Thread Number: 40837  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
I brought home something new to play with - and they were FREE!
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 604220   6/17/2012 at 10:12 (4,302 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

My neighbor knocked on my door yesterday afternoon saying Ellen (a member of our city council) is getting rid of her washer & dryer and you may want to go pick them up.   "They are on the curb" she said.   I thanked here, got the truck out and headed over three streets to get them.   I got them loaded in my truck and was back home in what seemed like 5 minutes.

 

Here they are:   A WP Cabrio washer & gas dryer!

 

Washer model: WTW6600SW1   Serial: CT44717700      

 

The dryer: Model WGD6400SW0   Serial: MT5017786

 

I've never had a chance to play with one of these and SO FAR they both seem to work.   Yesterday after bringing getting them him, I hooked up the washer and ran it most of the way through a "normal" cycle and it seems to work fine.

 

Does anyone know how old they are?   Is this a upper end model?   This lid switch is magnetic, yes?

 





Post# 604221 , Reply# 1   6/17/2012 at 10:14 (4,302 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

The control panels....... washer above, dryer below.

 


Post# 604222 , Reply# 2   6/17/2012 at 10:17 (4,302 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Washer lit up and working.

 

It looks nice with the lights lit.


Post# 604223 , Reply# 3   6/17/2012 at 10:20 (4,302 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Interior shots.

 

The washer was slightly dirty inside and even though has the fabric dispenser off to the side, was still a bit messy.   Plenty of residual fabric softener in and around the dispenser.   Both the washer & dryer smell like softener too!  Not sure if that's good or bad... haha

 

From what I've seen here and on youtube, I'm not sure I'm convinced this design does a good job cleaning or is not hard on your clothes.

 

What are your thoughts on this design and how it functions?

 

Thanks!

Kevin 

 

 


Post# 604231 , Reply# 4   6/17/2012 at 11:56 (4,302 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        
Wow!

ultramatic's profile picture

Congratulations Kevin! What a score!


Post# 604233 , Reply# 5   6/17/2012 at 12:19 (4,302 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Washer model: WTW6600SW1   Serial: CT44717700
     2006 model year, manufactured 44th week of 2006
     It's the SmartDrive motor design with floating basket.

The dryer: Model WGD6400SW0   Serial: MT5017786
     2006 model year, manufactured 50th week of 2006


Post# 604269 , Reply# 6   6/17/2012 at 15:15 (4,302 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Cabrio Pair

combo52's profile picture

Great score Kevin, and its good to see that the economy is actually better than Fox news and mit wit are telling us LOL.

 

This is a very washer and an excellent dryer, we get few complaints about this washer  and with its recirculation water flow during wash and rinse it is about the best performing currently made Hi Efficiency top loading washer. The dryer is probably one of the best dryers EVER BUILT it has a huge drum and combines the efficiency and speed of WPs great 29" dryers with the heavier build of the 27" dryers as this dryer has two front support rollers in addition to the two rear rollers.


Post# 604279 , Reply# 7   6/17/2012 at 16:53 (4,302 days old) by spiralator60 (Los Angeles)        
Cabrio Pair

Congratulations on your latest find Kevin! Have you had a chance to run the dryer yet?

Post# 604282 , Reply# 8   6/17/2012 at 17:11 (4,302 days old) by retropia ()        

Those look fancy! I wonder if you could successfully wash something bulky, like a queen-sized comforter, in this machine?

Post# 604286 , Reply# 9   6/17/2012 at 18:38 (4,302 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

arbilab's profile picture
With the array of options, near TOL. "Father's day gift" and a dam fine one. Hard to buy better.

Post# 604288 , Reply# 10   6/17/2012 at 19:13 (4,302 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        
Free

wayupnorth's profile picture
That is a fantastic find and they look pretty much in mint condition. I have always followed the saying "If its free, Its for me".

Post# 604294 , Reply# 11   6/17/2012 at 19:53 (4,302 days old) by mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
Good score Kevin!

Relatives of mine that I visited when over in America had this washer. They were not impressed with it, not convinced that a small puddle of water could wash their clothes well. I was instructed to use it only on the Bulky Cycle as that adds a decent amount of water (not great but more than the normal cycles)

It did seem to twist and tug my clothes around a lot. Also my cousin washed a large load of towels one saturday and none of them moved very much, they seemed to just twist back and forth slightly.

Thats my experience with them :-)

Hope you enjoy!

Matt


Post# 604300 , Reply# 12   6/17/2012 at 20:19 (4,302 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        

pdub's profile picture
Looks like fun Kevin! You sure can't beat the price and nice to have neighbors looking out for you. Can't wait to see some video's of the washer and dryer in action. Hmmm, wonder which dryer will get booted out of the active line up?

Patrick


Post# 604339 , Reply# 13   6/17/2012 at 23:10 (4,302 days old) by xpanam (Palm Springs California )        

xpanam's profile picture
Great score Kevin, and its good to see that the economy is actually better than Fox news and MIT WIT are telling us LOL. Combo52! Put the crack pip down!! What the hell is wrong with you democrats!!!Your Messiah has failed!! Its obvious you liberal don't trust your own news station! Combo52 has been watching the # 1 news station FOX !

and its good to see that the economy is actually better" Really ? I wood like to talk to you or anyone else about this issue my # 714-766-9634


Post# 604344 , Reply# 14   6/17/2012 at 23:35 (4,302 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

You know, I don't get it..

