Machines that you have owned/owns that has gone faulty

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fredriksam

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Nov 2, 2005
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Since i moved from my parents home in 1991 i have had 5 washing machines. The one is have now is an Miele. Great quality. It works tip top.

However the 4 previous machines had quite some problems and here is the history of them

1 the first machine i bought was an very cheap one. It was an Ariston Margherita AR 670 Tx. I still have manual from it. Thats why i still now the name. The machine was quite silent, even when it span. What went wrong was that water leaked onto the motor and shorted the machine out. I did change the motor and tried to sealed the leak but later the same month the pump broke. It was time to get new machine.

2 The second machine was an Merloni. Also very cheap. I was upset that the machine didnt cleaned very well. The drum paddles was way too small. The biggest problem with this machine was that it jumped insanely around on spin. I had the seller come home 3 times. He couldnt do anything about it. Out of anger i kinda destroyed the machine by washing a very big rug. The machine didnt survived that.

3 The third one i had quite a long time. It was a siemens XL. It was very good the first 2 years i had it. Later it started making a racket when spinning. Heres a Youtube video with that.



Shortly after that, the module broke in it. I was able to get a new one pretty cheaply. The noise on spin grew worse and worse. Almost 1 and a half year later the mkodule broke again. This time i bought a new machine.

4 The third one was also very good the first 2 years. It was an Elektro-Helios. After 2 years and 2 monts the drum spider broke. Last time i used the machine it almost smashed itself into death. I had an video of that but took it down because i got a PM from Electrolux Group claimed i needed to remove this clip. It was up on Youtube. Assholes is what i say about them.

5 Now i have a Miele. No troubles. Just great Long live Miele!

So, please tell about your machines. The bad ones or the good ones.
 
Well,

1: my nan had 3 ecologics. machine no.1 was the drum-it exploded and somehow the machine carried on. It only ripped a pillowcase. Ecologic no.2 there was a burning smell so that got deadded and 3 I broke by not realizing after the end of the cycle the door stays locked for 2 mins I smacked the door realease button as hard as I could and the door would not oped so it was a case of smashing the door to retreive the laundry.

2:Before we got our current hotpoint we had an aquarius. The preassure switch broke so water was atleast 3 quarters of the drum was filled with water.

3: gran had a hotpoint like ours untill christmas 2010 when the bearings went and we had family coming from NZ and the decision was made that that should be scrapped beacause it was predicted that it would not cope so it was scrapped.

All the rest of my collection are fine though.

There you have it, Chris.
 
The first automatic we had was in 1995 which was bought 2 years before i was born, it was a realy good machine up until 2003 when the bearings when and every time mum called hoover out the kept fitting generic parts and eventialy the spider collapsed and the bachine wouldent wash.
The second machine we bought was an indesit and it wa awful! it lasted for 18 months with normal use and eventualy we gave up cos it was to expensive to keep cos it broke every 3 months, bye bye indesit.
The third machine we had for 2 years and it was a hoover family 1300 (i think)
and it was good but it took four hours for a boil wash and 2 hours for a normal 40'c cottons wash, it died just before we were about to go on holiday (the pogrammer whent).
And so on to my current machine which is a hotpoint aqualtis (2006 b-new) only had one repaire and that was a new door seal and it has been a great machine!
these are mine :)
Tom
 
breakdowns

the only machine i have bought new(though in damaged condition and fixed) that
has developed a fault is my Antonio Merloni built"splendide"combomatic 6100
-the motor commutator had a flaw in it causing a ticking noise and causing
the brushes to jump and arc at spin rpm;took the motor out,removed the
armature,turned the commutator true and reassembled.Washer has been problem free
for the last 6yrs since.
Washer was running good with this fault,but i wanted to fix it before the
motor was damaged.
 
 

None of the washer/dryer pairs I've bought have as yet stopped working, I still have all of them.  The first pair was put into use in Sept 1991 (a KitchenAid 760 set).  Next, I bought an F&P GWL08/DE04 pair in Aug 1999.  The KitchenAids were still working fine, they went to my grandmother.  October 2004 I "upgraded" to another F&P pair, IWL12 & DEGX1.  The first F&Ps were again passed to granny, the KitchenAids went to storage.

