Something is up with my washing machine

[KahanaReef]

I agree, Dennis. I've had the same washing machine for over 20 years. It's a large capacity Whirlpool heavy duty 70 series. It's old But, after I started doing some research and reading reviews on new machines a few years ago, especially front loaders, I soon realized that they don't clean as well, they don't spin and 'wring' water out of clothes as well, (which just leaves a lot more drying time) and overall, were not built to last. At all. So, when something breaks, I just fix it. Until parts become nonexistent for it, I will continue to do so. It's the same with my dryer. Which I found out yesterday, the heating element is no longer available. So, I'm hoping that changing out the fuse and cycling thermostat will take care of the issue. It seems that issues with those two parts that are most common culprits when the dryer no longer produces heat. If that doesn't work, then I guess I'll be buying a new dryer...

I read a article a while back about why older appliances are far better made than their newer counterparts. I learned that personally when I bought all new stainless kitchen appliances about a decade or more ago. The only reason I did that was to get a more modern look in the kitchen. All my appliances worked fine. All made is the USA Kenmore. I've had issues with both my stove and refrigerator within the first couple of years of purchase. My refrigerator several times before the warranty was even up . My dishwasher seems to still be fine, but I don't use it more than a couple times a year. I still have my old Kenmore fridge in the garage and it's still working flawlessly. Never an issue. Not even one.

The parts for my dryer should get here in a few days. We'll see

[0rion]

I agree, Dennis. I've had the same washing machine for over 20 years. It's a large capacity Whirlpool heavy duty 70 series. It's old But, after I started doing some research and reading reviews on new machines a few years ago, especially front loaders, I soon realized that they don't clean as well, they don't spin and 'wring' water out of clothes as well, (which just leaves a lot more drying time) and overall, were not built to last. At all. So, when something breaks, I just fix it. Until parts become nonexistent for it, I will continue to do so. It's the same with my dryer. Which I found out yesterday, the heating element is no longer available. So, I'm hoping that changing out the fuse and cycling thermostat will take care of the issue. It seems that issues with those two parts that are most common culprits when the dryer no longer produces heat. If that doesn't work, then I guess I'll be buying a new dryer...

I read a article a while back about why older appliances are far better made than their newer counterparts. I learned that personally when I bought all new stainless kitchen appliances about a decade or more ago. The only reason I did that was to get a more modern look in the kitchen. All my appliances worked fine. All made is the USA Kenmore. I've had issues with both my stove and refrigerator within the first couple of years of purchase. My refrigerator several times before the warranty was even up . My dishwasher seems to still be fine, but I don't use it more than a couple times a year. I still have my old Kenmore fridge in the garage and it's still working flawlessly. Never an issue. Not even one.

The parts for my dryer should get here in a few days. We'll see

If I had to list the best thing about our front loader it's how well it spins the clothes out. The high speed on that machine is extremely fast.....that bastard sings. The clothes are damn near dry when I take them out. Shame it's not more durable.....it would be a nice washer if it was. It gets our clothes clean too.

[KahanaReef]

If I had to list the best thing about our front loader it's how well it spins the clothes out. The high speed on that machine is extremely fast.....that bastard sings. The clothes are damn near dry when I take them out. Shame it's not more durable.....it would be a nice washer if it was. It gets our clothes clean too.

It does seem like the newer washers have to be repaired and replaced every few years. I've read of horrible smells of mildew from the front loaders as well. At least yours works properly otherwise.

[theorangeguy]

It does seem like the newer washers have to be repaired and replaced every few years. I've read of horrible smells of mildew from the front loaders as well. At least yours works properly otherwise.

the mildew is a well known design flaw...I leave my washer door open at all times "besides when I'm washing clothes obviously" to make sure it doesnt get too bad.

[0rion]

It does seem like the newer washers have to be repaired and replaced every few years. I've read of horrible smells of mildew from the front loaders as well. At least yours works properly otherwise.

