refurbish job needed please!!!

[risa7777777]

Good Evening All,
For replies received regarding a prior post, I would like to express my gratitude to all that answered-Thank You All So Much!! This post is a request for anyone that would be willing to refurbish a Kenmore 80 series washer. Although I live in Northeast Ohio, I am more than happy to drive to another state to have it refurbished. From reading prior posts and seeing the pictures from experts that have completed this project, I am Super Amazed with the skill, dedication, craftsmanship, patience, and passion of everyone with the wonderful talent that it takes to breathe new life into a vintage washer. I'm looking forward to all replies-Thank You All So Much!!

 

[combo52]

Rebuilding a 80 series Kenmore washer

Hi Lisa, I have a friend in the Cleveland Ohio area that could do this for you would need details, we could also do it if you want to transport it to the Washington DC area Maryland side.

Would need detail details of exactly which machine you want rebuilt what it's likely to need in order to give you cost estimates.

John

 

[risa7777777]

Hello John,
Thank You SO SO Much for your reply-that is SO FANTASTIC that you know someone that can refurbish the washer in my area-YAAAYY!!! It definitely needs a new drum, as the current one is rusted inside. When it was last used, I believe that the water was not spinning out as well. I have attached a photo of the washer panel-as the daylight is gone at this time and the light is insufficient for taking adequate photos in the garage where it's located, I would be more than happy to take additional pictures after the sun comes up tomorrow. In case you are unable to see on the panel, it is an 80 series washer. If needed, I can also provide you with the model number. I CANNOT Thank You Enough for your reply-I SO SO want to have the washer rebuilt-it was my grandmother's, and, as I feel for myself and have seen from many other members of this site, the happiness of having an heirloom from a loved one is priceless. I Thank You again SO VERY Much, and please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information.
Sincerely,
Lisa

 

[maytag85]

First thing that will need to be done is clean things up, filth can be deceiving since it may look like it needs a complete restoration/rebuild when in reality it just need to be clean d and detailed. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to address what it will need.

 

[DADoES]

 
Model numbers should always be cited when asking repair questions.  Series 80 is a marketing term that is relative to where a given machine is positioned within the product line at the time of production.

Also cite the serial number if you want to know the age more precisely ... serials are coded for the year and week of factory production.  It's an "old-style" mechanical design that was produced beginning in the late late 1940s or early 1950s, discontinued circa 1986-87.

 

[risa7777777]

Hello Maytag85,
Thank You for your reply-I absolutely understand your perspective. The washer was put in the garage late last month, and, at this time of the year in Ohio, the temperatures have been in the 40's. From my last look, the drum is very rusty, and will need to be replaced. In addition, when the washer was last used, the water was not spinning out, and that was many years ago. I suspect it may need a combination of repair and detailing. I will most definitely clean it up as best I can and take a closer look-the weather forecast is predicting the temperature to be in the mid 50's tomorrow, so it will be a nice mild day to do more investigation. I Thank You again,
Lisa

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>From my last look, the drum is very rusty, and will need to be replaced.</blockquote> You're presumably referring to the spin basket.  There's also the outer tub which holds the water and in which the spin basket is mounted, and are commonly rusted and/or leaky.  Removal of the spin basket is required to view the outer tub's condition.

 

[maytag85]

If it’s not draining the water, pump is likely bad or the internal drain hose from the pump to the actual drain hose could be linked hence why it’s not draining or spinning the water out (won’t engine the spin solenoid until the pressure switch resets).

These were good machines, unfortunately Whirlpool in their infinite wisdom only made 10 years worth of parts in terms of the timers and selector switches, after 10 years they would become NLA. Been having a heck of a time trying to find a replacement for my ‘63 Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII, even asked on here to see if anyone had the timer but to no avail. Been checking eBay and asking around in various facebook groups, still nothing. Got a parts donor from John, seems to helped a little but honestly don’t feel like investing anymore time since I’ve invested 20+ hours into getting the thing to work, if it doesn’t work despite a few more attempts, probably will have to transplant consoles on from a ‘77 Mark 18 set a friend parted out, reluctant to do that but is the only option left at this point.