 

Frederik says he's had 5 washers in 30 years (1991 -> 2011).  My parents have had just three washer/dryer sets since 1962.  A 1962/1964 Whirlpool washer/dryer.  A 1976 Whirlpool washer/dryer.  And a 1994 KitchenAid washer/dryer, which are still in use.
 
I've had 3 in the last decade....none were unfixable

When I bought my house in 2002, the owners included the Frigidaire built Kenmore laundry enter. It never broke, but it wasn't what I wanted. Capacity was small, and I don't think it washed that well. The tall machine also blocked the faucet shutoffs, which made me nervous. Who wants to move a machine that tall and heavy in the event a hose splits?

I replaced it in 2007 with a rebuilt Whirlpool DD. Beautiful TOL machine that had in retrospect been used way too hard. It was a three speed model, with every bell and whistle there was, and it was glitchy. When the motor coupler failed in 2010, I replaced it with a BOL Admiral (Whirlpool). It's been very trusty if more than a little noisy. I like the machine just fine.
 
I had a Maytag/Norgetag Atlantis, stainless tub, auto temp control, it failed. Such a handsome looking machine, I loved the curved lid. I also had a 1990 Kenmore DD, it failed after 10 years, motor coupler, I was into appliances but I was young and didn't know a whole lot about the mechanical aspect. If I was a bit older, I would have been able to fix it!
 
 

I consider a "failure" to be a problem catastrophic to the point that repair is not reasonable.  A broken motor coupler (current cost via online sources less than $15) is a routine repair.

 

My KitchenAid has had the motor coupler and agitator dogs replaced.  Total cost less than $20.  None of my F&Ps have had any repairs.

 

The parents' machines all had repairs.   The 1962 Whirlpool is too far back to remember everything clearly but do recall pumps, wigwags, belts, the mercury lid switch bracket rusted off, the bakelite agitator cracked, and bearings were replaced twice, the third time triggered a replacement.  The 1976 Whirlpool had the belt changed at least once that I recall, timer, and probably pump and possibly a wigwag.  Their KA has had the coupler replaced twice, agitator dogs once, pump once (as a preventive measure before it actually failed), and the lid switch broke and is bypassed ... which again, these are routine repairs, not failures that call for the machine to be tossed out.
 
I guess I define failures as anything that just stops working, I use it all the time at work regarding failed components on airplanes. I understand now the coupler would have been an easy fix, especially since the machine was designed to be so accessible, and its unfortunate good machines get tossed to the curb for such a simple issue, but I was only 14 when the coupler failed/broke, and I never understood how the machines drive system was set up. But after knowing about the motor coupler, and how the DD system works, I have replaced a few of them on family and friends machines over the last few years.

A lot of people I find don't like the DD machines, I'm more love/hate. Sometimes I love them, love the sound of it, but other times I scoff it off as boring. But I am always a fan of how the machine was designed, and how its extremely accessible compared to other designs on the market (aside from the fact that its a fast stroke, in a tall and narrow tub). A simple way to connect the motor and transmission together, that is a simple, easy, cheap fix, that when it does break it doesn't make the machine completely useless as you can still drain the water out.
 
The only washer our family ever had that was headed for major breakdown was the 1987 whirlpool dd washer, It was starting to leak a good amount of oil from the gearbox when it left. The washer only had one other repair and that was to replace the timer. My grandma's late 70's kenmore beltdrive just quit in 2003 they could not drain it, start it anything. It also had never been worked once.

-Andrew
 
Well the first one I had was a Fuchware, bought it secondhand, and worked fine for a few years was really jumpy when started to spin. After about two years it started to leak water. So it was quite difficult to find the leaking spot. eventually found the leak and repaired with silicone. Lasted for a while and then started to leak again. Move to another place and bought a Samsung fl, brand new. I was very impressed at first but the machine was very loud and since the apartment was very small it was not that nice to have. And from the very first spin it had difficulty in trying to balance the load and always made some knocking sound when it started with its spin it will take about five to ten minutes to try and balance the load and then still it will sound like a Jetplane taking off. So it was not very nice, and sometimes it had difficulty in rinsing properly. Sometimes if you accidently overdosed the machine it will just carry on and you will not even see the clothes only white foam. I had it for5 years but had to change the pump, and belt and then some of its suspension went awry, so I had to work on that as well and the drum started to sag. I was single for most of the times so only one person's laundry. Not a very good machine gave it away and bought myself a MIELE W5740.

