Thread Number: 94186
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Vintage Amana washer dryer set questions |
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Post# 1188808 , Reply# 1   8/29/2023 at 10:47 by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)   |   | |
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I had the same set (or very similar) for 28 years; purchased in 1991. Finally had to scrap, primarily because of the motor. The only new replacement I could find cost over $300. I reluctantly bought it; but the delivery "service" by FredEx was terrible. The motor arrived damaged and unusable.
When I did disassemble for scrap, I found the diecast was in very poor condition. I still could have kept the washer, but I am glad that I did not invest the $300 to keep it going. Other than that, very good machine. Pump lasted forever; brake pads and belts replaced a couple of times. Other members have reported water leaks in the center, but I never had that problem. I would suggest removing the stainless tub, just to look underneath, and to make sure that the bolts are not seized into place. |
Post# 1188811 , Reply# 2   8/29/2023 at 11:01 by combo52 ![]() |
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These are basically a speed, queen, washer, and dryer from a little earlier time, but being lightly used, he probably will get some good use out of them.
If you want to take the front off the washer and look at the condition of the main drive belt, other than that if everything looks good, I would not do anything to it. I would not try to take the basket out of the washer. Sometimes the bolts break off, they generally do get seized. On the dryer, take the front off just two screws, and dust out the floor of it. If you want to go into it, you could take the drum out oil, the idler pulley and the two rear rollers other than that I wouldn’t do anything that isn’t obviously necessary. These earlier Speed Queen‘s were work horses, they did have some problems with the center seal alliance redesigned it about 20 years ago to a much better design. His earlier ones also tend to be noisy or because the motor was mounted to the base pan, but they should be good rugged machines. John |
Post# 1188867 , Reply# 4   8/30/2023 at 08:00 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() You could add sound dampening pads to the inside of the machine, but me personally I like the sound. I've used these in the coin-op version and I found them to be really solid respectable washers. If everyone was like me this design would have been the second most common in existence next to the Maytag dependable cares. |
Post# 1188874 , Reply# 6   8/30/2023 at 10:24 by combo52 ![]() |
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I would try to add various types of insulation as opposed to trying to remount the motor to control some of the noise.
There are many techniques that can be used to make the machine much quieter, my partner Jason and I took a Frigidaire one to 18, which is one of the noisiest washers made it got the thing to be almost silent, I added a foam block under the perimeter of the base plate of the machine, I added a tuning weight to the motor to take the hum out of it, we added about 20 pounds of heavy bittmas insulation to the washers front panel and I use foam sealing strips between the panels, the top of the machine, the cabinet etc. and even added the foam gasket to the lid to block noise when the latest closed. It all depends how much you want to do and how much the noise bothers you. John |
Post# 1188887 , Reply# 7   8/30/2023 at 12:31 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() Correct- on the inside of the enclosure and the outside of the outer tub. Just don't go overboard and stack it though, the tub needs to able move around in the cabinet.
John has some really good ideas, as mentioned you can even use foam strips between the panels. It all depends on how much sound dampening you want/need. |
Post# 1188889 , Reply# 8   8/30/2023 at 12:46 by Spin-Doctor (Tennessee)   |   | |
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Thanks again to all you guys. Once I get a chance, I'll take the enclosures off and take some pics and post them here. Excited to see how well they work and how noisy they are. |
Post# 1189121 , Reply# 12   9/1/2023 at 20:27 by combo52 ![]() |
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Glad the machine seems to be in pretty good shape. Yes, as James reported in reply number 11 the whistling sound is normal for an empty tub.
The pump belt you need to use a cogged belt, it looks like the main drive belt is pretty worn also. They still build washing machines exactly of this build quality any Speed Queen, Toploader or front loader is still almost all metal and heavily built, John |
Post# 1189146 , Reply# 14   9/2/2023 at 06:09 by combo52 ![]() |
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Post# 1189150 , Reply# 15   9/2/2023 at 08:34 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() I'm so proud of you and grateful that you now have this set. I'm happy that you can see what I see- an elegant, well designed washer that is built like a tank. I love this design (its my second favorite) and I hope you continue to fall in love with it.
I'm envious of the water circulation. I wish my Speed Queen had that.
Personally I think the belts are ok (for now) but I also vote changing them out just to avoid the trouble in the future when you've already well into using the washer.
