When did GE start to go bad?

[Chetlaham]

Model Ts were bargain washers. They were primarily sold to builders and landlords who bought them without hesitation initially considering GE had built a relatively good reputation. In stores model Ts often had adverting literature like "fewest number of repairs" There capacity was another bragging point. People fell for it. 

 

Yes there are cases of model Ts lasting 20 years if you look hard enough. The dual action models with 2 speed motors cleaned acceptably and the large capacity was notable. However they had many, many premature failures out of the number sold. I remember the appliance scrap pile was full of them with every problem imaginable. A lot of them were only a few years old.    

 

[gelaundry4ever]

chetlaham

What about the upscale models? How were those GE's?

 

[Chetlaham]

The Upscale model Ts offered some of the best cycles like a 30 minute auto pre-soak with prewash followed by a long main wash and an automatic extra rinse. Delicate, knit, woolens, various wash and spin speed combinations. A range of wash times to choose from very heavy to extra light. There were a few models that even had a variable speed motor. Control panels were cool and fun on the TOL models.

 

The DA agitators and super capacity were respectable.

 

 

Cleaning was still not a thorough as a direct drive but the DAs made the most of it.

 

However, the TOL models still had the same suspension, transmission, snubber straps, cabinet, ect. Paint job I believe was the same too. So despite all the upscale features you had a horrendous platform underneath it.  

 

 

 

 

[whirlpool862]

GE T-Model and HydroWave machines

The GE model Ts and HydroWaves were very similar machines, they used the same suspension, outer shell, drain pump, agitators, and tub.

The newer models used some slightly different parts but were still similar. The only difference between a model T and Hydrowave is one has a transmission and brake and the other one does not. Both machines were very unreliable.

The basic HydroWaves and the latest of the T-Models had a rinse and soak cycle which was terrible. The drum wouldn’t fill up with water all the way and there was no spin between the rinse.

The newest of the GE Profiles unfortunately don’t spin between the rinse, just like a later T-model or HydroWave, I personally recommend the most basic GE’s if you’re getting one, and I would NOT recommend a used HydroWave, but a newer GE.

The model Ts cleaned better than the Hydrowaves in my opinion but they were just as bad in terms of reliability.

The HydroWave had a failure prone mode shifter, the parts that failed was either the bearings, or the part that makes the tub shift to agitate. When the more shifter coil failed they often washed the whole drum.

The Hydrowave was also known to make weird screeching noises on the wash cycle or banging noises due to the mode shifter issue.

When you opened the lid of a HydroWave while it was spinning, it reversed the motor at a high speed and it made a weird, high pitched noise.

The Hydrowave was quiet when washing but the motors on those were kind of loud on the spin cycle, the T models had quieter spin cycles.

Both the HydroWave and T model machines were known for bearing issues. The higher end HydroWaves were a bit better than the lower end ones as they had better features.

The HydroWave models either used a dual action agitator or infusor, both of which were pretty bad machines.

It wasn’t the upper bearing on the T-Model or HydroWave that failed, it was the lower bearing (in the transmission or mode shifter).

I personally like the TOL HydroWaves and T-Models more than the basic ones.

The GE stackable units made between 2011 and 2017 were notorious for bearing issues.

Here is an example of a YouTube video showing a Hotpoint HydroWave with a bad mode shifter.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

rinse and soak

I think the rinse and soak was stupid. I preferred the older ones because they agitated during final rinse, especially when using fabric sostener.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

chetlaham

What speed combinations did they have in terms of the upscale models? I'm aware of normal/fast and gentle/slow.

 

[whirlpool862]

Fabric softener

I don’t use fabric softener plus I’ve heard it’s bad for your washing machine, but if I did use fabric softener I’ll put my high efficiency washer with fabric softener on.

My washer doesn’t even have a fabric softener dispenser so you have to either use a downy ball or put it in during mid rinse cycle.

I heard that fabric softener just builds up in your washer and causes it to stink.

Yeah, I do agree that rinse and soak was stupid.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>I heard that fabric softener just builds up in your washer and causes it to stink.</blockquote> It does not if proper laundry and machine-usage habits are followed ... don't overdose the softener, don't skimp on detergent dosage, avoid cold* washing, thoroughly rinse the machine's softener dispenser after each laundry day if a dispenser is involved.