On the other hand, Maytag always kept parts in stock. Could still get timers for a 60’s Maytag washer in the early 2000’s, along with other parts. And sure, Maytags may have their quirks but will run and run forever, if a repair is needed, usually something like a water pump or the belts, inlet valve but usually is very simple things.

 

[risa7777777]

Good Morning Maytag85 and DADoES,
Thank You both So Much for that clarification. I've been learning a lot by reading the expert advice on this forum, and I Thank You both for teaching me about what's happening with the washer. I will take more pictures after the sun comes up, and there is sufficient light in the garage to illustrate more of what the washer may need. I will upload the pictures so that I may get a cost estimate to refurbish the washer. Thank You again Maytag85, I am SUPER Excited to know that I can get it refurbished So Close to home!!!

 

[combo52]

Refurbishing a Kenmore washer built by whirlpool

It's just gonna have to get cleaned up and torn into unfortunately if the inner basket is rusty, you may need both an inner basket and an outer tub for starters. You may have to get a donor machine to get these parts.

Whirlpool normally kept parts for 15 years after they discontinued use of that part Which of course is long past for this machine.

Different manufacturers to different things with parts, but of course recent Maytag like other brands often only had parts for less than 10 years even though they're supposed to keep functional parts for 10 years. Many manufacturers stop doing it sooner and if you make enough of a fuss about it, you might get some discount on a replacement appliance.

John

 

[risa7777777]

Hello John,
The photos of the washer are attached to this message. If you are in need of any additional information in order to provide a cost estimate to refurbish the washer, please don't hesitate to let me know. I Thank You again So Very Much, and I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Lisa

 

[DADoES]

 
Serial number = manufacture in April of 1980 (or the last day of March).

 

[combo52]

Possible restoration 1980 Kenmore washer

Hi Lisa, that machine is likely too far gone to be reasonable to restore, there are still many black face Kenmore's around if you want a machine of that vintage a much better example could be found to restore. This machine looks like it just spent too much time out in the weather or very high humidity conditions.

I think you said you were sentimental about this machine in which case you could use a few key parts from it such as the agitator Etc., in another machine so you could still feel like this was the machine that your friend had.

John

 

[risa7777777]

Good Evening John,
Thank You for your reply-I Truly appreciate your insights. Perhaps I should clarify what I mean by 'refurbish'. I really just would like to get the washer back to working order. Whatever that may mean in terms of work involved, I am open to investigating. You are correct regarding the connection to the washer-it was my grandmother's, and we were very close. I have the dryer counterpart of this piece, and, everytime I look at it, I think of her and smile. I love this particular model of washer because of the options of water levels, temperature controls, and panel style. From the posts that I've read of the work, dedication, patience, and passion that the experts on the forum have shown, I more than understand the emotional connections that those folks have towards these vintage machines. Would you be willing to offer your friends' contact information that lives in the area so that I may have a conversation with him to see what may be my options? I Thank You again So Very Much,
Sincerely,
Lisa

 

[maytag85]

It may take a parts donor to get everything to working order, could even find a similar Kenmore and transfer the console from this onto it and it may take some work, but that may be the easier route to go.

 

[combo52]

Restoring a 1980 Kenmore Belt Dr. washer

Hi Lisa, Bob's appliance in Cleveland is 216-521-9353. He's a good friend of mine. I would check with him about possibly restoring this washer. I have not spoken with him about it. I will not prejudice his opinion of its condition.

It's hard to tell from pictures with the overall condition of something. the pictures you posted aren't very encouraging. I know you love this washer. It would be easy to find another washer with the same features even another black face, Kenmore with nearly identical features.

If it looked the same, and you used a few parts of this machine along with having the dryer I think you would still have great thoughts of your grandmother every time you used it hopefully something can be done to restore it.

Happy Thanksgiving, John

 

[risa7777777]

Happy Thanksgiving John, Maytag85, and all members of the forum.
Thank You So Much for your replies and insights, and, John, Thank You for the contact information for your friend Bob. I will reach out to him for his perspective regarding the washer. I Truly appreciate all of your advice and assistance, and I Thank You again. There are many Wonderful people like yourself on this forum that are willing to advise and help others, and for that I am Truly Grateful.
Sincerely,
Lisa