Should I pick up this Kenmore set? (advice for newbie)

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amyofescobar

amyofescobar

Active member
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Messages
39
Location
oregon
Hi there, I am very much a noob, and a youngin to boot (25yrs old). I got our lovely and pristine coppertone dishwasher through this site, you guys are the bomb!

Anyways, I'm in the Portland, OR area and I saw these guys. I really want to stop using the laundromat. They seem well taken care of. $175 for both.

I'm pretty tight on budget, of course. There is a 10 year old wash/dryer set right next store that is for sale for only $100. Good condition. But I'm wondering if I should go for vintage because of quality. Questions:
-Does anyone know anything about these models?
-Do vintage washers need more TLC than ones made 10 years ago?
-I doubt I'll be able to test these guys before I buy, what should I look for when I go to see them?
-What capacity are these? Hope it's not too small.

Anyways, I just thought they looked taken care of and pretty darn cute. I wonder how long they would last...

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/app/5055871012.html
amyofescobar-2015060600595702725_1.jpg
 
for better washing and capacity, not to mention roll over, I would switch out that straight vane agitator for a dual action....

either one can add a softener dispenser if you would like....
 
Those are BOL Sears machines by Whirlpool. These appear to be Kenmore maybe early 90s, later they had brown consoles and were Galaxy. That was in the late 90s/early 00s. These are good machines. My parents have basically the same dryer but with a fancier console, no problems in 10 years.
 
 
This is a low-end model that likely is one-speed if that is of any concern to your usage.  The delicate cycle, if it has one (possibly it doesn't), would run at high-speed with intermittent agitation for a gentler action.
 
easier than you would think.......remove the cap, remove bolt, lift old one out....

slide new one in, replace bolt, some may have a shield to be placed on top of the dogs, and pop either a cap or dispenser on top....

their so plentiful, you can find used ones almost anywhere....you just may have to put a set of dogs in there, as they will wear out over time and the top part wont function as it should....but again, easier than you think......check out youtube for simple videos....

something like this is what you will be looking for......I prefer the spirals that tilt downward, this is called a 'Plus' version.....there is also a 'standard', and a 'Triple' in that the spiral will bounce up and down to help push the load down as well.......and a dispenser would fit on top if you prefer....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-WAS...647e99a0dcece2a554a86&pid=100005&rk=2&rkt=6&s
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
and this video will give you an idea of how to remove your old one, and install the new one, as well as replace the dogs......this guy is using a whole kit, but not always necessary, usually all you need to replace is the dogs...

cleaning and lubrication is at your option....

 
If this is a large capacity washer, these agitators shown are for super capacity washers. Clothing may get caught under the base if you use a super agitator in a narrow tub machine. There is a large capacity dual action agitator with a raised bottom skirt made for the large capacity machine.
 
Yep! They ceratainly are!!!

Whirlpool Direct Drive machines are bar far one of the WORST washing machines ever made.
A terrible agitator design and very violent agitation for the clothing.
Absolutely pathetic filtration ability.
Extremely poor rinsing, beyond unbelievable how poor it truly is.
Very, very noisy transmission.
These are very cheap and poorly made machines designed to fail within 7 years of "average" use.
This new post is a much better deal! A genuine Maytag will NEVER let you down.
And many on here would agree that the Maytag is by far the better machine of your two choices.
The dryer is essentially the same as the Kenmore one, but a much better model with more features that you may find come in handy.
I suggest you grab them while you can and let the amazing and wonderful experts on here guide you through anything you need to help you settle in with your "new" machines.
And best of luck to you!!!
 
Too bad Amy you misssd out on that Maytag but grab that set if you can. My 32 year old washer is the exact same model as that, that dryer is newer but the same model, neither having a penny spent on repairs in all this time. Too bad Speed Queen is the only one left making laundry that lasts and washes the way you want, not how it wants to like these Maytags will.
 
 
Amy, Whirlpool produced many millions of the direct-drive design over the course of 30+ years.  They wouldn't have endured on the market for that long and in such numbers if they were bad machines.  They're easy to repair, parts are as yet available and largely inexpensive.  My parents had a 1994 (KitchenAid) model that ran for 18 years with a few minor repairs (motor coupler, agitator dogs, lid switch) until the timer broke.  A rebuilt/replacement timer could been had for $70 but I had a 12-years-old refurbished Kenmore on standby that they took instead.  I also had a KitchenAid for some years. My grandmother had a 1984 Whirlpool model that had no repairs for the duration her use (14 years), which was sold when I swapped my KitchenAid to her.
 
those Maytags in reply #15 are a nice set...the washer is a single speed machine....(for the delicate cycle it does agitate at normal speed but it agitates for a bit then soaks for a bit, then agitates a bit more then soaks a bit more)

 

The Kenmores- though a little bit harder on clothes, that can be compensated for by not overloading the machine. Those machines can last a while. My mother has a Whirlpool direct drive that's over 25 yrs old and still going strong with not a single repair to it. There were a hell of a lot of those machines sold and many are still running strong.
 
