Repair of 1986 GE Filter Flo washer

[linnea]

We have a GE Filter Flo we bought in 1986. There is no indication of model number, and who knows where the manual went. It’s worked fine for 27 years, but became more and more unbalanced. You had to lean on it during the spin cycle to stop it walking across the floor. Every now and then my husband would adjust the snubbers which is what the repairman told us the one and only time I ever had one out, in its first year. My husband checked it again and told me they were worn through. He set the machine back up, but now it leaks. It didn’t before. We can’t tell where the water is coming from: not from any obvious place like the hose connections (what I can see of them).

He wants me to just buy a new one. After research, it seems like newer washers are not nearly so reliable. Is it worth trying to repair this ourselves? He is an engineer and very handy, though not an appliance specialist. Thanks for your input.

 

[yogitunes]

for the most part these are simple machines to work on......

lets get you started on model number......the tag should be located on the left hand side of the machine, near the front corner......if not there, then open the control panel, and pull out your tech sheet, there should be a model number there...

again, for the most part, the basis of the machine is all the same for many models, specifics only change for variable options from machine to machine....

next thing is you will have to pull the back off and run a few loads, and locate where exactly this leak is coming from, checking the pump, and seal around the transmission, many parts are still available thru ebay and some parts stores.....

snubbers don't usually require adjustment on these or at least an adjustment I am not aware of, some do wear out and need replaced......might you be talking about the leveling legs?

since yours is a 1986 model, it should look close to one of mine....at least this will be a start....

 

[cfz2882]

old,stiff transmission boot possible cause

if the rubber transmission boot becomes hardened with age,that can cause vibration problems-it is usually easy to replace(if the agitator and washtub come off easy)

 

[linnea]

Thanks! I may have the wrong word. I thought snubbers was the word the old repairman used. Someone on another forum mentioned “yoke”? There are 4 of them, and they are rubber. It’s not the legs. It’s something that affects how the tub spins. When they are out of whack, if you spin the tub (with lid held open) and look in, you see the tub spin in an erratic way that is not concentric with the circular opening you are looking into. I hope this makes sense.

I found the model #. I had looked everywhere BUT there. It is WWA5800GALWA.
Mine looks similar to yours. But probably a more inexpensive model. No buttons. Just the main dial at right, and the smaller dial for water temperature.

 

[rp2813]

What about damage to the tub from spinning out of balance causing some leakage?

 

I recall the machine of similar vintage that I snagged for some friends had evidence of a prior issue something like that, as Nate noticed of patch job (JB Weld?) had been performed in a spot he said was vulnerable to scraping on GE's of this type.

 

The machine is definitely worth saving if the source of the leak can be located and repaired.  Nothing on the market today is built to provide 27 years of service, I can assure you.  You might get half that if you go with a Speed Queen, but even those machines will need more maintenance and repair over that period than your GE has for twice as long.  Hang onto it if at all possible.

 

[whirlcool]

I agree. What you have now will most likely outlast anything new on the market today.
They just don't build them like they used to.

 

[combo52]

Virbrating and walking 27 YO GE FF Washer

I would check and probably replace the transmission boot, the four snubbers are easy to inspect and unless broken or oily from a leaking transmission give few problems. The other likley leak is the gasket around the top of the outer tub, this gasket will usally leak when the machine starts spinning when on the higher water level settings.

Undoubtedly one of the reasons that this washer lasted so long was you probably take good care of things and it likely had lighter than average use over the years, and you can probably get a few more years out of this washer, but at this point the cost in time and possibly money will be much higher per year than the cost per year over the last 27 so no one would blame you for getting a new washer and your water bill and clothes dryer will love you.

You can easily buy a NEW Washer today that will likely last 27 years under the same usage conditions, There is NO EVIDENCE that current washers will not last this long and there will not be good evidence for another 20 years or so, LOL.

But just like new cars today are lasting longer than EVER, there are many good choices for a home washer. I would give my highest recommendation to a New Speed Queen Front Load Washer followed by a SQ Top Load, Any WP built TL or FL Washer, and Frigidaire FL washers. I would skip any laundry products from GE, Samsung and LG at this time, some may prove themselves in time but so far these brands have just not made the cut, GE has been bad since the mid 90s.

Let know if you have any questions about fixing your GE washer and we will try to help.

John L.

 

[rp2813]

What about the fact that so many top load machines on the market today -- besides Speed Queen -- don't fill completely for a rinse, and generally don't fill as much as an old school machine for the wash cycle either?

 

I think the OP needs more coaching on which of those lame top loaders to avoid.

 

I also still think the GE is a viable machine that can continue to provide service once the current issue is resolved.  If more things start to go wrong with it down the line, then it may be time to consider replacing it, but not before.

 

The GE of this same vintage I found for my friends a few years ago was plug & play.  It gets its fair share of abuse and hasn't flinched.

 

 

 

 

[linnea]

1) new washer recommendation 2) sell the Filter-Flo?

Thanks for all your input. I have talked it over with my husband, and he does not want to fix it. He said though given all these facts he believes it can be fixed, that’s for an enthusiast who has all the tools. The loose water pipe would be easy, as it was not leaking til he turned it over to see what he could do. But apart from the worn out snubbers or yoke there could be damage to the tub from the out of balance spinning as mentioned above.

I would VERY much appreciate recommendations for top loaders to replace it. We are 2 empty nesters, so our use is not heavy.

When I went shopping last week for a new one, most dealers had chiefly the High Efficiency type with no agitator. I wanted to stick with an agitator as that’s what I know. My mode of washing clothes is also to soak them before running the load, as I feel it get them cleaner (I’m a gardener. Spraying would not be enough). If the high efficiency machines just spray the clothes with water, and they can’t be soaked, then that won’t work for me. I also soak some things in a small amount of hot water, then add to the load and run it with more warm water.

I checked Consumer reports, and they recommended ONLY the high efficiency machines. So now I don’t know what to do.

I don’t want my Filter-Flo machine to end up in a landfill if it still has potential. Is there a market for my selling/listing it as a fixer-upper?

Thanks for your help!

 

[tolivac]

Ignore what CU says-if you prefer a TL washer with the agitator-by all means stick with that-Most on here suggest a new Speed Queen TL washer.This would be the best you can find-Built in the US-made to commercial standards-made to last and be serviced.If you want a deep water fill-you may have to adjust the fill valve on the SQ machine.That would be the ONLY traditional TL machine I would consider-otherwise go the thrift shops or swap shops and try to buy an older machine like what you had.

 

[linnea]

Thanks, tolivac, I opted to buy the Speed Queen. Now I'm hoping someone wants the old Filter-Flo before the new washer comes early next week. Hate to send it to a land-fill, but that might be where it's going.

 

[tolivac]

Offer the Filter Flo to folks on this forum and club-sure one of them would like to have it,restore it,and keep it from the krusher and fill.Think your old Filter Flo should remain as a washer rather than a bunch of new beer cans.

 

[linnea]

I did...I have a thread running now. But so far, no takers. My new machine comes early next week and the delivery people will haul it away if no one has taken it by then. If I don't let them take it, then I may have to pay money to have it hauled away.

 

[gansky1]

Congrats on your new washer decision, you'll be happy with the new Speed Queen.

Hopefully you will find a new loving home for your old washer but if not, it will without a doubt make it's way into the metal recycling stream and make it's way around the globe to return as a new Kia.  The price of scrap metal is still high enough to ensure very few of these all-metal appliances will end up wasted in a landfill.