Newbie needs advice & support- Hoover 0512 twin tub

[charity]

Hello to all... I found this site last night after unexpectedly receiving an old Hoover twin tub washer, model 0512. It appears externally to be in absolutely pristine condition, apart from a couple of scratches on the back panel. It still has its instruction manual, also perfect, and the tray that fits on the top to turn it into a table/cart when not in use. The body is a rich brown in color, and the tabletop piece is faux woodgrain.
It hasn't been used in ages-- the filler hose and the rubber cover for the spin basket are rotten and brittle beyond use-- so I'm worried about when its innards might look like, hoses and seals and such. I haven't yet plugged it in or attempted to start it.
My dad came across this somewhere and thought it'd be a nice solution for my tiny apartment, so he dropped it by. Before this showed up on my doorstep, I'd never even seen or heard of such a thing as a twin-tub washer. I scoured the manual, became interested, and came straight to my computer to see what more I could find out. Now I've quickly realized that neither of us appreciated the magnitude of what we have here, lol! And who knew there'd be so many of you with this fascination!?! (or that I'd be soon to join you!)
I want to actually USE this beautiful old gem to wash my clothes, starting ASAP, so what advice can you give on how to go about getting it in perfect running condition, or where to perhaps find some service info? Anything you can share, ANYTHING, will be most appreciated.
I'll be happy to share a pic or two as well as soon as I get a few taken. Thanks to everyone!!

 

[launderess]

Welcome!

First, you can go to the group archives and read previous posts on Hoover TTs. Lots of good information there.

In short, the first thing one should do before using any vintage washing machine that has not seen use in a while is to pour a kettle or two of hot water into the wash tub. Do not run the machine, but let the water sit for an hour or so, you want to soften up the pump and check if the unit is water tight. If you have them, put some puppy "wee-wee" pads under the unit in case it leaks. Old towels will work as well, just make sure whatever you put under the unit is flat, otherwise the belts will catch it up as they move about.

While the above is going on, take a moment to read the owner's manual and become familar with machine operations.

When ready to pump out the water, plug in the machine, set the wash and spin dials accordingly, and make sure the drain hose is secure in a sink or bucket, then let turn the unit on and let it drain. Warning: Hoover TwinTubs are not the most quiet units when spinning or draining, so the loud noise is not unsual.

While the water is draining peek underneath to see if there are any leaks. Pumps on these units were one of the weakest points, and usually one of the first things to go. Once you have tested your unit, let us know how things are and we can go from there.

Hoover stopped making and selling these units in the United States ages ago, so NIB parts are rather hard to find. You will have to check eBay, estate sales, or hit appliance dealers that have been around for along time. While it may be hit or miss, things do pop up now and then.

DO NOT OPERATE THE SPIN DRIER BASKET WITHOUT THE MAT. Items can become lodged into the pump or some such if they go up and over the basket during operation. Some persons have improvised over the years by placing a large and heavy terry cloth towel on top of the washing, but cannot say how well that works.

You can find many Hoover Twin Tub parts, including spin mats (they are generic to many twin tubs and spin driers), on eBay UK. Hoover only rather recently stopped selling TTs on that side of the pond, hence parts are easier to come by.

As for the fill hose, mine was like yours, so chucked it into the rubbish, and use a normal washing machine fill hose, though my model is older than yours (see pictures in my group profile). You may find a fill hose as mentioned before on eBay USA or UK.

 

[charity]

Thank you!!!

I'm thrilled to see a response already!! I decided to go ahead and try the first step you recommended-- I've just poured some hot water in and am waiting to see what happens. I didn't see any immediate leakage, so I guess it's a good start.
Now for the two questions that will likely get me made fun of, lol... First of all, is the spin cylinder supposed to be all wobbly in there, or do I have a broken/missing belt or part of some sort? It doesn't sit firmly in there, but moves fairly freely around. As I said, I've never seen one of these before!
The second one: is it really "safe" to just try firing her up later? I have visions forming in my mind of sparks flying and things exploding the moment the plug touches the socket! Probably just overactive imagination, I hope.
I've already been scouring this site for everything I can find on these babies, and I'm sure there's plenty more I haven't found yet. I'm getting excited, though-- I really want to get this sucker back in prime working order!!
Thanks for your advice, Launderess. I'm glad to know there are people who've done this before and can nurse me along!

 

[charity]

Oh yeah...

I forgot to ask-- where can I see your pics? I see your profile when I click your name, but no pics. I looked through the "Photos of Collections," but didn't see you there either. Where do I go?
Thanks.

 

[launderess]

There Are No Silly Questions..

Spin Basket:

Yes there should be some play, the thing is not rigid.

Safety of Firing Up:

If the cord and plug are intact and good condition, there shouldn't be any problems. Use the same common sense one would use when handling any electrical appliance. Do make sure the floor is dry, and that you plug the unit into a grounded (three prong)outlet, protected by a circut breaker or fuse.

Make sure the machine is off when you plug it in, and the spin basket lid is OPEN, otherwise you will engage the spin basket, which is not a big deal, but since you are at baby steps, don't want to you to leap up in the air.

Water:

If you haven't gotten any leaks yet, that is good. You will have to watch further as the water drains from the tubs. It is normal sometimes for the pump to leak once you have opened the drain port (moving the spin basket control from "wash" to "drain", as water starts flowing into the pump but has no where to go. Once the pump starts working you shouldn't see any water leaking. However again, pumps on these units tended to be the weakest link, and some may leak a little, even when pumping water.

