Vintage Amana washer dryer set questions

[spin-doctor]

Hey everyone, I've been looking for a vintage washer dryer set and now have found a matched Amana set of unknown vintage in apparently excellent condition. A 93 year old lady who lived alone owned them and she recently moved to assisted care...I don't know if she was from Pasadena. ;-)

I've learned quite a bit on this forum about DD Whirlpools and more recently vintage GE washer/dryers. And I'm pretty sure the Amana name was bought out by Whirlpool like many other names. But at one point Amana was a stand alone company and then later was bought by Ratheon. These units shown below are apparently from that era due to what's written on the name tag. Can you guys tell me something about these units? Like overall quality, quirks, reliability etc? How they stack up against other units of similar vintage? The price was so good I couldn't pass them up ($175 for both). Thanks...

 

[blackstone]

I had the same set (or very similar) for 28 years; purchased in 1991. Finally had to scrap, primarily because of the motor. The only new replacement I could find cost over $300. I reluctantly bought it; but the delivery "service" by FredEx was terrible. The motor arrived damaged and unusable.

When I did disassemble for scrap, I found the diecast was in very poor condition. I still could have kept the washer, but I am glad that I did not invest the $300 to keep it going.

Other than that, very good machine. Pump lasted forever; brake pads and belts replaced a couple of times. Other members have reported water leaks in the center, but I never had that problem.

I would suggest removing the stainless tub, just to look underneath, and to make sure that the bolts are not seized into place.

 

[combo52]

1990 pair of Amana, washer and dryer

These are basically a speed, queen, washer, and dryer from a little earlier time, but being lightly used, he probably will get some good use out of them.

If you want to take the front off the washer and look at the condition of the main drive belt, other than that if everything looks good, I would not do anything to it. I would not try to take the basket out of the washer. Sometimes the bolts break off, they generally do get seized.

On the dryer, take the front off just two screws, and dust out the floor of it. If you want to go into it, you could take the drum out oil, the idler pulley and the two rear rollers other than that I wouldn’t do anything that isn’t obviously necessary.

These earlier Speed Queen‘s were work horses, they did have some problems with the center seal alliance redesigned it about 20 years ago to a much better design. His earlier ones also tend to be noisy or because the motor was mounted to the base pan, but they should be good rugged machines.

John

 

[spin-doctor]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the info. I just got home with the washer and dryer and am anxious to look under the hoods of both of them. I plan to do all that you say. I will attempt to get the washer basket off if it is cooperative. If it looks risky to take off in the sense I may snap some rusted bolts, then I'll pass on that job. I will post my results either way depending on what I see when I look inside them both.

As far as the noisy motor, the guy that I bought it from warned me the washer was a bit noisy. I asked him noisy in the sense it may be needing repair and he assured me "No, they both work fine. We've been using them for the last 3 months, it's just we have our own washer and dryer and these were left behind by the older woman that used to live here. The washer is just noisy in comparison to newer machines."

So, in the event I think the washer is noisy, is there a way to quiet it down? Like for instance, if the motor being hard mounted to the metal base is a contributor to noise, can it be rubber mounted or somehow isolated with a simple mod to help quiet it down? I'm mechanically inclined and not afraid to experiment. Let me know what you think.

 

[Chetlaham]

You could add sound dampening pads to the inside of the machine, but me personally I like the sound. I've used these in the coin-op version and I found them to be really solid respectable washers. If everyone was like me this design would have been the second most common in existence next to the Maytag dependable cares.

 

[spin-doctor]

Thanks Chet. These units will be placed right next to a bedroom in a small efficiency apartment. They'll be rarely or never used when actually sleeping, but if there are ways to reduce noise, I'd like to understand those options. Do you mean stick dynamat or similar sound absorbing/dampening material on the inside of the metal enclosure?

 

[combo52]

Quieting down a noisy washer design

I would try to add various types of insulation as opposed to trying to remount the motor to control some of the noise.

