Westinghouse Laudramat L4 48 motor

[kristid]

I have a great repairman who is working on my machine and he's determined that the motor is bad. He wants to take it apart and see if he can fix it, but he's concerned that he might damage it without knowing the schematics of the motor. Does anyone have schematics that they can email me? Or can anyone tell me if this is a 1, 2 or 3 phase motor? Is it spring loaded?

 

[turquoisedude]

What is the machine doing or not doing that makes your repair person suspect the motor is bad? Does the machine run at all or will it not start?
The motor is most probably a capacitor-start one; it could be that the starting capacitor is the cause (Been there, done that!)
Please let us know a bit more about what's going on and I am sure someone will be able to help!

 

[kristid]

update

Does not have a capacitor, this machine is from the 1940's. washer will fill with water and stop filling, but nothing happens after that....just hums. My repairman hotwired the motor and it does not run. He can repair or replace it, he just doesn't want to break something while he's taking it apart, that's why I asked the earlier ?s or why I'm requesting a schematic.

thanks for trying to help.

 

[gansky1]

It should have a capacitor, it's not mounted on the motor so he maybe missed it? I have the exact same model and my capacitor was bad - motor hummed. New capacitor and runs perfectly. The motor starts and runs all through the cycle even while filling.

 

[arbilab]

We had the machine before and after that one. The double door and the deco door. I don't recall a capacitor BUT I was 8-16yo and interested in the moving parts. I also had 2 very similar Westinghouse 1/4HP motors, neither had a capacitor. But Gansky has THAT model and it DOES have one. And if it has one it NEEDS it. Replace that first. The apt had to put a new capacitor in my 1yo air conditioner, they definitely go bad.

If the start switch (inside the motor) is worn out or stuck, it will just sit there and hum. I'm a little concerned the repairman doesn't know that. It doesn't involve rewiring the motor, it's just a mechanism and a contact. It turns off the start winding (and the capacitor) once the motor is up to speed.

 

[combo52]

L-4 WH FL Washer

I also have this washer and mine ran fine till I let it sit unused for over 10 years. When we tried it again it wouldn't run and all I had to do was replace the motor start capacitor to get the motor running again. Greg's experience is right on the money, these early WH washers have a 1/3 HP motor. I am also a little concerned about the so called repairman that is trying to help you fix your washer, Good Luck.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I am also a little concerned about the so called repairman that is trying to help you fix your washer

I am as well, it is extremely unusual for any service person to go near appliances over 15 years old, especially vintage washing machines.

Hope it works out OK. I agree with what has been said above, it is either the capacitor or the motor start switch needs to be cleaned and lubricated.

 

[kristid]

capacitor

I was told earlier by someone on this forum that this machine has no capacitor so we just assumed that was correct.....Now more people are telling me that it does have one so I guess the first guy was wrong.

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE THE CAPACITOR IS LOCATED ON THIS WASHER?

Also, my repairman is not an appliance repairman per se. He's just a seasoned, common sense kind of guy who can pretty much fix anything. He's not an expert in washing machines or appliances, but understands how things works and is confident in his ability to repair most anything. He's also the only person I found who is willing to try to help me with this machine. We spent a couple of hours yesterday on this washer as well as an old refrigerator (from the 30's or 40's) and I have confidence in him that he does have the knowledge and experience to figure out and fix a wide range of problems. We could just use some further guidance here.
thanks for your help everyone.
kristi

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[combo52]

L-4 WH FL Washer

Whatever your name is, Welcome to internet advice LOL, often the advice given on line is worth about what you pay for it. It pays to study the profiles of the people giving the advice and it also would help you tell us about your self and the qualifications of those who are working on your appliances. This is a very friendly and helpful group of appliance people and there is probably no better source of information on the internet.

 

 The capacitor should be clipped inside the cabinet it is not mounted directly on the motor as they often are.

 

[rp2813]

Kristi, your link doesn't work.

 

[kristid]

don't know why my link won't work, it used to work.....any suggestions on how to fix it?

 

[arbilab]

Mouse over the blue text and the activity bar (browser bottom) will reveal what it says. In this case, http://c/ .

 

[rp2813]

Yeah, you need to re-post the link.

 

Don't give up on this.  You will get the right information from this forum, just like you did for the pull-to-start knob, which was simple.  My money is on something simple like the capacitor, too.

 

You are lucky to have a mechanically inclined friend who is interested in helping you make repairs.  If you follow the coaching you get here, he should be able to get the washer up and running for you.

 

[kristid]

update

so my guy took out the capacitor and fixed it. And, a buddy of his turned him on to some 80+ yr old retired repairman that used to work on this machine. So my guy talked to the retired repairman who told him that the humming noise is from the water pump regulating the amount of water. He also said the motor runs the whole time the machine is on - even if it's only filling with water. THis is the same thing someone else in this forum told me earlier. The retired repairman also told him that since the motor wasn't going, that even with the repaired capacitor, the motor still wouldn't run because one of the brushes in it was mostly likely bad or stuck. Sure enough, we replaced the repaired capacitor and the motor still doesn't run. So my repairman has now taken out the motor and will repair it for me. I'm sure hoping that'll do it. Anyway, this is the latest in my ongoing saga.

 

[combo52]

L-4 WH FL Washer

Sounds like progress, but tell the repair guy not to waste time looking for motor brushes as there are no brushes in this type washer motor, and be sure they don't charge you for fixing or replacing brushes LOL.

 

[arbilab]

If these problems were always caused by ONE THING, EVERYbody would know that one thing by now. Let him take the motor apart. If he knows as much as I did when I was 9yo, he knows how a centrifugal start switch is supposed to work. You don't need a diagram to know that.

"humming noise is from the water pump regulating the amount of water" is flat wrong. This pump comes on solely as a function of dial position, at end of wash and end of rinse. The pump does not "regulate" water, a pressure switch does. The pump doesn't "hum" either. You can't believe everything "repairmen" tell you. At least a third of the time they are blowing smoke trying to sound like they know something you don't. Even if they're not charging you. It's a habit, they can't help it.

 

[laundromat]

You can be sure.......if it's Westinghouse.

 

[rp2813]

Leave the pump alone for now

The explanation for the humming noise could possibly have been misunderstood.  It sounds to me like what you are hearing is the hum of the solenoid that opens the fill valve to allow water to enter the tub.  Without any water rushing through the valve, you can hear the solenoid humming as it holds the valve open. 

 

 

 

[goatfarmer]

Play nice, kids!