OT- washing machines

Bret4207

Well-known Member
Sorry for the OT, but maybe its not all that OT since we have to wash our clothes after wrenching on stuff.

Who has a washing machine they actually like, that gets clothes clean and LASTS? We go through a machine every 3-4 years, maybe less. The current disappointment (Whirlpool) is one of those "High Efficiency" models that doesn't even have an agitator. It presumes to "wash" the clothes when the water doesn't even cover the items in the tub! Now it's stopped spinning and I've already put $100 in parts in it (according to what the error codes told me was wrong) and it still doesn't spin or complete a load. I've got an inquiry in with an appliance repair forum, but we've been a week w/o a washer and I imagine I'm going to have to pony up some bucks for a replacement/spare. I see good reports on Speed Queen. I want a real agitator, lack of water isn't a problem here. I'd love to be able to go to Lowes and pick one up, but I don't want to throw good money after bad. So, I'm hoping you guys can steer me towards something decent, or at least away from the bad.
 
Do a search here on YT, the topic has been discussed before, last time not all that long ago I think. It seems that Speed
Queen is maybe the only manufacturer that still makes their own machines, everyone else is just a re-badged version of
something else. A lot of YT'ers recommended them in these previous posts. Pricey but worth it by the sounds of their
replies. I think that maybe Whirlpool makes most machines nowadays for almost everyone in North America. Even the Maytag
brand is now made by someone else. We have a base model Maytag from the late 80's that is still going strong. Maytag was
Maytag back then I believe. I have read that Samsung is one to stay away from because of very poor parts availability, not
sure if that is true or not.
 
It sounds like we had the same machine,
didn't use much water but didn't clean my
work clothes so we washed them 2-3 times,
some savings. Even though it was almost new
we got another machine that is much better,
but I don't know about longevity. New one
is a Whirlpool High Efficiency but I don't
see a model number. It has an agitator.
They were supposed to stop making them
because they use water. We just got it a
few months ago
 
Neither my wife of 44 years or myself can remember when we bought our Roper machine.
I know it was over 30 years ago. Does a great job even on my work clothes which can get pretty nasty.
If and when it dies, I will buy a used one from a local appliance place that refurbishes the old simple ones.
Richard in NW SC
 
Last time this came up a lot of good said about speed queen. I looked at them a few months ago when at the store and holy moley are they expensive ! I can get about 3 cheap ones to 1 of those.
The one I have right now is a used cheapo that is maybe 10 years old ? I lucked out and got it for $ 65.00 ! Now watch with my luck it will die tomorrow.
Worst one I ever bought was a brand new Maytag. It was to be at the last of the ones made like the old ones were. Well that thing only lasted 10 years and the main seal leaked water out. Repairs cost way too much so out it went.
 
I cannot recommend a washing machine but the Samsung side by side refrig we bought new from Lowe's has been an absolute piece of junk with no help from the store or corporation, and no one who works on appliances here can get parts or info that helps.
 
We are retired and split out time between a city and a county home. Our country home has a LG high efficiency front loading machine that we bought about 12 years ago and we have had no repairs. Our water there is very hard. While the clothes come out looking clean, the towels seem to have a bit of "sour" smell to them.

We bought our current city home about 6 1/2 years ago and purchased a LG high efficiency top loader. We have had no repairs. The clothes come out clean and smelling fresh---but we have a water softener in the city.

At our previous house in the city we used Whirlpool and were happy with it. I don't imagine that our experience with something we purchased two or three decades ago has much bearing on the machines made today.
 
Richard below mentioned an outfit that refurbishes and sells them. We've got one here, and next washer or dryer I'm going to try them. The guy is very knowledgeable, and has lots of inventory. He says his business continues to improve as people get disgusted with all the electronic and "green" foolishness of the new ones.
 
Have a 10 yr old Crosley here stainless drum
vertical agitator. Everyone says you feed a vertical
tub agitator to clean really dirty cloths.
 
