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.