Should I repair my washing machine or not?

[Wayne4910]

I own a Whirlpool washing machine that’s became very loud during the spin cycle with no vibrations. Works fine, it’s just very noisy during any spin cycle.

I don’t know how old it is. Still cleans my clothes and works.

The model number is WTW4816FW0.

 

[henene4]

A loud, sometimes described as "freight train like" sound usually points towards a bearing issue.
As far as I understand, the bearings are integrated into the gear case assembly.

A quick google search points towards anywhere between 160$ and 260$ for the part.
Question then is if you can do the repair yourself - if not you can probably say about the same im labour charges.



Given similar washers from a Whirlpool brand (Amana, Maytag, Whirlpool) or competitors can be had for 500-600$, it really depends on the circumstances.
If you can't do the job yourself, it's probably not worth it.
If the machine is older, the risk of other failures is higher makeing it probably not worth it.
If the machine is pretty new, you can do the job yourself and you can get the part cheap, it might be worth it.

If you find the serial number on the service tag, some on here might be abled to decode it and tell you how old it is.

 

[qsd-dan]

VMW, needs a transmission which will exceed the price of the entire machine. Time to go shopping. DO NOT get another one of these, look into a Speed Queen TC5003 if you want a top loader or an LG for a front loader.

 

[vacerator]

Shot bearings.

 

[DADoES]

VMW, needs a transmission which will exceed the price of the entire machine.

Is that referencing the cost of it when it was purchased/new, or the used resale value?

The parts source I typically use, I can get a transmission for $193.55, incl shipping & tax. There are other sources for less, including eBay (used and new).

 

[qsd-dan]

Is that referencing the cost of it when it was purchased/new, or the used resale value?

The parts source I typically use, I can get a transmission for $193.55, incl shipping & tax. There are other sources for less, including eBay (used and new).

The OP does not mention fixing it themselves (they couldn't even bother to do a quick search for a very well known problem) so with the cost of the trans + labor, it will exceed the resale value and come close to the price of a new one. A repairmen generally will not use owner supplied parts but if they do, it will not cover the warranty of the part nor the repair....making it pretty big gamble. Repairmen ALWAYS up sale parts, sometimes by a significant margin. Factor in at least a $100 service call + up sale of a transmission (and maybe other necessary parts) + labor, and you're getting into new machine territory on a crap washer.

These are cheap, under designed throwaway machines also known for many other problems, particularly control board issues. It's just not worth the financial gamble on a steamy pile of shit.

 

[henene4]

Very well differentiated opinions on here once again



Yes, if they do not do the repair themselves, it is probably not worth it.
But then again, they will be at the same point with a SpeedQueen TC in 5-10 years as well when the belt (and possibly pulleys) need replacement - and out either 300$ in service cost or twice the money for the machine.
But of course, you conveniently fail to mention that.

Just assuming and not mentioning the variables in the discussion is really not how you help people.
That's how you force your opinion of what you say is right onto people.

They might be very happy with that "steaming pile of s***" that you call it. You know, if you would actually care, you might ask?
But I mean how could someone be happy with something not approved by you?


Would I repair that? Probably not, either way.

But damn, threads like this make me question renewing my paid membership for this site more and more every year...

 

[qsd-dan]

There's a big difference between replacing a transmission vs replacing a belt and idler. If it's a 1-2 person household, the belt could last quite a while. Speed Queen finally pulled their head out of their ass and redesigned it to last longer. Still not anywhere close to helical Maytag standards from where they probably stole the belt clutching design from (70 year old technology), but better.

The OP isn't aware of the age of the machine, they probably got it used or it came with their place of residence. I don't think they're in love with it, it's just a washer that's now giving them trouble (holding up to my offensive name) and will soon be crushed. I do apologize for calling it what it really is, but, yeah, I may have crossed the line with the steamy POS remark.

These VMW washers are destroying Whirlpools reputation and their newest crop has serious control board issues that the older ones didn't. It's worse than the Maytag Neptune fiasco from 25 years ago. Look elsewhere on the internet and you'll find the hatred for these washers are very real. Not a product I would expect from Whirlpool but most top loaders are equally junk now so I guess it's the new low bar standard for them.

 

[DADoES]

Replacing a VMW transmission is a reasonably easy procedure for a reasonably-experienced DIYer. Yes, I've done one.

If a friend or acquaintance or someone by word-of-mouth needed one done, and they brought the machine to me, I'd do it for $0 to $80 (depending on closeness of the relationship ) plus reimbursement of the part(s). And I'd clean-up the expected grunge on the tub and basket.

I am, no doubt, an idiot.

Regards to age of the OP's machine, model-year F = 2016. The serial number of course is more accurate being that a given model-year may be produced for longer than one year.

