The Defense of the Model-T

[maytaglover68]

Many people are against the GE Model-Ts, but personally, they weren’t too bad and are much more reliable than any machine today.

They did have suspension rods, but they were better than the ones used on VMW machines. They also weren’t too loud on the spin cycle.

The Filter Flo was getting outdated and GE needed to redesign, so they launched the Model-T, a GE design. You still see plenty of Model-Ts in use, yet many people think they’re extinct.

They also used U.S. made parts, and sure, they leaked oil, but the oil leaking problem is more common on new VMW machines than Model-Ts. Like I’d much rather use a cheap GE Model-T than a cheap modern VMW Amana.

Also, the plastic tubs on a washing machine wasn’t that bad, it’s not like it always broke during the spin cycle, in fact, the plastic tubs were a good thing since they never rusted and the porcelain tubs have a higher failure rate.

They also cleaned clothes just fine as long as they weren’t overloaded, and they didn’t go off balance as easily as a VMW because they actually used concrete at the bottom to balance it out, not just rods, VMW machines don’t. The weird metallic sound on spin cycle was usually caused by shipping rods that haven’t been removed.

Most Model-Ts that failed prematurely were abused, they were often overloaded, treated poorly, with too much detergent use. If you maintain it properly you can get 20 years out of one easily. They definitely weren’t as reliable as a direct drive that probably lasts at least 25 years when properly maintained or a Speed Queen that lasts 30 something years.

I don’t think the Amanatags, Norgetags, or older Frigidaires were too bad either. They were good machines too.

 

[cfz2882]

Never washed with one...

...but have brought 5 home to evaluate and/or junk: first encounter was an early one back about 2002-had the early Italian made vortex drain pump.other 4 have been within last 5 years and all were 1999 vintage with Hanning vortex pumps.on one of these the aluminum basket hub had corroded and broken up.Another i was about to run a test wash in got wrecked by the same severe hail storm that wrecked a Cabrio/Oasis that i was working on in backyard.I have heard of bad transmissions on model T washers,but transmission was good in all the machines I had-all iron internals by the way

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE!

I had a GE model T after the filter-flo, and I noticed it would twist and shift during normal/fast agitation on the super load size despite have everything removed as far as the shipping rod is concerned. It did get the job done. I thought model t's never had concrete unlike the filter-flos.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE!

Granted, my model T lasted 17 years which was shocking to me, and so did the matching dryer.

 

[Chetlaham]

I'd much rather use a cheap VMW Amana than a model T. For one the Amana would sense an out of balance, pause, and re-distribute or move on. A model T would destroy itself.

 

 

The awful groaning, squealing, rattling and grinding noises came from the suspension sockets and cabinet itself, not from anything failing to be removed post shipping. It only got worse as the model Ts were kept in production.  

 

[maytaglover68]

Actually, no, those cheap VMW Amanas, Ropers, Admirals, did destroy themselves when off balance too, the balance sensors often bypassed due to it being off balance at a high speed.

The higher end VMWs seem to sense out of balance loads properly, but go online and you’ll see a bunch of the low end porcelain tub VMWs banging and outright destroying themselves.

The Samsung top loaders and the LG’s actually seem to balance and redistribute the load properly when off balance. I’ve seen it, when those go off balance it’ll stop and redistribute.

An example of a VMW that is extremely off balance. And you’ll see way more videos.

 

[maytaglover68]

So you’d rather use a cheap Amana VMW with roaring bearings than a Model-T that’s in fully good condition.

 

[Chetlaham]

I always assumed the VMW would sense the motor current and speed during an imbalance while accelerating and change their programming execution accordingly and that an imbalance at high speed could only occur from a comforter bursting. But I could be wrong here. 

 

A cheap Amana will have good bearing when new, and with the DA agi and combination of fast and short stroke agitation cleaning and turn over is IMO better than a model T.   

 

[maytaglover68]

The older versions of the VMW Amana used the straight vein agitators and some used H.E. agitators. And yes, VMW Amanas will have good parts when new it’s not defective. Although they did make the DAA older Amana’s with the DAA such as the NTW4700YQ, NTW4701BQ, NTW4501XQ, and NTW4601XQ. But most used straight vein.

Also, the NTW4519JW is not the DAA one, that’s the older NTW4516FW model.

But a model T also had good bearings when new. Every washer has good parts when new unless there’s a factory defect.

