving the motor carriage, to replace the belt you must dissemble the water pump be sure to have a new pump or at least a rebuild kit on hand and hope the motor shaft is not rusted or you may need a motor. The good news is the washer looks like its in really good shape for its age. To get the agitator loose I would keep trying penetrating oil and I would use a heat gun you can get the agitator much hotter this way you can only get to around 200F with hot water. Bakelite will take at least twice that much heat.
Don't try to replace belt if its not bad. It can be tightened by moving the motor carriage, to replace the belt you must dissemble the water pump be sure to have a new pump or at least a rebuild kit on hand and hope the motor shaft is not rusted or you may need a motor. The good news is the washer looks like its in really good shape for its age. To get the agitator loose I would keep trying penetrating oil and I would use a heat gun you can get the agitator much hotter this way you can only get to around 200F with hot water. Bakelite will take at least twice that much heat.
Thank youse
A Big THANK YOU to all of you! I'll let you know what happens. I'd like to post the videos for those of you who asked for them, but I still don't know how to do it. Please let me know what to do and I'll post them.
A Big THANK YOU to all of you! I'll let you know what happens. I'd like to post the videos for those of you who asked for them, but I still don't know how to do it. Please let me know what to do and I'll post them.