This set is six years old, appears to be working perfectly fine.. :-/

Maybe they junked it because they didn't feel that it didn't clean the clothing well enough. Either that or they decided they wanted front loaders instead.

Kevin, please make some videos of this machine washing. Do you think you'd want to consider the idea of tweaking the water level on the washer? Or does this machine use an untweakable electronic pressure switch?

I guess when people are trashing perfectly good machines like these, maybe I should seriously reconsider how much I'm asking for my GE Pair.

Enjoy your find, that's quite a haul. I'm interested to know your thoughts on it, considering how loathed HE washplate style machines are in the community here.

I'm sure someone out there will be saying, "Junk them!!" ... but I think in some ways, this is a good way to "cavort with the enemy" and find out just what makes these machines work and why Whirlpool engineers thought these up.

To Xpanam:

If you want to talk politics, donate some cash to this site and hang out on the Dirty Laundry forum, you can talk about politics all you want there. Your response is totally out of place on this forum.


Post# 604349 , Reply# 15   6/18/2012 at 00:34 (4,302 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        
Kevin congrats on a new variety adventure

Kevin if the prior owner was in a "12 step program for FS abuse".  I am interested in how the outter tub of the washer looks one day when you have time. In my mind i am convinced softner slime is what really leads to all the odor mold issues, reported by some owners.  My older center dial tag, had "slime" at the top of the lint filter @ the full tub setting  the porcelain tub was the same way, but the plastic parts of the agitator filter assbly were much worse.  I really like the window in the dryer.  arthur


Post# 604400 , Reply# 16   6/18/2012 at 07:52 (4,301 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Fabric snoftner slime

combo52's profile picture

FS is a great product, but it can be overused and users don't understand if you use FS the next time you wash the clothing it has to be washed really well, hottest water available and plenty of good detergent.

 

We have found in servicing washers that these modern Hi Efficiency washers can produce great results whether FL or TL. But you really have to pay attention to the results and to the machine for any sign of build-ups or odors and CHANGE what you are doing if the results are not great.

 

It is interesting that now that people are being told that they can was everything in cold water and Eco Detergents to see old MT DC, WP BD and even GE FF washers that are a stinky black moldy mess. I did a service call two weeks ago for a customer that had a 1997 MT DC washer and her complaint was that the washer stunk. And when I checked out the washer the top of the wash basket around the balance ring was all black and moldy and she had these washer balls laying in the wash basket that smelled like s..t, after dissembling the washer and cleaning it I suggested throwing the balls away using some hot water and bleach and real detergent, I dough she will LOL.


Post# 604415 , Reply# 17   6/18/2012 at 09:53 (4,301 days old) by chris74 ()        
Pimp them up!

You should run a "clean washer" cycle with a washing machine cleaner. The tub has an iridescence which you normally see only on glassware and steel in the dishwasher. Also the drum of the dryer should be cleaned, it looks like there has something been burning on the air vent...

Nice find anyway!


Post# 604455 , Reply# 18   6/18/2012 at 11:19 (4,301 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Update on the pair.........

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Thank you for all of your comments!

 

Except for needing a little cleaning, they appear to be in pretty nice physical condition.   As I said, I did a quick(?) preliminary test of the washer after unloading them from the truck.   I ran it part way through the "normal" cycle before having to get dinner.

 

Yesterday I moved the Norge Burp-o-lator out, then put the Cabrio in and ran a load of whites, normal cycle, hot, heavy soil, extra rinse.   Everything worked as I assume it should... however... when spinning it's a little louder than I was expecting.   Later I walked across the street to ask my neighbor why Ellen got rid of them and she said "they started making a noise".   So it's confirmed, the bearings are going bad, getting noisy, etc.   It's soo bad too as I could have flipped them, oh well.

 

Before connecting the dryer, I removed the back panel and vacuumed out the accumulated lint, there was more than I'd have expected for a 6 year old dryer.   As there was lint all over the back of the dryer too, I'm guessing the exhaust duct was leaking somewhere.   I connected the dryer and it worked flawlessly.   I first dried a load of towels and then my work shirts with the Wrinkle Guard option, both loads came out perfect.

    

Overall I'm a little bummed the bearings are going bad on the washer, but hey, for free I can't complain.

 

Kevin


Post# 604491 , Reply# 19   6/18/2012 at 12:10 (4,301 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Nice looking pair

jetcone's profile picture
love that dryer with the window.

Try your Rosalies in it and see of the pump can still pump, send me a pix.

Jon


Post# 604497 , Reply# 20   6/18/2012 at 12:38 (4,301 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

nmassman44's profile picture
Jon are you selling that detergent locally?

