Thread Number: 62161  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
I bought a Filter Flo Set!!
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Post# 847588   10/25/2015 at 19:35 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Crazy but true! I was browsing the appliance ads on CL and came across an ad for a matching set that had been up for about a month. I emailed the guy and they were still available and he even offered to deliver them for only an extra $25. I paid $200 for the set, delivered.

By the serial numbers the washer was manufactured in September of 1987 and the dryer in October of 1987. He said they were in his condo when he bought it. They were described as very clean and indeed they are. I only had to do minor clean up but otherwise they are near mint condition...if not mint.

The washer is the "large" capacity and does have the mini basket setting. However it did not come with the basket, just the lint filter pan. I'll have to look and see if I can find another mini basket...I'm so excited to try it!

The dryer looks to be near TOL from what I can tell...it has a lot of options on it. I love the speckled interiors on both.

I ran a couple of clean cycles and also washed some clothes and I was able to fit my thinner queen size comforter without any problem. I just hit the reset button to fill with more water and it was fine. The comforter I use most often is thicker but I bet I can get it to work. I did a rinse and spin on it first to wet it down and condense it before doing an actual wash cycle. That really helped.

It runs beautifully....however it does make a "clink clink clink" noise when agitating and during spin. It almost sounds like something is loose somewhere...it's a definite metalic clink sound though. Without that noise it would actually be fairly quiet...though a heck of lot louder than I'm used to with newer washers. I forgot how loud these older guys are!

Any idea what that noise could be? I am not familiar with these machines at all unfortunately. I did notice that it doesn't like switching between speeds very much while it's agitating. If you stop it first then change the speed it's fine...not sure if that's normal. When it stops spinning it also makes a pretty loud clunk clink noise...again I don't know if that's normal either.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I seriously love these. I can't believe I found such a nice pair.

I'm posting some pics too.

Joe


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 8         View Full Size



Post# 847597 , Reply# 1   10/25/2015 at 19:55 (3,076 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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The clicking is the clutch.  DO NOT SWITCH SPEEDS WITHOUT STOPPING THE MACHINE FIRST.  Sounds like it's already had this done to it over the year and hence the "clicking".  They are both MOL in general but fairly high up for the standard capacity. 


Post# 847599 , Reply# 2   10/25/2015 at 19:57 (3,076 days old) by barcoboy (Canada)        

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Hey joeypete, congrats on your Filter Flo set!

The loud clunk sound at the end of the spin is definitely normal, as this is the brake engaging to stop the tub. If you let the machine fill with the lid open, after the fill has completed, push your finger down on the lid switch, and watch the tub for the first few seconds of agitation. It will move back and forth somewhat, and then you'll hear a similar clunk (not quite as loud), and the tub will be locked in place for the rest of agitation.

Definitely a good idea to raise the lid to stop the machine before changing speeds. When set on the slow speed, a clicking sound when the motor first starts in either agitation or spin is normal, but it should get faster and quieter, and then stop within a few seconds. The other normal sound that maybe you are hearing is the clutch... they have a tendency to chatter as they warm up, and can get quite loud as they wear.

The best way to know if your machine is acting normal or not is watch some videos of other Filter Flos on Youtube and see if they make the same sounds as yours does, and if you still aren't sure, post a video here and we'll have a listen.


Post# 847600 , Reply# 3   10/25/2015 at 20:01 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Gotcha!! Good to know. Is the noise something I should be concerned about? I don't know what it would entail to fix it honestly. I was going to open the back while it's running to see if maybe I could see something causing the noise.

Post# 847609 , Reply# 4   10/25/2015 at 20:24 (3,076 days old) by barcoboy (Canada)        

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None of the sounds that I described should be any cause for alarm, including the clutch chatter. I've had my Filter Flo since I bought my house 15+ years ago... the clutch chattered then, and it still chatters now. My younger brother had one that the chatter was louder than the motor itself, and it still ran fine until the pump dripped onto the motor and shorted it out.

