My new Whirlpools

[nmaineman36]

These are brand new to moi and I figured I would share.

 

[nmaineman36]

the dryer

comtrol panel

 

[nmaineman36]

Inside dryer

still new inside

 

[nmaineman36]

washer

control panel and lid...notice the size of the lid...kinda reminds me of what Philco Fords were like

 

[nmaineman36]

Inside washer

I replaced the original agitator which was a Dual Action Plus with a 5 vane Super Surgilator with filter

 

[nmaineman36]

filter

here is the top part removed to show the filter

 

[nmaineman36]

Dual Action Plus

this is the original agitator that was in the washer. I bought it at Sears so they had this version

 

[nmaineman36]

washer filling

here is the usual fill

 

[appnut]

Mike, I am guess you threw in the towel with the Neppies. Hope you'll post as to what all happened. Everytime I saw a consumer complain about the new rattle-trap Neptunes or have other big issues with it and return it, I would think of you. A certain repairman also said he dreaded getting warranty repair calls on them.

But what about another front loader for the water issue y'all need?

And congratulations on the new pair. BTW, this is the asme pair I guidede some friends from church to purchase late last year when they needed to replaice their 7 y/o Maytag porcelain tub tler, which replaced a 1974 408.

 

[nmaineman36]

Performance

So far I have been very happy with these 2. I replaced the Fridgemore Front loader with these because the bearings went out on the washer. This set is in my condo in Maine. Scott and I still have the Maytag Neptunes back in Mass. So far they are doing well even though the washer is annoying as hell.
When I went to Sears to buy the washer I had it in my head I wanted a Whirlpool and stuck to my guns since they push Kenmore sooo much> I know Whirlpool makes the Kenmore Top loaders but I didnt want a Kenmore again. The front loader was disappointing since it lasted 2 years. My mother killed it by using regular Tide in it. Sears wouldnt warranty it and I wasnt going to pay what they wanted to fix it either. Maddening I have to say.
I do know some people here have problems with clothes getting shredded by the washer but in my experience if you close zippers on jeans...the agitator wont get nicked up to cause the pulling of the fabrics...especially towels.And also if you dont overload the washer and you know who you are... you wont have problems either...at least in my experience.

 

[nmaineman36]

water issues

Bob I dont have a water issue in Maine...I have City water....and the condo association pays for the water. I dont feel guilty at all buying another top loader since the condo president doesnt care that my next door neighbor is using his place as a hotel and the amount of water that they use I am sure is astronomical. The washer is always going and I hear it. Not that I am like Gladys Cravitz...my husband is that and my mother...

 

[westytoploader]

Mike, very cool machines!!! I know if I had to buy a modern top-loader today, it would be a Whirlpool for reliability. Gotta love that extra-wide lid as well!

That DA agitator is unique. Leslie told me a while back that some "Sears Whirlpools" came equipped with the original DA agitator that was being offered in 1986 for the then-new DD Kenmores. This is one of them...notice the ribbed circulator column. Had it not been equipped with a fabric softener dispenser, you would have seen the 1986-style cap as well. Pretty neat when you think about it.

I'm also glad you put the DD Surgilator in. It will make such a difference and will be much more gentle as it's not forcing the clothes under. Based on my experiences, all of the non-DA agitators for the direct-drive machines can hold an equally large load, provided that they are not overloaded. Although when I had the DD Surgilator in my Kenmore, I was surprised at what I could stuff in there!!! You'll be impressed...not to mention it makes some SUDS!!!

Thanks for posting.

--Austin

 

[appnut]

lol

 

[coldspot66]

STILL the best top loader for the $$$$$$. Ditto for the 29" dryer....dries FAST with that horseshoe style airflow. Clothing hits the airstream twice. Way to go!!!!!!!!!!

BTW you know that a Kenmore t/l is EXACTLY the same machine, except for bells and whistles!!!