*The designated Normal cycle is the test-basis for energy ratings and is the most-restricted on temperature nowadays.  Cool is cold, Warm is cool, Hot in majority of instances is barely what was warm in the past.

 

[whirlpool862]

I still heard that you shouldn’t use fabric softener

I still heard it’s best to not use fabric softener and not to use too much detergent.

I personally use the All laundry pods for my sensitive skin, and I can’t use fabric softener as it hurts my skin.

You shouldn’t be using too much detergent either, you only need about two tablespoons of detergent for your normal sized load of laundry.

You should also keep the lid or door of your washing machine open if it’s not being used (weather it’s a top loader or front loader), so it doesn’t stink.

Make sure to clean out your dryer lint trap after use, if you don’t, that can cause a fire.

 

[maytag85]

Honestly, GE never seemed to “get it” in terms of laundry appliances. They simply didn’t have the experience that Maytag or Whirlpool had.

Only good things GE made were drive motors, a few other odds and ends that were used.

 

[johnb300m]

Idk. I think the hatred of these GE T series washers is overblown as usual.
I had two of these in two separate apartments over the years.
One was the DA twin speed one with ribbed tub.
That one washed really well and as long as I didn’t overload it, it washed really well and I had NO issues with clothing damage.
Work dress code was more formal back then and I washed all my collar shirts and khakis on low speed Perm Press. It did fine.
The next apartment had a one piece agitator, one speed version.
The agitation was not quit as good, but still adequate and my business attire was ok as long as I under loaded it a bit.

These machines seemed perfectly durable. They’re in apartment setting and were all over 5yrs old by time I used them. No durability issues.
Just cleanliness really. I hated the plastic tubs for holding gunk on the backside ribbing. I had to do two hot washes with Cascade and bleach (separately!)

They were no better or worse than other machines I’ve used in the mid 2000s.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

fabric softener

I have been using fabric softener for ages, whether in the downy ball, agitator mounted dispenser, or the detergent drawer. I have had no issues due to proper use. Machines still work and it does freshen and soften my clothes. It also mixes well in the deep rinse. No bad smells coming from the Speed Queen, or any other machine I have used.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I can confirm using FS will not build up in your machine.. in my case, I USED to use it on colors/mixed loads...but never with sheets/towels.. Those loads get hot water/bleach...

I think the periodic hot washes without FS and with bleach removed any trace of FS that might be allowed to build up in the machine...

Just a guess.

I can shine a flashlight and see my heating element and the outer tub and it still has its original color and I See nothing on the heating element at all..

I think it's totally safe for a machine to use FS... but it's all in HOW you use the machine

 

[Chetlaham]

Jerome, they had Normal / Fast ; Normal / Slow ; Gentle / Slow and Gentle / Fast. Overall the control panel design (and only that) was I think fun to use.

 

 

 

 

[Chetlaham]

Do you have the model # of those washers that did not spin between wash and rinse?

 

The Hydrowaves did not reverse the motor, they applied DC current to the windings which caused the motor to slow down.

 

[Chetlaham]

John, even by your own admission you had to under load your model T to avoid either clothing damage or poor results. The straight vane agitator I remember could not turn anything over. Instead clothes near it would get beat up by a way to fast and way to rough agitator while everything behind that layer would just sit still. The amount if fine lint the washer produced was horrendous on top of that. Dryer vents would clog with fine fluffy lint, and given that the dryers were storage cans in terms of lint retention and having the heat source directly behind the clothes... I remember dryer condo fires that made it on the 5 oclock news, fortunately nothing news worthy at the time in my neighborhood. 

 

GE washers and dryers were just vengeance for landlords and tenants. I truly wish something legal could have taken place regarding their fire prone dryers and the damage they've done.  

 

 

I think GE at some point in time figured out their dryers were getting way to hot due to poor air flow design and that vents in general were getting clogged due to their tiny, poor fitting lint filters in that GE added a "drum inlet" thermostat that would shut off one of the heating elements when the heater housing assembly became to hot. I hated it, because it would often trip one of the elements early in the cycle and not come back on resulting in half the drying power and take more time to dry. GE to this day brags about being able vent 120 feet, however I think that is in part if not entirely due to the drum inlet stat which is just compensating for poor air volume movement in GE dryers that was never designed out of them. 

