Bendix Dial-a-Matic MRE

The other afternoon i was using the Bendix and there was a very odd smell coming from the machine when the heater was on, eventually the heater stopped working. I thought today i would have a look and as there were a few bits that needed adjusting i thought a service would be ideally timed.I did a major restoration a few years ago, but every few months or so the machine has to be un bolted from the floor and adjusted. One of the wires had burned through on the heater so a bit if a snip and a trim back sorted out the connection. A couple of years ago the three way switch that operates the heater and motor also failed and needed a repair that i knew at the time would only last a short time. I made a call to David at Electrical sales and surprise surprise he had a replacement switch!!!! That went on a treat and with an oil change in the gear box the machine was back together again.!!! A water and electrical test and the machine was bolted back down to the floor.
One of the things i did during the full refurb years ago was to replace all the hoses and the rubber seals except the door seal and the soap port hose. I replaced part of the soap port hose but not all of it. I used a rubber bush cover from a car steering column to make a partial replacement however the piece that holds the metal strainer had to be retained. This part along with the door seal is looking a little tiered and think before long will need replacement.
Does anyone have any idea where i may be able to look for a replacement door seal and soap port hose. The
machine is from about 1957 but does have its design origins from America.
I have seen the American automatic models and the workings do look the same except minor differences.
Any advise would be really helpful . Thanks Darren


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Post# 715519 11/15/2013 at 11:53 (3,808 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
Checkrate/Likes 1 The other afternoon i was using the Bendix and there was a very odd smell coming from the machine when the heater was on, eventually the heater stopped working. I thought today i would have a look and as there were a few bits that needed adjusting i thought a service would be ideally timed.I did a major restoration a few years ago, but every few months or so the machine has to be un bolted from the floor and adjusted. One of the wires had burned through on the heater so a bit if a snip and a trim back sorted out the connection. A couple of years ago the three way switch that operates the heater and motor also failed and needed a repair that i knew at the time would only last a short time. I made a call to David at Electrical sales and surprise surprise he had a replacement switch!!!! That went on a treat and with an oil change in the gear box the machine was back together again.!!! A water and electrical test and the machine was bolted back down to the floor. One of the things i did during the full refurb years ago was to replace all the hoses and the rubber seals except the door seal and the soap port hose. I replaced part of the soap port hose but not all of it. I used a rubber bush cover from a car steering column to make a partial replacement however the piece that holds the metal strainer had to be retained. This part along with the door seal is looking a little tiered and think before long will need replacement. Does anyone have any idea where i may be able to look for a replacement door seal and soap port hose. The machine is from about 1957 but does have its design origins from America. I have seen the American automatic models and the workings do look the same except minor differences. Any advise would be really helpful . Thanks Darren

Post# 715520 , Reply# 1 11/15/2013 at 11:55 (3,808 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix* Door Seal getting a little sticky and worn !

Post# 715521 , Reply# 2 11/15/2013 at 11:58 (3,808 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix Soap port* much of the same�� looking a little worn out

Post# 715525 , Reply# 3 11/15/2013 at 12:02 (3,808 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
*This post has been removed by the member who posted it.*

Post# 715528 , Reply# 4 11/15/2013 at 12:05 (3,808 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix controls* New switch in place �.. what a lucky find

Post# 715625 , Reply# 5 11/15/2013 at 20:15 (3,807 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *What a lovely* machine! I love that temp dial!!! I will look in my parts store as I think the Dexter soap gasket maybe similar to this Bendix gasket and I think I have a new one in stock. You must enjoy her washing !! jon

Post# 715648 , Reply# 6 11/16/2013 at 02:09 (3,807 days old) by mikeklondon (London)
Checkrate/Likes *Nice Bendix* What a lovely machine Can just ask one question, it looks like the hot and cold water inlet taps are joined does this mean it always fills with warm water for both the wash and rinse

Post# 715702 , Reply# 7 11/16/2013 at 13:40 (3,806 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix washer operation* Hi Mike, the washer is a semi automatic so you have to control the processes . Fill, wash, drain spin ect. Nothing is automatic which gives you the option to control the wash as you want. The Bendix taps were an ebay find and just give the authentic look. !!

Post# 715801 , Reply# 8 11/17/2013 at 01:57 (3,806 days old) by qualin (Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Just curious... What do the markings on the temperature dial denote? As well, how exactly does the machine work? If you were to do a "Cycle" in this thing, how would you do it? Maybe post a video? Thanks!

Post# 715805 , Reply# 10 11/17/2013 at 02:21 (3,806 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Qualin* It's about as simple as it gets, but I'll take a guess at the process seeing I'm fairly certain it'd be the same as any semi-automatic. - Fill with dirty clothes - add detergent to machine - turn water on (assuming there is a solinoid and timer action) - switch at 'motor only', turn mains on - Turn dial to 'fill' and allow to fill until desired water level is reached - turn dial to 'tumble' - switch to 'heat and motor' - when desired temperature reached, switch to 'motor only' - allow to 'tumble' for required time. - turn dial to 'drain' - turn dial to 'spin' - turn dial to 'fill' - turn dial to 'tumble' - allow to 'tumble' for desired time for first rinse - repeat 'drain', 'spin', 'fill' etc sequence until suitably rinsed - final, longer spin. As for the temperature dial.... - green may be cool - red shading may be warm - white may be warm to hot - red may be a boil wash.

Post# 715804 , Reply# 9 11/17/2013 at 02:12 (3,806 days old) by mikeklondon (London)
Checkrate/Likes *Semi Bendix* I have never seen a semi Bendix before, its brilliant. I agree with Qualin above, if you ever have time to make a video I would love to see it. Is this machine a daily driver?

Post# 716061 , Reply# 11 11/18/2013 at 13:10 (3,805 days old) by slowspin66 (lincoln uk)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix operation* The machine is even more simple to operate than you think. I have a day off on wednesday so i will try and get a film made to demonstrate. When you take the machine to bits its so very simple it's hard to believe. The photo is one taken during the initial restoration some years ago !!!!! You may be able to see in the foreground of the picture a thin black cable that disappears into the cabinet of the machine. This 'Bowden" cable changes the gear mechanism when you turn the washer through its operations from tumble ,drain and spin. On the automatic model the shift mechanism is moved with solenoids The heater was included in the machine as during the 1950s as some post war homes did not have a ready supply of hot water.If you leave the heater on the machine will boil the contents!! Steam pours out of the soap port if you leave it heating and go off to do something else ! Saying that it is good fun .