I just found this forum and the wealth of Calypso info located here and am quite thankful for the help. Before I get long winded (which is my nature) – the short description of my issue is that my Kenmore Calypso (purchased new from Sears in July of 2003) is in bad repair and I need help assessing what is necessary (and whether) to return it to service – related to corrosion under the wash plate. I’ve read about 200 of the 500 posts that pull up through a “calypso” search here – along with tons of other info pulled up through google and I am now trying to assess whether it is viable (based on cost) to refurbish the machine, or to junk it and purchase a used, traditional style washer from craigslist, etc. I am mechanically inclined and at this point have the machine torn down to the spanner nut. (I’m waiting on a spanner wrench ordered online to arrive…) Based on my knowledge of the machines use and repair history, I see that water has penetrated the wash plate area, around the spanner-nut (and I believe) the leveler. I am concerned about it being in the u-joint area as well and (based on cost of new U-joint kit and leveler) am uncertain as to whether the machine is worth saving or not. I will post pics later this evening, but as follows is the “whole story.” My nature is that of a tinkerer and I would normally not consider tossing the machine given its (reputed) fairly easy to service nature (along with the fact that it seems to be a quirky, yet desirable oddity) – however, I was just married, am currently short on cash and have a new wife chomping at the bit to have a washer in service. The reality is that the cost of the parts I think I might need easily equals that of a used replacement machine :(
My first wife and I purchase the washer new from Sears in July of 2003. We were taken with the marketing behind the water efficiency of the unit. We knew nothing of HE washers, HE soaps or the huge change in washing machine design from that of a traditional top-loader to the Calypso process – or the necessary “behavior changes” required to make such a transition.. We “did our best” with regard to upkeep of the unit, however the washer sustained a fair amount of unintentional abuse on my part, along with some later inexcusable abuses on the part of my ex-wife. A lot of this stemmed from the time frame and a severe lack of consumer education by Sears/Whirlpool related to the washers. The biggest area of abuse (which we never even knew about – and I’ve only discovered during my recent research, along with my disassembly of hte unit…) was the use of normal laundry soap. Back in 2003, through about 2005 – HE soap was difficult to find with most places not carrying it, and/or in some cases, not having it regularly. Obviously, through the use of “normal” laundry detergent the machine is disgustingly gunked throughout and there is even some surface rusting on the inside of the cabinet – although not much. Other issues included pump replacement (ours had come with the 1st gen style pump) and issues with bra underwires due to not washing lingerie in mesh bags. Later (after several expensive repairs) my ex would do stupid things like wash her saddle pads and horse sheets in the machine – she knew better and rather than say ugly things – let’s just say that there’s a reason she’s now the “ex.”
Anyhow, despite the treatment of the washer, it ran fine until just recently. Unfortunately, my new wife (who was using the heck out of it) washed a new bath mat in it and I believe the resulting fibers that came off the mat have likely collected on probably another bar underwire (left over from the first wife) and are caused the washer to not drain. I’ve checked the (new) pump assembly and it is clear. I’ve also removed and checked all hoses and checked the sump for obstructions. Since there are none present, I assume the block is between the wash basket and the tub – where the last was. Herein is my problem and frankly, it *really* pisses me off. The first time we had a clog, we paid (a lot) for a Sear Appliance repair tech to come out. The idiot decreed it was the 1st gen pump and replaced it. He left without testing the machine and it turned out that we still had a clog – it didn’t even one a single load after his visit. We called and raised a stink and they sent a 2nd tech out. This one tore the washer down, found the underwire, between wash basket and inside of the tub (totally enveloped in lint) and removed it – however, DID NOT (and I’m sure of this as I hung out while she did the repair) replace any gaskets or seals. The reason this makes me so angry as we ended up paying several hundreds of dollars for a pump (and installation) we didn’t need, only to have a 2nd tech to come back out to find and remove the underwire, yet (reading here) it seems her efforts likely compromised the system and led to what I discovered when I starting working on the machine –corrosion of pretty much everything under the wash plate.
When I started this odyssey, it was with the assumption that wash basket needed to be removed to get at the (likely) offending underwire obstruction. When I got to the spanner-nut, I realized I needed to order the wrench – so I stopped to do more research. Since, I’ve learned about new and old style “domes,” needing to replace seals during each maintenance and corrosion to u-joints, spanner-nuts and levelers caused by moisture and detergent.
Once I post pics tonight, I need help assessing whether or not I can get by with continuing to use the existing u-joint and leveler – or if they require replacement. IF anyone has tests or assessment advice, I’d really appreciate it. If I have to replace one or both, the machine will probably have to go. If I can get by with pulling the basket and the reassembling (while replacing gaskets) I’ll do all I can to get the unit back into service. (including cleaning the thoroughly disgusting scum from all over just about every internal component) I can say that the machine seemed to be running fine – until the blockage occurred – which led to a flooded basement :( I believe due to the tub over filling and the wife attempting to rerun the “spin cycle” which I’m guessing caused water to spin up and run out the over fill tube. (The, long, narrow, plastic baggie looking thing..)
Thanks in advance for any help and sorry to not have pictures to post right now. I’m hoping that the corrosion they’ll show isn’t that bad and the parts will remain serviceable. I really don’t want to junk the unit, but it would be hard to sink too much into it given the issues the platform has experienced.
Comes to the Rescue!
