Newbie Whirlpool Question

[southernman]

Hello all. I've been lurking here for a while now, and really enjoying the awesome machines some of you have. Thought I was the only one that enjoyed looking at dishwashers and washing machines in Lowe's as a kid! Lol. Anyway, I was hoping for a lil advice on this washer i found for sale. Its a Whirlpool LA9800XT "Solid State". I've seen pics of some of the earlier solid state whirlpools, and this one looks a lil newer than that. Just curious if its BD or DD, and if anyone knows anything about it. Would any of you consider it a worthwhile machine? Thanks in advance!

http://northmiss.craigslist.org/hsh/642525041.html

 

[appnut]

It's DD

 

[DADoES]

Worthwhile, yes, just for the electronic controls, assuming everything works and the price is reasonable.

Although not as much fun as a belt-drive.

You can confirm if it's direct drive by looking at the back. Belt-drive has a small removable access panel on the lower part of the rear. Direct drive does not.

 

[DADoES]

BTW, you can see a parts breakdown by entering the model number for a search at

PartsTap.com

or

Sears Parts Direct

PartsTap does an automatic wild-card search and may list multiple matches.

Sears, you can do a wild-card search by entering an * (asterisk) at end of the model number entry. A partial entry works, such as LA980*.

 

[southernman]

Hey thanks alot for the info. I may make the guy an offer on it. I wasn't aware of either of those sites DADoES, I appreciate your help.

 

[appnut]

Glenn, it is a DD. The plastic balance ring at the top around the tub is a dead give-awaay. I mean, it looks just like my Lady Shredmore.

 

[whirlcool]

I have that exact same model with the matching dryer. I bought mine in February of 1993. The set was $1,900 for both.
The only thing to be careful with on this machine is don't overload it with heavy items. That can cause the drive coupler to fail. I used to wash queen sized comforters in mine, but after I had to replace the drive coupler I take those to the washateria.
I have had no problems at all with the electronics and absolutely no trouble with the dryer, either. It has been a very reliable set.

http://www.dual-reference.com/Wash/Whirlpool.htm

 

[jaytag]

Kitchen Aid Twin

Oddly enough, I searched for the Kitchen Aid set of these in 94, they made the last Solid State set in 93, no one in Southern Il had them at the time, the dealer contacted corp and it was no longer available to special order. I didnt want to go to the expense of them to locate one at another dealer.

 

[speed_queen75]

It's surely a DD

The ad even says so itself, " Direct drive wash system no belts". So yes southernman it is a DD model. The DD models were better back then, i would never ever own one today, and as DADoES stated , it is no where near as fun as a Belt Drive model.

 

[southernman]

Ha yeah I realized that it says DD in the ad after I posted. The machine's only owner is an elderly lady with whom I spoke and struck up a deal. I'm going to pick it up probably next weekend. Even though its a DD, its still cool to me with the electronics. I'll probably tinker with it for a while and pass it on. Thanks for the input guys. And let me know if anyone spots a matching dryer! haha

SM

 

[speed_queen75]

To be honest with ya southernman, i wish it were a BD model, they were so much fun and more thorough in washing, my aunt still has her BD Whirlpool Solid State that she bought in 1984, and it's still washing like a champ to this very day. However they are VERY rare today like most BD models, in the south especially, and you have to be extremely lucky to find one.

 

[southernman]

Ha yeah tell me about it! I've been looking around for a while now. I talked her down to a pretty good price and I'm gonna be nearby anyway so I'm just gonna pick this one up as something to tide me over til I find a BD. I really want some maytags, but any BD would do. About all you ever see around here are old filter flos, mostly used up. If it had been a BD, I would've bought it immediately haha. So if any of you guys hear of anything near South Mississippi, let me know haha

SM

 

[speedqueen123]

Good Deal

Cositering it is one of the earlier direct drives, not the plastic crap we have now. Not to mention the touch controlls. Other than that this is a common Whirlpool DD.