I tried to find a video of one with a chattering clutch on Youtube, but all the videos I tried have nice and quiet clutches. Does anyone know of a Filter Flo video with clutch chatter?


Post# 847612 , Reply# 5   10/25/2015 at 20:31 (3,076 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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the chattering noise during slow speeds is normal, its just that little foot tapping against the solenoid while the clutch is spinning......

these should be NO noise/chatter during normal speeds.......if there is, there is possibility something is loose inside the clutch, simple design, yet a little tricky at first to open one up....it could something as simple as that U-clamp inside that has come loose....

opening the back is not a bad idea, for one thing, look at the pump, there should be a small hole under the pump, just above the pulley, if the pump is clean, your good to go, if there is a black streak from this port, your pump will need replacing eventually....again, simple repair...


keep us posted.....


Post# 847618 , Reply# 6   10/25/2015 at 20:50 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Thank you so much for the help!!! Actually it makes less noise on Gentle, than on Normal. It seriously sounds like something is loose..just like a tambourine lol. It's really annoying...I think I'll have to figure it out. I live in a condo so hard to cover up the noise. My Kenmore was whisper quiet compared to the Filter Flo :)

Post# 847621 , Reply# 7   10/25/2015 at 21:09 (3,076 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
Super find

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The motor it's self is not two speed on a GE FF. In order to get a slower speed, a little (FRAGILE) leg is raised in the clutch area, that stops a part of the clutch from spinning at full speed. That little leg comes up as soon as the motor kicks in and before that other part can start spinning very fast. If you switch to slow speed when the motor is already up to speed, it's like a child running onto a freeway. The clutch is spinning really fast and all of a sudden..... it could damage either the clutch leg or the speed control leg. The later of which usually gets bent to the side.

One the flip side, if you are washing in the gentle speed and wanted to wash at normal speed, simply changing the switch would lower the leg and the clutch would spin at full speed without damaging the machine.

In other words: you can switch to normal speed when the machine is running, but you can't switch into delicate.

As for fixing the speed control: If that were all you were doing to the motor, it isn't the worst, but it isn't easy. It involves pulling the machine out, removing water connections, removing the back, tipping the machine, disconnecting the pump, unplugging the motor, unscrewing and dropping the motor out, then fixing the speed controller, then putting it all back together.

Best of luck with your new toy. GE FF washers are one of my favs.


Post# 847626 , Reply# 8   10/25/2015 at 21:54 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Thanks Delaney! I think to start I'll pull the back off to see if i can notice anything in particular where the noise is coming from. I can def hear it more towards the back of the machine, than the front. Everything works, it's just loud is all. I only do laundry 1 day a week so I guess I can deal with it if not lol

Post# 847656 , Reply# 9   10/26/2015 at 06:36 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
Good Repair Site

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I found a great online repair manual...I'm sure others have seen it but thought I'd share. It goes through detail about these and other older machines. Very helpful to understand how they work. I've worked on many older engines, in particular the Olds 307 V8...I can probably figure out a washing machine lol. I'm not so scared anymore :)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO joeypete's LINK


Post# 847658 , Reply# 10   10/26/2015 at 07:09 (3,076 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Very nice set, congrats. GE was one of the few that made equally as good performing Extra-Large capacity washers as their standard or large capacity machines. I have both hooked up now and it's surprising the amount of clothes that smaller tub will hold.

I sounds like you have some investigation to do with the washer clicking sounds, I'm sure you'll find it as other have advised and the manual will be invaluable to you. They are easy enough machines to work on and you'll have little trouble finding most of the common parts if you need them.


Post# 847665 , Reply# 11   10/26/2015 at 08:01 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Thanks Gan! My biggest concern about the size was being able to wash my comforter. I think it will be a tight squeeze as it's a level 2 down alternative...and it a bit thicker than the one I washed last night. But that's the largest thing I wash (and usually it's only a few times a year) so I'm not too worried. It does hold quite a bit though and having the reset on the water level is nice so you can add more water if needed. I liked that feature on my Hydrowave too.

