My Amazing 1974 Lady Kenmore Washer

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I've noticed that the bleach dispenser leaks.  So I removed it and found that the metal has rusted and the plastic has split.

 

I'd love to fix this.  So if anyone knows of a triple dispenser that I can buy from someone, then please let me know.

 

Alternatively, if anyone can think of a creative way of fixing this one (if that's possible) then I'm all ears!

 

Thanks,

Mark

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I am so jealous. That is an absolutely beautiful set you have there. A belt drive LK is one of my 3 dream sets to own (the other two being a Maytag HA806 and GE WWA8350 filter flo).

Hope that set gives you many many years of service!
 
May have to use JB-Weld and possibly use flex seal spray on the inside surfaces of the triple dispenser so it won’t leak.
 
Thanks, Sean.  I hope you find the machines you want.

 

Jon, that's a beautiful set you have there.  I've read your rebuild threat several times over the past few months.  It's been really useful to refer back to your descriptions and photos.  If I could use spare parts to fix it, that would be great.  Thanks!  Although I was just looking at it again and it appears that a sizeable chunk of plastic has broken off the dispenser and is now sandwiched between the solenoid's rusted metal bracket.  So I don't know if any replacement parts could be used to repair it.  It might either need to be completely replaced or perhaps Sean's suggestion of possibly trying to somehow repair it.
 
Hi Mark, I have a dispenser you can have. It's in good condition; I bought it new and only used it for a year or two before I had to scrap the machine. Send me your address and ZIP Code and I'll let you know how much it would cost to send. I am going out of town in a few days so I won't be able to send it until next week.
 
Mark, I'm sorry to hear about the bleach dispenser. I ran water through it when I first got the machine then never used bleach in the machine after that (I jury-rigged a drain system for some of my machines that emptied in the yard so thought bleach might not be good for the soil..!)

Looks like folks are chiming in on how to fix/replace so you'll be bleaching in no time.

Cheers,

Todd
 
However, we now seem to have a leak that has just started.  

 

It only seems to happen during draining.  I took the back panel off and it seems to be coming from the pump area.  In fact, it looks like it's coming from above the pump or the top of the pump.  The machine had been sitting unused for several weeks.  So I was wondering:

 

If the pump is leaking, how difficult is it to replace it?  I tried searching for a guide on how to do this but I couldn't find anything.  Any hints and tips, especially regarding how to install a new pump and get the belt back around it (I don't know if the belt is under a lot of tension or if it can be easily put back on the pump)?

 

Also, is any 4-port Whirlpool pump a direct replacement or is there a specific model number I should look for? 

 

Thank you!

Mark 

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More than likely it is coming from the tub mounted lint filter. Be sure you don’t have any kinks in the drain hose. This filter is held together by metal clips that sometimes allow the filter to separate just a little during pump out and will leak especially if the drain hose has any kind of kink.
 
You can try but I never saw much luck with ones that other people did. You would have to seal it all of the way around and while that’s a big pain the alternative is removing the wash basket from the washer to install a new old stock filter. There is a round nut on the inside of the tub that secures the filter.
 
Ok great, thanks! I’ll check the drain hose isn’t kinked and I’ll make sure it is the filter that is leaking. And then it looks like I may well have a little project on my hands to remove the inner wash basket and replace the filter. I just have a couple of questions, so that I can prepare for this, as I’ve never even removed an agitator before, let alone a tub!

What kind of tool should I use to remove the agitator nut/screw?
Should I heat up the agitator with a hairdryer and then try to pull it out?
What kind of tool is required when undoing the nut that holds the filter in it place?

All hints and tips greatly appreciated.
 
Use a small flat screwdriver in the slot to lift up and remove the agitator cap.

Use a large flat screwdriver or 7/16 socket to remove agitator bolt.

Place your fingers underneath the agitator skirt on either side and lift up to see if you are the luckiest person in the world and it comes right out.

Use a putty knife to gently slide in the front between the top and the cabinet a couple of inches from each side and release the clips that hold the top of the machine down to the cabinet secure the lid and triple dispenser lid and lift the top up. Having the washer close to a wall makes it easy to rest the top against the wall.

Remove the clamp attaching the inlet hose to the tub cover. Remove 4 clips(if all are still there) to lift up and remove the tub cover.

Now you need a tub nut removal tool to remove the tub nut that secures the wash basket. If the basket lifts right out( again if you’re the luckiest person in the world) you will see the filter nut in the back left area towards the bottom on the wall of the tub. There was a tool to remove this but I can usually get them off by using a small flat screwdriver stuck in one of the round holes and striking with a hammer to undo in the counter clockwise direction.

It’s easiest to remove the 2 hose clamps furthest from the lint filter. Install the two hoses in the same position on the new filter. If you get this far congratulations it’s time to reverse the process and put the machine back together.
 
Yes that should be the one.

I forgot to mention when using a screwdriver to remove the filter nut be careful not to miss with the hammer or allow the screwdriver to come out of position because you will chip porcelain on the tub causing a string of encouraging words to spew from your mouth. Same goes for using a hammer to strike the tool removing the nut to remove the basket.
 
Hey Todd.  I'm actually looking forward to the challenge of opening up the machine and replacing the filter (if that's what's causing the leak).  It will be quite a learning curve for me and I will post updates in this thread when I start work on the machine in a couple of weeks' time.

 

There is one mystery that I was hoping someone could shed some light on regarding two of the wires that come from the wiring block connector in the lid.  One looks purple and the other appears to be red with stripes.  They end up down near the motor and they are connected together with a wire nut.  Does anyone know what they are for?

 

The lid switch has been bypassed but I can see the two wires joined together near the lid switch, so I don't think it's that.

marky_mark-2023092209140406026_1.jpg
 
You are correct. Those are for the out of balance switch that has been bypassed.

On another note if you plan to keep this washer going for many years to come I would get one of those pumps to keep on hand even if you don’t need it now.
 
Thanks, Melvin.  Good idea -- I'll get a replacement pump.  Yes I'd like to restore this machine to the best of my (limited!) ability and keep it going into the future.  

 

While there is a lot to be said for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" I do wonder if I should also attempt some other bits of preventative maintenance.  When I start to disassemble the machine, I'll post photos.  It would be good to get comments on the condition of the components and whether or not I should take the opportunity to replace/fix anything else.  

 

Jon did a great job of documenting his restoration but I don't know if I could/should take things that far!

 

Mark
 

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