Question for the experts- what does the cool down do on this machine? I notice both delicate and PP have it on the dial. |
Post# 1189157 , Reply# 18   9/2/2023 at 12:18 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() Art is a universal language. When you see it, there is no need to understand it as beauty captivates seduction. What you are experiencing is your mind recognizing and falling in love with engineering perfection. These Amanas are IMO the second greatest washer design ever produced next to the Maytag Dependable Care. If everyone was as lucid as me this design would be as common as Whirlpool DDs are in this reality.
The water fall you notice is indeed re-circulation. Re-circulation can pull powdered or liquid detergent thats migrated to the bottom of the tub and introduce it into the wash water. The drain impeller of the pump running in reverse during agitation also helps with this. Recirculation was fairly common in washers but because of cost cutting it basically disappeared in the 90s.
I like this model because it has all the positives that could come with a top load washer- long lasting, durable, quiet, excellent suspension, solid design, good capacity, two belt system, slip belt for clutching, pump mounted away from the motor, large transmission, stainless steal wash basket porcelain on steal outter tub, simple electrical, fast cycle times and of course recirulation.
I have no idea what the cool down does on this machine, whether its half a tub drain followed by a fill or just a long spin spray. There may be a tech sheet (piece of paper) tucked away in the console behind the timer that gives away the function of the cool down. The cycle sequence should be printed on there and it usually gives away more details than the user manual.
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Post# 1189158 , Reply# 19   9/2/2023 at 12:31 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() And before I forget- the lack of shaking and vibration you see in spin is not common for most other washers. This washer spin cycle wise is in a class of its own. You can set it on an average wooden floor and will not shake, vibrate or make noise like a lot of other washers do. It is difficult for a load to become unbalanced in this machine, and IIRC if it does this machine has a trip function that will shut the motor down. This washer is perfect for a second or third floor. |
Post# 1189183 , Reply# 20   9/2/2023 at 17:22 by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)   |   | |
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Pump belt:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303555143256QUE... Drive belt: https://www.ebay.com/itm/335004510392QUE... |
Post# 1189184 , Reply# 21   9/2/2023 at 17:30 by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)   |   | |
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Pump belt:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303555143256QUE... Drive belt: https://www.ebay.com/itm/335004510392QUE... |
Post# 1189185 , Reply# 22   9/2/2023 at 17:36 by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)   |   | |
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Post# 1189194 , Reply# 24   9/2/2023 at 20:38 by Spin-Doctor (Tennessee)   |   | |
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A little off topic on this thread, but I'm curious if this Maytag washer is a Dependable Care model? I almost bought this one before I scored the Amana set I now have. |
Post# 1189195 , Reply# 25   9/2/2023 at 20:53 by qsd-dan (West)   |   | |
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Post# 1189206 , Reply# 26   9/3/2023 at 07:09 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() Yes, that is a Maytag Dependable Care. The simplest, longest lasting, most durable washer ever made hands down.
Regarding your Amana according to the use and care manual you posted the machine has a real cool down! It will drain, then refill itself with cold water several times until the total drain time accumulates enough to advance the timer into the next increment. This is the best type of cool down a washer can have- the same type of cool down used on 70s and 80s Maytag Dependable Cares.
The rest of the cycle times are ideal. For example Regular has a 7 minute final spin- this is enough time to get even a heavy load damp dried for the dryer. 5 minutes of rinse agitation to get everything turned over and detergent washed out. Permanent press has shorter times for compliment more causal fabrics and delicate uses intermediate agitation for gentle garments. Spin Sprays seem long- 45 seconds? A lot of newer washers were limited to a 5-10 second spray- later models didn't even spin-spray.
You're very lucky to have found a washer like this.
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Post# 1189249 , Reply# 28   9/3/2023 at 23:59 by DADoES ![]() |
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Post# 1189261 , Reply# 29   9/4/2023 at 10:03 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() There are 4 major types of cool downs-
Type 1 Cool Down: the tub drains, refills, drains, then refills as many times until the timer advances out of that increment. The timer only runs while the motor is in drain mode, so the lower the water level switch is set the more drain and refills take place.
Type 2 Cool Down: Half the tub drains (only once) and then stops when the pressure switch resets. The timer continues to run but no more draining takes place. The timer advances to the next increment where the tub re-fills with cold water before moving onto the first full drain/spin.