Wow what a rush, very quiet spins extremely fast uses little water, and washes extremely clean without any suds clinging to the clothes.

Also bought myself a Miele condensor dryer and 2 Miele Vacuums, I am a Miele convert now.

Regards.
 
mieleforever

Hi Aldo

May i use your first name?Anyhow much respect to you for stepping over to Miele.I am on my way there also.I just want your input as to servicing my 2 AEG Lavamats (pre-Electrolux take over).I asked around and was told that drum bearings on these machines and having suspensions checked are expensive?

Please if you will feel free to reply to my private e-mail:- [email protected]

I do live in Cape Town,RSA.
 
Ridwaan, well if I were you call around to see what the charges will be on average. I had a AEG Favorite dishwasher also pre eletrolux, Was a wonderful machine until the repairs started, the back up service realy was terrible, and I had to pay an arm and a leg, for a part that at the end of the day did not work all that well, it was the main pump, I had to dish out more than R1500.00 just for the part, and that was about 10 years ago. So yeah I think it will cost you quite a bit at the end of the day to repair it all. But it usually they were very good machines, had a AEG vacuum as well was about 7 years old but then you had such a terrible time in finding bags and filters, and eventually the machines motor burned out. So I have lost my trust in them. Hopefully the Miele's will not dissapoint me.

regards.
 
my machine

1. Top loader hotpoint was 2nd hand when i got it, first machine when i was 17
2. 1989 Hotpoint front loader also 2nd hand when i got it
3 Colston washer dryer given to me was on its last legs lol
4. Hotpoint washer also given to me on its last legs
5. Whirlpool washer bought 2nd hand, spider and the bearings went
6. Zannussi jetsystem given to me 2nd hand
7. Whirlpool First ever brand new machine, kept breaking so i sent it back after 4 months
8. Hotpoint Paid 50 quid and lasted for 2 years
9. Indesit A comet special, paid £189 and it died after 13 months
10. servis millenium paid 20 quid and had it over a year no faults and still works now in my friends house
11. Hotpoint aquairus paid 15 quid and had 3 years of service no faults and still works now in my aunts house
12. AEG bought 2nd hand 150 quid kept getting error code to say the brushes were worn so that went after 4 months.
13 Hotpoint aquarius paid 195 second hand wi gaurentee. sold it after 5 months
15. Haier Another comet bargain, lasted 3 days and they sent replacement
16. Haier Lasted an hour and put it in back of car to return to comet.
17. Swan 9kg steam washing machine. Broke after 5 months and couldnt be repaired
18. Hotpoint 6kg currrent machine paid 240 and its working great (so far)

I have had a lot of washers over the years and i have got to say even though i love the older hotpoints my two fav machines i have owned was my early whirlpool as it had great high water levels and never had to rewash anything and my other fav machine was the top loader hotpoint and i only got rid of it cos the clutch went and i was only 17 and didnt know how to fix it
 
where shall I start?

I've been in my own home for 23 years. Prior to that, lived in an apartment building and used the building's coin laundry room.

1988: White Westinghouse washer and dryer set, $600 the pair. It was the only model sold at Price Club (now Costco) and I figured that anything sold by Price Club had to be decent quality, if not luxurious. Furthermore, I had a colleague at work who'd bought the pair (not her first washer, as she was married with teenagers) and felt that it washed well. Big mistake. The water level control was infinite and broke three times. The first time it broke, it was covered under warranty. The second time it broke, it was not covered, but the repair service found a used part to repair the water level control for about $125. Third time it broke the repair would have cost $300, so I decided not to "throw good money after bad". Gave the dryer to charity; washer not worth fixing.

1997: Replaced the set above with a GE pair for $800. The Neptune by Maytag was just being introduced and cost a fortune. This was GE's largest capacity top loader. It did not have special features like extra rinse. Washed decently and certainly held more clothes than the old one. After a while, developed hard water stains which I could not remove and developed a moldy odor, which partly went away by leaving the door up, but it never disappeared. Machine began to leak water in 2006, was repaired, then broke a second time. Repair service said it was not worth fixing. Washer given to charity (for parts value). Dryer given to neighbor (see below).

