Used Kenmore agitation is pretty "meh"

[IkeClanton]

Hi guys,

I have lurked this forum on and off for about 4 years, maybe not even monthly but more than the average guy I guess.

I wanted to see what you thought of this issue I have with a new Kenmore 110.16502690 24" washer I bought. I'm assuming it's less than 20 years old and that I'm posting in the correct part, but I kind of wonder if it isn't older.

Anyway, this is the 24" style machine and runs ok and so forth, but it has the 1-piece agitator, unlike a newer Whirlpool I used to have.

When I watch the machine working on a load of clothes, I am really disappointed in the lack of adequate turnover of the clothes during the wash and rinse cycles. Since it is the 1-piece agitator, it doesn't have those stupid plastic dogs that wear out, and the strokes back and forth of the agitator are good and strong, and long as they probably should be.

But it really just doesn't move the clothes to the bottom of the drum and back up to the top again like every other washer I've seen.

The one other thing I've noticed is the drum itself doesn't jog back and forth like other machines I've seen and owned; while washing or rinsing, the drum stays almost perfectly still and only the agitator moves back and forth.

Is this just how these machines are, or what am I missing??

Thank you so much.

 

[appnut]

The drum shouldn't jog back & for, that's normal, during agitation.  I'm wondering if you're putting too much in a load for this narrow tub, one-piece agitator washer to adequately handle.  Have you tried filling it not quite not so full with laundry, yet keeping the water level on full/high? 

 

[IkeClanton]

I just got it today and ran 1 load of clothes and 1 load of whites through it. Tomorrow I'll do what's left of my clothes, taking care to load it even lighter than I already did.

I do feel like I loaded it pretty light for both loads run already, though. The high water setting was used too, of course.

Could I install a different, 2 piece style agitator maybe? I looked around a bit and the prices are absurd, though....

 

[tomturbomatic]

Are you talking about a 24" wide full height machine with the control panel on the back or the 24" wide compact machine with the controls on the front?

 

[IkeClanton]

Full height.

 

[cuffs054]

If it's the same as the "GE" badged KM stack I had in the first cabin it may be a disappointment. Not only did the agravator do a crappy job but the under ag lint filter sucked (but not lint)
Same unit badged KM in this cabin with double action ag and self clean filter much, much better. Rollover very good, no lint.

 

[IkeClanton]

Here is a picture of a unit extremely similar to mine and the agitator I'm pretty sure it has; it may even be the same model.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Well, that was a poor agitator for turnover. There is, I believe, an auger-style agitator that would help turnover.

 

[IkeClanton]

That's what I was afraid of.

What is the best way for a layperson to get ahold of a cheap used agitator? I tried Googling for appliance salvages but didn't really find one.

 

[yogitunes]

a dual action like this would fit and work......for some of the 24" models, the base had 5 smaller vanes, but this one will still work fine.....

this one is called a 'plus' version, only because the spiral vanes are slanted, and aids in pushing the clothing downward....

shop around for the best price, and free shipping if possible....

a softener dispenser is available to fit on top

let us know how you make out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-WASHER-AGITATOR-PART-285727-/381206089867?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c1a7508b

 

[IkeClanton]

This is what you're talking about, yes?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-WASHER-AGITATOR-PART-285727-/381206089867?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=31478&meid=3be0eb9a1c1f43fc861664c4483fa392&pid=100033&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=381206089867&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&autorefresh=true

 

[yogitunes]

well, unfortunately that one sold......so heres another.....but keep looking for ones that may offer free shipping, or a better price....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Kenmore-Whirlpool-OEM-washer-Agitator-Whirlpool-Part-285727/400929561890?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D31190%26meid%3D5a57117070fe477d8c41c6d8bd142d74%26pid%3D100011%26rk%

 

[coldspot66]

You need a dual action agitator with the raised base/skirt for the narrow tub. The agitator on ebay is for the wider super capacity tub. Clothing can get caught at the bottom of the tub or under the agitator skirt.

 

[yogitunes]

heres the base part everyone is talking about......

I have used both, they work fine for either machine....

if you have to, just compare the base to the one you already have.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WHIRLPOOL-WASHER-AGITATOR-ASSEMBLY-PT-334559-FITS-MOD-LXR7144EQ2-/361000765667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item540d5288e3

 

[IkeClanton]

I actually am the one that bought the one I linked. Hopefully it works, we shall see.

Washed another load tonight and again, mediocre turnover.

 

[IkeClanton]

Got the new agitator, turnover is much better now.