My Filter Flo Washer

[robertge]

Hi to all, this is a nice place.

I bought a vintage GE Filter-Flo washing machine, made a few cycles and now the agitator is dead.

Could you tell me which of these would be the ideal replacement?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GE-WH43X87-Agitator-New-in-Box-/290794704897

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GE-WH43X126-Agitator-New-in-Box-/290794704898

Thanks for any help.

 

[robertge]

Also the agitator has the Part number 7387 D68, but I suspect it is not the original part. Thanks again for any light in this issue.

 

[strongenough78]

Either one of those agitators will work in your machine. They look identical to me, I would go with the least expensive of the 2 since they are the same and both New In Box. And the ramped GE Activator will perform much better than the agitator you currently have in there. And out of curiousity, what do you mean exactly when you say your agitator is dead? Is is stripped out where it mounts?

 

[bajaespuma]

I'd kind of like to know that myself.

 

Your eBay seller is quite a character. I'm surprised they don't have another one of those Activators for 229.35!

 

[robertge]

>>>Is is stripped out where it mounts?

Oh no, it just doesn't agitate anymore. So I only use its "spin" for drying clothes (with the agitator on place), since the axle still looks good for an 80's model.

Again, thanks for your answers!

 

[norgechef]

its not the agitator

The agitation gears in the transmission are stripped.....your agitator is fine its a new transmission that you need.....i hope you didn't already buy an agitator!

 

[robertge]

This is a close-up picture of the transmission's gear, it's full of grease, I don't know why. Should it be changed?

 

[robertge]

And this is a pic from the inside of the Activator:

Thanks for your interest, I haven't bought any parts.

 

[robertge]

Here is the close-up of the transmission's gear, now clean.

This is a very amazing forum. Never knew something like this existed until I googled for GE FilterFlo parts.

 

[akronman]

It ain't your agitator

Can you clearly hear and see the motor running the entire time it's supposed to agitate, or does the motor only run during spin? If the motor always runs, you've got internal tranny/agitator gear problems. If the motor only runs during spin, check all the wiring for a bad connection or broken wire.

And can a GE expert tell us what the relay on these GE's does? I believe the relay for GE's is unique, most other motors are directly powered.

 

[cfz2882]

relay

filterflo GE motors use the start relay instead of centrifugal switch used in other motors to switch off the start winding after the motor starts and gets to run speed.The GE start relay has a pull in coil of a few turns of heavy gauge wire is series with the motor run winding-when motor is switched on,the winding pulls a heavy current that pulls in the relay to activate start winding-when motor gets to speed,current through relay coil drops and start winding is switched off.

 

[akronman]

cfz---

Thank you, it never made sense before, now it does, especially now knowing there is no centrifugal switch on these motors----Thank You.

 

[strongenough78]

Well I hope you actually check your machine before buying any parts. You almost bought an agitator thinking I would fix the problem. If you take a video of what your machine is doing, and post it on here, someone will probably be able to tell you exactly what's wrong and how to fix it.

 

[d-jones]

Rogelio

Shot gunning parts is a very expensive way to fix anything. Take the time to learn how the machine functions and then try to logically eliminate potential causes for the problem you're seeing. If you want to perform your own maintenance one thing you may want to track down is a proper service manual for the machine you have. A good service manual will not only provide you with proper service and replacement procedures, but will also provide a good general understanding of how the machine operates under normal circumstances, and what systems are involved in each of those operations. Once you understand those things, then it becomes much easier to figure out why it's NOT doing something. Just a thought.

 

[combo52]

GE FF Washer Agitator

You need to run the washer filled with water [ too the lowest level ] without the agitator installed, if the agitator shaft you pictured is moving back and forth you need a new agitator or I you are a little more motivated just the agitator drive block, it can be replaced separately and is still available and cheap. I am going to bet that your agitator drive block is stripped and you do need one or if you like a complete agitator.

 

[robertge]

Thanks for the wise advices, I'll try to make a full video of the machine. Right now I'm using a manual washer, like in the 19th century. I'll let you know if I can fix the problem.

 

[bpetersxx]

yes a video is worth a thousand words

We will be able to see if the agitator shaft is moving

Even if you need a transmission the other threads on the subject say that it is easy to replace the complete transmission