Should I buy one?

[ballerinaaa]

I'm new...trying to get educated on washing machines before going out to get one. But now I'm not sure if I should try to repair a 16 year old Kenmore or try to get something new. This machine has been great, but it has a slow leak into the washtub, and I think it's the water inlet valve, because it's been slow to fill for a while now. I thought I should just get a new one, since this one is so old, but now that I've read your posts about the beauty of the old machines and the problems with cheap plastic parts on new ones, I'm just plain confused. The inlet valve is about 85.00, plus getting the service guy out to do the work. I'd do it myself, but the cold water connection is stuck and I can't get it to turn off all the way so I can pull the machine apart to repair. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I think this Kenmore was actually a Whirlpool, made for Sears.
Lisa in Texas

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hi! Lisa, Ballerinaaa:

Welcome to the Appliance Club first of all. If you would really feel that you are able to do the repair yourself, except for the Cold Water Valve not shutting off totally, you can just turn off the Water Main to your place of residence and it will turn off all of the Faucets and allow you to do the Repair yourself.

You might want to also check the Hose Connections, to see if they might be filled with corrosion and perhaps even replace the Screens in the Connections, or if there aren't any Screens in them, I would suggest to buy some at a local Hardware Store, Home Depot or Lowe's Stores.

I agree with everyone else, that has an older WP/Kenmore Washer and/or Dryer, about getting them operating properly again and keeping them that way, as long as possibly.

Good Luck with your Repair, I hope that this helps you, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[ballerinaaa]

Thank you for your reply Steve. I had read about making sure the screens in the hoses are clear, and I will do that first before I replace the water inlet valve and see if it helps. I'm just glad I found this site...I was all ready to go out and get one of those new front load high efficiency monsters! But I should've known...the older stuff is always better. That's why I keep my '85 Nissan pickup truck! Thank you again.
Lisa

 

[bobbyderegis]

Hello Lisa,
I read your thread and could'nt help writing back. It stinks when shut-off valves don't work. If you trace the cold water pipe back, there may be another shutoff on the line. I hope you fix your Kenmore. I am a Maytag fan, old ones anyway, and they just don't build 'em like they used to. It sounds like your machine just needs the inlet screens cleaned. If you get a new machine, you'll need to get the shutoff working anyway, so I'd vote to fix your Kenmore, even if you need to call a plumber. You might need one no matter what you do. You can probably get another 16 yrs out of a Kenmore, anyway.
This group is very helpful. Keep us posted.
Bobby in Boston

 

[ballerinaaa]

Got it fixed

Hey everyone, I got my 16yr old Kenmore fixed yesterday. I ended up calling a repair guy out from Sears...it was expensive, but worth it in my opinion. I didn't attempt it myself because I had eye surgery and my sight is not up to snuff right now. He replaced the water inlet valve and I had him go ahead and put new steel braided hoses on (even though the 16 year old rubber hoses were in great shape!) The funny thing is, he tried calling Sears to price a new machine for me after he told me what the repair bill would be and I ok'd it...260.00. He told me what he was doing, and I said no need...I'd already researched new machines and prices and that this forum had me convinced to keep my old one working. I told him what I found out about those new front loaders with the bearing failures after 3 to 4 years and he said, 'Well, for any major purchase like that, I would always buy a service contract.' I thought to myself, you know, for that kind of money I should not have to spend MORE money to try to protect myself against shoddy workmanship. He seemed confused that I didn't want to just throw mine out and get a new one...and when I told him about all the plastic parts being substituted nowadays, he tried to tell me the new Kenmores were just as good as my old one, made the same way. I thanked him and just had him repair it. Afterward, he told me I had a 90 day warranty on his work and I asked him how long he thought this machine would hold up...he said 'Probably another 16 years.' So thanks you guys...it was a costly repair but I more than got my money's worth out of this machine for the first 16 years, and I expect to get many more years of satisfaction out of it now. Thanks for saving me over 1000.00 buying a new machine that I don't need. By the way, I did a load of wash last night and it was done so fast I couldn't believe it!
Lisa

 

[bobbyderegis]

Way to Go, Lisa. Enjoy.
Bobby

 

[cleanteamofny]

Way to go!
Happy washing and enjoy this site........

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Congrats Lisa:

On saving another Vintage Kenmore Washer. I'll bet after you mention about your Eye Surgery, if you were able to wait for a while, or better/different circumstances, you would have been able to do the work youself.

"BTW" do you happen to have a Matching Kenmore Dryer for your Washer as well?

I'm so glad to hear that you did get the Washer operating again. Isn't it great about finding out how wonderful it still is operating and is going to be, for quite a long time now.

It is interesting after all was said and done, that the Tech admitted to you, even in his mind that your Kenmore Washer would last for at least another 16-years.

Peace and Happy Kenmore Washing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[ballerinaaa]

Hi Everyone,
To answer your question Steve, yes, I DO have the matching gas dryer. A while back, I couldn't figure out why it wasn't putting out enough heat to dry clothes. I took it apart to look at the gas igniter and saw the cone fire up with the gas flame, and the lint screen was clean, so I was out of ideas and ended up calling out the repair service. Supid me...it turned out that a friend of mine had installed a new vent hood on the outside of the house for me and a new dryer vent hose inside. The hood had a built in screen to catch lint and it was clogging up with it and inhibiting the airflow so the dryer would not heat up to temperature. After I paid the repair guy 65.00 just for coming out and sent him on his way, I removed the lint screen on the outside vent hood and it's been trouble free ever since. Thank you all again! I'm so happy I found such great help here in this forum. I see all the ads for new washers say stuff about 'stainless steel tub, won't rust' and I think to myself 'When did THAT start happening? I've got a steel coated with enamel tub and not one BIT of rust EVER!' The only thing broken on my dryer is the plastic pull plate that attached to the lint screen. I should replace it, but I just use a butter knife to catch onto it to bring it out to me to clean. All other aspects are in great shape...no dials broken or missing. I'm sending pictures..hope they come through ok.
Lisa

 

[ballerinaaa]

here's the dryer

Sorry the quality is so low on these pics...I took them with my DV recorder in still mode. My son has his digital camera set at high res and the file is too big to send!
Lisa

 

[DADoES]

Howdy, Lisa. Congrats on keeping your machine running ... but I have to say, YIKES at $260 for a water valve replacement!

High-res pictures can be cut down / resized with photo editing software. Would like to see a pic of the inside of your washer and details of the control panels.

 

[westytoploader]

Congrats on keeping it running as well, but that is a little steep considering how much a new water valve and braided hoses retail for! You appear to have a mid/late-80's DD Kenmore...I can't tell, but from the pictures it appears to be a Lady Kenmore similar to Bob's. Does it have the detergent/bleach/fabric softener dispensers in the top?

--Austin

 

[bobbyderegis]

Lisa,
Keep your eyes on the curb. You will see a Kenmore dryer sooner or later. Grab the lint filter. That's my idea of a cost effective repair.
Bobby in Boston

 

[whirlcool]

I remember these machines quite well. Sears sold a ton of them.
You could order a new lint screen from Sears, it shouldn't cost that much...
Yikes is right! Those SS braided hoses probably were priced like they were made of gold! HD sells those for about $11.00 each. I think your repair was only $160.00 or so, the service call alone I believe is $99.95.
Did the service guy deal with the stuck water valve for you?