Thread Number: 4922
What to do? Maytag Compacts or fix 1976 Kenmore or Frig stack 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 108442   2/7/2006 at 22:52 (6,644 days old) by dcompton ()        

I have a 1976 Kenmore 70 Series Model 110.82372820 It's a Whirlpool belt drive. It started leaking so I bought a fill valve and new reinforced hoses, the USED ones I put on it 12
years ago were still fine, but with our 60+ psi water pressure, I figured I had better replace them now. I also put a new snubber on it.

Anyway, after spending $75 on parts and a tub wrench, turns out it was the tub. It's rusted out right around the center seal for about 3/8ths of an inch on the left side. Pics below.

I disassembled and cleaned the tub and ALL my friends say to ditch it and get some thing else.

I have some marine JB Weld that I believe would fix the tub. I bought a new seal etc. I have a rather large buildup of rust on the center post which is part of the chassis, so I can't
replace it (easily). I worry about putting the seal over the rust on the center post. I also worry about the longevity of my repair. I'm good at reclaiming stuff, but don't know if I
might expect 1 year, 10 years or 1 month from a properly done Marine JB Weld repair. This stuff seems much better than standard JB. You can make the repair while the part is submerged! I also don't know what to cover the repaired area. Paint, what?

I know you all have love for these old belt drives. But I can't find a tub or a chassis/centerpost. ANYWHERE. Anybody have one, or both?

I picked up a Frigidiare FLSE72GCSA stackable TL washer/elec dryer combo for $50. It needs dryer drum glides, but they assured me that was all. I would've already fixed this and
installed it, but for lack of 240 at the washer spot. My dryer is a Lady Kenmore, but in the garage.

Also I read on here that these things catch fire at the drop of a hat, and I have to say I'm not impressed with the dryer part of it. I could rewire it and use the washer part, only, in my washer space and continue to use the dryer I already have. I have refurbished it over the last few years, it has at LEAST another 10 years left on it.

So I'm looking at new. I'd buy a Danby washer and dryer RIGHT now at HD's clearance prices IF I could find them. I thought I had one the other night, but when I got there it was not to be found. I had called ahead but I got a LIAR on the phone. If someone is feeling generous, let me know where on the East Coast I can buy a Danby pair at HD's clearance price and I'll buy you dinner at the Outback or something like that.

Now that my Danby hopes are seemingly dashed, I went in search of the next best thing, something else new. The spot I would put new FL's in would be a NEW spot requiring plumbing and
wiring but I can do all that. Compacts would look GREAT in this spot. Unfortunately, Fridgemore's WILL NOT fit. :( The WP compacts are crap, I can't find a Danby set and I can't afford anything else that's worth owning.

So I'm looking at the Maytag Compacts MAH2400/MDE2400. I think they are smart looking and appear well built. They are $1100 a pair at Home Depot, and I would be buying the 4 year extra ext warranty. I know they are made by Samsung. That sits ok with me, but I wonder about longevity. Also the dryer is slammed on Epinions saying it basically just doesn't dry, period. Lack of a matching dryer that dried well, would pretty much kill my plans for a FL compact washer.

If I can find a drum/tub for the Kenmore, I can forget about laundry equipment for another ten years. Although a 4br house, it's just me in here, so not much laundry.

If you were in my spot, what would you do, and why? I really can't afford the $1000 plus dollars, but I will if I can have a nice laundry center in my kitchen with appliances that will last and work well. If not, then that is why I'm still trying to fix the oldies but goodies that I've got.

Also, do you all have suggestions for where I might find or buy salvage parts for washers?

Thanks for reading this and any replies. I've really enjoyed spending the last two weeks(!) reading this site.




Post# 108443 , Reply# 1   2/7/2006 at 22:53 (6,644 days old) by dcompton ()        
pic of centerpost

 here's a pic of the centerpost, which is only replacable along with the chassis. A BIG piece of metal to be shipping.

Post# 108456 , Reply# 2   2/7/2006 at 23:54 (6,644 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

golittlesport's profile picture
I've had Frigidaire dryers and they work very well. They dont have the biggest drum out there, but sufficient. CR rates them very good for performance, a best buy, whatever that is worth. If you keep them lint free you shouldnt have a fire. Any dryer will catch fire if not used and maintained properly.

Post# 108479 , Reply# 3   2/8/2006 at 02:02 (6,644 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)        
what's old is what's new

Save your dough,bro.Check out the old Pennsylvania shop in the Imperial thread,and see if the old washer man could help you.These new products just aren't built as well.

Post# 108590 , Reply# 4   2/8/2006 at 19:49 (6,643 days old) by bingwsguy (Binghamton NY)        
Compact Machines

 Be somewhat glad you missed out on the Danby machines...they look like a heck of a value...features for price, but on the less expensive front load washers, you don't get a good suspension system, and during the spin cycle, it is like an earthquake happening. Whirlpool makes a compact set similar price to Maytag and Bosch makes a great pair,though a little more $$. Good luck. :)

Post# 108591 , Reply# 5   2/8/2006 at 19:50 (6,643 days old) by bingwsguy (Binghamton NY)        
Compact Machines

 Be somewhat glad you missed out on the Danby machines...they look like a heck of a value...features for price, but on the less expensive front load washers, you don't get a good suspension system, and during the spin cycle, it is like an earthquake happening. Whirlpool makes a compact set similar price to Maytag and Bosch makes a great pair,though a little more $$. Good luck. :)

Post# 108749 , Reply# 6   2/9/2006 at 20:34 (6,642 days old) by dcompton ()        
Resolved!

 Well, I scored a used old Miele washer and a New Old Stock Creda dryer for $100. I'm done looking.

So... the Kenmore dies an economically unrepairable death. I could've fixed it, I wanted to fix it, but it wasn't meant to be. It has some good parts on it, I guess I will list the new water valve and snubber on ebay. The rest will go to the dump unless someone wants the tranny or motor, or anything else. Speak up, it will be going very soon.

I'll refurbish the Frig stacker and place it. Then in my "spare" time I'll plumb and electrify the space I have in mind for the FL compacts, along with a counter for them to live under.

In hindsight, I would've bought the Maytag Compact set. It looks VERY nice but the dryer is reputed to do a poor job drying. At 2200 watts I can believe it. Not worth $500 IMHO, although I do think the washer is very good value for $599.

While shopping every store around here yesterday, I found a Bosch washer, new out of box for $650. Good deal I thought, but the matching vented dryer was more than that!

Also, they had a couple of Asko machines, also out of box. These said Merloni right inside the door! What gives? I thought these were good machines from the comments on this site, but that is contradictory to what I've read here about Merloni.

Thanks for all the help and entertainment!

Post# 108754 , Reply# 7   2/9/2006 at 20:56 (6,642 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Good News!

launderess's profile picture
What model Miele did cha get?

Creda washing machines did not have the best of reputations,IIRC, however maybe their dryers are better.

Launderess.

Post# 108821 , Reply# 8   2/10/2006 at 08:22 (6,642 days old) by dcompton ()        
miele model

 It is a W 759. It is probably already 20 years old. The face is all printed in German. I figured it out, and ran it thru a cycle quickly, dry. No noises in high speed spin so I figure if it needs any work, that'll be relatively minor. The place gave me a 30 day warranty, but at this price I probably wouldn't take it back. I know Credas aren;t the best but in my mind it wasw essentially free, and it suposed to be new, never used. and how hard can a dryer be to fix? THanks!

Post# 109013 , Reply# 9   2/11/2006 at 01:20 (6,641 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Mine is a vintage Miele also but 1070 so later than yours? Still they are great machines, and not uncommon for Miele units to last over 20 years. Was yours MIB or used?

L.

Post# 109016 , Reply# 10   2/11/2006 at 01:33 (6,641 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Miele Manuals

 launderess's profile picture
Your model is no longer listed, but think yours is similar to the W765/W770. If that is correct my model is the next series after yours.

One hundred dollars for a Miele washer and the Creda dryer? Very good deal indeed. Gave more for my unit, then there was shipping and today installation and some new parts.

Older Miele units are fun machines because of timer controls. You might wish to contact Miele and see if spares are still in stock for your unit and for how long. IIRC Miele keeps spares for ten or so years after a model is discontinued, so it may pay to see if anything that suits yours are being retired.

L.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO launderess's LINK
Post# 109038 , Reply# 11   2/11/2006 at 04:47 (6,641 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Same era/series. The W1070 was a specific US model.

Post# 109106 , Reply# 12   2/11/2006 at 15:01 (6,640 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Austin was looking for a console for a Kenmore a while back,if it's in decent shape.

kennyGF

Post# 109109 , Reply# 13   2/11/2006 at 15:20 (6,640 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hi Kenny,

I went ahead and put a 1968 top on my '82 and created the Frankenmore. Thanks for keeping an eye out though!!


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