Whirlpool DD washer...decisions, decisions

[marco99]

I recently acquired two DD washers, one I paid $200, the other was free and required a new motor coupler. My dilemma is which to keep?

Whirlpool is 14 years old, has a much louder clunking sound when agitating and the neutral drain operation in intermittent. Has electronic timer.

Kenmore is 20 years old, is quieter during agitation and neutral drain operates correctly. It has electro-mechanical timer and more wash/speed options.

I'm leaning towards Kenmore but it is a little rougher cosmetically.

Any advice? thanks

 

[trappn]

The Kenmore........

Have posted here about the mistake we made when we decided to buy the Whirlpool, rather than repair the Kenmore. That particular Whirlpool will drive you crazy, noise wise.

 

[DADoES]

 
What leads you to thinking the Whirlpool has an electronic timer?  It is electromechanical, although a different design than the Kenmore.

 

[appnut]

Kenmore!!!

 

[marco99]

timer

"What leads you to thinking the Whirlpool has an electronic timer? It is electromechanical, although a different design than the Kenmore."

the WP timer looks all plastic and you can turn it in any direction.
The Kenmore looks old school (metal) and you can only turn it clockwise. In my mind might be more reliable?

 

[repairguy]

I vote to keep the kenmore.

 

[DADoES]

 
The 2003 WP I have has a timer like that.  It disengages from the drive mechanism to turn either direction when pushed in with clicks at (most) marked cycle positions.  Engages when pulled out and advances continuously like a GE FilterFlo instead of incrementally.  It's definitely mechanical, makes clicking noises when the cams and contacts shift.

 

[supersurgilator]

I vote for the Kenmore as well, its a much nicer machine. If you didn't care which way the lid opens you could always swap the cabinets to put the nicer cabinet on the Kenmore.

 

[DADoES]

 
I have a similar Kenmore 90, 4 water levels instead of 5.

Is the Whirlpool 2-speed?

3-speeds on the Kenmore is a plus.

 

[combo52]

Which One To Keep

These are both great machines, If they were the same age and condition I would probably keep the KM, But condition and age are important, Is keeping both an option ?

 

Or at least keeping one in reserve when one fails.

 

The newer machines are a little louder and we often insulate the cabinets of the newer DD washers and then they sound better than the older models.

 

Both machines have mechanical timers and both have a little circuit board for water temperature control.

 

John L.

 

[tomdawg]

Why are the new one louder?

Might be a dumb question, but I have noticed that myself. Is it all in the transmission?

 

[combo52]

Later DD Washers And Noise

Later models had thinner cabinets, lighter oil in the transmission and looser tolerances in the gear-case components and  less quality control in the gear-case especially.

 

John L.

 

[DADoES]

Loose Transmission Tolerances

 
That is because the casting molds (or whatever they're called) for producing transmission cases and gears deteriorated over time and weren't replaced/retooled .... yes?

Was that corrected at some point, or are all later-produced transmissions from some particular point in time subject to the issue, both originals and stock replacements?

 

[combo52]

Loose transmission Tolerances

I don't have a full story, we were told that equipment was wearing out and not being replaced or maintained.

 

New current transmissions are JUNK don't waste your money, we have had quite a few completely fail in about 6 months of use or less.

 

At this point your best bet is to try repairing your older transmission if you have failures, there used to be a few good rebuilders in North America but I don't know of one now, if someone finds one please post about them.

 

John L.

 

[marco99]

I can't keep both and yes the WP is two speed vs 3 speed for the KM.
I like the idea of a cabinet swap except that I want to sell one and a swap might not allow proper connection of the console?

 

[DADoES]

 
Is the top OK?  The console attaches to the top, which is separate from the front/sides outer cabinet.

 

[marco99]

the top on the KM is rusty around the bleach dispenser, the cabinet is ok.
I don't know if the WP top will mate with the KM console and vice versa.

 

[DADoES]

 
There are differences in the cutouts on tops to match the mounting of the various console designs, particularly the location of the anchor screws.

Rusting around bleach dispenser is very common.  Bleach (if used) is corrosive, and porcelain or paint is thinner at the edges.

Is the KM top porcelain?  The WP probably is not.

My WP had a bad case of bleach-rust, paint bubbling.  Replacement tops are NLA and I couldn't find an workable alternate.  An auto-body shop quoted $700+ to refinish it.  I scraped and brushed the area to bare metal, primed with POR-15 and painted (several coats) with appliance epoxy.  My painting skills are amateurish and the surface is not smooth but it's better than rust.

 

[trappn]

Once again, The KENMORE

Take it from someone who has heard both transmissions, and has lived with both washers....

Sheet metal & casting thickness, transmission tolerances.....?

Send me the Kenmore to Peoria Il. Will gladly repair this washer, then place our back-up Ultimate Care II on the alley.

Only reason we purchased the 92-series Speed Queen is because of the Whirlpool.

This, coming from 2 manufacturing engineers. Thanks for listening.