[mqqn]

Hi folks -

I have a 25 year old Whirlpool washing machine that I have repaired a few times before (pump and hoses etc.) .

The old girl finally quit working. It will fill with water but then will not agitate the tub. It makes a loud humming noise and there is also a "Warm electrical" smell from it. If it is cool, it can spin the tub in the spin mode.

I have the motor and gearcase off of the machine, and I looked inside the gearcase - everything in there is nice and operative - the plastic drive gear is intact and the fluid is surprisingly clean. I can rotate the large gear and it will actuate the agitator rack and pinion (not sure if that is the correct terminology). It does seem more difficult to drive the agitator than the spin mode, but I guess the point there is that the gearcase looks good and still working.

It seems to me that the motor no longer has the power to run the agitator, although it can spin cycle if it has been sitting and is cool.

Any thoughts on how to diagnose if it is a weak motor? Bad gearcase?

I know - I know - it's given me a great service life and just go buy a new one. Not me - if I can get this old USA made girl going I'll be faithful to it, since it has been such a great machine for so many years and it appears I can get almost any part for it.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts or suggestions.

best regards -

mqqn

[sidfink43]

Well here's what I think.

If it will not spin the machine also then I think your motor is failing and will have to be replaced. However, for the cost of a motor you can buy (at least in our area) a very nice used 5 to 10 year old machine like yours (direct drive Whirlpool under the Whirlpool or Kenmore brand name).

So for the same amount of money your choice is a new motor in a 25 year old machine (and it is possible the new motor will not fix it) or a 5 to 10 year old machine that works nice and one that you have already shown you know how to repair if it needs it down the road.

Seems to me the decision is pretty obvious.

[mqqn]

HI sidfink43 -

Thank you for the reply -

I just bought a new WP direct drive washer to replace the old one.
I concur with your assessment - but if I can get 30 years out of this one the next time we replace it, should not be a problem for me lol....

I feel bad though, the old one has a lot of useable parts on it.....

best regards-

mqqn

[sidfink43]

Well, great decision. You should get 30 years out of it (as opposed to 5 to 10 for the fancy, front load, full of a bunch of computer junk that will go bad machine).

See if you have a local Habitat for Humanity Home Store that sells used appliances to further the Habitat for Humanity cause, and if so, donate your old one to them as they maybe can either fix it or use the parts.

Good luck, and thanks for the update.