OH Lady be good.... please??

[turquoisedude]

Remember all the grief I went through with my beloved turquoise Lady Kenmore washer for over a year now? (A link to my never-ending thread of woe is shown below)

 

Well, it ain't over yet, it would seem....  

 

Not having the strength I once had plus a tricky staircase to navigate, I wanted to wait until I had some help to wrestle M'Lady back upstairs from the basement.  Phil came over today and helped me with that. No problem!

 

I had to get the console back together and the top back on the washer.  No problem!

 

Both Phil and I thought - test the spin before installing the washer.  We did. It spins. No problem! 

 

So, the Blackstone was dragged, kicking and screaming, from the bathroom laundry alcove and back went the Lady K.  Hooked up the drain and the water hoses and....  Problem! 

 

Water was leaking from the machine when it wasn't filling.  It wasn't just a case of loose connection either; I could hear water spraying inside the cabinet.  FFFFF....phoey!  Now I'm scared.  That's one of the old thermostatic valves that supply hot, medium, warm, and cold water.  The temperature ranges still seem OK so I am hoping it's a leaky gasket and not a cracked valve body.  Although Her Ladyship has been in heated quarters since her first re-bearing procedure the machine was rescued in March and had to ride in an open coach all the way from Manchester NH to Ogden.  I'll pop the lid tomorrow to investigate...

 

But it gets better... I tried spinning with water still in the tub... Problem!   The water went round and round and round as if in a plugged up garbage disposer.   That, I will bet, is due to me not having engaged the pump control arm properly.  Given the number of times I had that blessed gearcase in and out, this is (knowing me) is almost to be expected. 

 

So, what do we think Hubby is going to say when he sees a washer in the guest room again?  I say 'who needs a guest room'....  

 

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?71204

 

[pierreandreply4]

what washer did you put as replacement for now?

just wondering what washer did you put in st lib as replacement for now just wondering?

 

[turquoisedude]

I'm still using the '66 Blackstone BA600.  However after today, I am very seriously considering bringing the '66 Inglis set back from Ogden!  

 

[pierreandreply4]

wise choice to bring back the 66 inglis set that way you would also have a matching washer dryer

 

[turquoisedude]

Got the water valve out of M'Lady today... of course I managed to tear the fill hose while attempting to remove it fron the valve.  Dang thing was stuck but good...

Turns out the valve isn't a thermostatic one. I don't have a proper test area in St-Lib and I don't want to mess up this one so I'll be working on this as soon as I get back down to Ogden.  Fingers crossed it just needs a good cleaning!

 

[lordkenmore]

So, what do we think Hubby is going to say when he sees a washer in the guest room again?


 

Sometimes a guest room is useful for a valued member of the family to use temporarily. I am quite sure that a turquoise Lady Kenmore would certainly qualify as a valued member of the family!

 

[turquoisedude]

I concur.... LOL

 

So.... it seems I've been down this road before with the Naughty Lady of St-Liboire.  Back when I was ready to put her into active duty, I was troubled by a leak from the water valve.  Tightening a few screws seemed to do it, but I think I would still be wise to listen to my 'inner nag' and inspect and clean each solenoid and plunger assembly.  I vow that I will be working on this on the weekend.  No, really....  LOL 

[this post was last edited: 6/13/2018-16:29]

 

[pierreandreply4]

big question where will you hide the inglis set?

Lol if you manage to sneak back the 66 inglis set where will you hide them?

 

[turquoisedude]

It won't be easy here.  In Ogden, I can just an another machine and say 'Oh, I've had that for years!'

 

There's a lot of room in the basement but they'd be kinda obvious...   Still, the KDC-7 dishwasher has been there for nearly 3 years now without TOO much commentary. LOL 

 

[washerlover]

Oh Sweet and Lovely Lady be Good...

Perhaps conjuring up Ann Sothern might help...? I’m really dating myself...

Thank goodness you have the room to put these things is your saving grace!

Best,

Todd

 

[hippiedoll]

Fingers crossed...

I hope you get the lady up & running without anymore problems!
She sure is a beauty!
;o)

 

[combo52]

Leaky Inlet Valve

Hi Paul, you can just use a standard FSP 358277 yellow inlet valve on this washer, just leave the wires disconnected for the warm coil and attach the wires to the hot and cold coil as normal, this will give you hot water when hot is called for and warm when medium is called for and cold water for everything else.

 

The inlet valve in the machine now is a thermostatic valve.

 

John L.

 

[turquoisedude]

John, thanks for the info! I was wondering what would happen if I was to replace the valve with a 2-solenoid one.

 

Some good news today - I have convinced M'Lady to drain.  Using a bouquet (can't say "bucket" to M'Lady...lol) I managed to get water in and, more importantly, out again.  Doing repair work in the guest room has given me a true appreciation of how in-the-field repair work can be challenging!!

Oh and the problem? Mr.Know-It-All managed to bypass the pump pulley when the belt was re-installed.  John will give a C minus for the sloppy work...LOL 

 

[turquoisedude]

Not having a workshop in St-Lib is annoying to say the least, however once the troublesome valve was whisked down to Ogden, I was able to determine exactly what the trouble was. And it happened before!

 

[turquoisedude]

Bonus points if you noticed the water scale residue on the plate for the water outlet.  It leaked when M'Lady was first put into service; tightening the screws holding the outlet plate more or less solved the problem.  This time I checked the gasket. It was flatter than a crèpe...

Blue goo to the rescue!  I'll test the valve again today and hopefully M'Lady will be up to some laundry this week.

