Were there issues with these? Kenmore 90 Series Plus

[blockeight88]

I have been on the lookout for a Kenmore 90 Plus Series with the triple dispensers. It seems these are somewhat difficult to find. I read somewhere (may have been on this site) that these were only made for a short time (around 1997) and then production ceased. Does anyone have any insight as to why that may or may not have been the case?

These washers appear to be top of the line with the Quit Pak Plus and Triple Action Agitator.

Thanks

 

[blockeight88]

Anyone? I am very curious about these.

 

[Chetlaham]

I don't know about the dispensers, but I do know that Kenmore sold various versions of these machines up until the mid 2000s. Some with King Size agitators.  

 

[blockeight88]

Dispensers

I have seen some from the early 2000s but the dispensers are all separate. On this model the fabric softener and bleach dispenser have the same housing. I’m hoping to get one of these whenever one becomes available. I’ve see a few matching dryers that had variable heat settings

 

[Chetlaham]

Being Kenmore I can't imagine these being trouble prone.

 

 

Combo52 (John) and others would know more however.

 

 

I'd still get the machine, these are wonderful washers with wash flexibility that you won't find elsewhere. 

 

[blockeight88]

Thanks. I’m hoping they can chime in.

 

[Chetlaham]

Do you need the dispensers? Do you use them?

 

[blockeight88]

I don’t own this model (yet) I’m just eyeing it. Are the dispensers likely to fail over time?

 

[philcobendixduo]

My 1987 Kenmore Limited Edition.....

.....washer has the triple dispensers and they still work just fine. I've never had any issues with them other than some water being left in the bleach dispenser on occasion.

I always dry them out when I'm done using the machine by stuffing a small fingertip towel in the bleach and fabric softener dispensers and letting it soak up any residual water. i then remove the towel and leave the lid of the machine open so it can dry out.

I also remove the liquid detergent dispenser and put it upside down on the agitator so it can dry out as well.
I rinse it under the fill water when I'm doing the last load of the day (after it's done dispensing the detergent).

 

[blockeight88]

My 1987 Kenmore Limited Edition

Thank you. Would you mind posting some pictures of these? I would love to see. Also I am still curious why these were short lived. I guess until they were redesigned in the early 2000s.

 

[combo52]

Flush through triple dispenser, direct drive washer’s

These dispenser systems worked very well, but it’s a lot of extra complication. There’s four extra inlet valves alone.

There are chances for leaks and failures, I like these systems however, considering how much of a perfectionist you are, I might avoid them. I’m sure you can find there are flaws in them as the previous poster mentioned where you have to do the extra dry them out, etc..

John

 

[blockeight88]

Perfectionist

Thank you for your insight, John. Sometimes we need to hear the obvious. I am indeed a perfectionist when it comes to these machines. I was just curious though because from what I read they weren’t on the market very long. Maybe someone could correct me on this? Probably best just to stick with what I have which is a Kenmore ultra Fabric Care from 1994 and a Kenmore elite from 2002 both work about as good as they’re going to get I’ll probably just set my sights on finding a matching Kenmore elite gas dryer

 

[DADoES]

 
A similar dispensing trio was used on the Calypso and Catalyst models and some top-of-line KitchenAids.  The water valves are the kind of model-specific part that goes NLA sooner than the more common mechanical items.

The Calypso and Catalyst valve assemblies have six solenoids: hot and cold incoming, and output ports for tub fill/spray, detergent flush, bleach flush, and softener flush.  John says the Kenmore of question has four extra valves so is the same.