I have a GE washer thats about 14 yrs old. Operates well and runs through all cycles. However, clothes are left wet and consequently they need more drying time. From looking through other posts here, I suspect the clutch is bad. But I want to be sure that is the problem before deciding to sink money for part. What is the process to diagnose a bad/worn clutch? I couldn’t find this information in other posts that I reviewed.
Clothes are wet either because the machine is not spinning fast enough (which could be the clutch) or because there is a problem draining the water.
Operate the machine with the front panel off and see if you can determine which of these it is. Even if you do not suspect the pump and drain, take off the drain hoses and clean them out and look at the discharge hose to make certain water is leaving the machine with some force.
If this all checks out, you can try replacing the clutch but I imagine the problem is in the transmission or brake assembly, which is a combined, sealed unit.
[quote=sidfink43;195455]Clothes are wet either because the machine is not spinning fast enough (which could be the clutch) or because there is a problem draining the water.
Operate the machine with the front panel off and see if you can determine which of these it is. Even if you do not suspect the pump and drain, take off the drain hoses and clean them out and look at the discharge hose to make certain water is leaving the machine with some force.
If this all checks out, you can try replacing the clutch but I imagine the problem is in the transmission or brake assembly, which is a combined, sealed unit.[/quote]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=darkorchid]Thank you for the advice. There is no problem with the pump or the drain hose. I had to replace the hose last summer to repair the leak; the hose was torn. Since you imagine the trans/brake the cost of either the clutch or the trans/brake isn’t justified. I have been researching current models and in CA the federal stimulus rebate for appliances is about to start. $100.00 for qualified washers. A high efficiency machine seems the better investment than to sink $115 to $140 into a 14 yr old machine that was not efficient on power or water. Savings in both power/water and even natural gas because of cold water wash feature will pay the cost of a new washer.[/COLOR][/FONT]
Good decision. You received more than normal life out of your GE so that machine does not owe you anything.
Good luck and thanks for the update on what you are going to do.