Zanussi S218T

[keiththomas]

Sadly my old Zanussi S218T is being replaced due to rotting away with age, but does anyone have a pciture of it being made at the Zanussi Factor, We are replacing it with the new version. Also does anyone have a brochure picture of this machine.

 

[richukbristol]

Sorry to hear that Keith,the z218t was a great machine, on of my favorites. Which model are you repalcing it with?

 

[favorit]

Hi Keith,
I'm sorry, i haven't any pic of the S218T (1981). My oldest REX catalogue is from 1984 (it has a R818, there would be Z818)
Zanussi first frontloaders came out in 1958 (Rex 201 and 211). Indeed they were made under Westinghouse license. Also FIAT assembled westinghouse appliances.

Actually Zanussi entered the british market as Imperial REX. At those times CASTOR was a neighbour competitor of Zanussi, later it became part of Zanussi .
Vacbear58 posted some scans before Xmas. In those pics you can see the machines have door hinges not on the same side

For those who hadle a bit of italian here is a book about appliances history i found on google books :

Elettrodomestici spaziali

Una ricerca sull'evoluzione degli oggetti d'uso quotidiano. Come mai, esplorando il ristretto ambito dello spazio domestico ci si ritrova improvvisamente in un contesto aerospaziale? Perché oggetti progettati per risiedere nei bagni o nelle cucine sono pronti, all'evenienza, a sfidare i più...

books.google.it

 

[vacbear58]

It may not be too far gone ...

Keith
I hope you have not got rid of it yet, as there may well be a memeber prepared to take it on. I thought my Mum's lasted well from 1980 to at least 1997 - 30 years is nothing short of brilliant. You only have to glance through the threads to see wonderful restorations, so whilst the 218 might not cut it as a daily driver any more it might well grace someones collection. Which part of the country is it in?
Al

 

[hotpoint9534]

Hi Keith.

Has the outer tub rusted through? This is usually what gets these old Zanussis in the end. Quite often the motor and other mechanical workings are in sound working order after more than 30 years service.

If it's the hoses which have rotted away, then some of these are still available.

Tom.

 

[aquacycle]

the S218T was my childhood washer. My mum had it from new til about 1993 when it was replaced by an Electra branded Creda after it flooded the kitchen - BIG mistake!

 

[hotpoint9534]

Still, an Electra branded Creda was better than an Electra branded Antonio Merloni machine (Servis). The Hoover Electras were my favourite.

Tom

 

[aquarius1984]

Electra branded Creda?

I always get confused when folk say that.

This is an Electra Branded Creda.........

 

[aquarius1984]

or do you mean an Electra Branded Hotpoint?

 

[keiththomas]

Sorry guys i my parents had it taken away with my indesit from 1999, today, the replacement model is Zanussi Essentials ZWF16070WI, Still got the instruction book for S218T. It had rusted through the body work, rubber seals gone rotten and the outer tub i was told rusted through. The Indesit had been damaged as when I moved from the flat back to my father I failed to put the transit screws, It feel in the van ten years ago, We got a replacement part but the machine fianlly would not spin and was not washing well. The new machine looks flash and like a dvd player well the control panel anyway. But it appears to be taking its time to wash the clothes.

 

[candyricky]

aquarius1984

hi there mate my name is ricky maorris i am really into washing machines i was just going too ask you if you are on youtube i really want you to do some videos of your collection and put them on youtube indeed from

ricky

 

[fl1012]

Zanussi Essential...

Hi Keith

Sorry to hear of the demise of the S218T. It did an amazing job lasting that long though.

I see youre experiencing longer washing times with the Essential! We (my Parents) have an Essential at home & my own machines are a Zanussi FL1012 & Z9292T, so i also have experience of the differing cycle times!

Whilst the two older machines finish even a Fast Coloureds (60c) wash in just over the hour, the Essential typically takes 1hr 45mins on Cottons 40c. With 'Extra Rinse' selected, it takes around 2 hours & with 'Super Quick' selected, just over the hour.

The times also vary abit depending on if it faffs about trying to get rid of excess foam or if it senses too much water being extracted during a spin burst & cuts the motor to let the pump drain it away - no hardcore battling through it all like the old machines!

By modern standards however, Zanussi seem to be one of the quicker ones. Some makes including Beko & Hoover/Candy don't seem to finish any cycle under 2 hours unless quick wash is selected.

Best of luck with the Essential though. Ours (a 1400 6kg) is just over 2 years old & still going, although it does make some interesting noises lately - i think 4-5 years is pretty much the limit on the most recent Zanussis

Liam.

 

[keiththomas]

Hi Liam,

My mother is testing out today. I noticed that looking at the moderm machines they look very similar. I do know Candy took over hoover about 12 - 14 years ago due to the Hoover Free Flights Scandal. So the parent company sold it to Candy to get out of it. The machines are Badge engineered. I am a bit Sad the current generation appear to what you say not made to last. The motor appears to be an old Universal design and not the induction of the S218T. But if we look after it it should last. I hope.

 

[fl1012]

Motor...

Is that (Universal) motor design one that's been used for quite a while then? Im not too clued up on that side of things.

All i know is theyre brush motors and not induction, which youve already identified. I think Zanussi fit an Inverter motor to the 8kg Jetsystem model, but how that differs to the other motors other than being quieter, i'm not sure.

 

[hotpoint9534]

Yes a standard brush motor has been used on all Zanussi models since about 1994, the last induction motor examples were the basic 800rpm models. All 1000rpm (and above) machines have had a brush motor since at least 1987.

The current models often have sealed tubs, which may affect how long they live.

Tom.

 

[keiththomas]

Thats interesting, I think the moulded tubs are used by all manufactueres for some years now. The induction Motor was sealed and technically advanced. The problem I was told is that they cost more to produced and when they fail had to be replaced. I have see the Indesit factory on You Tube and appliances are made just like cars, All interesting pity I can not get a DVD from these firms. Also why are all makes now similar sepcification eg only cold fill.Salespeople say it is to save energy. I think to say thats garbage because many homes have hot and cold fill so not using your pre heated water is a waste unless you have baths?

 

[aquacycle]

Rob

I meant "Electra branded Hotpoint" even though it was pretty much identical to the Creda Supaspeed. It was the same as that one you posted with the bluey/grey facia, but it was white and had a delay timer. Bloody awful machine!