leaky (washing machine) transmission

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abdywgn

abdywgn

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Wife asked if machine could leak oil. Oh boy! Machine is 20+ years old, been in 3 homes. Think it's time to replace BUT...I'll still take a look underneath before buying new. Any words of advice besides don't bother or just go out and stimulate the economy? Thanks! Bob
 
@abdywgn Unrepairable as far as my experience goes. Mine was a GE washer. I guess that you could buy a replacement transmission, but with the age, I recommend buying new. We bought the LG front load machine. You pick the cycle and it adds the soap and determines both the amount of wash water and rinse water. It also decides if an additional rinse cycle is needed and then does it. It saves water and soap and does a great job. We also bought the matching dryer. You pick the cycle and hit start. It measures the dryness of the clothes and ends the cycle when the clothes are dry automatically. It too saves energy.
 
Anything you buy is no longer supported by the tine it needs repair. Computer boards go bad in them. Washers,dryers, fridge stove and dishwasher. All waiting to fail. It was common for these major appliances to run 20 years. Most barely go 5 now. And obsolete in 2. Its criminal.
 
We just bought a new set unfortunately. Frigidaire NG dryer and washing machine.
Before you buy do your research on who provides the warranty. Home Depot had the same model and they provide zero warranty. The extended warranty was provided by same hack company with horrific reviews.
We bought from Ma n Pa for about $200 more, but they are the authorized repair center for both initial and extended warranty.
So is it leaking oil or water?
Oh, also chk motor HP specs when comparing machines. Owner of shop we bought from said most all the motors are same size. So if the tub is larger and HP is same then the motor works harder.
Why am I advising on a "skirtwork" thread??:BangHead:
Oh check availability...might be scarce.
 
A lot of appliance circuit board failures is due to voltage spikes. Would recommend a whole house surge protector, about 100 dollars plus install.
 
4spdragtop said:
We just bought a new set unfortunately. Frigidaire NG dryer and washing machine.
Before you buy do your research on who provides the warranty. Home Depot had the same model and they provide zero warranty. The extended warranty was provided by same hack company with horrific reviews.
We bought from Ma n Pa for about $200 more, but they are the authorized repair center for both initial and extended warranty.
So is it leaking oil or water?
Oh, also chk motor HP specs when comparing machines. Owner of shop we bought from said most all the motors are same size. So if the tub is larger and HP is same then the motor works harder.
Why am I advising on a "skirtwork" thread??:BangHead:
Oh check availability...might be scarce.
Click to expand...
Experience is the best teacher so any help is accepted with gratitude.
 
I've got a set of 10 year old front loaded Fridgeaire set. I've replaced the belt on the washer however the washing machine door is now starting to break in the hinge area and fall off. We have the pedestals for the units we have but I'm not sure they'll work with new units.

Looking at the newer top load style washers and front load dryers. I'm just not ready to read over reviews and such just yet.

Riddler
 
washer I've done the belt and "lid" gasket, dryer replaced the heating element(?) and push button start switch.
last appliance we bought we "looked" around the store and ended up with a new bed and TV.
no looking this time!
 
When a washer transmission starts leaking oil its on its way out. You can buy new transmissions but might not be worth it due to its age. You can buy just about any part for washer and dryers and they are really simple to repair. Most parts are really cheap too, transmission is an exception. If you buy new stay away from the high efficiency ones, they really suck. Seems most of them have issues spinning the clothes out. I just junked one that was only a couple years old for that problem. Read the reviews when shopping!
 
You tube has plenty of DIY videos.
I repaired our 20 year old electric dryer circuit board with a dab of solder...new board was $250.00!!

Stay away for front load machines...problematic.
 
You can only fix an appliance if there are parts available. The frigidaire front load washers had a design flaw on the outer door trim thus there is no available stock of that part. My hinge is in great shape but the pocket on the outer door panel has broken.

Making things worse they only remake that panel is white and not silver like I have.

Riddler
 
Years ago, the machine didn't spill oil in the floor. Upper bearing and seal failure let oil into the clothes. When I took it apart I found the shafts chrome plating pitted and rusted badly, water in the trans, drive belt well worn, just too much wrong with it. Out the door it went.
 
Speed Queen.
Simple, reliable and they last about 50 years. Made in the USA
 
billccm said:
Speed Queen.
Simple, reliable and they last about 50 years. Made in the USA
Click to expand...

that's the brand I found but the model is out of stock at most places I've looked.
and the oil "spot", is an oil LAKE after I moved the washer and tipped it on it's nose. will post picture later.
guess we are going shopping tonite!
Thanks everybody for the help and suggestions!I had less angst buying the house than looking for a washer.
I'll need therapy if the furnace and/or air conditioner need replacing...
 
I've been in the appliance business for 20+ years. Your machine is better then ANY machined mentioned in this thread!! Appliances today are rubbish!! China boards and parts! Now im not saying fix it at all cost. Im just sayin look into repairing it. I'm assuming condition is good? If you get 3-5 years out of todays appliances without a big repair your doing good.
 
78kitcar said:
I've been in the appliance business for 20+ years. Your machine is better then ANY machined mentioned in this thread!! Appliances today are rubbish!! China boards and parts! Now im not saying fix it at all cost. Im just sayin look into repairing it. I'm assuming condition is good? If you get 3-5 years out of todays appliances without a big repair your doing good.
Click to expand...
Better than a speed queen?
 
We get our appliances from 3rd generation used appliance dealer. He's actually a friend from high school so I usually get a good deal on our appliances. If you can find a used appliance dealer in your area get an older analog set that has been reconditioned and be good to go for another 20 years...
any big money appliances I've ever had I completely regretted putting them in my house...
 
We were recommended speed queen by the.local Ma n Pa store and they look top notch. They also have a couple other brands under different names. Very pricey and hard to get in Canada. Around $2k Cdn for a washer.
billccm said:
Better than a speed queen?
Click to expand...
 
78kitcar, yes, we've been told that before...UGH! so the new water heater may last 5 years not like 20 the one before it. As for the washer, not even sure the transmission is still available or not. MAY hold onto it and take it apart for a look see. However, in the mean time, Barb would like to have some clean cloths. It takes me awhile to get to things, IE, the faucet I bought her last year for her birthday and just got round to putting it in last month, and that took a week cause I took the sink out to make the brace for under the faucet. I don't work fast. The days of coming home at 9 PM and having a new timing chain on my 340 by midnight or so is over. Thanks again for the conformation of what we've heard before.
 
We got a GE "analog" washer and its lasted 15 years...now the top 'apron' under the lid is completely rusted out in the corner, you can see the cinder block weight! Still works fine, just needs a new top I guess. The matching dryer control board burned out and we got a rebuilt one from a guy who rebuilds them. $200 bucks out the door. Has the humidity detector so it dries the clothes until they are dry and shuts off. Just rebelted it ($8) and new ignitor ($12) a few months ago. I just saw a LG front load dryer that was 3 years old on "Freebies", "quit working...come get it" it says. Probably >$800 new.
 
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