Thread Number: 34048
Seeking Advice from UK Washer Owners
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Post# 511406   4/14/2011 at 06:14 (4,732 days old) by mrprojectionist ()        

Some of you may have seen my first thread asking for vintage washing machine. Since I am a beginner I am seeking advice on whats the best washer based on reliability and what sort of problems should I look out for when buying one.

I plan to use this washer for almost occasional/daily use as it would be my main washer in my new flat. What sort of maintenance (if there are any) should I need to do to ensure it doesn't let me down (I don't want it to leak especially on the 6th floor of a heritage building!)

A ASEA Cylinda 12000 has recently caught my eye, does anyone know if they are reliable and easy to repair should there be any problems?

Also is there a book on basic washing machine repair/maintenance?

Thanks

Paul





Post# 511408 , Reply# 1   4/14/2011 at 06:29 (4,732 days old) by hoover1100 (U.K.)        
ASEA Cylinda 12000

Excellent machines, probably the only vintage machines that would be better made are Miele.

As for maintainence, just do what should be done with any machine, don't overload, use a good quality detergent (preferably powder or tablets, which contain oxygen bleach) regular hot washes and make sure pockets etc are empty when loading clothes.

Spin the drum by hand to check the bearings, and hold the drum by the paddles and rock it backwards and forwards to make sure there is no play in the drum.

If you can see the machine running check the inlets and the drain hose/pump for leaks, make sure the motor sounds ok, other than that not sure what else you can do without being able to tear into the machine.

Matt


Post# 511494 , Reply# 2   4/14/2011 at 16:16 (4,732 days old) by FL1012 ()        
Vintage Machines....

I've not heard of an ASEA before, so i'll trust Matt's judgement on that one!

What sort of age machine are you looking at getting?

When i speak of old machines i usually refer to 80's ones, but some on here do have much older models. The main reason i stick with 80s machines is theyre ones i remember from childhood, as i'd imagine is the case with a few of the guys on here.

Miele have always turned out good quality machines, though i guess second hand supply is quite thin on the ground as many people keep Miele's till they completely pack up. People seem to value Miele appliances alot more than other vintage ones, so therefore something like a house move where a Miele appliance is taken by its owners might result in most other machines being left behind. If you can find a Miele then go for it.

Another good option is one of my favorites, the 80's - early 90s Zanussi offerings. These are not everyday appearances on eBay etc, but you should find one of the younger 90s models at least once a month online. Many are 1000rpm spin & seem to spin nearly as effectively as my Parents 2007 Zanussi with 1400 spin, so you shouldn't feel like youre missing out on modern features, but still keep reliability & longevity that's typical with older machines. 80s machines (identifiable by their metal drum paddles) tend to spin more quietly than the sometimes unbalanced 90's machines (pictured below), which have grey plastic drum paddles. Either way they're a better bet for longevity than a modern machine.

Hotpoint's 80s/90's machines are still around in fair numbers & can be a good option too. My only point to note with Hotpoint is the lack of removeable fluff filter, meaning any fluff or coins etc can make their way further into the machine & on my Mum's 80's Hotpoint if this happened, the blockage would result in it draining water all over the floor. Not sure if this is characteristic with these machines, but it's obviously not ideal if youre on the 6th floor of a heritage building!

For maintenance, Matt said pretty much all i would've said, so a hot wash (60c or above) at least once a month, use of powder instead of slimey liquids, observation of the machine to make sure it all sounds as it should, that sort of thing. It's also important not to get frustrated by the slightly smaller drum sizes of older machines and try & cram them full, as Matt mentioned.

I believe Haynes, who make car manuals, also do one for washing machines but i suspect it'll be quite general advice because it focus's on washing machines as a whole and not a specific make of machine. I've seen them on the shelves with other Haynes manuals in Motorists Centre's, so maybe have a quick flick through one & see if it looks a worthwhile purchase.

Hope that helps a little,

Liam.


Post# 511509 , Reply# 3   4/14/2011 at 18:10 (4,732 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Paul....

ronhic's profile picture

...I bought an ASEA Cylinda 12000 new in 1989 as a mothers day gift for, well you know, my mother...

 

Fabulous machines!

 

So, some details about them....

 

- 4.5kg capacity

- 1200rpm spin

- stainless inner and outer drums

- access panel in the inner drum

- hot and cold connect unless you fit the 'Y' connector

- 5 rinses on cycles unless you depress 'quick' when you get 3...

- hold the 'gentle' button in and it will add more water to the wash

- you can get a cycle down to about 40min (cycle 4/ quick)

- selectable temperature from almost cold to 95c...and it DOES hit 95c...

- no bellows to worry about

- won't spin with the outer door open

- you can manually open the door with a nail file inserted into the slot next to the latch

 

So, what problems did she have....