Post# 604595 , Reply# 21   6/18/2012 at 17:27 (4,301 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Cabrio Washer with bad bearings

combo52's profile picture

Kevin there is now a kit from WP where you can replace the bearings and shaft assembly without the expense of replacing the complete outer tub. We saw quite a few bearing failures in this washer when people use too little detergent, it causes a mineral build-up in the main seal area that ruins the seal and allows water to then ruin the bearings.


Post# 604657 , Reply# 22   6/18/2012 at 23:21 (4,301 days old) by retropia ()        

I was wondering about the bearings on these washers. On Craigslist, I've noticed several ads where the seller says they are selling because it is "making noise." The other problem I've noticed in some of the ads is the control panel/board has either failed or is beginning to fail, and the seller doesn't want to put money into a new board.


Post# 604665 , Reply# 23   6/19/2012 at 00:46 (4,301 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        
Good job, Kevin!

gansky1's profile picture
I'd heard about the seals failing in these and have seen them on CL too. I'll be interested to see what the longer-term reviews from Kevin are, may have to snag one that pops up. I know a few who have these WP-KM washers and seem to like them just fine.

Post# 604709 , Reply# 24   6/19/2012 at 09:31 (4,300 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

I'll have to look into the parts cost and further research the repair.   It would be a shame to "throw this one away" because it is a nicer, newer set.   I really like the dryer, but still not sold on the washer and it's performance, but also still have to play with it more.

 

Kevin


Post# 604739 , Reply# 25   6/19/2012 at 12:09 (4,300 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)        
OOOOOOO!!!!

pulsator's profile picture

I've always been curious about these washers and wondered if they are actually any good since the reviews of them are soooooo all OVER the place! Some people think they are the best machines in the world and some HATE them with a PASSION!

 

I have the belt drive version and I don't like it. I want to like, I really do, but it's just too rough! I'm thinking these, with far more sensing ability and recirculated sprays, might be gentler! My belt drive Cabrio fills a bit then starts agitating with most of the load still completely DRY! It does this to move the load around until it's all wet and it's just so hard to watch!


Post# 604761 , Reply# 26   6/19/2012 at 13:58 (4,300 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Jamie, this one must be an "upper end" model because it does have the recirculating spray, however it does not run through the entire cycle, ala the Calypso.  

 

A couple things I DON'T like (understand) is when I start the "normal" or "bulky" cycles (only two I've run so far), it spends (wastes?) 10 minutes alternating between filling with a little water and slowly turning with the recirculation spray for 10 minutes.   Yes I understand saturating the clothes, but 10 minutes?

 

The other thing I really don't understand / like is, EVERY time I start ANY cycle, even drain & spin, it will flow maybe 2 cups of cold water into the tub.   It has also done this many times when I pause the cycle, open and close the lid and resume. 

 

Kevin




This post was last edited 06/19/2012 at 19:14
Post# 604789 , Reply# 27   6/19/2012 at 15:13 (4,300 days old) by Logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture
Could this be some sort of Catalyst Stain Treat function? You know, spraying concentrated detergent solution over the clothes... From what I remember, all Cabrios had recirc sprays. Only with the introduction of the belt-driven models did it become a higher-end feature.

Suppose the child water at the start of each cycle is some sort of safety device. The early Duets did the same. These tubs are big enough for children to climb in there to play...


Post# 604862 , Reply# 28   6/19/2012 at 20:04 (4,300 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
New Hi Efficency Washers

combo52's profile picture

The spray at the start and the locking and unlocking of the lid-door is to scare children into not staying in the washer for the full cycle.

 

I think that these are pretty good machines overall like most new machines. BUT it is just too painful to try and watch most new washers and try to figure out WHY they are wasting so much time. When the Calypsos and the Duets came out I got one of each and used them in my test area. After a month or two I sent the big German made Duet out and would never have another in my personal laundry setup. [ I sold it to a customer who wanted the Duet and she is very pleased with the washer ] The calypso in spite of its faults I will never get rid of and will always try to have a functioning one the rest of my washing lifetime.

 

It is always interesting when we have a customer that has two washers or dishwashers at the same time and over the years I have had four customers that had DC Helical drive MTs and when sitting next to a BD WP, KM, DD KM and one had a FF GE none of the customers thought that the MT was the better washer. And yet look how many of us LOVE our MTs and as I have also found most users like their new washers overall.


Post# 605304 , Reply# 29   6/21/2012 at 13:00 (4,298 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
John...

redcarpetdrew's profile picture

Where did you find the info on changing the bearings without the tub? I haven't seen that yet over here.

 

RCD


Post# 605315 , Reply# 30   6/21/2012 at 13:29 (4,298 days old) by norgechef (Saint George New Brunswick )        
without the tub???

i found a video on youtube that showed how to replace the thrust bearing, and instructions came with the thrust bearing....im pretty sure I did it right, there was a certain alignment that the white part needed to meet up with one the pulley and it looked like it was all lined up right, and the kit came with lubricant for it which I used...I had the whole machine apart when I fixed the thrust bearing because I had to replace the snubber as well...

Post# 605316 , Reply# 31   6/21/2012 at 13:31 (4,298 days old) by norgechef (Saint George New Brunswick )        
oops wrong post lol

sorry, i thought u posted that on my post about the maytag.....


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy