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Thread Number: 39464
1986 very late model Lady Kenmore belt-drive washer |
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Post# 584803 3/24/2012 at 13:46 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64  (Charlotte, NC) |
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Recently I promised myself that I would not bring home any more washers until I got the few up and running which are already here in less than working order.
Well, the wonderful Mister Drew, RedCarpetDrew that is, nudged me enough (I admit that it took very little effort on his part) to bring home a handsome Lady Kenmore which he had found for me some time back. We shipped it to our California plant last year around early December, and it arrived in Charlotte right around Christmas. I have left it tucked away while it was a little too chilly for garage washer work, and as I worked on other machines like the brothers BOL Kenmore. Today is a gorgeous day, so I arranged loading help at the warehouse, and went down and fetched Miss New Lady and brought her home only moments ago. I realize that to some these are not the most exciting Lady Kenmores, and even some have said that they don't consider these true Ladies. Be that as it may, I thought these were fascinating when I bought my 70-series in summer 1986, and I am VERY glad to have this one now. Here are a few pics, then I have to go out and start cleaning her up. | ||
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Post# 584804 , Reply# 1 3/24/2012 at 13:48 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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I forgot an in-truck pic, but this is close enough.
Once again, transportation provided by Ford. 
This post was last edited 03/24/2012 at 14:06 | ||
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Post# 584805 , Reply# 2 3/24/2012 at 13:51 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 584806 , Reply# 3 3/24/2012 at 13:52 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 584807 , Reply# 4 3/24/2012 at 13:53 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Say Ahhhhh!
(That is an imported leaf from Nevada or California, btw...) 
This post was last edited 03/24/2012 at 19:35 | ||
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Post# 584808 , Reply# 5 3/24/2012 at 13:54 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 584809 , Reply# 6 3/24/2012 at 13:56 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 584810 , Reply# 7 3/24/2012 at 13:57 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 584813 , Reply# 8 3/24/2012 at 14:04 (4,412 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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I hope this becomes one of my favorite washers. She certainly already has a leg-up because of where she came from (THANKS again Andy!!).
One really cool thing about this machine that I will go into in more detail later on: This is a de-contented Lady Kenmore. The primary 1983-1986 Lady was model 110.82392100. This is 110.82592100, meaning it is a 1985 model. There are only two differences - first, the top is powder coated instead of painted, and second, she lacks the double coated white basket. Until Andy found this machine, I never knew why Kenmore had both, but I remember this one being on sale once or twice in 1985/1986 for what I thought was a steal. This is probably why - they took out two areas of cost so they could sell the machine a little cheaper. Another neat thing about this machine is that it is now the newest belt-drive Kenmore that I have ever seen and am aware of at this time. I thought my 70-series had that distinction as it was manufactured in week 32 of 1986 (mid August). This machine was made in week 35 of 1986, or early September. I did a test run on her after taking the pics - she sounds great and all seems to work as it should. Time to go give her a good wash-down and water test. Its gonna be heck getting that duct tape residue off... Gordon 
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Post# 584817 , Reply# 9 3/24/2012 at 14:50 (4,412 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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| Post# 584834 , Reply# 10 3/24/2012 at 18:40 (4,412 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA) | ||
All that 'tap tap tapping' worked!
You forgot the bonus! A rare (as in the customer always loses it rare) liquid detergent insert for the dispenser! I really didn't expect to find that. I hope the USDA doesn't have a fit over that Nevada leaf crossing state lines! As far as the features combination, once again I've proven one of your theories about Nevada being a test bed for new models before they are released nationwide correct. It seems just about every washer I find for you is one you've not seen. Another is that older 24"er you haven't brought home yet. Hmmmm, here we go again...