I've read about the mildew problems and a friend had an LG that stunk like shit. We leave the door open on ours and I wipe out the gaskets if it's not going to be used for a couple days (rare) and I keep that drain screen clean. No problems with odors with this one. We also use borax here mostly because we're on well water and it really helps to boost the detergents we use. I also use a little borax in the dishwasher because there's a noticeable difference.
Like I say....if our washer wasn't tore up after 3 years I would have nothing bad to say about it but when you spend that much on an appliance you shouldn't have to tear the thing down after 3 years and work on it. I'm a "fix it" kinda person so it bothers me to just toss something out and buy new but these front loaders aren't cheap to repair either. I could *maybe* get buy with a new basket for $120 and then do the bearings myself for $15. I may give that a try the next time these bearings go out. Bearings only lasted 2 months this time and I'm pretty sure it's because of that shaft. I'll know more once I get it tore down..... technically it could be a bad seal that allowed water into the bearings. That's what happened the first time. The first time when the bearings took a shit grease got into the load and ruined an entire load of the wife's clothes. She was beyond pissed.

[35th-ANV-SS]

I'd highly recommend a Speed Queen. I have one and my parents have one and I'll never buy another brand ever again. It's commercial quality and runs flawlessly.

[0rion]

I'd highly recommend a Speed Queen. I have one and my parents have one and I'll never buy another brand ever again. It's commercial quality and runs flawlessly.

wow are them bitches expensive......2.84 cu ft front load washer $1700, 3.4 cu ft front for $1900 or a 3.3 cu ft top load for $950. I'm sure they're a quality machine though and probably worth it. For that kinda money I want to see inside one to see how it's built before I bought it. I would hope that's the last washer you'd ever need. That's a little small for our family at the moment. We have an insane amount of laundry. I think we have like 2-3 other people living here that I don't know about.

[KahanaReef]

Honestly, I can't even fathom spending that much on a washing machine. But then again, I'm at that age where I can say "I remember when (insert just about anything here) only cost X amount and was a quality made product that lasted"

The one big difference I realized after my 'new' kitchen appliances started acting up, was that my long time loyalty to Kenmore appliances was over, my always labeled made in the USA products, were now labeled made in Mexico. I discovered that when I went to write down the model numbers to look up parts for repair. I used to swear by Kenmore products. Not anymore. All the way down to my vacuums. My last Kenmore canister, that I loved and only upgraded to go bag less, is a garage vacuum now and was also a huge disappointment. It's a piece of crap too.

[KahanaReef]

On a happy note, my dryer parts will be here tomorrow via FedEx Like I said, super fast shipping.

[35th-ANV-SS]

I don't recall paying that much for mine. I'll look for my receipt. Bought it like 5 years ago. Tub is stainless steel. My parents have had theirs much longer. Zero issues. Higher initial cost with lower life-cycle cost

[35th-ANV-SS]

As far as vacuums go, I just bought the Shark a few months ago. I also heard Kenmore was crap now.

[theorangeguy]

As far as vacuums go, I just bought the Shark a few months ago. I also heard Kenmore was crap now.

I have a shark and it's legit. Guaranteed to never stop sucking stuff up and it's true. I sucked up whole pieces of paper, stuffing from dog toys, dirt...pretty much anything I could. Filled it up and it never quit.

[KahanaReef]

As far as vacuums go, I just bought the Shark a few months ago. I also heard Kenmore was crap now.

Has been for years unfortunately.

I used to believe in the higher initial cost with lower life-cycle cost. Not so much anymore.

[0rion]

I don't recall paying that much for mine. I'll look for my receipt. Bought it like 5 years ago. Tub is stainless steel. My parents have had theirs much longer. Zero issues. Higher initial cost with lower life-cycle cost

the more I read on those speed queens the more appealing they're starting to sound. It's a "last washer you'll ever have to buy" kinda deal. Spend it once up front and be done forever. I did read a few reviews where people had problems with them but you're going to get that with anything. The vast majority say they're built to last. It also sounds like speed queen has made some changes the last 5 years or so as far as the amount of water used that people didn't like but it still sounds like the quality is there. I'll limp this one along a bit so we have time to decide but the more I read the more it sounds like this one is it. Miele is another brand that keeps coming up but it's like a $4k washer. That will never happen. Bosch was another but the bosch washers I found were all like 2.2 cu ft or so. That just doesn't work for us. I have time to think about it but thanks for bringing the speed queen to my attention. Definitely sounds like a quality built washer.