2006: When GE machine above was repaired, the technician said, "if it starts to leak again, best to look for a new washer". As a result, I began looking at new washers in case the machine broke again. Two weeks later, it did break again, but I had done my research and was able to go shopping the same day for the new one. I bought a Frigidaire 2140. Rather basic, and had I known more about the product, I would have bought the next model up the ladder, the 2940, because it offers delay wash and ATC (I use delay wash more than I expected, it is not a useless gimmick). My laundry area is in the garage (pipes don't freeze here!) and there is a concrete filled pipe sticking out of the floor (required by law) to protect the machines from a car. The pipe is directly in front of the washer area, and would block the door of any FL (but house was built 1988 when there were no FL washers sold in USA except a few Westinghouse machines or imported Mieles). To work around this, it was necessary to stack a pair of machines in the dryer space, where there is no pipe. As a result, I had to buy the matching dryer and a stacking kit. I gave my old gas dryer, which still works well to this day, to my neighbor, who wanted to get rid of his old electric dryer in order to save money on utility bills. He gave me his electric dryer, which I then donated to the same charity that took my washer for parts (in USA, you can reduce your taxable income by $500* per year if you donate used goods to a charity and have a receipt to prove it).

Neither of the first two washers lasted more than nine years. The first one also broke three times. At least the GE broke only once, near the end. The present Frigidaire washer works fine, but it's only five years old. My guess is that someday the aluminum spider will break, it will cost $300-400 to repair, and I'll simply buy a newer Frigidaire (one of their 4.4 cu ft models perhaps) or an Electrolux as a replacement. It would be nice to see a washer last ten years with no repairs needed. I take good care of it: I descale it four times a year, always leave the door ajar when not in use, and I use only powdered HE detergent.

*you can reduce the taxable income by more than this IF you have two professional appraisals of the item. I know a person who donated a piano to a charity, because she was moving to a smaller home without space for a piano. The instrument was worth $11,000 and she was able to subtract this from her income before tax was calculated. I.e. she avoided about $3500-4000 in taxes, and the charity received a product which they could sell and keep all of the price as a profit.
 
relatives' machines

My aunt had to replace her 1964 Maytag in c. 2006. It was 42 years old. She and my uncle bought their present home in 1956, and the first washer lasted only eight years. She bought the Maytag on the advice of another aunt (now deceased) who advised her to buy a Maytag in 1964. Thus her present washer (a Whirlpool I think, TL) is only her third in 55 years, and until 2006, two washers had lasted her 50 years. I believe the Maytag had been repaired a few times, but never anything major.

My sister moved to her present home in 1993 and bought a new Maytag Dependable Care washer and dryer. They are still working today and have never had a repair. That's 18 years.
 
Color Me Lucky

I have never had a lemon or bad machine in all the houses, moves and changes.  All appliances were Frigidaire with Maytag laundry until GM tanked.  Then it was Maytag dishwashers and in 87 added a Maytag fridge.  Moved to a condo in 2002 for all new GE and again never an issue.  The Maytag Atlantis came along and they are still washing for the ex.  Since then its all been used and a blend of Frigidaire, GE and Maytag with a Kitchenaid dishwasher thrown in.  I might add that never overloading, keeping appliances clean and vacuuming condensers is easy and prudent.
 
older breakdowns

here are the past breakdowns of machines myself or parents bought new or in
working order:
Ca.1960 HP silhoette dryer-$25 yard sale buy(in '79) lasted about a year before
roller shaft bushing wore through,letting shaft wear through...it ended it's
days with a loud clang...motor lived on for years after in other app...
1970 HP solid tub washer-was problem free for 10 yrs then pump,sediment tube,
clutch and (possibly tranny)problems sent it to it's landfill grave in 1981..
1981 KM BD "70"replacement for the HP,it's timer quit when it was just days old
after that was fixed under warranty,next problem was in '89 when some string
wound up in the pump and i couldn't get it out-new pump fixed it.machine in my
fleet today.
1980 monkey norge dryer-bought new in '80 and lasted to 1998 when the motor
seized and none was avalible at dump...fan bearing,drum bushing,latch and
elements were also bad.Scrapped-parts of it went into other uses...
1981 filter flo-very "high miles" machine over the last 21 yrs have replaced
-pump(with a used one)motor(used)belt,a couple clutch repairs,tranny repair,
and a couple boots-1st,aftermarket,lasted 2 yrs-2nd,genuine still good after
10 yrs. Agitator vibration damper developing lash so agitator will need
replacement soon...
 

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