There are many techniques that can be used to make the machine much quieter, my partner Jason and I took a Frigidaire one to 18, which is one of the noisiest washers made it got the thing to be almost silent,

I added a foam block under the perimeter of the base plate of the machine, I added a tuning weight to the motor to take the hum out of it, we added about 20 pounds of heavy bittmas insulation to the washers front panel and I use foam sealing strips between the panels, the top of the machine, the cabinet etc. and even added the foam gasket to the lid to block noise when the latest closed.

It all depends how much you want to do and how much the noise bothers you.

John

 

[Chetlaham]

Correct- on the inside of the enclosure and the outside of the outer tub. Just don't go overboard and stack it though, the tub needs to able move around in the cabinet.

 

John has some really good ideas, as mentioned you can even use foam strips between the panels. It all depends on how much sound dampening you want/need.

 

[spin-doctor]

Thanks again to all you guys. Once I get a chance, I'll take the enclosures off and take some pics and post them here. Excited to see how well they work and how noisy they are.

 

[spin-doctor]

Hey everyone, just wanted to post an update on the Amana washer (haven't delved into the dryer yet). I ran it without clothes for a short cycle to see how loud it was (as forewarned by the previous owner). It was fairly loud. There was an annoying sound coming from inside the cabinet that seemed like it may not be normal.

So, I took the front metal cover off (only 2 screws, just like you said) and probed around inside while it was running to try and detect where the noise was coming from. Turns out the plastic cover sitting on top of the motor was rattling and making the bulk of the annoying noise. Here's a video of the culprit:



The cover is held on with one nut securing it in place, but otherwise sits fairly loosely mounted on 3 other threaded bolts. So, I added some electrical tape to the plastic cover mounting surfaces and also slipped small sections of rubber shrink tubing over the 3 threaded studs that the plastic cover sits on. After that remedial action, problem solved - sounds MUCH better and more like the old school washers I recall in my youth:



I am going to install some rubber gasket insulation between panel mating surfaces and sound deadening mat to the enclosure when I get a chance. I also noticed a sort of whistle/whine sound when the washer was spinning. Not a terrible noise, but present. Not sure if that is normal or if maybe a bushing or bearing is dry? Not sure. Was hoping you guys might take a look at the vid below and give me an assessment of what you hear good or bad?



The only maintenance related thing I could see it might need in the near future is a pump drive belt. Any brand or type in particular to get?

Other observations: The thing is built like a tank. The big metal tub is in stark contrast to the flimsy plastic Whirlpool DD washer I last had. The chassis seems like the undercarriage of a 1950s Buick. They truly don't make ANYTHING like this anymore. The motor is already mounted on rubber isolators, so I don't have to worry about bothering with that.

I measured the water consumed on the smallest load cycle it had. Looks like it takes about 12 gallons for one wash cycle and another 12 gallons for one rinse and spin. That's without any clothes in the washer though. I suppose it would be less with clothes in the washer, but it did not seem to exactly be "water conserving."

Thanks in advance for fantastic advice, really psyched to put this thing into service!

A few more vids of it functioning:





https://youtu.be/akx6NGVOAvs

 

[spin-doctor]

Also, I forgot to ask. How do you remove the agitator? I don't see any way to unbolt it from the top like I did on the Whirlpool DD models. Do you simply pry up on it manually from inside the tub? Or unbolt something inside the cabinet underneath the agitator?

 

[114jwh]

Congratulations on your find! Looks like its a workhorse and great news that it was just a simple fix for the motor noise.

Although I don't have specific experience with Speed Queen built machines, in general whenever I run the spin cycle with an empty tub on any other machine, I hear a similar whistling noise. I believe its just a noise resulting from the airflow and echo created by the empty tub spinning. I bet if you run the spin with clothes in it you won't hear that anymore. However, as I mention I don't have specific experience with Speed Queen/Amana so I'm speculating in your case that it isn't something else.

Congrats once again on your find!

 

[combo52]

Amana, Speed Queen Toploader

Glad the machine seems to be in pretty good shape. Yes, as James reported in reply number 11 the whistling sound is normal for an empty tub.

