My Whirlpool Duet HT Washer & Dryer Dilemmas

[ozziepuppy]

This set was purchased new about 13 years ago. Previous repairs: New control panel on dryer; new gasket and spring holder on washer.

Dryer: Stopped heating up. Called repair people. Said it needed a new heating element. Would be $185 to replace. Hmmm. Worth fixing a dryer that old? Repair person said yes, because "dryers are simple, it could last 4 or 5 more years." OK, so we fixed it.

Washer: Occasionally gets water in the tub at random times. Same repair people said it was not worth fixing, because the bearings were going. This was based on their moving the drum back and forth (front to back, not side to side). Same trip as for the dryer; they said it "could go any time" and that we were really lucky it had lasted this long. OK, so they did not fix the washer.

Started researching and shopping for new washer. Decided on Speed Queen front loader, even though no internal heater (my Duet HT does have an internal heater and Sanitary wash cycle). However, quite pricey, right ($1499)?

Then the Speed Queen dealer (who is also a Whirlpool dealer) said "look at these brand new Whirlpool Duets--the drums go back and forth [wiggle front to back] and that is perfectly normal--I bet your old Duet washer could last several more years." He asked if there was any squealing (no) or any knocking (no).

Went home and ran a cycle and listened--smooth and quiet. Called repair people and told them I did want the intake valve replaced--and they refused! Said it would have to be "as is" repair due to the bearings being about to go! So I ended up calling another repair company who are coming out tomorrow to fix the intake valve ($180).

Now, I know the repair costs are somewhat of rip-offs but putting that aspect of this aside, how weird is it that
(a) a repair company would refuse to do a repair based on their prediction that something ELSE is about to go wrong, based on [apparently] no evidence, and
(b) that the Speed Queen dealer [who also sells current Duet models] would say that my old Duet's bearings probably are NOT about to die?

It feels somewhat like the Twilight Zone!

So, yeah, spending a bit on repairs, which is kind of a gamble given the age of the machines. But--maybe they will last long enough for Speed Queen to start offering a US Market front loader with a heater, LOL!

My plan is to continue using them both until something goes wrong with either the washer or the dryer, and then (hopefully) to get a new Speed Queen set!

Or am I just throwing away the cost of the repairs ($365)? No crystal ball here, unfortunately.
But, $365 vs $2825 for new Speed Queen washer and dryer...worth the gamble? Or not???

 

[stricklybojack]

.
I would probably be happy with 13 years of service and buy new machines.
The SQ's will last for decades so why not get them now, unless you are squeezed for cash?

I like SQ but you can pay around half and get as good or better performance (heater) albeit with a shorter warranty period and general life expectancy.
I link to a new Electrolux set (pictured) that come in at at $1400, half what you were quoted for SQ's. You could probably get them even lower as Sears runs all kind of coupon / discount / reward point / cash back deals. If you want the sanitize/allergy feature (heater) on the washer it costs $100 more (EFLS517SIW) .

If you are short of the amount of cash needed for new machines, i may also look for a nice used or scratch and dent set, SQ or another brand. What city are you in or near?[this post was last edited: 5/24/2016-23:46]

http://www.sears.com/electrolux-4.3-cu-ft-front-load-washer-8.0/p-026CO88658512B?prdNo=30&blockNo=30&blockType=G30

 

[ozziepuppy]

Update

Those look like really nice machines!

Update: Since we had to get a new air conditioner last month ($3500) I opted to take my chances and repair the washing machine: (a) new intake valves and (b) cleaned out the pump. Everything is working great; here's keeping my fingers crossed. All of the spins are very quiet; no sign of any bearing problems at all. For now, I am satisfied with keeping the old ones. I like the internal heater in the washing machine (and the Sanitary cycle), the auto soak cycle, and the fact that I still have a Warm wash/Warm rinse option (new machines only have cold rinses) [plus, the pedestals double as drawers, which is nice]. I hope the washer and dryer last several more years without needing any repairs, because I the next time something breaks I definitely will be buying a new set.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Cool - another person with a 10+ year duet set still going. Yours is even older than mine. Mine are just over 11 years old. Knock on wood but never had the dryer need a repair. The 2nd year the control board on my washer was replaced, but nothing has gone wrong since. I really do love the machines. Over the years of reading online drama stories of mold, spin explosions, washers dying in less than 5 years - I consider myself so lucky. I will add that I was told the current duet pedestals that we have will work on the new Duet and Maytag front loaders. I use them for storage too.

