"New" Frigidaire 1-18

[brainardcooper]

So, I picked up the 1-18 from the Craigslist seller yesterday evening. Brought it home late, unloaded it & decided to wait until morning to run it. I got up, made a cup of coffee & went to see if it worked. I filled it partially with the garden hose (outside) & put it through a partial cycle & is seemed to run perfectly and nice & quiet.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I maneuvered it into place and connected it. Started it with a small load of towels and all seemed to go very nicely. UNTIL the spin... When the spin started it seemed very strained & I guess some relay kicked in & it stopped. I waited a few minutes, started the spin again & the same thing happened. After the 3rd time I decided to lower the drain hose, create a siphon (spelling?) & let it drain. I started it again & the spin kicked in like a normal machine would operate. So, I let the spin cycle complete its' run & turned it off without going through the rinse cycle.

Now, what do I do? Suggestions??? I really want to keep this machine.

Thanks in advance.

 

[philr]

The "Sure-Spin" clutch should slip at the beginning of the spin period to remove some strain on the motor. 

 

With the tub full of water, if the clutch doesn't slip, it might just trip the motor safety protection.

 

With the tub empty, there shouldn't be enough strain to trip it even if the clutch doesn't slip.

 

I never had this issue with a 1-18 but it could be caused by a water leak or maybe if the machine did sit for a long time unused?

 

I'd suggest to remove the 3 screws that hold the front panel on, pull down on it and visually inspect (or better, take pictures of what's there and post them here!).  

 

You could also make a video of it and upload it on YouTube.

 

What's the model number on your machine? Does it have a pan-type lint filter of the earlier "bed of nails"? You might want to download the service manual from this site. The one for the 1979 models should be closest to what you have:

 

1979 Frigidaire 1-18 Tech Talk Service Manual

1979 Frigidaire 1-18 Tech Talk Service Manual

www.automatice.org

 

Here's a video of mine spinning a large load if you want to compare:

 

 

[brainardcooper]

Thanks Phil

I actually took the front off when I ran it through the initial cycle outside. I watched & did not see any leak at all. How do I make the clutch slip into position correctly.

The lint filter is the Pan Type filter and the Model # is WCIG & Serial # OOEC 000G (or "6" instead of "G").

 

[philr]

WCIG, that's what I thought!

The model number should be 00EC 0006, it must have been one of the latest GM models! The first 0 is for 1980! And "C" For March. Please post some pictures of that serial number tag here: http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?50844

 

 

This model is covered in the Tech Talk manual I posted above. I strongly suggest you to download it and read the page "W45" (the 5 isn't too visible but you'll see it's between the "W44" and "W46"!). I never had to adjust or repair the clutch on a 1-18 but I did replace the brake on one of mine.  With the front cover taken off, check on the baseplate of the machines for traces of dirt or former water leaks. Some black dust from the belt is normal. 

 

Does your tub brake quickly at the end of the spin (when it does!) or does it keep coasting for a while? They often don't brake at all. If it doesn't brake at the end of the spin, don't bother with that now. It's a normal condition for a 1-18 washer and it doesn't need to be fixed! If it coasts for a while, at least, you know that the tub moves freely! 

 

 

 

 

 

[brainardcooper]

Okay

I took a pic of the plate & I will download it when I get home (from Tennessee). I don't have a "smart" phone, however, if you want me to text it to you from my "dumb" phone I will. I have a "Canada" plan.

Yes, it does brake well & very quietly. The machine is extremely quiet. I did notice when I had the front panel off that it was kind of dirty underneath. I will also download that repair manual.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks.

bc

 

[joelippard]

I'm going to chime in here with Phil because I've seen this before.  Since it brakes well that gives me a little information to go on with it.  Has this machine has set for quite a while?  If so then I'm not surprised to see this happening.   There are several scenarios that could be at play here.

 

1.  The machine has set, the clutch has (clutch dust) in it and moisture and time can cause this to make things a little more "sticky" than they need to be.  A suggested attempt to fix this is to get a rubber mallet, tap around some on the clutch to help loosen up what is inside and very deliberately and thoroughly blow that clutch out.  Come at it from the bottom and the dust should blow out.  Also, while you're in there clean up anything and everything that is dirty including the rollers which should be cleaned with either cigarette lighter fluid or denatured alcohol.

 

2.  Someone tried in the past to "lubricate" the agitate shaft.  This happened on Bob Orear's 1-18 and over the course of time the lubricant was slung up into the clutch and with the clutch slipping and building heat at an even greater than normal rate because of said lubricant it created this disgusting goo inside and locked up the clutch.  Only way to cure that is disassembly and cleaning which either Phil or myself could easily coach you on.

 

Go with option one first since that's the least effort involved.  The more the machine is used the better.  One thing I've learned over the years is that Frigidaires take offense to being neglected and unused and they will let you know about it in some fashion!

 

Joe

 

[jetcone]

Phil

isn't clutch adjustment covered on page W76-W77?? W45 has the washer analyzer.

 

 

 

[philr]

You're right about the clutch adjustment.

 

I was referring to the "Sure Spin clutch test" which is on the page W45.

 

[combo52]

Binding Clutch In A 1-18

I have seen this problem also in 1-18 washers and it often seemed to be the later models. Joe and Phil's advice is right on the money and would differently try Joe's tapping and blowing out dust first. Some times adding a motor start capacitor also helps this problem.

 

John L.

 

[brainardcooper]

Thank you!

In the infamous words of Paula Deen, "I can't hardly wait" to go back to Chattanooga to try out these 2 procedures! I will keep you posted.

 

[laundromat]

I had these in a earlier 1972 set and was with Ron,my first, but far from last lover. Mine were white and had a three speed motor in the washer. A neighbors husband was throwing them out because his bedroom wall shared space with the laundry room and he hated the clothes beating up and down. I had them five years before getting my Laundromat twins. They got used daily and got sold to my Aunt Natalie for two hundred dollars. She recently had the dryer replaced.