Westy L5 - cleaning up my act...

[turquoisedude]

Finally got the timer back (a pox upon UPS...) - it now works fine! I was inspired to get moving on the Laundromat again not just because of this but because Hubby is already nagging about not being able to get the car into the garage this winter... I explained to him that can be done as soon as the Westy and the 'new' Frigidaire move to the basement... He grumbled and walked away, so I figure I won...
Anyhow, I decided to take water inlet valves and solenoids apart, clean them up, and test them. All is working fine and years of Tampa hard-water scale are gone!

 

[turquoisedude]

Not a flying saucer....

I took the tub apart to prepare for the eventual door boot retrofit. It was pretty scaly and gross inside. I suspected there was a tub leak somewhere, so I removed the wash basket.

 

[turquoisedude]

Wash basket's not too bad

Some surface rust and a lot of scale build-up.

 

[turquoisedude]

Inner tub

is a different story... more rust here. I love how the residue has accumulated at the top of the tub - no doubt thrown by the spin cycle!

 

[turquoisedude]

Holey....

I figured it was there... Still it can be fixed!!!

 

[turquoisedude]

And after some cleaning

The wash basket looked much better! I would like to coat it with something to protect from further rusting, though.

 

[turquoisedude]

Inner tub cleaned up nicely, too

A few hours of scrubbing got most of the scale off! Likewise, I would like to paint or coat this for further protection.

 

[turquoisedude]

Curious onlookers...

Seem to be asking "When are you going to get to us? How come the new kid gets all the attention?". Well the wringer needs a good cleaning and I am thinking of turning that GE dryer turquoise...

 

[turquoisedude]

Appliance forensics

While cleaning the Westy, I think I figured out it's cause of 'death'... The washer was probably used for a good 15 or more years; the door boot was leaking, but the former owners kept on using it. The leak in the tub got worse over the years, eventually leaking enough water onto the speed changer solenoid to short it out. The washer blew a fuse or two when trying to spin and it was allowed to sit with water in the tub until it dried out.
Man, now I need is to partner up with the character Nick from the Vegas CSI show and I'd be all set... lol

 

[swestoyz]

Good progress Paul! Thanks for the update. Did you find a lead for a boot? Thankfully the boot that came with my L-5 is still in good enough of shape to use, but the pump is SHOT!

Ben

 

[turquoisedude]

No firm lead on a replacement boot, yet Ben! I am thinking it's going to be a WCI retrofit and if that works, I will document the hell out of it for anyone else who may need a boot replacement.
Didn't I see someone posting a motor and pump assembly from a Westy here a while back?? If so, maybe that pump would work for you!

 

[christfr]

well there ya go . one step closer. get to cleanen and sealin and youll be ready. cant wait to see that machine all done