 

[nmaineman36]

Surgilator

Funny that you say that about the agitator Austin. The reason I put it in the washer was the fact that I wanted a manual lint filter. The filter design that the washer uses in my opinion doesnt filter out cat hair and lint. This agitator does filter the wash water well...no scum. Plus it does wash well and it can turn over a load much faster than the DA. And its also gentle as well because the flex vanes are soft. What is strange that when the washer is filled with water and the agitator is moving those same soft vanes are stiff with water.Maybe its me. Also the extra vane does make a hell of a difference in wash turnover. 5 flex and 5 straight and 5 curved vanes. During the wash cycle those curved vanes help drive the load down to the bottom and they also move water into the filter barrel. Its as if it reaches out and grabs the water and lint. The 5 flex vanes also pull the water downward thru the filter. Also the filter pumping vanes are much better than the DA ones. I like the fact that when I take a load out of the washer its lint free...not this crap where they say that the dryer will do the job. I have very little lint on the dryer filter after every load. And plus if I want to hang the wash out I can and not worry if things are going to be linty.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Curious Info Asking:

Hi! Mike, the WP's are great looking Machines that you decided to go with. What I would like to know, as no doubt as others, what are the Model Numbers of the Washer and Dryer that you bought?

I was also wondering about your "DD" Surgliator that you are using to replace the "DA" that came with the Washer. Did you purposely buy it separately, even when you were buying the Machines, or did you have it all ready, like maybe from another WP Washer, was it bought new?

Please refresh my memory, and possibly others, which Maytag Neptune Washer and Dryer do you have? Are they the older Models, with the Solid Doors, or are they the newer Models, with the Windows?

I also as well, really like the Ex-Large Lid on the WP/Kenmore Washers. I hadn't really thought about their being similar looking to the "TOL" Philco Washer Lids, even though the Philco Washer Lids opened Sideways and even backwards, as opposed to the other American-Made Washers with the Side Opening Lids. I've often wondered, but I don't remember asking why the Philco Top-Load Washers had the Lids open from Left to Right, instead of from Right to Left? I have noticed even when the Philco Washers were available for new Purchases, that they did have Reversible Lids, just like the older Side Opening Lids of the Kenmore Washers.

Peace, Happy WP Laundry Days and Fun Times, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hi! Mike:

I just tried to write and send an E-Mail to you, but my "AOL" told me that your E-Mail Address wasn't good. Would you please E-Mail me, with another E-Mail Address, so I could resend my E-Mail to you?

Peace and Regards, Steve
[email protected]

 

[nmaineman36]

washer and dryer model numbers

Steve the washer model number is LSQ9550PW4 and the dryer model number is LEQ9858PW1. The washer is a Sears exclusive and the dryer I bought at an appliance store locally. I was going to buy the Senseon model for the dryer but decided that I didnt need it. Sears was pushing the dryer model they had with the upfront filter...but to me with the drop down hamper door it was a struggle getting to the back of the drum since its so deep. I know that they had a model at one time that had the Canadian super side swing door and I wanted that but it was discontinued. Figures.
As far as the Surgilator agitator I bought the agitator on RepairClinic.com Its brand new..cost was about 100 bucks.
And the email addy that I use now....got rid of AOL..is [email protected]
The Neptunes that I have in Mass. are the Maytag/Samsung built ones the 8700 washer and 9700 dryer with the windows.

 

[jasonl]

But you still can't watch.

Those new ones will not agitate with the lid up. You hafta stick your hand in the back right corner of the machine and push the switch up to even see it work. EVIL.

 

[nmaineman36]

watching

Oh but yes you can young Skywalker...unscrew the hinge on the left side and move it out some and place it in the down position...lid is up and I can watch it do its thing.

 

[frigilux]

Am I misunderstanding something or did Sears not honor the warranty on your FL'er because regular Tide was used in it? That's completely absurd! I (and thousands of others) used regular detergents in FL'ers for YEARS! HE detergents have only been on the shelves for a few years here in rural Minnesota. I was a Tide w/ Bleach user for many years in both a WCI FL'er and a first-issue FrigiLux ('class of '96) with no bearing problems in either machine.