Have a huge vintage Hoover repair and service manual which covers many Hoover appliances, including washing machines.

Photographs of my machine:

Pipe:

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/LAUNDERESS/

 

[charity]

Good and bad...

I fired her up, and she runs! The spinner spins like CRAZY-- I was amazed at the power that little thing whipped up. The agitator runs just fine also. Whoo hoo!
The only thing I couldn't do yet was pump the water out of the tub. We turned the controls to the right position, and it did make noise, but no water went anywhere. I haven't popped the back off yet, so I guess we'll see more later. I've roped my husband into this little project as well, so I'm making him take a crack at getting it to pump! I did take a quick look on eBay earlier, and it's comforting to see how many parts are floating around out there if I need them-- including new pumps.
Thanks so much for your support! It may take a little while, but I'm SO looking forward to doing my wash in this totally-new-to-me way!

 

[launderess]

First, check the manual carefully and make sure you have the controls set properly. Yes, I know you are smart and stated you read everything, but sometimes things do happen.

Next, make sure you haven't created an air lock in the pump by having the spin running before opening the drain. When you turn the control dial to "drain", and the pump diverter valve opens the port, you should see a few bubbles, like when you open the drain to a bathtub.

Take the back off the machine, and watch the action of the knob as you move the dial between "drain" and wash", to make sure it is turning the pump valve properly.

It just may be the pump has been sitting along time and needs to be primed. Try using about one half tub of water, then engaging the pump. Worse comes to worse you can bail the water out with a pan, or siphon it out with a hose.

According to my Hoover Parts and Service Manual:

Troubleshooting:

Water Won't Pump Out:

1, Belt
2, Loose Pump Pulley
3, Clogged Drain
4, Clogged Pump
5. Valves Not Opening
6, Broken Impellor
7, Pump Control Shaft Disconnected

 

[gizmo]

Not pumping - if these machines haven't been used in a long time, it is likely the pump has seized up. There is an elasticated belt from the spin motor to the pump, so the pump only works when the spinner is spinning. If the pump has seized, the elasticated belt will just slip.

To fix - just locate the pump inside the back cover. At the bottom of the pump is a small pulley with the elasticted belt going around it. Grip the pulley by hand and force it to turn. If it is stiff to turn, that is probably your problem.

If it turns easily, either the elasticated belt is worn out (or even missing), or the pump valve is stuck.
The top of the pump in these machines uses a slightly complicated pair of valves, when you turn the pump knob on top of the machine, it turns a long wire which turns the top of the pump. Turn one way, the spin valve is open. Turn the other way, the wash valve is open. (to empty the wash tub). The valve uses little rubber plugs inside to open one inlet to the pump, or the other inlet. If not used a long time, the rubber plugs can stick shut. Best option is to try filling with some HOT water to soften and release the rubber. Otherwise you may have to dismantle the pump valve assembly. (which isn't hard if you have reasonable mechanical ability, these machines were always easily repaired by do - it - yourselfers.)

Just checking - you DID have the spinner running, didn't you? The procedure to empty the wash tub is slightly odd, in that you turn the pump control knob to empty, then start the spinner (by lowering the spiner lid) to activate the pump.

There is only one pump, the pump control knob only selects whether the pump is emptying the wash tub or the spinner. To make the pump actually work, the spinner MUST be running.

Chris

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover twinny

Welcome to the club, you`ll have a fun washday with a Hoover TwinTub, follow the advice above and you should have solved the problem...it sounds like the pump belt is worn or the pump is seized!!! I would add some limescale remover to the hot water and leave to soak if the belts are fine...probably limescale build up and years of non use!!!

The one thing different on the UK models is the outlet hose arrangement, all hoover hoses here have ribbed hoses either coming out of the back of the machine or a short hose plugged into the top washtub corner...yours comes up through the tub direct fron the pump and its smoothe to form a watertight seal...one would hope anyway...your model is similar to our 3301 / 3309 series..

Question: what does form this seal?? a rubber washer or just the hose itself?? given the way those twinnys whip the water over everywhere it would need something...LOL

Your spinner turns at 2,300rpm and after four minutes for cottons wouldnt need much time drying!!! lighter fabrics can be ironed straight away!! Is this your machine??

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Pumps

This is a pic of Scotts pump which needed a replacement, here you can see the build-up of limescale that needed getting rid of!!! regular descaling will help along with a good acting powder!!!

 

[charity]

That's her!!!

Yes yes yes, that pic looks exactly like mine!!

When we tried to drain the tub, the spinner definitely was spinning... the water just didn't go.

This evening after work, as long as I have some time, I'm going to get into the back and see what I can figure out. With all the tricks from all of you, this shouldn't be too hard! Lol... I never would have imagined myself starting (and enjoying!) a project like this. It's not me at all. But what can I say, I guess it's love at first sight.

 

[redgeminipa]

Reviving a very old thread...

I just picked up a Hoover Deluxe Twin Tub 519 yesterday. Fairly decent shape, but does have issues. I'm going to see if I can get a new gasket for the pump. I dismantled it yesterday, and cleaned it up. The impeller wasn't attached, so I attached that and oiled the bearings as much as I could. Seems to be working pretty good, but the pump gasket is leaking... and I broke one of the old metal clips holding it together. The spin selector is also broken where the metal rod connects to the switch. I'm not sure if it's stuck on rinse or not, as I haven't tried that yet.

Today's task: seal the pump and replace the drain hose. Wish me luck. This will be our primary washer until our hunk-o-junk Samsung made Maytag Neptune awaits its second pump replacement...