[35th-ANV-SS]

As far as vacuums go, I just bought the Shark a few months ago. I also heard Kenmore was crap now.

I have a shark and it's legit. Guaranteed to never stop sucking stuff up and it's true. I sucked up whole pieces of paper, stuffing from dog toys, dirt...pretty much anything I could. Filled it up and it never quit.

Best part about mine is I used Amazon points to get it free . I like it so far. Bought a car cleaning attachment kit also.

[0rion]

Has been for years unfortunately.

I used to believe in the higher initial cost with lower life-cycle cost. Not so much anymore.

I tell you.....I really feel jilted over this washer we have and I've learned a few things the last few months. Maytag is supposed to be a solid brand name. I wasn't aware they even merged with whirlpool until I started seeing part numbers and they're all whirlpool part numbers. I don't really even have a problem with whirlpool but it drives me crazy to think I'm buying one brand when I'm really buying something else. We got a good deal on the washer/dryer set during a black friday deal so we're not getting creamed as much as we could be but it still pisses me off that this washer only had a 3 year life span. It's not even like it's something where you fix it and you make it better. You're basically, best case scenario, just putting it back to the beginning of it's 3 year life span because it's a flawed design. The more I read the more I found out it isn't just the maytag/whirlpools, although with this particular model number it's not a matter of if those bearing go but when, it's almost every major brand of front loader. They all have issues and are all known to not last very long.

[KahanaReef]

I tell you.....I really feel jilted over this washer we have and I've learned a few things the last few months. Maytag is supposed to be a solid brand name. I wasn't aware they even merged with whirlpool until I started seeing part numbers and they're all whirlpool part numbers. I don't really even have a problem with whirlpool but it drives me crazy to think I'm buying one brand when I'm really buying something else. We got a good deal on the washer/dryer set during a black friday deal so we're not getting creamed as much as we could be but it still pisses me off that this washer only had a 3 year life span. It's not even like it's something where you fix it and you make it better. You're basically, best case scenario, just putting it back to the beginning of it's 3 year life span because it's a flawed design. The more I read the more I found out it isn't just the maytag/whirlpools, although with this particular model number it's not a matter of if those bearing go but when, it's almost every major brand of front loader. They all have issues and are all known to not last very long.

It's the same with Kenmore. Half the parts are Whirlpool, and not just for my washer and dryer, my stove and oven too. I remember when (shit... I keep saying that a lot, huh... ) Maytag was king of the hill. The poor repair guy had nothing to do in all their commercials while I was growing up

The front loaders have a weight distribution problem and that is not a cheap fix. It's an issue for all of them. Kind of like the headlights on the TAs. Plastic gears type of thing.

I did a ton of reading when my washer took a dump in 2013 looking to buy a new machine, so much so, my head was spinning and I just said screw it and fixed my machine. I ended up replacing the motor coupler and the agitator dogs and less than $30 later, I was good to go again.

[KahanaReef]

Actually, I just looked up my receipt, and it was a $20 fix

ORDER SUMMARY
************************************************** *********
Order Date: 6/4/2013
Order Number: 3411684
Shipping Method: Standard (fast)
Payment terms: Credit Card

Part Number Description Qty Price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP3963893 (285753A) Whirlpool direct drive washer motor coupling 1 $9.60

AP3119063 (80040) Agitator dogs 1 $2.79


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal $12.39
Tax $1.12
Shipping $6.95
Total $20.46

[theorangeguy]

This is the 2nd time in a week or two that we've had in depth appliance discussions on this forum lol

[KahanaReef]

Stuff breaks, we have to fix it. I often wish that I wasn't the mechanically inclined one in my household...