The pump belt you need to use a cogged belt, it looks like the main drive belt is pretty worn also.

They still build washing machines exactly of this build quality any Speed Queen, Toploader or front loader is still almost all metal and heavily built,

John

 

[spin-doctor]

Thanks to all for the helpful replies. I see a part number for the water pump belt on the belt itself. But I don't see one on the main drive belt. Is there a good source for identifying part numbers for both of the required belts? Might as well replace them while I have the cover off.

 

[combo52]

Local Parts Source In Maryland

Tribles, our local store in Beltsville PHONE #  301-313-9111

 

Don't know where you are but we have more new belts in stock than we will ever use for those machines at our shop.

 

John 

 

[Chetlaham]

I'm so proud of you and grateful that you now have this set. I'm happy that you can see what I see- an elegant, well designed washer that is built like a tank. I love this design (its my second favorite) and I hope you continue to fall in love with it.

 

I'm envious of the water circulation. I wish my Speed Queen had that. 

 

 

Personally I think the belts are ok (for now) but I also vote changing them out just to avoid the trouble in the future when you've already well into using the washer.

 

Question for the experts- what does the cool down do on this machine? I notice both delicate and PP have it on the dial.

 

[spin-doctor]

Thanks John. I no longer live in Maryland, forgot to update my profile. I moved to Tennessee recently.

Can you guys help me determine my model number? The data sticker was damaged when I tried to remove a dried smudge of grease obscuring the model number. Now I can't see the full number, although I think I have deciphered it based on a picture of the data tag before and after the "clean up." I'm almost certain it says the model number is LW1503L but when I try to enter this number into various online washer parts providers it does not recognize the model. Not sure if I've not deciphered the number correctly, or if the model is too old to be listed anymore? Dunno.

I've attached a few before and after pictures of the data sticker. Pretty sure I read LW1503L - what do you guys think?

 

[spin-doctor]

Chet - thanks for the kind words and I really do like this appliance set. I don't know why I'm so intrigued by a washer and dryer, but I just am. haha

Couple of questions: You mention the recirculation. I notice this thing had a little waterfall inside the tub area during the agitation cycle. Is that the recirculation you mention? What is that and why is it good?

Also, you say there is one more model that you like better. Out of curiosity what is that model and why is it your favorite?

You mention the cool down on the dial. What's that? I did notice when it completed the wash there was a "pregnant pause" before it transitioned into the rinse and spin cycles. It was a significant delay, I almost thought the timer was bad. But I do remember on the old machines there was often a significant delay when transitioning from one cycle to the next (for whatever reason).

And do you guys know where I can find an online manual for this model? It would be great to read about all the features and settings to better understand all the options in using it.

 

[Chetlaham]

Art is a universal language. When you see it, there is no need to understand it as beauty captivates seduction. What you are experiencing is your mind recognizing and falling in love with engineering perfection. These Amanas are IMO the second greatest washer design ever produced next to the Maytag Dependable Care. If everyone was as lucid as me this design would be as common as Whirlpool DDs are in this reality.

 

The water fall you notice is indeed re-circulation. Re-circulation can pull powdered or liquid detergent thats migrated to the bottom of the tub and introduce it into the wash water. The drain impeller of the pump running in reverse during agitation also helps with this. Recirculation was fairly common in washers but because of cost cutting it basically disappeared in the 90s. 

 

I like this model because it has all the positives that could come with a top load washer- long lasting, durable, quiet, excellent suspension, solid design, good capacity, two belt system, slip belt for clutching, pump mounted away from the motor, large transmission, stainless steal wash basket porcelain on steal outter tub, simple electrical, fast cycle times and of course recirulation. 

 

I have no idea what the cool down does on this machine, whether its half a tub drain followed by a fill or just a long spin spray. There may be a tech sheet (piece of paper) tucked away in the console behind the timer that gives away the function of the cool down. The cycle sequence should be printed on there and it usually gives away more details than the user manual.