Whirlpool Imperial

[vandals909]

My uncle who repairs appliances has advised me to buy an older whirlpool washing machine and dryer as the newer energy efficient ones done work as well and don’t last. I found this set locally and was wondering if it is a good model and if they are problematic? Not sure what year they are from. The seller says everything functions 100%. Your expertise is appreciated!

 

[stuftrock1]

Looks like an early Whirlpool direct drive. One of the best washers you can buy! Extremely reliable and very easy and cheap to repair. You will love this set.

 

[vandals909]

Tha m you for the response. I have contacted the seller to look at them tomorrow. Any advise on what to look for as a negative to their condition?

Curious as to what year they are from...some of the panel lettering appears missing/faded..

 

[stuftrock1]

Just look it over real good and make sure there is no rust. Also, have the seller hook it up and run it through a cycle. Make sure it doesn't make any abnormal sounds (normal agitation goes like thumpa-thumpa-thumpa-thumpa), and make sure it neutral drains and successfully spins without any grinding or ratcheting sounds. Oh, and if it has a dual action agitator (spiral shaped), check and make sure the top half can only rotate in one direction independent of the bottom half.

If the machine doesn't mechanically check out for any one of those things, don't worry. Direct drives are incredibly easy to fix and parts are still dirt cheap.

As for the exact age of these machines, the only way to tell is by getting the model and serial numbers. If I had to guess, I'd say late 80s to early 90s.

 

[vandals909]

Thank you! New to the site and looking at old post. Trying to see what is the best daily use to buy from the older washer and dyers.

I see some people hate the direct drives?

Here are pictures of the set I posted a picture of earlier.

 

[bradfordwhite]

bread and butter machines.

 

Let us know if you are actually able to buy them before anyone else.

 

[DADoES]

Model numbers are coded for year of market introduction. Serial numbers are coded for year & week of factory production. The washer's tag can be seen under back edge of the lid in the first pic but of course not readable. Ask the seller if you can.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Since you are here (Welcome to the site) I have to ask if you have room for a second washer. Given how precious a resource water is being recognized to be, if you have room for a second washer, you should buy a Speed Queen front loader to use as your alternate washer.  You will come to appreciate its energy efficiency with a fill of less than 5 gallons beyond what it takes to saturate the fabrics (with mine it's around 3 gallons) and finally use is as your main washer, but with the Whirlpool, you can ease into using it as your daily driver. if you have not previously considered using a front loader.  The Speed Queen is built on their commercial washer platform and is rugged and made in the USA . The dryer does not have to go next to the washer so the washers could be placed side by side  at the plumbing connections when you get the front loader.

 

[vandals909]

The model is an la6800xt and says it’s from 1979 or 1989.. I believe it to be from 1989.. me and the wife grew up with agitator top load washers and she feels the newer top load non agitator washer we have does not clean the clothes as well as the old agitator washer it replaced 5 years ago. Also the newer washer take over an hour and 15 minutes for one load. The seller wants $300 for the set I posted and says they work 100% they are a private party replacing them.

We do not have room for more than one washer. I’m concerned that our king bed comforter will be an issues for any top load capacity washer due to its size.

We never had a front loader. Do they wash well? Do they take long to go through a wash cycle? Which years/model speed queen wild be recommended?

 

[tomturbomatic]

A frontloading washer is far more efficient than a top loading HE washer  because they use gravity as an ally, not an adversary while they do target practice on the load with a water spray. 

 

Take your comforter to the coin laundry for a washer rated to handle it or to the cleaners, whichever you prefer.  Don't buy a home washer for its ability to wash that. If it needs washing that frequently, invest in a duvet cover to protect it.

 

Some front loaders, like the ones that heat the water can take a long time for a cycle.  Others, like the Speed Queen that do not heat water go through a cycle in a little over half an hour to 45 minutes and the rate of water extraction is very high to save you time in the dryer.

 

The WP is a very good machine; a little rough on fabrics, maybe, but a good machine.  It's just that you are writing from California where most of the state is a desert and water is going to become more and more of an issue.

 

[DADoES]

 
LA6800XT would be 1988 model-year (T).  Production date could be several months earlier or later, in the previous or into the next year.

The model number syntax is different prior to 1980, the year designation is in 2nd position, not 8th.  One has to know the syntax and sometimes interpret the mechanicals and console design along with the serial number to properly target the date.

 

[rp2813]

That's the same Whirlpool pair that was posted yesterday in another thread by someone in Lancaster who is looking for a washer with a large tub.  One of you two needs to act fast.

 

[stuftrock1]

Are front loaders good?

I personally along with a few other people I've seen on this site have had terrible experiences with front loaders. But there are also people here who love their front loaders and never want to go back to a top loader. Take from that what you will. I still firmly stand by my belief from experience that old top loaders are the best washers ever made.

 

[imperial70]

I had the Imperial Dryer that is pictured. You can't go wrong!