 

[whirlpool862]

The user mentioned that this is the WTW4816FW0 model which means it’s a 2016, in later 2016 they revised it to WTW4816FW1 meaning ti can’t be older or newer than 2016.

This model is still made today but the current revision (the WTW4816FW3) has major control board problems and wouldn’t recommend. I recommended Whirlpool for a long time but they’re newest stuff aren’t very good.

Don’t know what specific week or month it’s made in 2016 since you didn’t provide the serial number but it is a 2016 made machine.

Sounds like the transmission bearings went out, which is common on these VMWs, transmission part number for this machine is W11454741.

I own a VMW that’s a couple years older than this, that has also developed a noisy bearing, it’s the model WTW4900BW0 model, does not take the same style transmission and I have the impeller model. Plan to not fix it, if it stops working I’ll buy a new one.

Probably won’t get a new VMW since I don’t want a machine that won’t even last a year before the control board goes out. All the 2023 and 2024 basic VMWs seem to be affected by these control board issues, they most commonly constantly drain.

Not sure about the higher end ones but the high end VMWs have issues with the pump wires and I see those with bad control boards too. Those also seem cheaply made and seem to vibrate a lot. The high end VMWs look a lot like the VMWs but they are not the same.

The newer VMAXs are similar, but they use a stator and no belt, those also seem problematic, especially with the stators. The older VMAXs were okay, but the bearings failed on those kind of a lot. But pretty much as long as the bearings on the older VMAX machines were good the repairs were fairly easy.

 

[Wayne4910]

I still have the machine, I plan to buy another Whirlpool, Speed Queen is too expensive and I don’t have that type of money and I have the matching dryer and I don’t want to have to replace the dryer as well. I also heard that the front loaders are harder to keep clean and maintain.

Just loud on the spin cycle, you said i could have a bearing issue. Is that correct? Otherwise the machine is functioning properly, it’s not shaking, banging, or moving.

People also said I’ll have to change out the transmission.

Also, I did buy the machine new I just don’t remember when I bought it.

 

[pierreandreply4]

Be careful @Wayne4910 when you shop for your new machine make sure you do not get one that has control board failure or that can give you the drain pump fault code or worst that you find yourself with a machine that do not send hot water if you select a warm or hot water wash

 

[DADoES]

The spin bearing is part of the transmission assembly, not sourced or repaired as a separate item. That's why the fix is replacement of the transmission.

Just to say, washers and dryers don't have to be a matched set. I know people who have mis-matched pairs, some are different brands.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I own a Whirlpool washing machine that’s became very loud during the spin cycle with no vibrations. Works fine, it’s just very noisy during any spin cycle.

I don’t know how old it is. Still cleans my clothes and works.

The model number is WTW4816FW0.

If all else fails, I'd upgrade to the commercial Whirlpool/Maytag matching pair. The Speed Queen Perfect Wash is questionable.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

The OP does not mention fixing it themselves (they couldn't even bother to do a quick search for a very well known problem) so with the cost of the trans + labor, it will exceed the resale value and come close to the price of a new one. A repairmen generally will not use owner supplied parts but if they do, it will not cover the warranty of the part nor the repair....making it pretty big gamble. Repairmen ALWAYS up sale parts, sometimes by a significant margin. Factor in at least a $100 service call + up sale of a transmission (and maybe other necessary parts) + labor, and you're getting into new machine territory on a crap washer.

These are cheap, under designed throwaway machines also known for many other problems, particularly control board issues. It's just not worth the financial gamble on a steamy pile of shit.

Whirlpool ought to be ashamed of themselves. No wonder why Speed Queen Laundry is the only sane brand left. I'd hate to see Speed Queen go under.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

There's a big difference between replacing a transmission vs replacing a belt and idler. If it's a 1-2 person household, the belt could last quite a while. Speed Queen finally pulled their head out of their ass and redesigned it to last longer. Still not anywhere close to helical Maytag standards from where they probably stole the belt clutching design from (70 year old technology), but better.

The OP isn't aware of the age of the machine, they probably got it used or it came with their place of residence. I don't think they're in love with it, it's just a washer that's now giving them trouble (holding up to my offensive name) and will soon be crushed. I do apologize for calling it what it really is, but, yeah, I may have crossed the line with the steamy POS remark.

These VMW washers are destroying Whirlpools reputation and their newest crop has serious control board issues that the older ones didn't. It's worse than the Maytag Neptune fiasco from 25 years ago. Look elsewhere on the internet and you'll find the hatred for these washers are very real. Not a product I would expect from Whirlpool but most top loaders are equally junk now so I guess it's the new low bar standard for them.

