Saving a washer/dryer that has sat outside?

[lowefficiency]

For some reason I keep coming across machines like this...

"Washer was working when we quit using it, has been outside for 2 years."

Not exactly the environment that these were designed for. They typically go for cheap. What parts would you say might still be salvageable? Anyone ever brought one like this back to life?

 

[duke]

Looking at all your posts--Should you not know the answers to your own question??

 

[washerlover]

Other than some rust/dust, the machine should be okay. I lived in Phoenix, AZ and often saw washers (and dryers) in operation in the backyard of many homes in the older part of town. And the climate there is brutal to anything left outside.

 

[lowefficiency]

You could have left your comment, duke. No worries there. I'm just kicking myself for not picking up the semi-local wrong-color left outside A806 a while back, given that I've run across so many part and panel donors in the meantime. I've never had a washer apart to look at in detail, and my wife would likely murder me if I picked up three to make one good one, so I figured it was better to see what you guys think based on experience, rather than hauling a few home for a scientific study to find out how the weather exposure impacts them.

 

[tolivac]

Wouldn't a freeze cause the water to freeze in the washers pump bursting it?

 

[washdaddy]

If a machine is stored outside and it's exposed to freezing temps you do run the risk of having damage done to the machine. Whether it's cracking the pump housing, splitting any of the hoses that have any water in them, or any other part the deals directly with water. You also have to take into consideration what possible damage the real low temps might do to the oils in the machine. There are a lot of factors to consider.

Most people who have to store machines for long periods in that type of climate take the necessary steps to prevent that damage from happening. And are sure to give the machine the once over once they know that the machine has thawed if it became frozen in any way.

 

[goatfarmer]

If the price was reasonable, I'd give it a try. There may be freeze damage, but usually an easy fix.

 

[wigwag]

I can see the craigslist ad (like the vintage car finds)

Ran when parked, AC just needs to be recharged.

 

[toploader55]

@ wigwag...

Hhahahahahahahaha Good One but true.

 

[gefilterflo]

My 1977 FilterFlo was outside, full of frozen water and had the pump completely full of water as well. I defrosted it and it worked just fine. That was a year ago and that pump still works. All it needed was a belt and a lid switch. It was not for two years, though.