Washer & Dryer Saved From Scrap In NJ

[kenmoreguy64]

Jed -

What you're describing sounds like a machine I have that someone at work thought I'd want. I'll try to get you a picture in the next couple days.

The tan tub though....this one's tub is discolored, though I would not call it tan. They started out white. Was your grandmother's home on iron-rich water?

Gordon

 

[lebron]

iron-rich water?

I wouldn't be sure exactly, they machines were used on a farm in South Dakota though. I dont know if that type of water may have changed the color of the tub.

 

[brianl]

Why the set was dumped...

I have two theories. I ran the washer tonight and it leaks a decent amount and the agitator dogs are not functioning. Perhaps the leaking was from sitting outside in freezing weather and maybe the agitator dogs might be backwards, but anything is a possibility I guess.

If you hold the corkscrew of the agitator, it sort of rocks a little. If you leave it be, it free spins. Is it possible the dogs are backwards? I could not figure out how to get the agitator off. If I pull on the skirt, I manage to lift the whole basket.

 

[Ultramatic]

Wow, what a great find Brian!

<span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps you can get that hunky neighbor to help you lower them to the basement. Congratulations! </span>

 

[combo52]

AGITATOR DRIVE DOGS ON DD WASHERS

Brain funny that you should say they might be in backwards, while they can not be installed backwards they can be turned upside down and that will actually make them work again for a while. But basically they are simply worn out and should be replaced.

 

As to why these machines were replaced who knows for sure, but 22 years in these affluent times is a long time for many people to keep a washer and dryer. In many countries such as Japan they often replace major appliances in just a few years. Americans are among the most practicable people in the world when it comes to the length of time that we keep cars and major appliances.

 

[brianl]

Thanks John, I will definitely try that and see what becomes of the corkscrew. Is there a special way to get the agitator off, or is it just stuck on really good. I cannot see how to change the agitator dogs easily. Are there service manuals on these?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Brian -

About the best way I know to tell you how to fix the dogs is to refer you to a Youtube video.

A novice put a DIY video out there several years ago, and gets raves. Here is a link:

 

[brianl]

Seems easy enough...

I just bough the FSP 285811 kit from online for $6.80. It comes with the cam, dogs, cam cover, and some rubber seal. When I get those in, hopefully before the weekend, I can get them in the washer. In the meanwhile, I guess I will try and find where that leak is coming from and get the dryer hooked up tonight.

I have videos I will be uploading shortly so you can see what I am talking about and let me know if there is any unusual infomartion.

Thank you for the video link Gordon, for some reason I didn't even think YouTube. Duh on my part I guess lol.

 

[mistereric]

Good catch, Brian! I wonder if the wash action is going to be more shredding than my KitchenAids!

Coincidentally, if you are tired of the Tag gas dryer, I have a home for it - its nearly a match to the one Martin gave me for Jim's mom.

 

[yogitunes]

without hi-jacking the thread....this is for Brian....as my basement is in the finishing stages.....the plumbing is what I want you to focus on......I have the Hot/Cold water lines running parallel across the walls, and just tap into them with "T"'s for each station........the drain is only 1 1/2 inch, but I can spin all the machines at one time, and have a small amount backup into the laundry tub, as overflo protection.....not that they ever would all run at the same time...but good to know I could...I will start a new thread of both rooms....

 

[brianl]

More findings...

The leak from the washer is from the water pump. It must have been for a while because there is rust scars. It looks like the rust made it to the motor but it appears ok. The agitator dogs are completely worn, so when that kit comes, I will get the new ones in.

The dryer was making a weird thumping sound and did not feel quite right. Turns out the felt tore and bunched up a little. I took the whole machine apart and found a lot of lint and dog hair? inside. Pics to follow soon.

Overall, after the washer gets its new pump and agitator kit, and the dryer gets a new felt seal, and probably a new belt would be a good call, they should both be good as new.

Eric - I was thinking that, because as much as I would love 3 dryers, I just do not have the space or proper hookups to do 3. Plus I think Matt would not like it so much if I forked over 3 dryer loads at once. If someone needs it, unlike me who has others, than I would prefer they have it.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Hose Clamps

Also make sure the spring clamps on the pump hoses are still nice and tight.

 

[combo52]

1990 WP WASHER AND DRYER PROGRESS

Brain glad you figured out the washers leak, the pump is usually the only place that a DD washer leaks as it was a pretty well designed machine.

 

Dave the hose clamps on the water pump hoses are the spring type and is no way to tighten them as they are self tightening. I have never seen a leak on the hose connections on these machines.

 

Brain if you are going to change the belt on the dryer be sure you get the wider 5 rib belt as it is much stronger and will not slip and squeal when the dryer is started with a heavy wet load. The part # of the heavier belt is 349533, WP does not sell it any longer but it is widely available from after market suppliers, it is the only belt we use when servicing these 29" dryers.

 

[whirlcool]

I have the similar electronic set. They are very reliable. The dryer has never had a repair, ever! And they dry your clothes without baking them. I purchased the set new in Feb of 1993. The washer agitator dogs are VERY easy to replace. It took me 15 minutes to do the job.

The only thing about the dryer is that WP recommends in the owners manual that every three years you pop the cover on the dryer and remove all the lint. They do collect lint! But after you clean the dryer they dry so fast.

If these machines were built in 2000, wouldn't they only be 12 years old? They are just now being broken in. And since so many were made, I think parts will be easy to find for them for the next 30 years or so.

 

[combo52]

1990 WP DD WASHER AND DRYER PAIR

Sorry about my earlier mistake on the age of these machines, as others correctly pointed out they are 1990 not 2000, I guess that I was thinking about [ design 2000 ] which is what WP called the DD washer when it was introduced. Does anyone know what Sears called the DD Kenmore versions?, I am sure Gordon does LOL.

 

[brianl]

Hey John & Martin...

John - Thanks again for the info. If the wide-belts are better, why did they go to those skinny belts? It definitely looks like the pulley was designed for the wider one in the first place. A skinny one was on it when I took it apart. I wound up putting a skinny one on my 80's Kenmore. So far so good, and I know I've put some heavy loads in there before.

What's the the need for the drum bearing kit FSP 279441 when you have the felt seal FSP 3406129? I always assumed the felt was rubbing on the lip of the cabinet.

On the washer, would my cabinet come off similar to what I saw on an online video where the console is titled back and there is these 2 clips to slip off underneath? I tilted the machine back last night, and saw the pump in the front, but it didn't look to easily accessible.

Martin - Nice Speed Queens! I love that avocado one.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Belt Change & Cabinet Removal

My only guess that those skinny belts were made was that they were cheaper to make.

As for removing your cabinet, all DDs are done exactly that way. What's nice about the older machines (including yours) is that the screws are on the front of the control panel, so it makes the job a little easier.

@combo52: yeah, that's what I had meant about the hose clamps. But that's my fault though, several times I keep forgetting to explain what I mean, heh.

 

[brianl]

Appreciate the info Dave, you must come out and see my collection one day. All parts are on order and should be here by next Tuesday or earlier.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Excellent! would be great to hear or possibly see how the progress goes!

Heh, it may be a while before I can start visiting places for collections, but anything can happen in the future

 

[brianl]

More pics...

I took the washer out to swap the pump and here is what I found. Top plastic ring already taken off by the way. Separate pics of it not taken yet.[this post was last edited: 1/31/2012-08:50]