Now to find a replacement mini basket. They seem hard to find!

I cleaned out the dryer just now...it was surprisingly clean. I really don't think this set got much use. I'll move my "old" one out and then take a look at the washer. It sounds like something is loose so I'll watch as it agitates to see if I can tell where the noise is coming from...maybe it's part of the pulley system? Dunno.


Post# 847676 , Reply# 12   10/26/2015 at 09:41 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
Noise

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Well I pulled the back off and listened....I couldn't see anything that was loose so I turned the machine off (and unplugged it). While I was checking the pulleys the suspension moved and I heard that clinking noise! Sure enough, if I jiggled the assembly I can hear metal hitting something. I'm going to pop the top and see if i can see it. It sounds like it's coming from the front area kinda where the water fill is.

Post# 847685 , Reply# 13   10/26/2015 at 10:35 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
I did it!!

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I found where the noise was coming from. It was the front left lower clamp (I think where those rubber grommets go) It was clanking on the connector plate so I took some cardboard and wrapped it in rubber rug mat and wedged it in between. Had to test it because it had to be thick enough so it would come loose during wash/spin. The noise is gone. Now I can actually hear the sounds of the motor lol. While I was looking I popped the cover and cleaned underneath. Lots of hair and dirt. Grossssssss. Glad I did. That is my biggest beef with using an older washer...it needs to be clean.

Post# 847689 , Reply# 14   10/26/2015 at 11:06 (3,076 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        
I can still hear

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Mother's and Grandmother's old FF washers in my mind.  That familiar rattle from the cinder block while it spins...sounds like a train...and then that loud bam as the brake engages to stop it.  Fun times!


Post# 847691 , Reply# 15   10/26/2015 at 11:39 (3,076 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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Hooray!.....you got him fixed.....

yeah, those units can create quite a noise, had a few come through that were worn out, or even the rubber missing......but seems like you figured a way to rig another type of dampener in place to hold it steady.....

I used rubber coasters before, I think it was one layer on the bottom and two on the top, cut to fit, and that clamp fit tight over top.....


way to go!.....

now.....put a cable tie over the lid switch.....


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Post# 847692 , Reply# 16   10/26/2015 at 11:40 (3,076 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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Fill Flume....

either flip it over on itself, or circumcise him, to allow water to spray over the clothes....I usually just trim a bit off to re-direct the water...


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Post# 847693 , Reply# 17   10/26/2015 at 11:41 (3,076 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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and if you feel ambitious, remove the restrictor from the water valve

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Post# 847697 , Reply# 18   10/26/2015 at 11:56 (3,076 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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haha, yes he is much less noisy now! ;-) I was wondering about the fill tube. You can even see any water go into the tub...it all goes into the outer tub. Is that the way it was designed? It mentions a spray rinse but I can imagine much water gets sprayed with it that way.

Now I'm tackling the dryer. I had to adjust the back legs to have it tilt forward because it was making an awful racket. If I tilted it a bit forward it stopped. My laundry closet is a pain to put in the dryer vent. I might just get one of those bucket things to have it vent in there. Or the flexible tubing. Mine is the semi rigid which was a dumb choice for close quarters! It's too tight and the metal tubing keeps popping off. I had to use an extra long piece for my last dryer and I didn't like that


Post# 847728 , Reply# 19   10/26/2015 at 16:01 (3,075 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
All done!

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Got them both set in place and de-squeaked and de-squealed. I had to pull the back off the washer again because the rubber piece I put in place fell out. Turned out both sides of the brace needed it. So I just wrapped all the ends in duck tape LOL. Worked like a charm...lets hope it stays that way.

