My Own little Lady :-)

[jons1077]

I finally grabbed my first vintage machine last night! The lady said she only used it twice. Still has all the books, etc. Looks showroom new! The only problem is I don't have the faucet adapter and when I ran it through some cycles the drain pump never stopped pumping. I figure that's probably from not being used very much, but heck if I know how to make it stop!!! Maybe you guys would know??? In the meantime, here are some pictures!

 

[jons1077]

Potable Lady Kenmore

description on the top

 

[jons1077]

Lady K

all the stuff still inside

 

[jons1077]

Lady K

inside view...clean as a whistle

 

[westytoploader]

Jon, congratulations, that machine looks absolutely MINT!

Since it's had so little use, perhaps the cam bars and wig-wag plungers need to be lubricated? That might help, however, since you said that on some occasions it isn't coming out of the drain position, it could be a bad solenoid on the wig-wag as well.

 

[westytoploader]

And another (more likely) possibility would be a loose wire on one of the solenoids.

Be sure to post some action shots when you get the faucet adapter and run a few loads!

 

[fridgiman]

Jon,

Great machine and brand new too!!!
Looks like we both got a little work to do to get them up and running again.
Good luck.
Jim

 

[jons1077]

Austin...

It was draining constantly actually. Everything else ran smoothly. The little filter seems to do a monstrous job. I'll see if I can open up the cabinet and check some wires. It was a bumpy ride home so could be something like that.

Jim...I guess now is my time to learn huh???

 

[gansky1]

Very nice machine - glad you won this!

Have fun - the portables can be a hoot to wash in.

 

[jons1077]

Glad I got it too!

Although it was a LOOONG story how I got it home!

 

[gansky1]

Uh-oh, did you have to drag it behind the car?

 

[golittlesport]

isn't that why they have wheels on them, Greg?? haha! Congrats, Jon!! Woo hoo!! Have fun!
Rich

 

[launderess]

Yes Sir! That is what I'm talking about!

The machine is the mate for my portable Whirlpool dryer!

1-800 Sears parts still stocks many parts for both the Whirlpool/Kenmore portable washers and dryers. As does an online parts store, whose name does not spring to mind at the moment. Awhile back there was thread on vintage portable Whirlpool/Kenmore portable washing machines and dryers started by Moi, and another poster. This should still be in the archives with lots of information.

The faucet adapter should be easily found at Sears, and they probably will have the parts to get your machine up and running. If you get the right tech in a good mood, they are very helpful and can help you find out what your machine needs to get running.

Really just love that washer, if MA weren't so far, and already didn't have the Hoover, was going to consider bidding on that little beauty. Nothing like a good top loader to whip through laundry fast.

Imagine having that washer all those years and only using it once!

L.

 

[jons1077]

parts...

I know I can get the faucet adapter easily. They haven't changed those at all. My issue of course is the pump not stopping. I went ahead and ran it through a full heavy duty cycle with towels in. I just had the drain hose recycling back into the wash until it was time for it to actually drain. The machine purrs like a kitten! Just that darn drain pump... I don't even know how to get to that.

I opened up the top and everything I could see was sparkling clean. The belt looks and sounds good. I dunno...one day I'll be able to know these things.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Jon

Very Nice Lady Portable. What is the model #?
Darrel

 

[westyslantfront]

Congratulations Jon. The machine looks beautiful. Welcome to the world of collecting.

Ross

 

[golittlesport]

Me thinks the pump is supposed to run throughout the cycle for the recirculating lint filter. So, the problem is probably the solenoid or loose wire on the drain port causing that port to stay open all the time. It might just be stuck "open."

 

[bpetersxx]

I think this might be a belt model

The pump is not shifting from recirculation to drain mode

Some out experts can confirm this

The link is from my videosa on youtube

 

[bpetersxx]

This is MickeyD washer video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dorthy+street&search=Search

 

[jons1077]

ahh...

That kind of makes sense actually. There is water recirculating through the lint filter just fine. The water from the drain hose is not as strong a current during the wash as it is during the full drain. Perhaps a valve isn't closing all the way or is kinda stuck. That sounds like something that could possibly be easy to fix.

 

[jons1077]

model number is...

110.84090830 (almond)

the parts list does list some nice color options though. hehe

white, COFFEE (I think someone just got a coffee kenmore), "New Avocado", and Golden Wheat.

I love how they always come up with new names for old colors.