 

[philr]

Paul,
Since closing the faucets after every wash in St-Liboire isn't something you'd want to do with the current location of the valves, I think you should consider new fill valves for this machine! I'd be afraid of a serious mess caused by any kind of leak when you're not around for a few days! I remember what happened at my parent's home when I was a kid from a fill hose that failed while I was at home to shut the valves off! In a matter of minutes, there was a mess in the wardrobe below in the basement! I can't figure how bad this would have been if it had kept leaking water like that for hours!

 

[turquoisedude]

Some further progress

I took a chance and tried re-installing the repaired original water valve in M'Lady today.  I had some trouble testing the water temperature ranges though. Unlike with a lower-end washer, you can't just flip the water temperature selections from hot to warm to cold. I found I had to push the appropriate button for a preprogrammed selection then dial the right spot on the timer dial.  Maybe I am just too dumb for a fancy washer like this...LOL 

Anyway, I do still have a leak somewhere. I will have to observe the washer running with water in it to find out exactly where; I may not get to that until Thursday now though.   

But I'm getting closer!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Leak located...

It looks like the leak is coming from one side of the pump, actually right at one of the cover screws.  First shot will be to see if I can tighten it. If not the Leaky Lady will be dragged out of the bathroom...again.... oy!

 

Edit: nope. The pump fibre gasket is shot. I guess having been out of service for years, then used again, dried out, and being  in a washer which has been thrown to the floor several hundred times has taken its toll.  Off to Canadian Tire for some Form-A-Gasket tomorrow.

 

Further edit: when turquoisedude says, "Oh that's an easy fix", run like hell...

[this post was last edited: 6/19/2018-15:31]

 

[114jwh]

Pump

Glad you found the leak! Is it still the original pump Paul? If its the original or old enough that the gasket failed I might just be inclined to replace it and save yourself potential hassle down the road. Based on what I know about BD washers, pumps seem to be a common failure point and I don't think they are often serviced, just replaced. I believe they are still pretty easy to find and aren't too expensive either.

 

[turquoisedude]

James - I don't think the pump is the original one but I can say for sure I didn't change it since I've had this washer.  I do have at least 2 new aftermarket pumps left in stock down in Ogden, but the Lady is in residence in St-Lib....   

Today's plan is to get the washer out of the bathroom and redo the gasket. I am already planning on bringing a spare pump back from Ogden nonetheless.

Dang I need more washer space in St-Lib!!!

 

Edit: the Lady is undergoing a pump procedure in the kitchen today. A tile floor in case of leaks and a sink nearby for testing.   Wish me luck!   This washer restoration/repair stuff is definitely a young person's game. . gawd I feel old!

[this post was last edited: 6/21/2018-07:31]

 

[turquoisedude]

I'll keep it G-rated but the Naughty Lady of St-Liboire just can't seem to contain her water... 

I took off the pump cover, coated it with Form-A-Gasket, let it set as directed, reassembled the pump and tested the washer in the kitchen. No leaks!

 

 

[turquoisedude]

Being the foolish optimist, I dragged M'Lady back into the bathroom, hooked up the hoses, and threw in a load of laundry.  All seemed fine during the wash, but after the wash spin, the Nile wanna-be reappeared... GGGRRRRR!

Now, wait for it, the pump was leaking at the same spot as before.  After scaring Canyon and most of the birds in the neighbourhood with a string of carefully chosen and colourful expletives, I threw my hands up in the air...  I will be putting in a new pump next week.  Yes, I came to that conclusion all by myself...LOL 

I am heading down to Ogden tonight - after I retrieve the new pump, a very large Manhattan and some Paul Weston records on the ol' hi-fi will no doubt ease the pain....

 

There is some good news... Lady K can still wash nicely and wow, does that newer braking system ever bring a spinning tub to a grinding halt!

 

[vacerator]

Still a beauthiful

1965 (correct)? set. Trying to keep it clean, but,
with all due respect should she still leak a bit, please don't nick name her Sybil. At least you're not an abusive mother, to say the least. She could have ended up on youtube being blown up for back yard kicks.

 

[turquoisedude]

Well, I was chanting something that kinda, sorta sounded like 'plug it up! plug it up!' when I saw the 2nd round of leaks...LOL 

 

And you are correct -the set is a 65.

 

[vacerator]

Wasn't that Carie,

creepy Carie, creepy Carrie?

 

[hippiedoll]

Still following...

Your progress & keeping my fingers crossed! I hope all is well once you get the new pump in.

I was wondering...
What kind of agitator is in your Lady?
Is it the one that (to me) looks like an octopus? If so, that's one agitator that's always caught my eye
)

 

[turquoisedude]

Thanks for the encouragement Christina! I am maybe a little too stubborn about swapping out parts if I think I can salvage them. I should stop thinking...LOL 

 

The agitator is the 'octopus' style - I remember being surprised at this when I got the washer!  I think there is another name for this style too

 

[DADoES]

 
Roto-Flex

 

[hippiedoll]

THE OCTOPUS!!

I LOVE IT!
;o)

Knowing me & my quirky self, I'd be looking for some EYE & SMILEY MOUTH stickers to put on the agitator cap
D

 

[jetcone]

MORE LIKE

Bare naked agitator- its got no bottom on it !!!!

John swears by those but he’s never let me play with one!!

I was in water valve hell all weekend too with the ‘56 Duo and after all the shuffling on the floor and reaching in and turning - it turns out the condenser valve was solid but a connection had worked loose, it must have been a fine spray causing water to drip from the condenser valve but it wasnt the valve. Once I got it out I water tested it.
Now to crawl around again and reinstall. Oh what a world!