 

- the hot hose blew out of it's fitting...leaving the connection on the tap and machine with a wild hose spraying 70c hot water around the laundry....the moral is to change hoses every 5-10yrs...of fit 'PEX' hoses

- door lock came adrift....it took about 20 screws to get to it (and you get to see the size of the electro/mechenaical timer then..it's HUGE) and about 3 minutes to fix....

- around the 19yrs of age mark, the timer eventually started to go 'slow' when selecting a programme...it would take forever to 'click' around to it....but it would then work perfectly....

 

Overall, given the work this machine did....and you can imagine, given my father is a builder, how much dirt went through it...they are a real workhorse...it was the epitomy of reliable

 

In the end, there was a small leak from the detergent drawer...my thoughts were that it was the inlet hose to the fabric conditioner dispenser as it only happened on either the final rinse OR if you selected 'rinse and spin'.....it could have been easily fixed, but mum decided that a new machine was the order of the day.....

 

.....and bought a Fisher and Paykel rebadged BEKO....which, to it's credit, is a very good machine.

 

When I bought the machine, the salesman described the quality of the ASEA as a 'beefed up domestic machine' and Miele as 'a domesticated industrial machine' ....The quality is amazing and make sure you take at least 1 mate with you....they weigh about 100kg...

 

Soooooo......if it was me, provided it was working I would snap up that ASEA....they are fantastic and make the most fabulous sounds when starting and spinning...

 

Make sure it has the blue fabric conditioner 'cup' with it (about 1.5x1.5 inches)....as it sits in one of the dispenser areas...

 

As for how to look after it and how to check it is ok....well I think Matt has hit it on the head.

 

- warm washes with the occassional hot

- powder or tablets (powder is my preference in these)

- leave the door ajar....and shut the outer drop down door...

 

Even at this age, I wouldn't be surprised if there are no issues with the machine. External condition (clean) can be a good indicator of mechanical condition....and I mean their house and their car too, not just the machine....I would be interesting to see what they have replaced it with....the ISE machines are rebadged ASKO's....which are a more cheaply made ASEA...

 

You can check the advance on the timer if you can turn it on....it should be a relatively smooth and unlaboured 'click, click, click'...if you set it to '3', it should take around 15-30 seconds to start the programme....and then you'll hear the motor/drum turn about twice before it attempts to get water in the machine.....

 

If you can take 6 bath towels with you, load them in before hand.....then turn the timer to 'spin'....'7 or 8' and let it spin (close the outer door)....it should be smooth.....it will hit 800rpm very quickly and then in the last 2 minutes take it up to 1200rpm....when it does this it will sound as if the spin 'drops' slightly for about a second and then she'll 'take off'

 


Post# 511631 , Reply# 4   4/15/2011 at 10:32 (4,731 days old) by mrprojectionist ()        
Chris..

Can I still get parts and service manuals for this machine..?

Post# 511687 , Reply# 5   4/15/2011 at 18:03 (4,731 days old) by FL1012 ()        
Meh...

I dunno bout anyone else but i do love it when people are so grateful for others contributions to their questions that they feel the need not to even say thanks!

Post# 511694 , Reply# 6   4/15/2011 at 18:46 (4,731 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Liam......I hear you...

ronhic's profile picture

Paul....

 

You should take note of Liam's comment.....

 

...and I live in another country where ASEA/ASKO was more popular than BOSCH/AEG in the late 1980's early 1990's and certainly as popular as Miele for over 20years, so yes, we can get parts. How you will fare in the UK is something that only a UK member/service agent will be able to advise. The one place I would look at though, is the ISE website - the machines they retail are basically ASKO's, so it may be worth contacting them.

 

 


Post# 511746 , Reply# 7   4/16/2011 at 02:10 (4,730 days old) by mrprojectionist ()        

Right, thanks Matt I will check the drum and won't overload.

Liam, I will look out for that Haynes manual, I distinctively remember seeing one in the shops somewhere years ago. I wonder if my dad had one I remember he repaired our 'electra' washing machine when I was a kid also thanks for listing the reliable makes, I'm delighted Zanussi was in there somewhere.

Also thanks Chris, for a great amount of detail on the ASEA washing machine. I'll let you all know what I settle with in a month.

Thanks again!


Post# 511826 , Reply# 8   4/16/2011 at 16:53 (4,730 days old) by liberator1509 (Ireland)        
ASEA/ASKO

have been sold as Maytag rebrands in the UK for ages, though whether this will continue now that a) Maytag UK has been subsumed into Whirlpool and b) Gorenje now own Akso...who knows...

Also sold as ISE, and in the commercial market as Primus

Bullet-proof machines however and parts shouldn't be too hard to find!

:-)



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