I guess some people don't READ!

I listed several reasons for why these were NOT good machines.
Sure, they may last a while in many cases, and they sold 30 million +
Blah, Blah, Blah.....
They do NOT rinse well, have terrible filtration, are noisy and very rough on the clothing.
Just cause something lasts doesn't mean it's a good PERFORMER!
That was the key to my comments.
Having sensitive skin myself, I can attest to the absolute FACT that the DD machines do not rinse well at all and leave lots of lint floating on top of the wash load since the useless filter is at the bottom of the tub.
I have used TONS of these horrible washers and I wouldn't take one brand new in a box. It would go straight to the dump-IN THE BOX AND ALL!
I seriously wouldn't even give my worst enemy one of those pieces of absolute garbage.
Oh, and I HATE dual-action agitators. "Forcing" clothes to the bottom of the tub causes more tangling and twisting as well as creating absolutely no water currents in the upper part of the wash tub. Thus also why the lint simply floats on the top of the wash water as it can't get pulled down to the filter due to the poorly designed agitiator.
Manufacturers who take the time to design, and create a good and functional all-vaned agitator that does the job is superior to a company that creates a "gimmicky" agitator that does more damage to the clothes than clean them.
 
both machines will work out fine for you, the maytag is just a bigger capacity...if that is a factor for you.....

on the Maytag, the lint filter is inside the agitator, and usually works best on higher water levels.......but all in all, if your separating clothes properly, with the right detergent, cycle and water temp, leaving those filters out wont cause an issue for any machine......I never use them....

and you want to slightly underload a Maytag for best washing performance.....

I have a DirectDrive, and installed the larger base Kitchen Aid agitator in it, and I use it at HIGH speed.....and have never had an issue.....

if you were closer, I would say come take one of mine and try it for yourself.....but that would be like putting my money where my mouth is....

best advice ever is to talk to a mechanic who works on any appliance or car, and find out the true ins and outs of any machine, versus some johnny come lately....

as I suppose every member here who has a direct drive, ALL have bad issues with them?...

your mileage may vary....

yogitunes-2015060706201801942_1.jpg
 
Amy-- Welcome to the storm of opposing opinions that deluge anyone foolish enough to ask "which is the better washer", LOL. If it's any help, a good friend has the same early 1990s Kenmore set and it has been very reliable, doing a fine job of cleaning with the straight vane agitator already in the machine.

Let us know which ones you get! We love follow-up.
 
Oh right, I should'a kept my mouth shut.

I forgot I'm not supposed to have an opinion when Yogitunes is in the room.
It's not like I haven't worked in appliance repair, installation, stripping/rebuilding and later in sales or anything. Not to mention years of running a domestic cleaning business and using MANY of these machines as well as lots of others. So of course, what would I know?
After all, he knows EVERYTHING and I of course, know NOTHING!!!
 
Scott, you know how much I hated my Lady Shredmore.  Rinsing and shredding are my complaints.  That's why I was quietly directing her toward the Maytag.  I an understand why anyone would one to quit going to the Laundromat.  But a one speed, one cycle, one water level wash, even in that situation, is to plane jane for me. 
 
First of all....

I want to apologize to amyofescobar. I did not mean to interrupt nor take over your post.
I wish you all the best in your search as it can be really confusing searching for something in the vintage world and unsure what you really want/need.
Aside from that, my comments about DD's stand.
@appnut-"But a one speed, one cycle, one water level wash, even in that situation, is to plane jane for me."
I completely agree and would rather go to the Laundromat if that's all I had.
@goatfarmer-"No need to get upset, Scott. You stated your opinion, and others have stated theirs. Let it go!"
I wouldn't have even bothered to comment at all.
But this line:"
"best advice ever is to talk to a mechanic who works on any appliance or car, and find out the true ins and outs of any machine, versus some johnny come lately...."
That crossed a line with me.
And I'm considering leaving this site for GOOD because of it.
I don't need that kind of arrogant attitude projected at me.
Again, amyofescobar, I apologize for this and it usually doesn't happen here at AW.org.
Happy hunting to you as I know it can be a lot of fun.
And best of luck in whatever you find and learn to love and appreciate.
 

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