Opinions on early 90s/late 00s Frigidaire TLs

I've been researching/trying to locate a Frigidaire top-loader from the '98-'05ish era, and while looking around here on AW I've seen a lot of mixed feelings toward them, and wanted to see what people did/did not like about them.

My aunt has one that she bought in '99, and I believe it's a MOL because it has four temps and the infinite water level selector, plus the dual-action agitator and larger tub. Through having four kids and washing a load at least twice a day, it's still running perfectly all these years later. In my experience with watching it run over the years, I've been really impressed with it, which is why I would like to find one in good condition now to restore and use periodically. I like the agitation speed on these washers, and though it seems most people don't like tub indexing, I've never known of this one to perform poorly, because the wash-action and rollover seem great, and the one-way indexing/swirling seems to keep the load balanced to the point that the self-balancing tub doesn't really have to work hard.

I think what I love most about these is the simplicity of controls, and the sounds it makes. My aunt's being nearly 16 years old, the transmission sounds well worn, and has this rhythmic whining up and down sound while it agitates, but I've heard this on most washers like this to some degree, and the performance doesn't seem like it's suffering. It has a cool "ki-choom" sound when the motor kicks on to spin as well. I know that in the later year models, they limited the max water level down to below the third row of holes for some reason, which is why I don't want the newer versions, but the one my aunt has fills up to the bottom of the basket ring, and thankfully so because she loads hers to the brim.

What are the pros/cons that anyone here has found that has owned one before?


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Post# 764514 6/19/2014 at 00:43 (3,596 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)
Checkrate/Likes I've been researching/trying to locate a Frigidaire top-loader from the '98-'05ish era, and while looking around here on AW I've seen a lot of mixed feelings toward them, and wanted to see what people did/did not like about them. My aunt has one that she bought in '99, and I believe it's a MOL because it has four temps and the infinite water level selector, plus the dual-action agitator and larger tub. Through having four kids and washing a load at least twice a day, it's still running perfectly all these years later. In my experience with watching it run over the years, I've been really impressed with it, which is why I would like to find one in good condition now to restore and use periodically. I like the agitation speed on these washers, and though it seems most people don't like tub indexing, I've never known of this one to perform poorly, because the wash-action and rollover seem great, and the one-way indexing/swirling seems to keep the load balanced to the point that the self-balancing tub doesn't really have to work hard. I think what I love most about these is the simplicity of controls, and the sounds it makes. My aunt's being nearly 16 years old, the transmission sounds well worn, and has this rhythmic whining up and down sound while it agitates, but I've heard this on most washers like this to some degree, and the performance doesn't seem like it's suffering. It has a cool "ki-choom" sound when the motor kicks on to spin as well. I know that in the later year models, they limited the max water level down to below the third row of holes for some reason, which is why I don't want the newer versions, but the one my aunt has fills up to the bottom of the basket ring, and thankfully so because she loads hers to the brim. What are the pros/cons that anyone here has found that has owned one before?

Post# 764524 , Reply# 1 6/19/2014 at 02:02 (3,596 days old) by toploader1984 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Frigidaire* I loved mine, bought new in 2010 trying to sell my frigidaire set because i got a new front loader, the frigidaire has been in the spare room for a year now.

Post# 764533 , Reply# 2 6/19/2014 at 03:36 (3,596 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)
Checkrate/Likes *A friend...* Has a machine bought in '93 with the angel-wing agitator that has NEVER needed a repair. Not even a new belt. Says it was far better than the Kenmore it replaced. Imagine that. Malcolm

Post# 764554 , Reply# 3 6/19/2014 at 07:19 (3,596 days old) by billiedyer1954 (Ohio, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *98 frigidaire* bought it new in 98. I liked it. one belt change at about year 4. replaced it in 2011, but it was still working fine. I just wanted something new

Post# 764568 , Reply# 4 6/19/2014 at 10:27 (3,596 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes I got the stacked unit for my MIL under the Kenmore name.....this was 2001......and still running strong, never an issue, I did raise the water level up and by pass the lid switch.....and the combination of the DualAction with the Indexing tub is a unique wash action... no complaints here

Post# 764635 , Reply# 5 6/19/2014 at 18:16 (3,595 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))
Checkrate/Likes *Not to rain on anyone's parade:* But a direct drive WP/KM TL from the same time will be a MUCH BETTER washer. In terms of reliability, washability and build quality nothing can hold a candle to it. You would be much better served by a WP built machine of the same vintage than the FD. WK78

Post# 764644 , Reply# 6 6/19/2014 at 18:48 (3,595 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)
Checkrate/Likes I think the Whirlpool DD is a great washer, but the only washer I would willingly take would be a KitchenAid, with the larger agitator and slower agitation. In my opinion, the WP/KM versions had way too fast agitation; very choppy and hectic, and every single one that I've heard has had the same loud clunking while washing. Don't get me wrong, they're excellent machines, just not my cup of tea. The Frigidaire that is at my aunt's is still running without a single repair after 16+ years, and as far as noise, you can hear it of course, but the sound is much smoother and unintrusive. My goal is to find a KitchenAid direct-drive with the turquoise agi like we had growing up, a Frigidaire like we're discussing, and the holy grail would be a Lady Kenmore with the electronic control panel. Those combined with the 2012 WP belt-drive I have right now would mean I'd probably never need to buy a new machine, and I'd always have good washers to fall back on if I ever were to attempt delving in the HE world, should they improve from what they've become these days.

Post# 764669 , Reply# 7 6/19/2014 at 21:58 (3,595 days old) by DADoES (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes 1 � There are upper-end Kenmore DD models with 3-speed motors and all 3 speeds selectable for agitation. A few Whirlpools are also 3-speed.� The electronic Catalyst (which admittedly is rare to find) auto-selects the agitation speed based on the water level ... slower agitation for lower levels.

Post# 764737 , Reply# 8 6/20/2014 at 11:17 (3,595 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes *Modern Frigidaire TL Washers* I will 2nd Nicks comments, FD TL washers are just not worth having if you are really into washers and the way they work, they are ok for non washer folks that don't know any better, LOL. And yes as Dadoes mentioned there are lots of great KM DD washers that offer three agitation speeds and intermittent agitation and as much as I also like the Kitchen system with the big agitator running only on the motors medium and ex-slow speeds, the Kenmore system is much better overall for gentleness and better cleaning depending on which selections you use. John L.

Post# 764885 , Reply# 9 6/21/2014 at 08:11 (3,594 days old) by sambootoo (Moody, AL)
Checkrate/Likes I bought a second hand Frigidaire TL for my son several years ago when he moved out, still using it with no problems or repairs needed. I just replaced the belt on my sister's 13 yr. old Frigidaire. She said it had needed one simple repair when under warranty, otherwise no problems till this belt replacement. I don't think the build quality of these machines is that of the Whirlpool DDs, but in my opinion, they're not bad washers. They do make some interesting sounds and the indexing tub provides for some different wash action. Check the Birmingham Craigslist--there have been a few listed there in the past month or so.