Having said all THAT, if Sears had honored your warranty, you wouldn't have your rockin' new WP set! I still love the look of a gleaming white porcelain tub. I'm also envious of the huge drum in your WP dryer. My only complaint about the Frigi pair is the small dryer drum. Dress clothes are noticeably more wrinkled than they were when I had a KitchenAid TL pair back in the late '80's.

Congrats and may you have many trouble-free washloads!

 

[toggleswitch]

Dress clothes are noticeably more wrinkled than they were wh

High-speen spins may be contributing to this as well.

There MUST be a reason Euros are OBSESSED with a dozen spin speeds below max.

(Ducks and runs)

My three speed options is just fine-

Max
Regular
Slow

 

[toggleswitch]

I feel so BOUNCY ans SNUGGLY

IMHO~~

BEWARE of dryer softener sheets-
These are the BEST way to kill a dryer AND to cause a fire.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Maineman,
Thanks for the pics of the new WP's. I think I like the straight vane agitator better than the corkscrew. It takes up less space, more room for the clothes. Good choice. My mom just got the new Sears TL, and she gripes that she can't open the lid and watch. Can the lid switch be permanently disconnected? There is no lid switch visible, and I have no idea how to raise the top cover on these new puppies. I wish the actual tub opening was bigger. Jeans always seem to get stuck between the agitator and the tub cover.
And Toggles is right, watch out for those dryer sheets. It's a great way to bung up those shiny new sensors!
Bobby in Boston

 

[nmaineman36]

dryer sheets

I normally use liquid softener but on occasion since having the 2nd rinse option I forget about the softener and I will use a dryer sheet. And if I dry a few loads with dryer sheets I will wipe off the sensors so they stay sensitive.
Frigilux you heard me right when I said that Sears wouldnt warranty it since I didnt take out the dreaded Extended warranty...didnt think I would need it. To fix the washer I was quoted $350.00 and I figured for that kinda money I can get something that I dont have to struggle to get a load in and out of. And yes I do agree that the dryer that matched the washer...and I still have it is small and not only that kinda anemic as far as power output 4500 watts compared to 5400. Does make a small difference speed wise. Also the drum on the dryer was small at 5.8 cuft compared to 7.0...that 1.2 cu ft difference is alot. I too had shirts get wrinkled and it doesnt have anything to with spin speed Miss Toggles. Thats only if you hang the wash outside that they want a lower spin speed. When a dryer is used the bigger the better I think. And the Whirlpool is fast...compared to the other dryers I have its the best.

 

[nmaineman36]

Switch

I have not figured out how the top control panel comes up like other DD washers that had the screws visible in the corners...unscrew those and flip the control panel up...find the 2 hold down clips and remove em. Then the entire cabinet comes up. I dont know if the switch can be bypassed..I am sure it can be. I just unscrew the left hinge where the switch is and move it out to clear the edge of the lid and put it down to engage the switch...I know its a pain and I dont do it often.

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Mike, did you check the back for any screws holding the endcaps in? Those are supposed to come out first, to reveal the control panel screws you mentioned. I had the same dilemma with my '98 Kenmore when I replaced the coupler last year.

 

[brisnat81]

The later ones

Have the screws on the back of the Control Panel.

Look at the back of the machine, and pointing upwards on the far left and right will be two screws.

Undo those and the control panel lifts up like the earlier ones do.

 

[knitwits1975]

These are good machines and the DA agitator will serve you better. Best of all, if you ever need warranty service, Whirlpool will take care of you right quick.

 

[bajaespuma]

Behind and slightly to the left....

OK, behind your shot of the original white Sears agitator is a blue Maytag agitator with a top that I've never seen before. Could we get a close-up shot of that baby with some detail of the top, please?