 

[mattl]

One of my Duets is about 10 years old and going strong. I added an older Duet gas dryer last year that did have issues, odd one - a bad gas valve. I popped a set of new bearings in one of my newer Duets and it's been fine for 5 years, but I'm starting to get a little noise on the spin cycle so it may need new bearings again. All in all I've been very happy with the Duets.

 

[brucelucenta]

question?

I would like to know how many people have a front load or top load speed queen washer and/or dryer that has lasted "decades" without many repairs or any overhauls.

 

[lorainfurniture]

I am an authorized servicer

Under normal conditions I usually will do the first service call on a sq after its about 8-10 years old. Common repair is belt, idler, and oddly, the timer or motor.*

* the timer or motor failure really only applies to one model, ca. 2005 ish. I have replaced one timer and 2 motors. I'm convinced it was a bad batch of motors, and the timer was a fluke thing.

They really are reliable machines. Time will tell if they are truly 25 year units, but I personally believe they will have a lifespan of at least 10-15 years. I don't really see very many 25 + year old sq units so I can't comment on that.

 

[delaneymeegan]

WOW

 

 

13 years and still going !  That's great.  

 

I love the Duets and Kenmore Duets.  I've had 3 new ones (2 sports and a 2007 9200) that I sold with the house(s) I was in at the time.   I never had any problems with them.

 

I currently have a Kenmore (Duet Sport) I got for $15, and I needed to clean it, clean the pump, and replace the pump motor for $38.  It work perfect.  

 

I also have another new, full size Duet I got for free.  It needs the motor replaced which I'm taking off another of the same model I got for $20.  It works fine, but the bearings are shot.   So it's a very nice parts machine.  Put the two together,  and I've got a like new Duet for less than $25.

 

I like the soak cycle as well.  The 9200 was the first Duet I had.  That soak cycle was a great feature.   The only complaint+ the lint filter is not readily accessible from the front.  

 

[mark_wpduet]

For a while

I complained about the stupidity of Whirlpool not having and STILL NOT having an access door for the drain pump in case it needs cleaning....On mine, I have to take the front panel off. I've only done this 3 times in the over 11 years and none of the times there was nothing other than a small piece of lint. This is because I check pockets religiously as I put each item in and I'm the only one that has ever operated the machine. I once accidentally washed a small screw driver I missed. I was so mad. But it remained in the drum and didn't damage any clothing. Anyway, I stopped checking my drain pump. But some of the drain pumps I've seen people take apart online, UGH. Nasty. So I still think they should have an access door for that.

 

[delaneymeegan]

Here's the solution I came up with in 2012

 

(Under one of my old screen names)

 

Mark, it doesn't sound like you need it.  You do a thorough job getting the large items out before hand.

 

The used Duets I have now were full of stuff.  The one with the bearing issues was so bad, it was amazing the pump still works.  I think it came from a farm because there was straw pieces in there.

My Kenmore Duet that I had to replace the pump motor on, had about $4 in change in the sump and even in the hose coming out of the tub.  The ball couldn't even set because there was change blocking it.

Duet and Frontloader lint filter access

I currently have a Whirlpool Duet WFW8300S. I've also had other Whirlpool Duets. Behind the front lower panel is the pump and before the pump is a lint/large item trap, that protects the motor. If you wash items that give off lots of lint, this trap can easily become overloaded and block...

www.automaticwasher.org