Tap tap tap... LOL! Can't wait to see the in action shots... Tap tap tap... RCD | ||
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Post# 584873 , Reply# 11 3/24/2012 at 23:15 (4,412 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon) |
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Cool Washer -G- | ||
| Post# 584876 , Reply# 12 3/24/2012 at 23:57 (4,412 days old) by kqkenmore (memphis tn) | ||
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| Post# 584919 , Reply# 13 3/25/2012 at 09:33 (4,411 days old) by in2itdood () | ||
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Wow! She's a pretty Lady Hey Gordy ... Love that machine!!! ... When we were talking yesterday I was not getting how awesome that machine was =). Congrats! Love to see her after a nice windex and Mr. Clean bath. | ||
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Post# 584966 , Reply# 14 3/25/2012 at 12:18 (4,411 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Updated pics
There is less WD-40 in the world now, but I got the tape residue off. That was an interesting adventure as the rag I used was so full of adhesive that when the rag touched anything else, it would redeposit the sticky everywhere.
The machine is in pretty nice physical shape. The cabinet cleaned up nicely. That's a drilled hole in the front, and there is another one underneath. I'd love to know what people had installed on the front, perhaps a clothes line or pole. 
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Post# 584967 , Reply# 15 3/25/2012 at 12:19 (4,411 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Post# 584968 , Reply# 16 3/25/2012 at 12:26 (4,411 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Unfortunately, she did not pass the today's water test. I washed the rags she dirtied, but about 8 minutes into the wash I noticed a small leak trail. It was mostly the pump slow dripping, but I think there was some drippage off the baseplate as well. Crap...I am not doing well with incoming washers lately in the leak department. The pump is the main problem, and when it went into drain, water literally sprayed out of it. Holy moly...I was concerned about continued use, so I finished the load in another machine.
On a very good note however, I found out an answer to another issue which had been bugging me. When Andy did his videos on this machine, I noticed right away that it did not have enough water flow through the detergent dispenser. I noticed that when the solenoid valve is first energized, MUCH more water flows through for about one second, meaning the solenoid must be weak and partially closing, obstructing water flow. I can fix that. So, I've got another project, but this should not (hope not) be a big deal. Gordon | ||
| Post# 584974 , Reply# 17 3/25/2012 at 12:50 (4,411 days old) by lebron (Minnesota) | ||
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| Post# 584983 , Reply# 18 3/25/2012 at 13:15 (4,411 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA) | ||
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Oh $&$@%€#¥$&!!!
That did not leak before I sent her to you! Aaarrrggghhh! Could the pump have frozen from the cold Nevada weather? Man! As far as the tub leak, could she have been rough handled during shipment and caused small leaks at the tub bolts or tub outlet? Oh well, at least the bearings are still in good shape as I sent her...
Sorry, brother! I thought I sent you one you could use without having to fix it first. I hope the older 24"er that accompanied the Lady on her journey survived the trip in better shape... RCD | ||
| Post# 584984 , Reply# 19 3/25/2012 at 13:16 (4,411 days old) by lebron (Minnesota) | ||
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Could the pump have frozen from the cold Nevada weather? | ||
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Post# 584987 , Reply# 20 3/25/2012 at 13:31 (4,411 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 585035 , Reply# 21 3/25/2012 at 18:28 (4,411 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Andy - No worries my friend. The major issue was the pump. That is anything but a big deal. I have never seen one spray water like that though in pump out, so it was kinda cool...the pump was definitely not happy. But, if it is the original pump, it owes us nothing. I have a dozen or more new four port pumps so no issues there. I am not certain about the leaky tub, but I will find out more when I work on the machine more closely.
Today I did get the leveling legs improved. I took out the link, both legs, and the plastic clips. One side of the link had some bends in it, which interferes A LOT with the leveling ability of the whole system. I corrected that, and the system now works fine. I have a feeling that the hauler man-handled her, as one of the front legs is coming apart, which they do when they absorb too many compressions. I think the best thing to do with this machine is to take her all apart, re-do the seals, install a new pump, and probably a detergent valve solenoid, and I shouldn't have to worry about it for some time to come. THANKS a lot for a very cool washer Andy! G | ||
| Post# 585193 , Reply# 23 3/26/2012 at 14:40 (4,410 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa) | ||
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Post# 585206 , Reply# 24 3/26/2012 at 15:44 (4,410 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Darren -
Here's a shot from a similar machine that I can get you right now without a new photo. This is from a 1985, fully contented washer with the white basket and the porcelain top. Both use the same console. If you can't read it the options from left to right are: Soak only, soak 'n wash, wash only, wash and 2nd rinse, and finally, soak, wash and second rinse. In that final option, the timer can progress from the beginning of the Pre-soak all the way through the end of the second rinse in cotton/sturdy, uninterrupted. The Cycle Modifier switch on the left debuted on 1979 90-series models, and it replaced two previous switches used on 1976 thru 1978 machines. It was used to my knowledge on only five models, a 1979 90 series, a 1980 80 series (this differed from the '79 in not having the '79's solenoid operated bleach dispenser), a 1981 80-series, a 1983 80-series, and the 1983/1985 Lady K. The only model made in huge numbers was the 1983/1985 Lady K. I've never come across the 1979 90 series. I have a 1980 80-series, and have the makings for another (it is there in cabinet and body, but has had a cheaper console transplanted on. Andy has found and sent me the proper console, so that machine may be whole again soon). I have also never seen a 1981 80-series, though VolvoGuy87 has one. This machine is on my dream list. It differs from the 79/80 in having infinte water levels instead of five. All three of these machines lacked the triple dispenser. The 1983 80-series I've never seen either, nor have I ever seen any evidence of one except in the model listings from WP, AND the pictures used in the 1980s Kenmore belt-drive repair manual are of one. This and the '81 are cool because the panel looks like the Lady's presented here, but have the woodgrain on top instead of the textured black. I never really thought about it, but wow, only five models with that switch, and all were large capacity. 
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Post# 585207 , Reply# 25 3/26/2012 at 15:47 (4,410 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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| Post# 585212 , Reply# 26 3/26/2012 at 16:23 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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Beautiful washer. These would be some of my favs as well. Here's some scans of the models you may have not seen. In 1983 you could still get some appliance in Harvest Gold, Coffee, and Avacodo... and a machine with a sudsaver. lol. 
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| Post# 585213 , Reply# 27 3/26/2012 at 16:24 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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81 Spring Summer Lady Kenmore 
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| Post# 585214 , Reply# 28 3/26/2012 at 16:25 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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81 ss runners up with woodgrain console 
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| Post# 585215 , Reply# 29 3/26/2012 at 16:26 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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81 ss stats 
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| Post# 585216 , Reply# 30 3/26/2012 at 16:27 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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1980 Fall Winter check out the computer on the TOL, at that time. A short lived model. 
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| Post# 585217 , Reply# 31 3/26/2012 at 16:29 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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1983 Fall Winter Still with the wood grain top. I like the 1983 line up best. I think it is the script they used. 
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| Post# 585218 , Reply# 32 3/26/2012 at 16:29 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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1983 fw stats 
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Post# 585233 , Reply# 33 3/26/2012 at 17:10 (4,410 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Erik -
THANKS for the ultra-cool catalog scans. The models in the Spring/Summer 1981 catalog are actually 1980 models. In my reply #25 above, my washer is actually 1980 stock number 20821 which you can see in your reply and picture, #28. The 1980 models all hung around until summer 1981, when the redesigned fonts came out for 1981 (AND when Whirlpool at the same time redesigned the baseplate of all 29-inch belt-drive machines and made them slightly more energy efficient overall). The Fall/Winter 1981 catalog debuted this new console styling for Kenmore. In your 1983 Fall/Winter scan, reply # 31, Sears was still selling some of the 1981 models along with some revised 1982 units, this one being the 21831, which may be one of the most interesting to me of all the 1980s belt drives. It was still available in Fall 1983, so it was available for more than 2 years. Sears wanted a King's ransom for the machine, and sales were lousy in general at this time due to the 1981-1983 recession, so we see very few of this model. (Interestingly, the brown panel machine in the little photo inset is a 2-speed, 1982 three cycle machine. Not really all that different than the 21831, but close to half the price at $299!! These sold better for obvious reasons, and their only draw back vs. more expensive machines was a total lack of a lint filter). The 1983 line didn't show up in catalogs until Spring/Summer 1984, and the 80-series using this awesome console was never in a catalog that I've ever seen. Thank you again for the neat photos. Gordon This post was last edited 03/26/2012 at 17:26 | ||
| Post# 585265 , Reply# 34 3/26/2012 at 20:31 (4,410 days old) by applianceguy47 () | ||
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"only draw back vs. more expensive machines was a total lack of a lint filter" Do you mean an operating lint filter? When did they start with the, round "comb" style lint filter at the base of the wash tubs? | ||
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Post# 585272 , Reply# 35 3/26/2012 at 21:28 (4,410 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Erik -
The basket mounted lint filter debuted in 1982, I am not certain exactly when that year, but I think about mid-year. Carryover 1981 models, all of which started with the tub mounted self-cleaning filter, were changed to have the basket mount filter if they were still in production by summer 1982. This represented a fairly sizeable substitution of parts, including the outer tub, the basket, the pump, filter assemblies and internal plumbing. The 1981 80-series mentioned above is one of the models to see the changes. The machine I mentioned as not having a filter had no filter at all, not recirulating, not basket mounted, nothing. Gordon | ||
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Post# 585274 , Reply# 36 3/26/2012 at 22:02 (4,410 days old) by CleanteamofNY ((Monroe, New York) |
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When did they start with the, round "comb" style lin If I'm correct, it was when the DAA was introduced. I know it was used on the plastic control panel with the Penta-Vane installed so that makes it in the 1975-1976 but looking through the Sears catalogs 1980, this machine was suppose to have a manual filter but there one none from my memory when my parents had the washer. 
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Post# 585282 , Reply# 37 3/27/2012 at 01:31 (4,410 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Cleanteam -
The round, disk shaped self cleaning comb filters which were mounted to the underside of the wash baskets are a 1980s design. The machine in your picture is either a 1979 Kenmore 500 series standard capacity machine (I have one in my collection which can be seen in my photo album) or a 1980 Kenmore 500 large capacity machine with the Penta-Vane agitator. You are correct, both have the manual filter. I like this machine very much and use it often. There was one 1980 model, a 400 series, which did not have a filter, but it also didn't have an adjustable water level, and temperatures were set on the timer dial. It otherwise looked identical to these models. These are somewhat unusual in that the standard and large capacity variants look absolutely identical. Few Kenmore models were ever this similar side by side. Gordon | ||
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Post# 585289 , Reply# 38 3/27/2012 at 07:31 (4,409 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Belt Drive washers with Self-Cleaning Filters | ||
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Post# 585293 , Reply# 39 3/27/2012 at 08:12 (4,409 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Very nice washer, Gordon. There was one of these (and dryer) at an estate sale a couple of years ago in MINT! condition but I had-have too many already so passed them up. IIRC that washer was not the LK but a step down with the flip-open detergent dispenser, I always wanted that as a kid. I did buy a perfectly mint Ironrite from that house and later, a friend of mine bought the house but the Kenmores were long gone.
My Mark series touch-pad Whirlpool (late belt-drive) has the comb-type filter under the basket - you can see the clips for it 
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Post# 585295 , Reply# 40 3/27/2012 at 08:38 (4,409 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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John,
The Limited Edition and even the Lady K washer which is the subject of this thread still had the tub-mounted filter. These machines required the four-port pump to support the triple dispenser, but the disk basket mounted filters were never used with any pump but the newer style two and three port. For reasons which I have never been told, Whirlpool did not ever equip a model with the old style two-port or four-port pump AND the disk filter. I think this was because the old pumps were more prone to lint build-up inside, as lint globs from the disc filter actually travel through the pump, which it doesn't do in the plumbed versions (such as the tub-mounted filter) which are powered by the older pumps. The suds versions of all the models which had basket mounted disk filters all had the tub mounted, plumbed filter and the old two-port pump. The suds feature requires either the old two-port or the four-port as these pumps reverse flow, which is necessary to return suds water to the machine. The newer two-port and three-port do not reverse so they won't work in a suds version. Once again, the suds models all reverted to the older style lint filters, likely because the combination of the basket filter and the old pumps was not something that Whirlpool was willing to produce. Gordon | ||
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Post# 585302 , Reply# 41 3/27/2012 at 09:13 (4,409 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass) |
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You must use a 285317 3 port pump when replacing a 2 port original pump on the basket-mounted filter models. A 350365 is not meant to pump lint laden water through it. Just block off the narrow third port that normally would go to the manual recirculating maze type filter. This is stated in the service manual. | ||
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Post# 585333 , Reply# 43 3/27/2012 at 14:39 (4,409 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Erik -
No, I have never tried or even thought about that. So far I've never seen any sign of lint build-up in these dispensers, but have seen a lot of minerals. One I cleaned-up recently was so clogged with minerals that if you squeezed the hose between the detergent and softener sections, you could hear the crunching of the deposits. I would think that if you used fresh water, the mineral problem might worsen without detergent and other laundry additives which would soften the water. Overall, these triple dispensers are cool, but I think they're a perfect example of what people were thinking about when they would say that high-end appliances should be avoided because they had more stuff to break. I have worked on three machines with these dispensers in the last year or two. The first had a cracked dispenser body which then leaked/dripped. The second has a blocked open solenoid on the softener side, which dumps your stored softener in the wash water, and the third has a weak gate valve, thus curtailing water to the whole system to just a trickle. All this so the machine can dump in detergent and additives. I don't find scooping or pouring detergent all that troublesome. I do like the waterfall though! Gordon | ||
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Post# 587461 , Reply# 45 4/5/2012 at 20:38 (4,400 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Greg -
Do you use your electronic machine often? I don't think I have seen but one or two electronic WPs in person. They seem more rare than the KMs. One thing I would LOVE to find yet is a NIB or unused belt-drive like yours was. Erik - What machine is that in your pic? You've got the rare liquid detergent accessory in the dispenser center compartment. Gordon | ||
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Post# 587963 , Reply# 46 4/8/2012 at 18:04 (4,397 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Weekend Update:
I did some work on washers this weekend, including the 1986 Lady.
Knowing that most of the leakage was from the pump, AND that the problem with the triple dispenser trickling vs. flowing was probably valve related, I got under the machine and replaced both. First was the detergent valve. I had noticed that for a second or two AFTER the valve was activated, there was normal water flow through the dispenser, but only for a second. I suspected a weak valve. These are NLA, but I found one recently and thought I'd need it. I changed the pump next. The original pump had dripped a little bit during agitation, but literally sprayed water during drain. I had two 350367 pumps on the shelf, and I used them both this weekend. The water test yielded three very interesting results. First, no drips at all during agitation or drain. Woohoo! Also, the weak detergent valve suspicion was correct, and the machine now has much better flow through the dispener. Yay! But, just before I was about to get excited that I had a new washer to use and play with, I noticed water on the floor coming from the back of the machine. I hadn't even been looking there. Well, upon close examination, I found a detergent trail on the baseplate, and a lot of water coming from under the outer tub. It's either a hole in the tub, OR the centerpost grommet. This machine is three weeks newer than my 1986 70, and it needed a new center grommet in 1994, so if this one is original, it owes the machine nothing. My next step is thus to pull the outer tub and examine it. Hopefully we have just grommet leak. That's for next weekend, or one night this week if I get really industrious. But, at least a couple issues have been fixed! I presume the machine leaked from the center last time, but the pump was so bad all the water mixed up and I never noticed. Gordon | ||
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Post# 587976 , Reply# 47 4/8/2012 at 19:55 (4,397 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 588010 , Reply# 48 4/9/2012 at 01:14 (4,397 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon) |
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Gordon -
I don't envy you to have gone to all that work and now have to disassemble the machine completely to get to the leak in the outer tub. Of course, if anyone can do it you can and with ease I might add! Glad to hear the dispenser is flowing smoothly now. Spare parts are so nice to have around. Good luck with the leak and hope it's something simple. Patrick | ||
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Post# 588011 , Reply# 49 4/9/2012 at 01:15 (4,397 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon) |
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