My New (30-year-old) Hotpoint 96702 British Top Loader

[Marky_Mark]

Well it's arrived in Barcelona from Derbyshire! My very first vintage washing machine! Even came with the original manuals and the original receipt from December 1984!

Love playing with it! Seems to run quite well with no leaks. Bit noisy during drain/spin but not sure if that's normal. I was thinking the clutch might be in need of replacement to make it quieter, although even with a full load it spins up to full speed as fast as any I've seen on YouTube, so not sure.

A couple of times (including when I first tested it) it made a humming noise like the motor was powered but was completely jammed with no movement (tried on both agitate and drain/spin, it was full of water) -- then a burning smell immediately after. I tried moving the motor by hand and it turned easily and the agitator moved with no effort, so I plugged it back in and it was fine. Will keep an eye on that. Any ideas?

Cleaned it out by doing a boil wash with Miele washing machine descaler (citric acid). Had it set to half load and now the bottom half of the drum has changed colour -- oops! The plastic tub looks pretty clean now.

I wonder what it would look like in my laundry room. Would need to stack my current washer and dryer. Otherwise I might have to buy a shed!

Agitation:


Drain:

 

[Marky_Mark]

It's actually a 96700. Don't know why I was thinking 96702!

 

[superelectronic]

A 96702 with its Almond body would probably have gone rather nicely with your washroom tiles!

 

Congratulations on the acquisition.

 

It's a bit of a guess but the humming and no action might be the capacitor - could be worth keeping a spare on hand.

 

Sadly, vitreous enamel doesn't take kindly to acids - a bit like the way you have to be careful with enamel baths. I know my enamel bath has ridges on it from the time my housemate used toilet descaler to clean it! I remember looking at descalers before and seeing the warning not to use them on machines with enamel drums. Quite how you're supposed to descale though is a mystery - maybe dump a box of Calgon in on a boil wash and hope for the best? Still, what's done is done.

 

I think it's normal for the drain and spin to be a little noisier - the motor pitch is certainly normally lower. 

 

[keymatic]

Hi Mark, nice machine...welcome to the vintage Hotpoint top loader club.
I have had my 1504 for a good few years now and never fails to perform i good m8 "Slowspin on here" gave me an original 1500 blue filter tray !!
Regards
Keith

 

[sesteve]

Hi Mark

Lovely machine there. I have a big soft spot for Hotpoint toploaders so much so that I have 4 including a new in the box 96702 and a new 1509/10 which is now my daily driver (unless I end up on a water meter!). They are easy to work on too so repairs are relatively easy.

You might have a problem with the relay if the motor is not starting - I have a copy of the service manual if you would like me to email it and the first pic below shows the relay on my 1509. As for noise, it depends on what it is - I did have to repair a 9605 where the bearing in the clutch had failed - I've linked to the video so you can check if yours is the same. Otherwise I wouldn't worry too much as they all have their own little noises. Shame about the tub but it won't affect its operation and you won't see it when its full of washing. Here's a few pics of my machines

I think you should get stacking

Cheers
S

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw1is_wwaC0

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hotpoint Top Loaders

Congratulations Mark on gaining a classic top loading washing machine, that should be a talking point with the "Miele" in the room, as the guys have said, very easy to work on with a bit of nowse and knowledge and happy to get ya hands dirty...the videos sound fine washing away and pumps are like that, if you can video what you think it the "extra noise" that may help a diagnosis etc....Happy Washing

Oh Steve I see you have been stacking in the new "Launderama" looking great!!

Hi Keith the new blue looks great in your 1504, I hear the trade looks just as good in the 1400!!

The link is to the excellent thread that Paul compiled showing the era of the early models..

Hotpoint UK circa 1963 brochure & other pics

Hi all. I recently managed to acquire a copy of what I think is the 1963 brochure for Hotpoint's offerings. It really is a superb brochure, full of information, diagrams and wonderful photographs of their machines. Have also come into possession of some wonderful photographs of Hotpoints...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[Marky_Mark]

Hi guys

Thanks to Alex and Steve for the mention of the capacitor and relay. I hadn’t thought of those. Over the next few days I will take a photo of the inside and post it for your inspection because there is something a little strange...underneath the motor there is a white bag, I don't know what's inside it yet but it does have wires going inside it. I guess someone has done that to protect something from water but I haven't seen this on other photos on AW or youtube.

