Just Bought New Whirlpool WTW4800xq.....

Those are good machines and you can adjust the water level. If you are looking for a really really good daily use washer I would go for speed queen. Costs a bit extra but those should last 20 years, absolutely no electronics, fills up the tub and cleans.

I wouldn't mind using this machine, I have tried it before, however a few things of note that may inconvenience: The lid locks, and bypassing it by splicing the wires together wont work in that the control does a test sequence on the mechanism, if it doesn't come out correct the control starts to display error codes. The cycles are longer, an hour over the 25 minute cycles of older machines. Its harder to control the temperatures too, warm will be a very cool fill and all rinses are line cold. Older versions also don't fill with the lid open, however a few newer makes let you do that, not sure about this particular model though.

Now, from a service stand point these are a breeze to fix. I repaired one that was returned at Lowes and parts come out with only a few screws including motor, splutch, drain pump, electronic control board. Machines light weight too, to tip over for fixing.

Agitation is way better over the Direct drive design 2000 system. Agitation is long slow strokes over short and fast which cleans better and is much gentler.

Go for a speed queen its worth every penny I swear, however if this is your cup of tea so to speak these are a best buy over any other Whirlpool made machine. The rest are either automatic water level or impeller type machines, AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.


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Post# 711177 10/24/2013 at 09:06 (3,830 days old) by ddbeltdrive ()
Checkrate/Likes The clutch in my 13yr old direct drive Kenmore just went and Im pretty sure it needs a coupler. In the meantime I found a new Belt Drive Whirlpool on sale at HD for 317 dollars. I would say that im pretty happy with it. You have to load the heaviest items at the bottom of the basket first, then add the lightest items on top. Of course I disabled the lid switch lol. However I quickly learned that it will not handle a comforter. My plan is to repair the Old washer and use it for heavy things like my comforters, and kitchen rugs.

Post# 711189 , Reply# 1 10/24/2013 at 11:28 (3,830 days old) by wiskybill (Canton, Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes Congrats on your new machine and welcome. How does the new washer compare to the older model in cycle time and water usage? Bill

Post# 711190 , Reply# 2 10/24/2013 at 11:36 (3,830 days old) by Chetlaham (United States)
Checkrate/Likes Those are good machines and you can adjust the water level. If you are looking for a really really good daily use washer I would go for speed queen. Costs a bit extra but those should last 20 years, absolutely no electronics, fills up the tub and cleans. I wouldn't mind using this machine, I have tried it before, however a few things of note that may inconvenience: The lid locks, and bypassing it by splicing the wires together wont work in that the control does a test sequence on the mechanism, if it doesn't come out correct the control starts to display error codes. The cycles are longer, an hour over the 25 minute cycles of older machines. Its harder to control the temperatures too, warm will be a very cool fill and all rinses are line cold. Older versions also don't fill with the lid open, however a few newer makes let you do that, not sure about this particular model though. Now, from a service stand point these are a breeze to fix. I repaired one that was returned at Lowes and parts come out with only a few screws including motor, splutch, drain pump, electronic control board. Machines light weight too, to tip over for fixing. Agitation is way better over the Direct drive design 2000 system. Agitation is long slow strokes over short and fast which cleans better and is much gentler. Go for a speed queen its worth every penny I swear, however if this is your cup of tea so to speak these are a best buy over any other Whirlpool made machine. The rest are either automatic water level or impeller type machines, AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.

Post# 711191 , Reply# 3 10/24/2013 at 11:39 (3,830 days old) by Chetlaham (United States)
Checkrate/Likes *Sorry... LOL* I typed up my thoughts on the machine as though you hadn't bought it but was considering it. Anyway, let us know how its working. Like I said, I wouldn't mind using this as a daily driver if I was forced to. Its not bad from a clean ability stand point.

Post# 711200 , Reply# 4 10/24/2013 at 13:12 (3,830 days old) by DADoES (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes � I've heard that the lid doesn't lock during fill and agitation on the newest models, changed due to consumer complaints about unable to access the water flow or observe agitation.

Post# 711247 , Reply# 5 10/24/2013 at 19:26 (3,830 days old) by ddbeltdrive ()
Checkrate/Likes This washer will start to fill with the lid up. I disabled the lid switch by taking out the two small torx screws that hold the locking mechanisim in the lid and placing it into the switch on the front of the machine. If you add the largest items first to the bottom of the tub and put the smaller ones on top it cuts down on the time it takes for the washer to balance the load. It did balance my large comforter for wash, however its too big and heavy when wet for the machine to complete subsequent balancing operations. The complete cycle time takes about 45 minutes, 15 minutes longer than my DD Kenmore. I looked for a used speed queen however it was nearly impossible to find an Alliance Laundry Systems made one. Believe me, if i could afford the 6 to 800 bucks for a new Speed Queen I would have done that. I plan on ordering a new clutch assembly and motor coupler for the Kenmore so I can use it to wash my comforters and heavy bed clothes and my kitchen rugs. I will not part with it lol! Chris

Post# 711272 , Reply# 6 10/24/2013 at 21:39 (3,830 days old) by ddbeltdrive ()
Checkrate/Likes My Kenmore 2000 Model Year, 70 Series, 3 Speed, with no Automatic Temperature Control Monday morning I was up early washing a uniform to wear to work and I went to get the stuff out to put in the dryer and I noticed everything was soaking wet. I set the timer to spin and watched and just heard the motor running. Not having the time to tear into her anytime soon and see for sure if its the clutch or the coupler or even possibly the transmission i picked up the New Whirlpool for 317 on my way home from work tuesday. I fully intend on making this washer run again...I need it cause I cant wash my conforter in the new one haha. I will say that I do like how the Whirlpool washes and I do not regret buying it.

Post# 711767 , Reply# 7 10/27/2013 at 21:55 (3,827 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)
Checkrate/Likes Signs of a broken coupler- motor runs machine makes no actions when the motor runs. (It will fill and drain, but not spin or agitate.)

Post# 711768 , Reply# 8 10/27/2013 at 22:09 (3,827 days old) by ddbeltdrive ()
Checkrate/Likes I agree, Its 13 years old, im going to pull the whole motor and transmission assembly and check the clutch pads. If they look thin I may just replace both the coupler and the clutch. This washer has been used daily ever since it was new and It could probably use a freshening. I also plan on giving it a good cleaning inside and out. I was also thinking about new agitator dogs. I also have a new pump that my dad bought for their old Kenmore that I may also put into it. I am off tomorrow, I plan on tearing into it to see what needs taken care of and a cleaning is also in order. The new washer is doing a great job. I have no complaints about it. I have learned that when properly loaded and one rinse with fabric softener, that the cycle time can be less than five minutes longer than the Kenmore. I like the agitation stroke and the high spin speed also! Chris