Type 3 Cool Down: The machine goes right into drain and spin, and when the pressure switch resets cold water is sprayed into the tub. Cold water continues to run into the tub during the whole duration of the first spin cycle. When the drain/spin stops the cold water continues to flow filling the tub up for the rinse cycle.
Type 4 Cool Down: After the water has drained out and the tub is more or less up to speed cold water is sprayed into the tub for 5 to 30 seconds. Spray ends and the first spin continues without more water.
This of course assumes a machine with a cool down, a lot of machines from the 2000s onward did not even have a cool down of any type.
Type 1 is the best type of Cool Down in that is does the most amount of water change-outs before advancing into spin. Type 3 and 4 often do little to properly cool down the fabrics, especially type 4 which already has the hot fabric being creased into the tub before any type of cool down takes place.
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Post# 1189264 , Reply# 30   9/4/2023 at 10:15 by DADoES ![]() |
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Post# 1189267 , Reply# 31   9/4/2023 at 10:23 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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![]() This is normal. Before a machine can go into spin a half dozen contacts must open and close in the correct sequence. Typically the pressure switch bypass contact must close first, the motor run contact must then open, both wash fill contacts must open after that, and then the first motor reversing contact must break from the line side of the timer bus and afterwards make contact with the neutral side of the timer bus, then the second motor reversing contact must break contact from the neutral side of the timer bus and then make contact with the line side of the timer bus. Finally the motor run contact must close. All this must take place in the correct sequence with a broad enough timer increment to assure everything opened and closed in the right order, in full fashion. For example if the motor run contact closed before both reversing contacts had the opportunity to close into their respected polarities the motor would just hum for several seconds before the motor's thermal protector trips out. The pause is essential in assuring the correct switching sequence is not left up to chance. |
Post# 1189268 , Reply# 32   9/4/2023 at 10:24 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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Post# 1189289 , Reply# 33   9/4/2023 at 15:22 by DADoES ![]() |
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![]() Early Wash-n-Wear, begins at 26:15. Lower water level and/or faster fill rate would possibly garner more than two water changes, although user instructions (WP and KM) advised to always use a high fill. The cool down refill levels are too high, apparently a glitch with the pressure switch. This cycle is Super Wash-n-Wear which includes a prewash, pause, partial drain and refill into the main wash period. Kenmore Perm Press version, four two-minute timer increments. Begins at 15:02. First increment drain, refill begins *with* (low) agitation on pressure switch reset, which I believe was unique to KM, never saw a WP agitate during the refill. Second increment agitation (and timer) stops, fill continues until the target level is reached, agitation and timer resume. Third and fourth increments are a repeat of first and second. Whirlpool was a double cool down except pause for remainder of the drain period (first & third increments), refill didn't begin until the timer advanced (second and fourth increment). Begins at 7:35, this is the same as the above but water pressure is high so the target fill level is reached *before* the first (and third) increments advance which triggers drain to resume until the timer advances, which isn't long enough to reset the pressure switch again, so the water level is lower when agitation resumes on the second and fourth increments. Note that it isn't intended to function that way. The fill level is also a bit low (pressure switch needs adjustment) which, along with the high water pressure, is the reason it happens. Begins at 15:10, a Kenmore (or WP) single-stage cool down (both with no agitation until after refill) when water conservation steps came into play on belt-drives. Whirlpool models with a dedicated Knits cycle did the single-stage on it, even earlier when PP was double. Direct-drives also did a single agitated cool down on Perm Press until further water reduction eliminated a drain/refill cool down for a spin spray. |
Post# 1189486 , Reply# 34   9/6/2023 at 19:18 by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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Post# 1191359 , Reply# 35   10/6/2023 at 10:56 by GELaundry4ever ![]() |
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What's the status on this Amana washer and dryer pair? I'd like to see a video of a full normal cycle with everything fixed up. |
Post# 1192247 , Reply# 37   10/20/2023 at 07:07 by combo52 ![]() |
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Glad you’re getting these all in shape. Hope you get some good use out of them, when you service the dryer, you just take the front off and then the front shroud off and the whole drum just lifts out allowing access to the motor idler and rear rollers it would be great if you could get a few drops of on both rear roller shafts as well. Other than that I think you’ll get some good use out of these.
John |