The dryer works great too...though it's a bit noise...but that clanking is gone. Maybe because the drum has sagged? I heard that was common on GE dryer's...would explain why it's happier tilted a bit forward.

Now I'm all ready for laundry day...and get my "Old" washer and dryer up for sale. Good times. :)


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Post# 847732 , Reply# 20   10/26/2015 at 16:18 (3,075 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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beautiful set there Joe.....

you should consider painting the closet alcove, somewhat in an offset color, like light brown or gray, something that would make them stand out....


Post# 847735 , Reply# 21   10/26/2015 at 16:37 (3,075 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Thanks Martin! I was just thinking about that. I have no desire to move these guys anytime soon though LOL. For the future definitely!

I really wish I had space to store my Kenmore. It was hard moving it out of the working washer position. Such a great machine and in a lot of ways I'll miss it. But finding this set was my appliance dream come true. Hope I can find a good home for it.


Post# 847802 , Reply# 22   10/26/2015 at 20:59 (3,075 days old) by barcoboy (Canada)        

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So strange... I must have previewed at least fifty Filter Flo videos, if not more, and I can't find one that makes the same clutch chattering sound that mine does. When it is first started on the first load of the day, you don't hear it, but as the clutch warms up, it gets louder. The sound also seems to "roll", as in fade in and fade out about once every five seconds. Wish I could take a video and show you all... maybe I'll record the sound as an MP3 file and let you all hear it.

Post# 847807 , Reply# 23   10/26/2015 at 21:34 (3,075 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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I can't really judge the noises on these guys because this is my first one. After watching many videos myself, I did now recognize the hum they have. It's hard to hear it in videos though. I was glad I discovered the clanking noise in mine. It was very loud.

Post# 847809 , Reply# 24   10/26/2015 at 21:39 (3,075 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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it is rather interesting of how quiet these machines are.....

they seem noisy, but I have found out that if you pinch off the filter flo hose, amazing how silent running these units are, most of the noise is from the splashing water...

try it and see for yourself....


Post# 847823 , Reply# 25   10/26/2015 at 22:45 (3,075 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
You know your a member of AW ....

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....when you consider painting your rooms colors that will make your appliances shine with PIZAZZ. lol ;-)

(from another post)
A Classic thank-you Yogi-Martin:

"you should consider painting the closet alcove, somewhat in an offset color, like light brown or gray, something that would make them stand out.... "




Post# 847883 , Reply# 26   10/27/2015 at 06:33 (3,075 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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It's true Martin! That clanking noise was crazy so i know I had to go out of my way to fix it because you couldn't barely hear the hum of the motor...I love it!!

I was thinking of painting it red or orange to match the colors on the washer, Delaney! hahaha ;-)

I washed a load of towels last night and it did great. The dryer worked well too. There was hardly any lint in the lint filter...the Filter-Flo pan caught alot. There was a big ball when it was done. Awesome machine.


Post# 850004 , Reply# 27   11/5/2015 at 18:45 (3,065 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
Video!

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I posted one video today. Just a short clip of it agitating.

Thank you VERY much to Martin for the mini basket and FS dispenser. They really complete the machine. :)

So far I'm super happy with it and the dryer. The capacity, while small, is actually perfect for me being single. I think the extra-large capacity would be better for a couple or family for sure. With the large I'd probably have to do more separating if by some miracle I found someone to spend my life with LMAO. ;-)

I'll be posting more videos too...






Post# 850285 , Reply# 28   11/7/2015 at 10:05 (3,064 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
Mini Basket

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Here's another one! Enjoy :)






Post# 850300 , Reply# 29   11/7/2015 at 12:06 (3,064 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

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Gotta Love the Mini Wash.


Post# 850302 , Reply# 30   11/7/2015 at 12:11 (3,064 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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I know!! It's wicked cool. Comes in very handy.

Post# 850304 , Reply# 31   11/7/2015 at 12:20 (3,064 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

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When I bought my Gram's house back in the 70s... She left me her FF which was MOL and had the Mini Basket.

