Each manufacturer has their own date code configuration which usually uses the serial number to determine production date. I wrote a post on my blog, How old is your Appliance? that covers most of the common manufacturer formats so get your serial number and have a look.

TechnicianBrian,
I read your post Hold is your appliance and still can't figure out how old my appliance is. How old is LA5800XMWO?

Whirlpool
2nd or 3rd Alpha Character = Year Manufactured (Prior to 1990 1st Numeric = Last Digit of Year Manufactured)
1st and 2nd Numeric Character = Week Manufactured
Example – CSR2817974 was manufactured in the 28th week (July) of 2004.

Whirlpool Year Codes (after 1989)
X=1990 A=1991 B=1992 C=1993 D=1994 E=1995 F=1996 G=1997 H=1998 J=1999
K=2000 L=2001 M=2002 P=2003 R=2004 S=2005 T=2006 U=2007 W=2008 X=2009

I see. So how would you decode C42624661 ?

Thank you very much. Really appreciate the help. Do you think a washer this old is worth trying to fix? Motor runs but won't spin or drain. I unplugged and turn the belt. It sticks at one point and I had to be forceful to move it past that point, then it moves again.