Hey folks, new here.
It's incredible how the internet allows people to indulge in their passions, and more importantly, share it with others. I never knew there was such a love for these GM "1-18" washing machines until I found this place.
In any case, to cut to the chase, I have a 1-18 that has faithfully served since circa 1977, but isn't doing too well right now.
It has acted a little quirky in the past, but has now malfunctioned completely.
During the last attempted load, the washer shut down completely after completing the wash cycle and attempting to spin up. I can hear (and the house lights dimming) tell me that an overload switch is engaging. I can also detect a faint whiff of ozone. The tub will start to spin up until the overload engages, then everything stops. The pump that normally drains the tub cannot be heard at all, and the water remains in the tub.
Prior to this, it has had occasional quirks like turning on the water fill jets in the middle of the spin dry cycle. Something in the drum drive/brake mechanism has "stuck" on in the past as well, completely preventing the tub from spinning, and the lateral play in the drum tells me that the bearings aren't in top shape either.
The last time it required service a few years ago was for a new hot water fill valve, but aside from that it's been trouble free.
It seems that most, if not parts are now NLA. My hobby leans toward cars, so hunting down and keeping parts to keep an old car running is more my thing, not trying to keep an old washing machine running.
Though I can and do appreciate the qualities of a well-engineering and well-built machine, all I ask of my washing machine is for it to perform its function reliably.
At this juncture, I'm leaning toward a new replacement, but my budget isn't going to allow for something of a comparable quality level in today's terms (if it's even possible), and I'm not thrilled with the idea of buying a cheap, disposable washer.
Any thoughts? Is it still worthy of a repair/salvage attempt, or is it ready to be parted out?
BTW, the 1-18's companion is a Kenmore dryer that's even older, probably late 60's/early 70's, judging by the styling. Aside from needing a new belt, it hasn't skipped a beat.
It's incredible how the internet allows people to indulge in their passions, and more importantly, share it with others. I never knew there was such a love for these GM "1-18" washing machines until I found this place.
In any case, to cut to the chase, I have a 1-18 that has faithfully served since circa 1977, but isn't doing too well right now.
It has acted a little quirky in the past, but has now malfunctioned completely.
During the last attempted load, the washer shut down completely after completing the wash cycle and attempting to spin up. I can hear (and the house lights dimming) tell me that an overload switch is engaging. I can also detect a faint whiff of ozone. The tub will start to spin up until the overload engages, then everything stops. The pump that normally drains the tub cannot be heard at all, and the water remains in the tub.
Prior to this, it has had occasional quirks like turning on the water fill jets in the middle of the spin dry cycle. Something in the drum drive/brake mechanism has "stuck" on in the past as well, completely preventing the tub from spinning, and the lateral play in the drum tells me that the bearings aren't in top shape either.
The last time it required service a few years ago was for a new hot water fill valve, but aside from that it's been trouble free.
It seems that most, if not parts are now NLA. My hobby leans toward cars, so hunting down and keeping parts to keep an old car running is more my thing, not trying to keep an old washing machine running.
Though I can and do appreciate the qualities of a well-engineering and well-built machine, all I ask of my washing machine is for it to perform its function reliably.
At this juncture, I'm leaning toward a new replacement, but my budget isn't going to allow for something of a comparable quality level in today's terms (if it's even possible), and I'm not thrilled with the idea of buying a cheap, disposable washer.
Any thoughts? Is it still worthy of a repair/salvage attempt, or is it ready to be parted out?
BTW, the 1-18's companion is a Kenmore dryer that's even older, probably late 60's/early 70's, judging by the styling. Aside from needing a new belt, it hasn't skipped a beat.