 

That machine was similar to yours except it had the Straight Vane Activator.

 

Very Splashy. More like a Splish Splash sound. Not like the Varumphhh Varumphhh like the Ramp Activator.  Very soothing hum to the motor.


Post# 850313 , Reply# 32   11/7/2015 at 13:37 (3,063 days old) by appnut (TX)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 850317 , Reply# 33   11/7/2015 at 13:41 (3,063 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
LOL!

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Sorry Bob, haha. I have been doing that actually but the filter pan is hard to take off with one hand when it's on the mini basket, so I just left it off for the video. The owner's manual (I found one online) acutally says to add the detergent right on the clothes near the activator. The Cheer powder doesn't dissolve well on the filter pan. It leaves like chunks of detergent...weird.

Post# 850318 , Reply# 34   11/7/2015 at 13:43 (3,063 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Ahh, ok.  Thanks.  Hmm, Cheer not being very cheerful in doing its duty to dissolve!!!


Post# 850320 , Reply# 35   11/7/2015 at 13:46 (3,063 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Yeah it looks like cottage cheese sitting there. But when you dump it in the water it dissolves fine. I guess there isn't enough water to get it dissolved quickly on the pan.

Post# 850387 , Reply# 36   11/8/2015 at 02:04 (3,063 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
Someone's having too much FUN !

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Thanks for the Mini-basket videos !

I just know your as a giddy as a 12 year old boy in a vacuum cleaner store.


I digress. What program are you using to edit video? I need to get a new program.



Post# 850389 , Reply# 37   11/8/2015 at 02:12 (3,063 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        

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I saw this same washer at a store yesterday. I was debating if I should get it. It would be the second GE washer in my growing collection. I didn't check if it had the mini basket. I should probably go back and get it.


Post# 850403 , Reply# 38   11/8/2015 at 06:25 (3,063 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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haha, yes I'm having a blast, I love this thing! I sold my 1 year old GE dryer yesterday. The lady that bought it thought I was nuts that I wanted an older set...she kind of got it though. Funny.

I just use my iPhone actually. I have used iMovie in the past to edit but for some reason the connection with YouTube hasn't been working. So I just download it to my computer and upload through YouTube directly.


Post# 850864 , Reply# 39   11/10/2015 at 14:36 (3,060 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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looking good there Joe.....

the only thing with larger capacity to me, is yo can always reduce water levels, but you can't make a machine bigger.....

although, it seems that the smaller capacity seems more aggressive cleaning....

still, a heavy duty machine that will last a lifetime...enjoy!


is the clothes retainer missing on the mini basket video?.....

we like the new fill flume direction.....more water on the clothes during spin.....waterfalls are always great for drama...


Post# 850925 , Reply# 40   11/10/2015 at 19:52 (3,060 days old) by Joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Thanks!

Yes I took the guard out with hopes that the water stream would be a little more uniform but no luck. It is nice that it rinses the clothes better during the first spray rinse but the water goes all over the place. Not sure I like that.

Any tips for preventative maintenance on it? I don't see any leaks but how long does the tub boot last? Just wondering if I should buy some replacement parts if I see them.


Post# 851443 , Reply# 41   11/13/2015 at 15:14 (3,057 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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be on the look out for a tub boot seal and pump, they are the most prone things to cause issues......yours may not, but good to have them on hand if an issue should show up....keep an eye on ebay for lowest prices....

I wouldn't be concerned about a tranny until you actually need one.....you may never have an issue with it....


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Yogitunes's LINK on eBay


Post# 851446 , Reply# 42   11/13/2015 at 15:22 (3,057 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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and heres the pump.....

but like I said....just keep checking for lower prices.....usually you can find each for around 7.00 to 18.00.....