We have a Maytag without the vertical agitator that we bought a couple of years ago. We love it.
 
Bret,
Recently bought a top-loading washer and dryer too. Went with a less-
expensive brand... BUT wishing I'd gone with Speed Queen even though
the price as almost $500 higher than the set I did purchase.

ONE CAUTION: Just because a new machine has a for-real looking agitator
pole... does NOT mean that it will really agitate!!!

My new machine's version of agitation is a feeble, pathetic, paltry,
and woefully inadequate: "reh---reh---reh"... as opposed to ALL of my
former washers: "WHOOOSHA-WHOOOSHA-WHOOSHA".

ANDDDD you cannot pre-fill the tub. You must toss in the detergent,
then the clothes, THEN press start and it will fill up.

ANDDDDD you cannot pre-soak in the manner that I used to do... because
after the bleeping thing sets for 10 minutes, it will "auto-empty".
Soooo, then you have to refill it and start again... I'd like to know
how THAT is energy efficient. Sheeesh!

PLUS, I have to set it to the two-rinse cycle to get a decent rinse...
because it just sprays water while spinning. Sure - that'll get all the
detergent out... NOT.

Next time I'm looking for an antique one - like grandma had, with a
wringer... and have my husband throw a new motor on it. LOL!!

Again, wishing I'd gone Speed Queen. But even at that - be sure to ask
them if it TRULY agitates because the Speed Queen sales person told me
the new models this year must be High Efficiency... so maybe the
"talking heads of regulation" have taken away their power-agitation
too! I don't know.
 
I bought one of those about 6 months ago. Still trying to get used to the noises it makes. I'm down to cold water only (removed my hot
water heater that I had in the wash room), use Dollar General cheapest brand liquid soap. Shoot "Shout" on greasy spots prior to washing.

I heard it yesterday and it sounds like it does the "ultrasonic" thing like jewelry cleaners do. Other thing is clothes don't get beat to death
and when washing whites with bleach, the smell doesn't emit from the tub and cause me to close the door as it did with my previous
Whirlpool with the agitator.

To each his own. My first machine was a used Whirlpool and they have done the job for me ever since.
 
ALSO: Sales staff at both appliance stores told me there are no longer any truly mechanical dials to run the machines. That even if it "looks" like mechanical dials, those still just send info to a "computer brain". So all of the machines have the computer pads in them... it's just a matter of whether the dials send the signal or it uses a touch-pad system.

I'm just lucky that my husband's work uniforms are commercially laundered through a contract the plant has with a commercial company. Because I know that I could NOT get them clean in our modern machine.

Overall, I give a big bah-humbug to today's washers.
Grandma would have a conniption-fit if she could see one today.
 
(quoted from post at 06:36:02 02/14/18) Sorry for the OT, but maybe its not all that OT since we have to wash our clothes after wrenching on stuff.

Who has a washing machine they actually like, that gets clothes clean and LASTS? We go through a machine every 3-4 years, maybe less. The current disappointment (Whirlpool) is one of those "High Efficiency" models that doesn't even have an agitator. It presumes to "wash" the clothes when the water doesn't even cover the items in the tub! Now it's stopped spinning and I've already put $100 in parts in it (according to what the error codes told me was wrong) and it still doesn't spin or complete a load. I've got an inquiry in with an appliance repair forum, but we've been a week w/o a washer and I imagine I'm going to have to pony up some bucks for a replacement/spare. I see good reports on Speed Queen. I want a real agitator, lack of water isn't a problem here. I'd love to be able to go to Lowes and pick one up, but I don't want to throw good money after bad. So, I'm hoping you guys can steer me towards something decent, or at least away from the bad.

Hands down! Speed Queen. We are on our second set. First set was good for 20 years. Replaced because the washing machine was occasionally making a puddle on the floor. A very small puddle. Could have been repaired but I didn't want to mess with it. The dryer was still working just fine.
 
