Whirlpool Imperial Seventy LA7800XM

[snifferpro]

I have the above mentioned washer. The washer was in the house when i bought it.
I have been using this washer weekly for the past 26 years with no issues.
In the past fee months I noticed small amounts of water at the front base of the washer.
They weren't large enough to worry about till yesterday when the spot
grew to about 12 inches by 12 inches and the water did not drain from the tub.
I know this is an old machine (maybe 1974) and would like to know
1. Are parts available for this machine?
2. Would the symptoms indicate a pump failure or is it possible that the pump
is driven by the rotation of the tub which would indicate a broken belt?
3. Is there a parts diagram available somewhere?
4. Is it even worth repairing?

Thanks

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Wow, I very rarely see a five-temperature Whirlpool Imperial...

 

Save this washer as best as you can, Whirlpool sold enough units that I think there are parts a-plenty given it used this design over at least three-to-four decades...

 

And the right care should keep her lasting many more great years...

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

[combo52]

Early 80s whirlpool washer

Hi, this machine is probably about 1984, the thing that usually brings them down as leaks from the outer tub. They can be fixed, but this machine has reached its practical life unless you want to do a lot of work on it and are very handy. I don’t know your ability. It’s time to look for another washer.

This was a very popular washer during this. We also built all the washing machines for Sears sold under the Kenmore name. There are parts out there, but not officially available from Whirlpool anymore.

This machine at this age needs a pretty thorough rebuilding probably new main seals possible transmission drive clutch assembly belt, water pump and likely extensive repairs to a rusty outer tub.

If you’re up for the challenge of rebuilding it, there are many people here on the site that can help you with the various Issues you encounter when you try to rebuild it. But it’s a pretty extensive project.

If you wanna buy a new machine that will last as long as this one did look for a Speed Queen front load washer, or possibly if you want an old-school machine a TC 5000 top loader from Speed Queen, to get the same type of good performance with much greater energy efficiency that the old washer gave you’re better off going to a front load washer today if you don’t wanna pay the $2000 for a Speed Queen front loader look at a whirlpool Maytag front load machine. Top loading washers today are too much of a compromise because of energy efficiency requirements. I generally don’t recommend them at all

John.

 

[repairguy]

This is a 1984 model machine. This machine definitely has the ability to wash for many more years but as John mentioned it’s going to need an extensive rebuild with some parts that are no longer available and unless you are mechanically inclined you probably won’t find anyone willing to take on this job. I do recommend that if you end up replacing this washer to list it for sale for $100 and accept someone’s best offer because someone in your area may want it for parts or to rebuild. If you’re up to the task of rebuilding it there is a lot of great knowledge and information here.

 

[ryner1988]

Old-school Whirlpool belt drive TL washers are hands-down my favorite washers of all time. They know how to handle the toughest, dirtiest jobs without wrecking clothes. My aunt had one very similar to this until the early 2000's, not sure what finally took it out but she replaced it with a direct drive TL, also from Whirlpool. However, she raised a family of five on that belt drive machine, and they lived on a farm so that washer got its workout for nearly 20 years.

Everyone who has an appreciation for appliances has their dream, even if they know it can't quite be reached. Mine would be to find someone to completely rebuild a belt-drive Whirlpool washer for me so I could use it as my daily driver. Because of limitations due to my visual impairment, I wouldn't be able to take on the project myself, but I would certainly pay someone well to do it for me if I knew they would do it right.

My point is, it's a great machine and if you feel like you would have the patience and fortitude to repair it, definitely go ahead. However, as mentioned above, it would be a big job, so if you aren't up to the task, and you want a modern machine with good old-school performance, a Speed Queen TC5 will give you that. My other recommendation would be an LG front load washer with turbo wash, but it's going to be way different than your used to with the old Whirlpool.

If you're on a tight budget, the basic Amana or Whirlpool TL will get you by. I have one myself, and it is a good performer. However, don't expect it to last nearly as long as the old Whirlpool has.

Ryne

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

My Sister had the exact same machine. It is a work horse she had it for 16 years with no problems with a big family. She than went to a frigmore!

 

[snifferpro]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts.

Probably will look into getting the Speed Queen TC5 for the following reasons;

1. My vision right now is about 20/60 or 20/70 - pretty bad.
2. I need a washing machine now to do my wash.
3. I have no place to put the whirlpool while I look for parts.
4. I have to research where to buy a TC5 in the Phoenix area - any suggestions?

Thanks everyone.

 

[pierreandreply4]

do any member here on aw know what was the design in the us

do any aw members knows what the us model equivalent was to this 1988 whirlpool washer dryer set?