Like my impeller vmw Whirlpool wtw5000dw3 had good bearings when new but now it’s really loud.

 

[Chetlaham]

Unfortunately, more and more washers are moving toward impellers.

 

 

With NTW4516FW you got your money's worth. The washer may have been ultra cheap, but you also got great cleaning and great performance over the short life of the machine. 

 

 

 

[maytaglover68]

I’ve used the cheap Amana before at a vacation house before, it was the older NTW4650YQ0 from 15th week of 2013 according to serial number, don’t know what I thought about it. It had the straight vane agitator with load size selectors and used a full tub of water. Sure it’s better than the newer 4516 because it had load size switch with no water restrictions (but it did spray rinse I think).

Everything was good on it tho, nothing was broken really, bearing was good and it was balanced meaning it had good suspension.

I’m sure the Amana NTW4650YQ0 I used is better than my flat impeller WTW5000DW3. The BOL Whirlpool impeller top loaders I heard were better than the mid range and high end ones (like my model).

The VMAX’s don’t seem to have the best cleaning performance either.

Also, there are actually less impeller machines than there used to be. They don’t make more agipeller machines. But they are making more agipeller washing machines.

Also, the newest versions of the Amana (both NTW4516FW and NTW4519JW), have this control board problem where the washer runs the drain pump continuously.

The Whirlpool WTW4616FW and WTW4816FW are just fancier versions of the Amana NTW4516FW, they both use DAA agitators and use the same tub and motor, only difference is they use fabric softener dispensers. Those have the same board issue too. The Roper RTW4516FW, the Kenmore 20232, and the Conservator VAW3584GW are essentially the same machine as the Amana NTW4516FW, the only difference is the branding.

All of the older style VMW’s now have the control board problem. The newer style with the newer lid and interface don’t seem to have it but those ones clean horribly and are notorious for issues with the pump wires (I have experience from being a repair tech).

At an Airbnb I think there was an Amana NTW4605EW0, it was an agipeller model. Also had good parts. No bearing noise and was balanced. No weird noises on wash except for the sound of a VMW. Has no scratches and looked essentially brand new. Must’ve been well taken care of.

 

[Chetlaham]

Does the post on top of the impeller actually make any difference?

 

[panasonicvac]

I loved mine

I think they were in my opinion the best top loaders GE has ever sold especially coming from someone who also owned a Filter-Flo.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

model T

Another thing, you could hear the tsunami of water splashing in the GE model T even with a full load.

 

[whirlpool862]

VMWs don’t get bad bearings out of the box unless it’s defective. You’re correct on this one. My VMW has lasted 10 years before the bearings went out.

And the new VMWs don’t usually get bearing issues. It’s the VMAX’s that do. Most VMWs with bad bearings are the older models made BEFORE 2018.

The newer VMWs I don’t like as much as the older ones as they don’t clean as well. Impellers do better with less water. My WTW4900BW0 Whirlpool actually blooms the clothes when washing. This is because since older washplate VMWs used less water, it allowed the washplate to bloom clothes.

The newer VMWs often use a flat impeller, and overall don’t clean as well. But they still make VMWs with the taller impeller (like the WTW4950HW), but these models are known for control board issues.

As for the agitator porcelain tub VMWs, the older ones honestly I like the most as they have load size selectors and use full tubs of water. But if you buy any of these types used you’ll NEED to immediately check the suspension rods after buying it. These styles are very prone to suspension rod issues and the balance sensors on them often don’t work right, meaning it’ll just bang around continuously. In fact, I think whirlpool might’ve made agitator VMWs without balance sensors for a short period.

The newer ones with auto sensing clean okay but they have massive control board problems. At this point I’m liking GE over Whirlpool.

The current high end VMWs have pump wire issues and issues with the control board but are less prone to control board issues than the lower end models.

The newest VMAXs are prone to stator issues.

GE has declined significantly with the HydroWave and Model-Ts. A major issue with the model Ts was transmission issues and issues with the timer, washer overflowing, and washer strap issues. These days when you get a Model-T they just roar on the spin cycle or leak oil.

The HydroWaves were prone to failed mode shifters and broken tub straps. And the washer rubbing on the bottom making a loud loud scraping sound on wash cycle. Another common failure on these was an upper seal leak, causing the lower bearing to fail. The lower bearing on these was in the mode shifter assembly.