My son went through issues of the same nature with his Samsung fridge. I bought a Samsung dishwasher years ago and then heard about Samsung issues on line the same week (before I had it delivered and installed it). I cancelled out on the deal and bought a Bosch model, I think this was all at Sears when they were still in business up here. Momma's been more than happy with the Bosch.
 
Bret, we also bought a whirlpool (Cabrio) high efficiency washer, 4 or 5 years ago. Wife liked the fact that it didn't have an agitator. That machine was a waste, did not clean the clothes. Lasted about 8 months until we got tired of dingy looking jeans and gray socks. We bought a Speed Queen. Have been much happier with the results.

Mike
 
Wife has a Maytag that she likes. Has the old agitator. It's probably approaching 20 years old. A few years ago, it developed a somewhat random leak that was discovered to be a leaking seal in the bottom of the drum. It was the first or second part that you start with when you're assembling a washing machine, and required a special wrench to get it apart. I got the wrench and put in a new seal, and so far it's been good. I've not heard any of our friends say anything good about the new washing machines, and that's why I fixed it. Good luck!
 

We had a very large Sears front loader for years. It would fit the largest quilts etc with ease and wash efficiency . Only problem was that the bearings and seals would fail every 2-3 years.
Currently using a Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum top loader. Also has a huge tub. There is only one setting on the dial that will actually fill the tub full with wash or rinse water. The rest of the positions are "economy" low water usage.
 
We bought a 'magic chef', made by Maytag, without the Maytag price. Very similar in appearance. Well, the "Thrust bearing went out (under warranty) then the transmission went out (also under warranty). The repair man said it must be a 'banner year' (never forgot that comment) for Transmission failures; his next stop was in Ankeny for the same symptoms. Finally, the machine is out of warranty and the thrust bearing failed again. Bye Bye, Magic Chef/Maytag. Replaced it with a Kenmore '90' series and other than the 'lovejoy' coupling shredding, it's been a good washer. Mechanical timer; I'm with Sweetfeet, that electronic stuff is unrepairable for even the above average DIYer. Side note: Been married 41 years and as a wedding present, both Parents pooled their resources and bought us a MATCHING Washer and Dryer in Harvest Gold. (Whirlpool) That Dryer is STILL on the job; only did a rebuild of gaskets and drum rollers after the basement flooded back in '93.
 
We have an ancient Maytag bought new in 1990. When it pukes I will go see if Speed Queen still makes anything with a timer dial that is run by a small electric motor.
 
Fisher & Paykel is the brand of washer that we use. Did buy it at Lowes about 12 years ago and it was expensive but has never failed. It was the most costly one that they had in the store at the time but the wife just had to have it. She still says it is the best washer that she ever had and she has owned many.
 
Well, the Appliance Doctor, Joe Gagnon, suggests a model of Speed Queen that has a regular dial. I don't think they're cheap, maybe around $800, but they seem to hold up. He suggested a Bosch dishwasher, which we bought , and am very pleased with.
 
Eric ...... if you ever get an occasional or more than occasional drip coming out the bottom of your old Maytag, don't junk it because it is 30 years old. It is likely a faulty anti-siphon water injection valve assembly that is found inside the top lid between your water fill valve and the tub. Looks like a plastic thingie that appears open but has a one way directional function. It is there to prevent washing machine water backing up into your water supply which is VERY unlikely to happen. After 15 years of ours dripping, last summer I opened up the lid and replaced this thing with a 3" length of small diameter PVC pipe and some hose clamps. Buying the correct replacement part isn't very expensive either. Hasn't dripped since. Below is a discussion forum on the topic .....
Untitled URL Link
 
(quoted from post at 13:41:10 02/14/18) Well, the Appliance Doctor, Joe Gagnon, suggests a model of Speed Queen that has a regular dial. I don't think they're cheap, maybe around $800, but they seem to hold up. He suggested a Bosch dishwasher, which we bought , and am very pleased with.
It looks like Speed Queen has discontinued the model with the mechanical timer, as of the first of this year. (We got one last year, and my dealer warned me that this was about to happen.)
The jury is still out on the new Speed Queen washers, so shop carefully.
 
