Vintage whirlpool needing TLC

[whirlpoolfriend]

Hi everyone!
Please bear with me as I am new to this forum. I have a Whirlpool washer that we purchased from a friend. It was approximately 10 years old when we purchased it and it has travelled with me as we were stationed in different states with the USAF. It has been my one and only washer for almost 30 years and I love it. We have repaired it through the years, even though many people have told us it was time to retire it. It has some issues now and I am hopeful that they are fixable though these fixes seem more difficult than previous ones and parts are more difficult to find. We were told that it will need a new transmission. It also has a rusted bottom causing a leak. Again, theses repairs are not difficult, but finding parts is very tough at this point. The washer is from the 1980's and is showing a model number of LHA5500N1.
Is there any hope for my little whirlpool friend? I really don't want to let it go...I love the durability and simplicity of this old guy!
This seems like the place to ask, because if anyone would know how to help me, I feel like you guys would!
I will include a photo to see if that will help!

Thanks for reading!

 

[repairguy]

Looks like it was built the 4th week of 1981. What are the specific issues that it is having that led to needing a gearcase diagnosis? Have you pinpointed where the leak is coming from? Usually when these washers reach this age they need a complete rebuild of the drive system as well as the water seal system.

 

[whirlpoolfriend]

I can't thank yo enough for responding to my post! I love my vintage washer and I'm fighting to keep it going as long as I can. I am convinced it works better than most new machines on the market.

I have been told that it has an issue with the transmission-it has been leaking fluid, though not much has leaked out and it runs fine. The man who said that the transmission was on its way out could not find replacement parts.

The biggest issue now is that the drum (barrel? I am not sure on the correct terminology) is made of metal and has finally rusted through. We had water all over the laundry room and into the hallway. We are unable to use it because of this issue. The repair man who came to our home said that he could replace it but that he did not know where to get the part to do it.
Our problem seems to be availability of parts. Is there anything to be done for my little washer friend at this point? Can parts be substituted from other models?

I would appreciate any help or expertise.

Again, thank you for responding to my post!

 

[repairguy]

The parts you are needing would have to come from a donor machine. Depending on where the tub is leaking and how bad the rust is it may be able to be patched but it probably needs to be removed and replace the tub seal as well.

 

[volsboy1]

I had one like that also that I loved and would have never got rid of it but it turned into a game of wack and mole trying to fix leaks and transmissions, I was fixing gears with JB cole weld but did not hold up . If you love that type of Machine and want the same quality buy a Speed Queen TC5. There the last American made machine made like a tank with a wash transmission I think, all the others have gone to direct drive or something close.There more $$$ but will last ..

 

[maytag85]

If there’s pinholes on the outer tub, it can be welded since that’s what I did to my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII washer last December since it started leaking. Usually if the leak is above the baseplate, it’s usually the seals or the tub itself. If there’s a leak below the baseplate, more than likely the the hose since they are either dry rotted after 40 years or were disturbed which will require rotary hose clamps to help stop the leaks.

As for the transmission, more than likely will need to be taken apart for a oil change if it’s been contaminated with water. It will be a messy and involved job but is worth it since you want to keep your machine for running as long as possible. Be sure to use 90 weight Royal purple gear oil since that’s what I use when I rebuilt the transmission out of my ‘63 Whirlpool last year.

 

[stan]

Can you

Confirm that the leak is coming from rust holes yourself?
Did the repair man show you the holes while he had the cabinet off?
Can you remove the cabinet so you can see for yourself..take pics so we can see..
What if all that’s wrong is a worn tub seal?

 

[combo52]

Leaking Outer Tub In A WP Belt Drive Washer

You pretty much have to raise the top, remove the tub cover, agitator, and wash basket to check the condition of the outer tub, you may even have to remove the outer tub to confirm the location of leaks.

 

It is a pretty serious job to do this, but it all depends on how much effort you want to put in this and your ability.

 

John L.

 

[whirlpoolfriend]

You have all been incredibly helpful to me! I think you truly understand my attachment to this old beauty! When I tell others about my situation, they just tell me to get a new washer! Really want to try to keep this old friend going, but I am not sure where or how to get parts. I don't know what washers would have acceptable or compatible parts. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thank you again for your responses! I am sorry to take so long to reply.

 

[pierreandreply4]

just check this website by entering your washer model number https://www.partselect.ca/Appliance...m_term=partselect&utm_content=Appliance+Parts

 

[whirlpoolfriend]

still hoping...

Hi all! Sorry for the delay in response. My husband is finally home and able to work on your machine. I looked for parts and could not find any for my old washer. My husband is attempting to patch the hole in the washer but he is confused about how to get the agitator off. I will send pics so you all can see where the problems are in my old washer.

The leak seems to be in the outer barrel (not sure what it is really called) and my husband thinks that he can plug it with marine JB Weld. I'm not sure it will hold. Any ideas?

 

[repairguy]

At this point with the bolt out the agitator should pull straight up and out. You might fill the bolt hole with a penetrate and let it set for a while. There are other methods including pouring hot water over the top of the agitator to get it to expand before pulling up on it.

 

[vacman1961]

I wouldn't be concerned about the oil coming from the transmission, that is normal for a machine that age. In photo 4 there is a hose hanging down, I am assuming it's from the bleach dispenser, could that be where your leak is coming from.

 

[whirlpoolfriend]

The leak is from the outside barrel and it is kind of visible in the first photo. We had a technician look at the washer and he took the photos. I don't know if the marine JB Weld will work.

 

[thatwasherguy]

First off, welcome to the forum!

That’s a beautiful machine! You won’t find anything on the market that will even come close to matching it’s performance. As far as the tub goes, I was going to suggest that you try JB water weld before searching for a donor machine. I have a 1978 Maytag washer that had a small leak when I got it. This leak was coming from the top of the outer tub. I didn’t want to part out another machine for the tub alone, so I tried to use JB Water Weld on the rust hole. My first attempt failed miserably. I think I must not have mixed it good enough, because the second time I tried it, it worked exactly like it said on the package. That stuff feels just like cement when it dries. I haven’t used the machine more than about 30 times since then, but I haven’t had any trouble with leaks from that rust hole since then. I would also strongly recommend buying a water alarm, and a plastic tray to go under the washer, even if you wind up buying a new machine. Ours has saved our floor from floods several times. Good luck,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[whirlpoolfriend]

Thanks so much to all of you for your wonderful help!

 

[whirlpoolfriend]

I have finally decided to let my old friend go. I will need to purchase a new washer. I would prefer a "no frills", dependable washer. I also prefer a top loading washer. Do any of you experts have a recommendation?

 

[mrsalvo]

Speed Queen TC5, or maybe check on a GE.

 

[combo52]

Closest washer to an LHA5500

The only top load washer built today that stands a decent chance of lasting 30 years, and would give you the same type of performance, and without a lid lock would be Speed Queen TC5 series top load washer.

Best automatic washer for your home. That is no nonsense. Would be a Speed Queen front load washer but they are a little different than top load machines, the Speed Queen top loader will cost about $1300 and the front load about $2000. Both have a five-year parts and labor warranty that you’re unlikely to need, the front load Speed Queen will use 1/3 of the water of the top loader and do a much larger load and get your clothing much cleaner and better rinsed., It will take a little longer per cycle, however.

You could ship your whirlpool LHA 5500 out to us, and we can rebuild it mechanically, but all said and done it would cost about the same as the new Speed Queen TC5.

John