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Yogitunes's LINK on eBay


Post# 853276 , Reply# 43   11/23/2015 at 13:30 (3,047 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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I replaced the fill flume...they seem to be pretty easy to find. It was kind of a bear to put in, but I got it! It fills better than before and I didn't cut any part of it off. Looks like it's maybe 1/2 and 1/2 in the outer basket and inner. But it's perfect. Angles down just right so when it does the spray rinse, water doesn't go all over. The photo doesn't show well but it comes down at an angle to cover the whole side of where the clothes would be.

I'm very happy I changed it out!


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Post# 853443 , Reply# 44   11/24/2015 at 10:33 (3,047 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
New Video!

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Showing end of wash cycle and first spin with spray rinse. :)






Post# 853454 , Reply# 45   11/24/2015 at 11:11 (3,047 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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About a 35 to 40 second spray rinse.  I was always fascinated when Maytags & GEs did the backwash during spin drain. 


Post# 853459 , Reply# 46   11/24/2015 at 11:22 (3,047 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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I really like it...reminds me of the LG TurboWash feature haha. Honestly I LOVE the spin drain...I think it's so cool looking. If I were to buy brand new again I'd go for Speed Queen for that reason. I don't think any other machines do it.

The angle is perfect IMO and there is hardly any splashing. Funny thing is before I cut the old nozzle to let more water inward, barely any water came into the inner basket. It filled more from the outer. Was kind of cool to see it bubble up from the bottom but I think this angle is the same. Interesting that it more distributed now. Maybe the old one wiggled out of wack.


Post# 853520 , Reply# 47   11/24/2015 at 19:03 (3,046 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
clicking after a few seconds after agitation

The clicking after a few seconds after agitation stars is normal. This is the machine shifting into normal/fast speed when set to regular.

Post# 853523 , Reply# 48   11/24/2015 at 19:35 (3,046 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)        
Please

put the clothes guard back on. You'll lose s sock and you'll be sorry. I owned a FF for 9 years and miss my old girl!!! The SQ is great, but I miss the GE!
Mike


Post# 853525 , Reply# 49   11/24/2015 at 19:51 (3,046 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
correction.

Correction: starts.

Post# 853527 , Reply# 50   11/24/2015 at 19:53 (3,046 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

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I was just given a blast from my childhood. My Papaw had that EXACT same GE, and it sounded EXACTLY like that machine, every bit. I miss them both a ton.

That's so awesome that you found these machines in such great condition!! I'm sad that you're parting with the Oasis though. Funny thing, I decided to finally sit down and sort through email and lo and behold, there sat an email from you from a while ago mixed in with all manner of work messages that got lost in the shuffle, thankfully none that applied to my job but still, lol.

Not sure that it matters now, but just in case you want to pass this info on to the next owner, or you happen to find a way to keep the Oasis and store it for future use (which I would prefer to hear!), I had the SAME exact problem with the first Bravos as far as the recirc. flume. The current Bravos I have now is a couple of steps above that model, so the tub ring was redesigned so that problem was solved. I'll shoot you an email about it. :)

Anyway, congrats and good luck with the new babies!!


Post# 853582 , Reply# 51   11/25/2015 at 07:06 (3,046 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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Mike - I replaced the clothes guard! haha. I really like the look without it, but it's ok with it on and I totally get it's purpose. I flipped it curving up instead of down and I think it looks better...maybe that's the way it's supposed to be?

Andrew - Glad I was able to bring back some good memories! They are awesome machines for sure. I'm very lucky that I found them..and a matching set at that too! Looks like they were lightly used. The dryer will need some work, it's a bit noisy when level. I had to tip it a bit forward to stop that. Not sure if it's the motor or the belt maybe? It makes kind of like a groaning noise. I've wanted these for a while now and I have to say I'm happy having an "old fashioned" set again. Hopefully I can keep them going for a long time.