See if you can find an online source on who
actually makes your intended purchase. You
may be surprised. Many brands are contract
made by some few manufacturers.

Years ago I worked at a air conditioner
manufacturer. One day they decided to clean
up the repair shop where machines had
defects while in factory. I was on final
inspection and 19 different brands came
down the line that day.
 
When our HE Whirlpool quit working, I spent a small fortune throwing parts at it. It turned out the problem was two broken wires that go to the motor; you couldn't easily tell they were broken because the insulation was still intact and they would even ohm out OK. They broke right at one of the standoffs. A firm tug pulled them apart. Spliced them and no more problems.

Imagine my chagrin when I realized there was still a year to go on the Lowe's three year extended warranty.
 
Did some research myself after my 21 year old machine started acting up.
Seems that Speed Queen is starting to go the way of the others. I personally wouldn't bother with them unless it was a 2017 model or earlier (look them up on U=tube and compare that way, 2017 vs 2018).
I wound up fixing my old machine (Whirlpool/Kitchenaid 1996 vintage) for $60. Turns out the Whirlpools of that era or earlier are pretty reliable and clean clothes quite well, also simple to work on.
Seems every one of these machines made today are complete junk, regardless of brand.
Sure wish Frigidaire would bring back the old reciprocating (up/down) agitator, those were the best IMHO.
 
Thanks, I have replaced that valve a few times now. It seems to last us about seven years.

The rubber on the outside of the valve shrinks ( gets shorter ) with age and starts spraying like a shower head. Other than the valves though, I've replaced the belts only once.

The Matag was a good purchase.
 
27 years on my WHirlpool top loader. It has two little knobs for temp and load size. And the big dial for length of wash. I have had to replace the little dogs that rotate the agitator and the thrust washer there , the fourth set about a month. Big deal 12 dollar for the set and about 20 minutes to install.
 
Dave, your post brings back a memory when I was in high school in the early 60's, my dad bought a Fridgidaire automatic
washing machine (no dryer though, just the washing machine). Before that we had the old wringer type washing machine, a Norge
I think it was. The new one had that up and down agitator action and my dad hated it, all his long-sleeved shirts seemed to
get tied up in knots and I remember him cursing and swearing every time he took a load of shirts out. Funny the things a guy
remembers once the old memory bank is given a quick shove. The video below is pretty cool but they don't show my dad's
tangled shirts, ha !!! Google says that Frigidaire sold out to General Motors and then eventually disappeared from the scene.
Frigidaire washing machine action ....
 
Been down the same road. I had a whirlpool for 15 years, wife wanted a new machine, it still worked but needed some minor repairs. At the time I didn't have time to mess with it bough a new maytag HE no agitator, Supposed to self balance, but would routinely walk itself away from the wall until the hoses were taught, Noisy, clothes not clean, smells, lid locked so you couldn't add stuff without a complicated procedure, slow(well over an hour). Had to use the "deep water" setting to have any hope of cleaning mildly dirty stuff, hopeless it you are talking about work clothes... At under a year old it was total junk incapable of cleaning any clothes, severely staining my marriage. I wanted my whirlpool back, even if I have to do a nut and bolt restore on it.

Then I found Speed Queen, every bit the equal of the old machine, better in some ways. Expensive though, street price on their base model is $850 or a little better. The longest setting takes 33 minutes.
 

Yeah, Crazy Horse, GM sold Frigidaire around 1980, which was the last year the up-down agitator was made. I was a kid at that time, but we never had any trouble with 'em. I'd get my clothes all muddy and greasy riding my dirt bike, bicycle, or just being outside, but you'd never think so after they come out of the ol' Frigidaire. Sure do miss those old machines.
 
We bought a "Maytag Centennial Commercial Technology", the local hardware store owner recommended it. Said it had a heavy duty transmission in it. Several oilfield workers were buying this model, and the owner said very few of them come in for repairs. We have had it about 5 years does a good job. We had a Samsung before it did not last, it held a lot of clothes but the tub warped and we were told it was not worth fixing.
 