BTW, yes it is a belt drive. I would not have driven all night for 8 hours and gotten into an accident in my rental car for a direct-drive machine. And NO...it was not my fault and I walked away just fine luckily. Whew! scared the crapola out of me though.

 

[westytoploader]

Interesting...sounds like the flapper valve might be stuck. A new pump would definitely fix this. Do you have a repair manual by any chance?

Austin

 

[jons1077]

Ross,

I only have the booklets that came with the machine. There's the parts list and diagram if that's what you are referring to. Otherwise, I'd have to find a manual to figure out how to do the repair. I've never repaired a machine before.

 

[launderess]

According to PartsSelect.com, this is the pump for your machine. Searched by entering in the model number, but it seems many parts are NLA which contradicts my previous statement. Maybe Sears parts would be a better bet?

http://www.partselect.com/xq/aspx/Inventory.334489/qx/PartDetail.htm?SourceCode=4

 

[launderess]

Sears Online Parts, does have this model, just key in the model number and you'll see what they have including diagrams. Pump is there and quite allot else besides.

L.

 

[DADoES]

Pull the pump for a look. Could be some lint stuck in the flapper valve blocking it from seating properly in recirculate mode.

 

[exploder3211]

Congrats on this.., I would love to have one some day.. I hope u r okay, just being nosey, what happend to cause the wreck? Glad the washer survived

 

[jons1077]

fender bender

Well, just a little story to go with this machine...

I had to fly from DC to Chicago to Boston where the washer was located. According to the seller on Ebay, I was to be contacted immediately following the end of the auction. After sitting in Boston for a few hours, now 6 hours since the auction ended, I still heard from no one. Needless to say I was a bit upset thinking I had flown all day and rented a van for nothing. Finally at 9:30 PM (auction ended at 2:30) I get the phone call I was waiting for. I grabbed the machine and hit the road. The trip from Boston to DC is about 8 hours.

Just after crossing over into Connecticut from Rhode Island, a driver of a moving truck dozed off at the wheel and swerved into my lane broadsiding me as we were going 65 mph. I braked so hard to try to avoid being hit that I noticed a little bit later that the washer had almost lurched over the two front seats. It was hanging between me and the passenger seat. Perhaps that could explain the loose wire theory???

Needless to say, I was fine...shook up but fine. I drove all night and made it home early this morning. It was a lot of trouble to go through for a washer, but no regrets.

I hope with everyone's great advice and knowledge I can have all of it's kinks worked out and be in business. It really sounds great when it runs. Great belt-drive sounds!

Sorry for being so long-winded, but thought you guys might get a kick out of the story. It's funny the lengths we go to to save our beloved vintage machines!

Jon

 

[launderess]

Whewwwwwww! That was close! Glad you and yours made it home in one piece.

Brought my Whirlpool portable dryer home in the back of a mini-van with it resting on it's side. And yes, one to many hard stops and that dryer would have lurched into the back seat and maybe even come towards the driver, Moi! As it was had to go easy on some turns as the unit slide about, which after awhile made using the rear view mirror pretty much useless, so had to switch to the driver's side mirror. Still only had about an 45 minute drive, nothing like your 8 hour BOS to DC run. Yes, the things we do for love.

If you go to the Sears parts website, you can see diagrams of not only the parts in questions, but the entire machine in general. This should give you an idea of where the pump is, so you can perhaps take off a panel and see what is going on when you engage the unit. You'll probably want to have lots of towels handy and by all means don't keep that washer plugged in long. Water and electric power do not mix! You may be able to shine a light on the pump and see if something is "stuck".
It might just be a sock or something worked it's way down and is jamming something up. It would explain why the woman only used the machine once then put it away.

Oh yes, scan eBay as there are tons of Whirlpool pumps up at the moment, and one might be the part you need.

L.

 

[jons1077]

update...

Hey guys,

Thanks for listening to me first of all. Just an update on the Lady. I purchased a new pump and installed it today. I have to say that this machine is absolutely spotless under the hood! I pulled the old pump and couldn't really see anything wrong with it, but I installed the new one anyways. I ran the machine and at first some water was still syphoning out. As I ran the machine more it seemed to get better. The drain was just a little more than a trickle. I'm wondering if this is normal for some machines or if I still have a problem. I'm just not sure what else to do! If anyone knows of any adjustments I should try or if it's something that will heal as it's used over time please let me know. Thanks so much!!!

Jon