I sold the Kenmore unfortunately. I just don't have any storage space. The guy I sold it to has a good size family and they were looking for a machine that would clean well and save water since they are on septic. He really liked it and I, of course, explained it and how well it cleans. It will be missed for sure. I'm glad I tried it though so I know how they work. I didn't lose that much money on it. He gave me close to my asking price so that made me happy. More than paid for my new GE set. :)

I thought maybe your machine had an updated top to it...I noticed it was shaped differently. Still, it did a good job but I wanted to tweak the spray just a wee bit! haha. Email when you get time...


Post# 853597 , Reply# 52   11/25/2015 at 08:51 (3,046 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
Back in early March of this year I replied to a CL ad for what turned out to be a 1983 FF. Ad stated it wouldn't spin. My offer of $25.00 was accepted. After bringing it home I found the pump wouldn't turn. Removed the pump and disassembled. Found a child's sock in the pump. So even with the guard this made its way into the outer tub. Put it back together and worked fine again.

My 1978 FF does a 90 second spray rinse. The 1983 60 second. And the 1983 doesn't fill as high as the 1978. So they had already gotten into water conservation by the early 80s.


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Post# 853605 , Reply# 53   11/25/2015 at 09:34 (3,046 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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most times its not a piece of clothing that gets spun over top, but more or less, when loading or unloading, clothing pulled out in bunches, a simple sock can get rolled under the splash shield, and before you know it, it jams the pump....


you can adjust the water level up, keeping it just below the top vanes of the agitator....like in Joe's video above, he is about spot on for highest fill level...


as for the dryer, chances are, its needs cleaned and lubed, especially the idler pulley and that back bearing....most of the screeching will come from there...


Post# 853615 , Reply# 54   11/25/2015 at 11:29 (3,046 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
Wow!

joeypete's profile picture
Good to know about the pump. Mine seems to be working fine...no socks ;-)

I filled the water higher when I had a comforter in there...but naturally I wouldn't be worried about that getting sucked into the outer tub lol.

At some point I'll take the dryer apart and see what's going on in there. It heats fine...just makes a groan...not really screeching. Who knows.



Post# 853647 , Reply# 55   11/25/2015 at 14:17 (3,045 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
dramatic sudsy splash

I remember the dramatic sudsy splash when set to small and normal speed. I liked when it got very sudsy in cold washes I.E. dark colored cottons. This was during my childhood when I had a '93 filter-flo set.

Post# 856194 , Reply# 56   12/11/2015 at 19:51 (3,029 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
Yet another video!

joeypete's profile picture
Full Knits (Gentle) Cycle :-)






Post# 856229 , Reply# 57   12/11/2015 at 22:56 (3,029 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        

delaneymeegan's profile picture

 

Thanks for the video. smile

 

Lots of healthy turn over going on.  It almost looks like a Downy commercial from the 70s or 80s.  They'd use shots like yours, and some with a camera submerged and focused on the textiles,  only slow the camera down, and then pour in the blue downy, and it looked so .....innocent.  lol  laughing

 

That motor certainly sounds healthy.   Enjoy.


Post# 856249 , Reply# 58   12/12/2015 at 06:25 (3,029 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

joeypete's profile picture
Thanks!! Yeah she's still chugging along just fine, aside from the occasional squeak and rattle ;-)

I remember those commercials actually!

This cycle is nice but kinda short. I wouldn't use it for anything that's super dirty. Nice thing about these older machines is you can select the wash spin separate from the cycle so you can do pretty much whatever you want.


Post# 856280 , Reply# 59   12/12/2015 at 11:13 (3,029 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
noise variation

I once had a GE filter-flo matched set from 1993. The spin cycle noise would vary depending on what you put in it. For example, if you had a full load of jeans and darks, the spin cycle could be heard all over the house. If you did a small load of clothes, like light colors or whites, you could hear the suspension clicking. The wash cycle noise will vary too. The motor may be quiet. Sometimes, the motor can make a slight grunting or rhythmic noise in sync with the agitator. It is really a fascinating machine that I miss dearly.


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