 

This of course radically worsened by the model Ts being fine lint generators.  

 

Oh yahhh, I hated the companion dryer too. The cottons cycle would sear clothes, it got way to hot despite the drum inlet stat. On Permanent press the dryer would shut off with the clothes still damp. Heat was fine, but you had to reset the cycle once or twice, it was like the timer was running continuously. The exhaust was clean and unobstructed.

 

 

 

The only reason why you find so many model Ts in rental properties is because GE had a very strong reputation prior. They're pre model T appliances were workhorses with some of the fewest warranty calls as a whole and frequent longevity of 15-30 years. So property management gobbled up the trash that came they're way in the 90s and 2000s. However around me that changed in the late 2000s, several major properties around me switched to Whirlpool around that time period. Today you're more likely to find Frigidaire and Whirlpool appliances in rentals then 30 years ago where GE was hands down the no brainier.      

 

[johnb300m]

Chet….

 

[whirlpool862]

The GE HydroWave was probably GE’s worst washer

The GE model T machines did horribly when overloading, and just overloading them occasionally can damage the machine, that’s how bad they were.

The HydroWave was even worse than the Model T in my opinion but not by much. When a GE Model T or HydroWave failed, they didn’t usually get repaired either, they usually just got scraped.

If you have a GE model T, that’s still working right now, DO NOT overload it, those were very cheaply built machines and just mild overloading caused damage to them. Never overload a model T.

Also, if you use fabric softener and clean your washer it may not cause as much problems.

I personally don’t like fabric softener as I have sensitive skin. I’ve been using the Affresh cleaning tablets for my Whirlpool high efficiency washer. I used to have a direct drive and it worked great I only got rid of it because I wanted to try a high efficiency machine, kind of regret it but my Whirlpool high efficiency has been pretty reliable. Other than the loud noise on the spin cycle it works great.

Whirlpool direct drive washers are great, my friend’s direct drive lasted 17 years before it failed and some have them work for even longer.

My friend said he had a GE HydroWave, and it has died within two years despite him taking good care of the machine, don’t remember the model but he bought it in 2013 and it had the stainless steel drum. Control panel was white with a mechanical time. He had to go to the laundromat for a while and then he got a Maytag VMAX washing machine in 2015 that’s still working like new today.

My other friend had two GE HydroWaves fail prematurely, he got his HydroWave in 2007 and he had it die in 2010, and he replaced it with another one in 2011 or late 2010 (his post picture of the washer and dryer he got, the washer read GTWN4250M0WS), and then that one had the bearing in the mode shifter go bad in 2013 and he replaced it with a Maytag Bravos X VMW washer in early 2013 and the Maytag machine still runs like new today. He had a GE model T before the HydroWaves and that machine lasted about 7 years before it started to leak oil.

There is a reason why derrickwith2rs is not a fan GE, their HydroWave machines and the Model T machines were terrible. Sure, some people are saying “I’ve had my GE HydroWave for 18 years with no problems), but that doesn’t mean the majority lasted that long. In fact, the majority of them failed within a few years.

Speed Queen washers are built like tanks and can last like 30 years.

 

[Chetlaham]

John, I am sorry you're annoyed at the messenger and not with whom it belongs.

 

 

 

Dan, the model Ts were horrible even when loaded reasonably. Unless you mean the machine had to be half loaded to get at least descent turn over. Which just dilutes detergent which ironically was the reason for the re-design to reduce the amount of water between the inner and outter tubs while gaining wash basket capacity. So what changed? Nothing.  

 

Whats worse is that on their lower end models GE went through the trouble of molding a separate basket and outer tub even though the balance ring, collar, tub cap and outter tub rim was identical in size to their super capacity machines. In other words GE could've stuck a super capacity basket and outer tub in their low end machines at no added cost. I hate when manufacturers go through the trouble and expense of making separate parts for their BOL models just so they can "motivate" consumers into buying a more expensive high end machine.

 

The appliance scrap piles at apartment complexes I saw in the 2000s absolutely corroborate the fact Model Ts only lasted a few years. Any appliance re-sell will tell you they will avoid selling a used model T. Model Ts are so fragile you can even see them malfunctioning on a large number of Youtube videos featuring them. 

 

 

 

[johnb300m]

The messenger’s message is .