MY WASHING MACHINE JUST DIED!!

nana59 · ‎05-12-2012

i know there have been many threads about washing machines....but i didn't think i was going to need one...mine was only 7 years old! i want a basic...no frills....top-loading machine.....that uses enough water to get clothes clean....i remember reading that high-efficiency machines don't use enough water......it's just the two of us...i have no idea where to start looking.....thanks....low to moderate pricing...thanks...

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I recently did an internet search for 'basic clothes washer without high efficiency' and I found a few that way. HTH.

ETA - Also look for 'deep water option' when you go to search for one.

threecees · ‎09-22-2017

@nana59

A seven year old machine is a baby. We are using a Kenmore Heavy Duty

washer that my husband had from the 90's. It is still going strong.

Hope your next machine lasts a lot longer.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@nana59 wrote:
i know there have been many threads about washing machines....but i didn't think i was going to need one...mine was only 7 years old! i want a basic...no frills....top-loading machine.....that uses enough water to get clothes clean....i remember reading that high-efficiency machines don't use enough water......it's just the two of us...i have no idea where to start looking.....thanks....low to moderate pricing...thanks...

@nana59.....Have you had it checked out to see if it can be fixed. That would sure be a lot cheaper to do than buying a new one that you probably won't be happy with. And 7 years old is not old.

If you know it can't be fixed, maybe it's time you and DH get in your car and start shopping around.

Good luck.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

By the way, my washer and dryer are Whirlpools....have had them since the late 80's, and have had to have only 1 service call.....it was on the dryer. Lot cheaper than buying new....

shopperqvc · ‎03-10-2010

Our 3 1/2 year old Maytag did one load last week and on the second load, It died.

It has a 10 year warranty on the motor and sides of the tub, so I wasn't too worried until the repair guy said it is a bearing in the gearcase. Nope, not under the warranty.

I have one of those home warranty policies, so now we are waiting to hear their opinion.

We paid $502.++ for it new and in that cost was the 2 stainless steel hoses and removal of the old machine.

The repair estimate: $505.++. It doesn't make sense to me to fix it even though it's not yet 4 years old. But, I don't know what they are going to say, or if they will do anything. First time I've used them, so we'll see if I keep paying premiums.

They make throw away appliances now. The parts cost too much to fix them. I got rid of the last washer because it needed a $200.++ timer to be replaced. if it's that much for the timer, then add the service call and the tech's time, I'm at the price of a new one.

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

Whirlpool - I have 2 - one home and one apartment complex. I replaced the rental one last year - top load for front load the tenants hated. It's deep - for water to cover contents, just set water level on max. I do that for queen size sheets. 4 water level selections and 4 water temp choices.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@nana59- People who have older machines (15, 20 or even more years) have machines that were built to last a long time. (I remember when Sears guaranteed the motors on their Kenmore range for 20 years - no more!)

Nowadays you're lucky to get 7 years out of any appliance. My top-of-the-range Maytag died at 7 years, as did most of our other appliances bought new (Maytag dishwasher- never was right after the first year, Amana stove, Frigidaire freezer that only lasted 6 years).

I bought a Bosch dishwasher and washing machine, when my others died and so far they've made it 9 years now with no issues. The Bosch washing machine is a high-efficiency (HE) front-loader.

The only appliances that we still have from new are the Kitchenaid refrigerator (17 years with one repair) and the Maytag dryer (17 years, but suddenly acting as if it's about to die).

Good luck. I'm with you, from now on I'm buying the most basic and cheapest!

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@ShowMe wrote:
@nana59 wrote:
i know there have been many threads about washing machines....but i didn't think i was going to need one...mine was only 7 years old! i want a basic...no frills....top-loading machine.....that uses enough water to get clothes clean....i remember reading that high-efficiency machines don't use enough water......it's just the two of us...i have no idea where to start looking.....thanks....low to moderate pricing...thanks...
@nana59.....Have you had it checked out to see if it can be fixed. That would sure be a lot cheaper to do than buying a new one that you probably won't be happy with. And 7 years old is not old.

If you know it can't be fixed, maybe it's time you and DH get in your car and start shopping around.

Good luck.

The only thing with calling in a repair person is that around here, most of them have a service charge (that will be applied to the repair should you decide to have it repaired) so it's something to take into consideration also. Ten years ago, it was $65 - so who knows what it costs now.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Seven years - that seems awful! I've been used to a washer and dryer lasting 20+ years, but I guess large appliances have gone the way of many other products, in terms of integrity of manufacturing.

We just got a new washer and dryer. I had always bought Kenmores but since it seems that Sears is on its way out I was afraid to even contemplate it. We got a GE set - moderately priced with everything I would need.

They are different now so there are some additional things to look for. One of the biggest things for me was finding out that they don't fill as much so unless you have a deeper fill button on your machine, it will not fill anywhere near up to the top of the clothes. I didn't even know about that, so I felt fortunate that mine has that button.

Also, the drums are deeper (top load, which is the only type I'd want for a washer) so, if you're not very tall, it can be a challenge to get to the bottom of the drum to pull out the last socks/underwear, or any debris when cleaning the drum. I hurt myself a few weeks ago trying to get stuff out of the bottom, but that's on me so I am not blaming the machine.

Mine also doesn't have that agitator thing going up through the middle and I really think I like this much better. I don't have to level everything around the center to avoid it going off kilter. It adjusts in the beginning on its own but I do make a point to put things in fairly evenly.