It is a steamy piece of stupid crap. Don't even get me started on their lousy suspension. They make an awful noise when they agitate like a dying animal.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

The user mentioned that this is the WTW4816FW0 model which means it’s a 2016, in later 2016 they revised it to WTW4816FW1 meaning ti can’t be older or newer than 2016.

This model is still made today but the current revision (the WTW4816FW3) has major control board problems and wouldn’t recommend. I recommended Whirlpool for a long time but they’re newest stuff aren’t very good.

Don’t know what specific week or month it’s made in 2016 since you didn’t provide the serial number but it is a 2016 made machine.

Sounds like the transmission bearings went out, which is common on these VMWs, transmission part number for this machine is W11454741.

I own a VMW that’s a couple years older than this, that has also developed a noisy bearing, it’s the model WTW4900BW0 model, does not take the same style transmission and I have the impeller model. Plan to not fix it, if it stops working I’ll buy a new one.

Probably won’t get a new VMW since I don’t want a machine that won’t even last a year before the control board goes out. All the 2023 and 2024 basic VMWs seem to be affected by these control board issues, they most commonly constantly drain.

Not sure about the higher end ones but the high end VMWs have issues with the pump wires and I see those with bad control boards too. Those also seem cheaply made and seem to vibrate a lot. The high end VMWs look a lot like the VMWs but they are not the same.

The newer VMAXs are similar, but they use a stator and no belt, those also seem problematic, especially with the stators. The older VMAXs were okay, but the bearings failed on those kind of a lot. But pretty much as long as the bearings on the older VMAX machines were good the repairs were fairly easy.

Even when they work properly, I heard these don't clean.

 

[whirlpool862]

Yeah the direct drives are much better but the VMWs still are better than the older GE machines as well as the Samsungs and the Midea machines.

I would NOT recommend the newest revisions of the VMW models, if you’re getting a VMW, you’re better off getting an older one used in like-new condition at this point, although there are many better machines to buy used than a VMW.

All the 2023 and 2024 models have a major control board issue and it’s a massive issue with new Whirlpool VMW washers. I wouldn’t be surprised if this extends into 2025 models, in around 2026 or 2027, I might see some 2025 models constantly draining.

Until Whirlpool figures it out and revises all their models affected, I can’t recommend new VMWs. For example, I hope Whirlpool revises the WTW4816FW3 into WTW4816FW4 or revises the WTW4957PW0 to WTW4957PW1 (for example), with the new revision not having the issue.

I hope every Whirlpool washer with the control board issue will get a revision soon and use a different brand of batch of control boards without this issue.

GE is improving the quality of their lower end model machines (at least). I would not recommend any older GE washer unless it’s a filter flo. The newer GE’s seem better than the newest revision of the VMWs.

If you’re buying Speed Queen, you gotta watch out, the TR model will not wash clothes as well as the classic model for example.

 

[maytaglover68]

Bearings are bad.

 

[tuesdak]

I still have the machine, I plan to buy another Whirlpool, Speed Queen is too expensive and I don’t have that type of money and I have the matching dryer and I don’t want to have to replace the dryer as well. I also heard that the front loaders are harder to keep clean and maintain.

On a budget I suggest they don't have to match. A used Speed Queen may be a affordable option if any are on sale in your area. Aside of Vanity it's a box that dries the clothes in a crowded out of sight utility room. Run the dryer till it quits. Maybe clean the dryer duct once a year or more as needed.

I got tired of major problems and/or throwaway machines not making it 10 years before needing a total loss major repair. Some were rather expensive like the TL Kenmore made by LG that blew a tub bearing every single year. Broken down having to call an Extended Warranty while they waste my time with over the phone troubleshooting BS "Scripts" and after slogging through that they may fix it at their leisure.

End of the day I have laundry to do piled up in front of a broken down machine. Waiting on a repair, under warranty or not, was a major inconvenience: laundromat or rental machine. Parts availability and waiting on parts is also a problem some brands have.

So I tried out a Speed Queen in 2011. IMO in the long run it's actually cheaper than other brands. Esp. since it's cost was on par with the broken for the last time LG Kenmore.

Now the parents place has a Speed Queen Washer next to a Maytag labeled Commercial dryer. My place has Speed Queens, but they don't match; mechanical timer washer with digital control dryer. All were bought new when whatever machine died. The oldest being a 2011, through 2014. Since getting Speed Queens I don't see the repair techs much anymore and when I do it's not a service call to just say "It's Dead Jim!".

My understanding is it's only gotten worse as "Value Engineering" has removed more reliability and long life from appliances. Good luck dealing with the new "AI customer disservice" extended warranty companies want you to put up with now.