 

[dominic20]

that last post i have a question about

what does the inside of this washer look like?

 

[pierreandreply4]

can not find an excat pic but the inside of the washer in the pic the tub is d size surgilator agitator and the tub has a part with no holes in the bottom and part with holes

 

[snifferpro]

A friend told me to turn the was to the spin cycle and turn the machine back on
and it started pumping out the water.

They suggested it is probably a wigwag issue.

Anyone know what the wigwag is?
Does anyone have a part number for the wigwag for this machine (Whirlpool LA7800XM) and maybe directions on how to replace it. It doesn't appear to be an expensive part.

I'll give it a shot if I can find the right part number.

Thanks again

 

[DADoES]

 
The wigwag (correctly called the control magnet assembly) is a pair of solenoids that mount to the oscillating sector gear shaft (which protrudes from the top of the transmission) and functions to engage/disengage agitation and spin via mechanical linkage to move the corresponding shift bar.

It's colloquially called the "wigwag" because it wig-wags back and forth whenever the motor-and-transmission is running, for the oscillating motion to move the shift bars.

Drain occurs when the transmission shifts out of agitation, via a mechanical linkage of the agitation shift bar and a flapper valve in the pump.

Agitation and spin are both disengaged during the neutral drain period.

Drain also occurs during spin with agitation disengaged.

Common wigwag failures are a burned-out solenoid (one or the other, rarely both simultaneously), a broken wire (the wires slightly move/flex when it wig-wags), a broken guide or guide rivet where it interfaces to the respective shift bars.

Agitation and spin of course should never occur simultaneously, although that can happen if a guide or guide rivet breaks when either function is engaged and then can't disengage.

Short video of someone's machine.  It's in agitation mode at the start, disengages agitation at 12 seconds (the right-side shift bar moves).  The left-side shift bar is spin, which function isn't shown in the video.

 

[snifferpro]

I did some testing yesterday to see if I still had an issue after doing a load on Gentle that worked.
The load on Regular Heavy cycle got to the third step of Drain No Agitation and did not drain.
Moved the selector to the Gentle Drain and Spin position and still no drain.
Moved selector to the Permanent Press Drain and Spin position and it drained and spun.
So I am limping along with Permanent Press cycle.

Any insight as to what might be the issue?

I have not pulled the machine away from the wall yet as I will need help doing that.
My plan at this point is to pull the machine out and put it on a dolly so that
I can move it to a position where it can be worked on easily.
I will be getting some 8 foot hoses to reach the water connections but I need to
know the size of the discharge/drain hose so I can add an extension to reach the
drain sink. Anyone know the drain hose size?

Any other tips that may be useful in diagnosing and repairing this machine?

Any videos that may be helpful?

I have a self created PDF of the Use & Care Guide and the Laundry6 Guide if anyone
is interested and I'm able to post it.

This is for a Whirlpool Imperial Seventy LA7800XM model

Thanks.

 

[combo52]

Leaking and non-draining whirlpool belt drive washer

Reply number 12 yes videos are always helpful. You’re not giving us much to go on. There’s no reason this washer would not drain on the normal or gentle cycle but drain on the permanent press cycle. The motor is running.

The washer should only be draining with the lid open so watch it and see what it’s doing. If the machine is still leaking you might be getting water on the belt and the pump may periodically be seizing

This Is not likely a simple repair you’re going to find several significant things wrong with the washer of this age, but it is fixable as I said before if you’re willing to really get into it.

John

 

[snifferpro]

I did have the lid open. When it got to the drain cycle it just hummed and sat there. No draining

 

[combo52]

If it was humming along with the motor running, the belt might be very loose. The pump might be locking up sometime. It might have water on the belt a machine that hasn’t been serviced in 26 years at that age certainly could just need a new belt that won’t have anything to do with a leak.

it’s just humming for 10 seconds and stopping the motor might be locked up.

 

[snifferpro]

Would you happen to know the part number for the belt?

How difficult is it to replace the belt?

I’m probably going to move the Whirlpool where I can work on it and order the
Speed Queen TC5.

I have someone interested in the Whirlpool if I get it working.

 

[combo52]

Part number for belt is 95405. It’s probably one of the few parts you can still buy for that washer.

It’s quite involved to put a belt in that washer, if you’re gonna sell, the machine sell it as is because it’s not a good working machine anymore even with a new belt, you said it leaked I thought.

John

 

[snifferpro]

Do you know the weight of this washer. Just curious
Got it up on 2 Dollie’s by myself at age 80.