Steve, as I am new to vintage, I have been searching the web for information and I have watched your video a couple of times over the last few months. Having watched your video, I think my machine may have the same issue with the bearing. I will take a short video of the wash/drain/spin for your assessment of the noise.

I love the look of the older machines like the original 1504 Keith has. As a child I was always fascinated by my aunt’s 1509. Yes Steve I would love a copy of the service manual please! [email protected]. Your collection is awesome! I hope I can build up a little collection of my own!

Mark

 

[sesteve]

Hi Mark

I've had to email in 3 sections due to size but hopefully its on its way to you. They are fascinating machines and really well engineered apart from the hardboard back panel and the crackable fascia of the newer models.

The white bag sounds intriguing. The only things with wires in the lower part of the machine are the brake solenoid and the motor - look forward to pictures. If it is the bearing then you can replace that rather than the whole clutch - quite straightforward and cheap.

Mike - it is starting to take shape. Hopefully will make a start on the power, water and drainage at the weekend but I seem to be collecting more things to put in it which is distracting me.

S

 

[Marky_Mark]

Steve, thank you very much for sending those emails. I have already starting reading though it. Very interesting indeed. It does mention the periodic agitating during filling on cycles 4, 5 & 6. I can see why this was dropped. I don’t think it’s a good idea really. It looks harsh on the clothes. I will have a good read through the information you have sent me and then I will see if I can attempt to stop the agitation, while still preserving the temperature sensed fill.

I have been using the Downy Ball. It works great! As this model does its first spin immediately before the final rinse, the Downy Ball is opened for the final rinse. This works great. It has never opened early and has always opened for the final rinse so far. But I know that some models spin after the wash and before the first rinse, so no good there.

Mike, I love that collection you have there! During the next week I am going to take some photos/videos and will take the back off again. Looking forward to getting some expert opinions from you guys! I will certainly try changing the bearing myself. I don’t really have all that much experience with fixing mechanical things, but I guess it’s time to learn!

Mark

 

[keymatic3203]

Hi Steve

I'm afraid that's how it starts, "I'll just get the floor painted/shelving in/power or whatever before I move the collection in'. Then you just start finding things we just must have/save/keep for spares. So take the warning, make the power/plumbing a priority even if you have to miss out on a machine or two or you won't have the space to do the work when the time comes. Or of course you may just have far more self control than I have lol.

Anyway Joking aside it looks like a great space, all the best with the installation.

Mathew

 

[sesteve]

Hi Mark

You are welcome. The agitation seems to bunch up the clothes and starts too soon - shame it wasn't linked to the pressure switch so it only operated once the water reached a set level as it is quite a good idea in principle. On the older machines, the mixed fill tends to mean quite a long time heating unless you mess about with the water taps. I've not tried one of those Downy balls so will have to get one - saves using the rinse hold.

Mathew - I know what you mean. I should have finished the shed off weeks ago but I'm easily distracted so no self control either. Picked up 2 more tumble dryers at the weekend and another Hoover machine last night - will post that in a bit. Also means no time for repairs and they are building up. Have got the workbench but haven't even assembled that yet. I need to retire....

S

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi Mark.

So the machine has been exported! Blimey!!! Did that fascia survive intact - notoriously fragile and have a tendency to crack at the ends, if used to drag the machine around with.

Assuming it is the same machine, that 96700 was just down the road from me - so pleased I have a 96702, as it meant I didn't have to adopt another Hotpoint top loader. They are a b1tch to stores, as you can't stack them (unless you are Mr Strong a.k.a sesteve) and you can't stack anything on them either. When you have three or more of them, they become a bit of a nightmare.
My trio shown below.

Glad that your 96700 appears in fine fettle. Excellent that another one is saved.

Cheers
Paul