New Old Stock 358277 Water Valve

[Chetlaham]

Is it safe to use a never used water valve from 1985? My fear is that the rubber inside may have dried up or the plastic piston casing may have become brittle. I don't want either to crack and cause a leak or flood. 

 

 

Ok to install and leave under pressure 24/7?   

 

[qsd-dan]

I'd run it, it's probably a better quality valve than anything made today but you could install ball valve shut off's if you're worried and have easy access to them.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I have a bunch of those style valves and have not had any issues with them. I would test it first, the worse thing I've seen happen with those valve is a small drip into the wash tub when it is off, which you'll catch overnight.

 

[Chetlaham]

Thanks for the advice!

I tested and installed the new valve. Hopefully the holes I bored out aren't to big- the screws were really lose but not so much when the valve was in between them. The water drops you see on the floor are from the hoses being purged, not from the valve or rubber hose itself. 

 

 

Anyway, the new valve is so much quieter on both the hot, warm and cold settings! Water hammer is also 98% gone. Water flow is as much as the plumbing and shut-off will allow. And no loud ominous 60Hz mains hum that could wake the dead. Real 50/50 warm after manually struggling with 70/30 for 10 years.

 

 

The blue valve I took out is absolute trash. I found the both the hot and cold side threads had stripped in a few places and one of the solenoids popped right off with little pressure. I am glad I decided to go NOS FSP Whirlpool.

 

 

I truly feel like I have a luxury washer now. How can a 40 year old valve function better in all ways?

 

A side note when I took a pic of the inside from the seem between the tub and top of the machine absolutely no indication of water or oil being flung around. Seals are still going good. 

 

 

 

 

[this post was last edited: 5/27/2025-18:53]

 

[Chetlaham]

"Old" Valve...

The solenoid slips right off with no force. What a joke.

 

[combo52]

New old stock inlet valve

Hi Chet how old is the valve you just got there’s a code right on the package and on the valve itself.

The neoprene type rubber that is used in valves like this does not dry out overtime. It will not fail in your lifetime from just sitting use the valve and enjoy it.

Natural rubbers dry out in time tires dry out in time if exposed to the elements, but the rubber seals, dishwasher pumps seals and washing machines rubber parts and door gaskets on refrigerators do not deteriorate from time.

It’s the last thing you have to worry about with appliances, built in the last 50 years.

John L

 

[Chetlaham]

Do you know where the code is on the package? I'll post it. Valve is already in the machine, however the box was sealed.

 

[Chetlaham]

Here is the box

I'm guessing this is the code? Any idea when the valve was made or packaged?

 

 

 

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The code 902105

Chet -

The code 902105 is read as 05/21/1990. Your mixing valve just turned 35 last week.

Gordon

 

[Chetlaham]

35 years- not bad! I am so grateful for NOS and that people held on to these parts.