Well I wouldn't buy any thing that
says energy star or saving , what you
get is a underpowered machine and some
other features you find strange after you
get it set up and running , Such as the
Roper we got, that doesn't rinse our
clothes because the rinse cycle only fills
the tub less than 1/4 full, and no way to
adjust it.
 
In 1981 my wife and I got married and being young and poor, bought a used Maytag washer and dryer set made in 1967 for IIRC, $75.

They are the only machines we have have ever had. Raised 2 sons on them. Moved to a new home with them. I have done a few repairs over the years. Replaced a couple belts and hoses. The washer needed a new hose between the pump and tub last year. My local Maytag repair shop had one on the shelf. Cost ~$15 and 25 minutes to install.

Those are some solid machines. I doubt that any brand you can buy today will be even 10% as durable.
 
(quoted from post at 06:36:02 02/14/18) Sorry for the OT, but maybe its not all that OT since we have to wash our clothes after wrenching on stuff.

Who has a washing machine they actually like, that gets clothes clean and LASTS? We go through a machine every 3-4 years, maybe less. The current disappointment (Whirlpool) is one of those "High Efficiency" models that doesn't even have an agitator. It presumes to "wash" the clothes when the water doesn't even cover the items in the tub! Now it's stopped spinning and I've already put $100 in parts in it (according to what the error codes told me was wrong) and it still doesn't spin or complete a load. I've got an inquiry in with an appliance repair forum, but we've been a week w/o a washer and I imagine I'm going to have to pony up some bucks for a replacement/spare. I see good reports on Speed Queen. I want a real agitator, lack of water isn't a problem here. I'd love to be able to go to Lowes and pick one up, but I don't want to throw good money after bad. So, I'm hoping you guys can steer me towards something decent, or at least away from the bad.

Speed Queen, same as thev used in laundromats. You can dial only models with out any electronic controls.
 

Thanks for all the thoughts folks, I appreciate your taking the time. The Whirlpool is still down, more parts enroute. I'm stopping at a Speed Queen place tonight after kids Dr. appt and Lowes too! Can't find what I want on local Craigs List sadly.
 
(quoted from post at 13:44:23 02/15/18) Is it possible since your machines are not lasting that you may be overloading them ?


Well, I know I'm not overloading them since I rarely am allowed to even touch SWMBO's laundry. If I see laundry backing up and do a couple loads I make sure I don't exceed what she told me was "enough and no more". My 2 boys, yeah, I'm sure they do. The problem is that accounts for maybe 1-2% of the use they get. I don't think it's overloading in this case. This machine has been a problem since day one. The one before it wasn't much better, but we had 7 people in the house at times then and it got 2-3 loads a day.

I'm pretty sure after reading reviews by owners across America over the past few days that it's an industry issue. There are basically only 1 or 2 brands that get glowing reports across the spectrum of their line up. It doesn't seem to matter what brand you look at, there are invariably a bunch of reviews saying something to the effect of, "Our old XXX brand lasted 15 years with no repairs, got the clothes CLEAN and did it in half the time." Even Consumer Reports has reviews where they give a machine a glowing report and then there are real life owners down the page telling them they are 100% wrong and that the machine is pure junk. Seems a lot like the mid 70's and the auto industry.
 


FWIW- Stopped by the Speed Queen place yesterday. Guy owns some laundromats and services SQ on site. Showed me the internals, that the same parts go in the commercial units as the "household" units. And the $1K plus listed price I'd been seeing? Nope. It was either $749 or 849 plus tax out the door, I forget, probably the higher price. One thing I noticed is that the machine we currently have weighs maybe 75-80 lbs. The SQ must be 150-160 pounds or more. Only plastic is in the pump. And he doesn't have any of the new 2018 models. All he has are the older models with the mechanical controls- no circuit boards!

I know what I want, the rest is up to SWMBO!
 

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