• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

I hate today's washing machines

Copanel said:
View attachment 3813601View attachment 3813602
It had been a month since I noted that the washing machine—manufactured in 2010—hadn't had any issues, when a few days ago my wife mentioned it seemed to be making noise during the spin cycle. I found the bearings and the seal to be worn out. I bought SKF bearings and ordered an original oil seal, with the total cost equivalent to 30 USD. I did the work myself with the help of two assistants. :D
Click to expand...

What washing machine. Nice flufff ball there. :)
 
Omegaman said:
We went through 2 sets of expensive front loader whiz-bang hi-tech washer and dryer machines.... They stunk, literally. I mean, c'mon man, the pedestal was $400 bucks

we played the games...
Run a load with no clothes in it
You have to wipe down the rubber seal
Get a special washing machine cleaner pod
Keep the door open and let it air out
nope, smelly clothes

Finally. after replacing the pump, to no avail, the manufacturer gave us a check for a measly $300 and gave up

We are now so happy with our SPEED QUEEN! Flood fill, mechanical timer, agitator all the way

The only thing is I wish it would fill with water with the lid open.
Click to expand...
I had to bypass the busted door switch in my ancient Kenmore 90 series washer. Now it runs all functions regardless of the door position. It's fun watching the goings-on in there.
My drier also is probably 40 years old or more. Both are totally devoid of any electronics which explains their longevity. I avoid ANY appliances with microprocessors, software, digital bullshiite and absolutely "smart" functions.
 
There are some old electronic ones that still works. But probably the components are of good qualty.
Man, they should put some foam take out, because sometimes if you put too much detergent...
There are some Europeanen manufacturers that say they produced longer lasting machines, but I wonder if they will last. Look for how 2 repair (channel) on YouTube.
 
Catmanboo said:
I avoid ANY appliances with microprocessors, software, digital bullshiite and absolutely "smart" functions.
Click to expand...

Are new, well-made, washers & dryers available without processor control-electronics? What about other appliances like refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, etc?

Will we suffer a time when all appliances will need WiFi and a smartphone to operate them?
 
Copanel said:
Those of us who appreciate and prefer old-school things are, I believe, in the minority. Unfortunately, it is the customers themselves who dictate market trends.
Click to expand...

younger folk have no interest it seems, in learning even basic repairs or at least trying. i grew up fixing my own cars to the best of my ability at the time.this went on until i was no longer allowed to drive. i showed my son everything when he was around.
fix the washing machine or dryer. what ever, you did what to could to not toss something or call a repairman.
kid has 0 interest.
his seasonal tires sit in my garage, for months, then they go to the service place to do the change.
any other appliance digital or mechanical, "not me man!"
 
Yeah but the new ones are better. ;)

They may not be as simple and easy to work on (sort of like new cars vs old cars), but they function better when they are in good working order.
  • They clean clothes better.
  • They are more gentle on your clothes so they don't wear them out as fast.
  • They use less water and energy.
  • They are more quiet.
  • They have more cycle choices for specific fabrics.
  • They are superior in just about every way as far as functionality goes.
Sort of like comparing a 2026 Corvette vs a 1962 Corvette.

Guys our age probably think the 1962 is cooler and may even choose one over the 2026 model but the 2026 will roast the '62 like it's standing still and handles about 1,000 times better. Yeah you can easily work on the 1962 but the 2026 is too complicated for most of us to do much more than basic maintenance on.

That's the way everything is. It's called progress. Technological advance. :)
 
I generally agree, MuchoReverbo, but some of these products are poorly programmed or have had their logic corrupted. Some others have lousy user interfaces. These problems should be simple to solve, if the manufacturer is motivated.

So many receivers, tuners, and integrated amps of the 1990's - early 2000's were foolishly complicated to operate and would take an inordinate amount of time to troubleshoot the mispressed button. Similarly, fairly new our Whirlpool washer allows no manual control of its functions. A load of water and detergent will automatically be dumped if one wants to reset or change any selections.
 
Newer Whirlpool models automatically drain and refill to re-weigh or re-sense the dry weight of the clothes when interrupted mid-cycle. Mine does but they say for older models there are other ways to prevent it from refilling, ranging from using a rinse cycle to unpluging the machine and plugging it back in to turning off the supply water valve. I think the key is not to interrupt the cycle once the door is in a locked state.

I know on my 2025-26 Whirlpool I can manually disable the automatic detergent.

How To Turn It Off
For a permanent turn-off (single cycle or manual use): Press the Load & Go button once or repeatedly until the light turns off or the screen shows "Dispenser Disabled". On some models, pressing it once disables it for that load, or turns the feature off completely until you press it again.
 
MuchoReverbo said:
Yeah but the new ones are better. ;)

They may not be as simple and easy to work on (sort of like new cars vs old cars), but they function better when they are in good working order.
  • They clean clothes better.
  • They are more gentle on your clothes so they don't wear them out as fast.
  • They use less water and energy.
  • They are more quiet.
  • They have more cycle choices for specific fabrics.
  • They are superior in just about every way as far as functionality goes.
Sort of like comparing a 2026 Corvette vs a 1962 Corvette.

Guys our age probably think the 1962 is cooler and may even choose one over the 2026 model but the 2026 will roast the '62 like it's standing still and handles about 1,000 times better. Yeah you can easily work on the 1962 but the 2026 is too complicated for most of us to do much more than basic maintenance on.

That's the way everything is. It's called progress. Technological advance. :)
Click to expand...
Your bullet points describe my Maytag washer and dryer. My 25 year old washer and dryer.
 
How do you know? Do you have anything to compare it to like I do. I replaced my old Whirlpool top-loader with a brand-new Whirlpool front loader. Before that I had a Maytag top-loader that the drive broke after only 3 years. The cost to repair it was not worth it. That was right before Maytag declared bankruptcy.

The Maytags from 25 years ago were lemons. That's why the company went bankrupt in 2006. By 2005, "Maytag's market share had declined to all-time lows, sales were flat, and customer satisfaction surveys ranked Maytag near the bottom of the appliance field." [Wikipedia]

The older Maytags were HQ machines but by the 2000's, the days of the "Maytag Repair Man" were long-gone (you didn't see the commericials on TV anymore either).

The Maytag washer I bought was the biggest lemon I ever had. The drier lasted for 15 years until I gave it away when I moved but the washer was junk and mine wasn't the only one that had the exact same problem back then. There used to be a Maytag plant right down the road here from me but it closed in 2009.

Whirlpool owns Maytag now and they have made a comeback to some extent although I don't think they are any better than the Whirlpools.
 
Last edited:
Your description is not my experience, which in the end is all I need. In 25 years only repair is the dryer touchpad went south. Replaced and all good since. Honestly the reliability precludes the need of anything to compare it to. They were the first new appliances I purchased.

Like everyone tells me my 300K mile '81 Harley-Davidson won't be reliable. Or the 2020 75K mile newer Harley. And my 166K mile WRX will be a problem child. Stories and hearsay are just that.
 
You are definitely in the minority then because it's pretty well-know what caused the demise of Maytag in 2005-2006. If you don't believe me, look it up. It was all quality-related. They even had several global government recalls for quality/safety issues.

I remember when my relatively-new Maytag washer broke right after the 2 year warranty expired. The service guy told me Maytag was in turmoil and there was zero chance I was going to get it repaired. The parts required were all on backorder and cost more money than the washer was worth. He said it was best for me to just cut my losses and buy another brand. I was pissed! He also told me I was not alone and the drive failure issue was a pretty rampant defect from Maytag. Less than a year later Maytag declared bankruptcy.

When I bought the Maytag washer/drier pair I thought I was buying quality. Instead I was buying junk. At least that was the case for the washer.

The Maytag repair man went from being the loneliest guy in the world to busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest until he was finally unemployed! lol

I replaced the washer with a Whirlpool. A year or so later, Whirlpool bought Maytag for 1.7 billion dollars out of bankruptcy. They still own it today.

For 15 years I had a Whirlpool washer sitting next to a Maytag drier in the basement of my house in IL and they worked OK with no major issues. When I moved though I just left them there for the new owner. The house I bought in TN came with a Whirlpool top-loader and matching drier. They were about 10 years old but worked good. After 2 years the drier broke though so in January of this year I decided to splurge and get the new Whirlpool pair I have now. I gave the working top-loader washer to Goodwill.

These are the two best units I've ever owned. No regrets at all.

20260513_225915.jpg
 
Last edited:
Just an update: the air hammer stoppers are still working perfectly. No leaks, no bangs.

If you need one for your washing machine or dishwasher, get one with a 4-inch-tall air chamber. Those seem to be better than the shorter 3-inch variety for houses with good water pressure.
 
MuchoReverbo said:
You are definitely in the minority then because it's pretty well-know what caused the demise of Maytag in 2005-2006. If you don't believe me, look it up. It was all quality-related. They even had several global government recalls for quality/safety issues.
Click to expand...
Same experience with our 1985 Maytag: the "unbreakable" tranny when kaput after the warranty expired. We would have stayed with a front-loader but were poor then, those were rare in the '80's, and the store offered financing. Since the Maytag's self-demolition, front-loaders have been saving us water, detergent, and clothes ware.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom