A Washing Machine Repair or Replace Decision

BonzaiDuck · Jan 24, 2025

I'm not going to attempt a washer DIY repair. Right now, when the Whirlpool stops, clothes are removed for drying, the agitator column stands straight and rights itself when you push it to either side, which I assume is normal behavior,. The next time it is broken, I'm going to replace the unit. I am thinking that we bought the Whirlpool earlier than 2013, but I had scanned the original manual to it in 2013, or 12 years prior.

But I think I'm going to get a make and model other than Whirlpool.

esquared · Jan 24, 2025

Speed Queens are top rated but expensive.
My HOA is getting another contract this year and we're going with all Speed Queens again. Contract is for 5 years and at the end we sign up again and get all new washers and dryers. 34 washers 32 dryers.

We did LGs one cycle, years back and those were terrible. Always breaking down.

manly · Jan 25, 2025

FWIW Costco had some Samsung W&D on sale; the thread is marked as expired now but I think you have to login and check local inventory.

At a glance, seems way cheaper than I paid back in 2009. Looks like a superb deal if you can get it.

Costco Members: Samsung 4.5 cu. ft. Large Capacity Smart Front Load Washer with Super Speed Wash - $379.97

Brushed Navy color only, available to ship. Members Only https://www.costco.com/Samsung%20...55235.html

slickdeals.net

BonzaiDuck · Jan 25, 2025

I need to have a conference today with my resident housekeeper, to prepare for the washing machine's next failure.

Paperdoc · Jan 25, 2025

Having decided to replace the machine, now is when you should begin researching reviews of current models and finding who sells what? Next step is tracking current pricing so you recognize a "deal" when it pops up.

mindless1 · Jan 25, 2025

I regret getting rid of my old washer. I'd spend the time watching youtube videos and researching parts to fix it if I had to do all over again.

New washer has a mind of it's own, can't even open and close the lid without it interrupting and squirting in some cold water, barely agitates, , requires much more attention to just set what kind of wash cycle you want despite it being the same per load/type, is flimsy, doesn't get clothes as clean (not a problem for some people but I play hard and get dirty), and is overall, craptacular.

Get a speed queen, unless you live in some desolate area where water and electricity are at a premium, and then move and still get a speed queen.

BonzaiDuck · Jan 27, 2025

mindless1 said:
I regret getting rid of my old washer. I'd spend the time watching youtube videos and researching parts to fix it if I had to do all over again.

New washer has a mind of it's own, can't even open and close the lid without it interrupting and squirting in some cold water, barely agitates, , requires much more attention to just set what kind of wash cycle you want despite it being the same per load/type, is flimsy, doesn't get clothes as clean (not a problem for some people but I play hard and get dirty), and is overall, craptacular.

Get a speed queen, unless you live in some desolate area where water and electricity are at a premium, and then move and still get a speed queen.

I feel your pain. I'm going to start a "small" load of dirty clothing right now, keen for any odd "sounds" that indicate something amiss.

I think, after the death of my brother and my Moms, I've drawn a line on DIY efforts, despite having tools up the wazoo. If I have any more trouble with this Whirlpool, I'll order up another. Or -- get another repair scheduled?

I just know that otherwise -- everything here is working out pretty well. My old 95 Trooper doesn't need anything but may an oil change in a couple months, and a timing-belt swap-out maybe next September or October.

My plan for tomorrow is to move my TABLO OTA HD box and antenna upstairs, and I ordered a new antenna for $60. IF I can get a lot more stations and particularly PBS stations, it will all be worth it. We might even scuttle another streaming subscription.

BoomerD · Jan 27, 2025

BonzaiDuck said:
I feel your pain. I'm going to start a "small" load of dirty clothing right now, keen for any odd "sounds" that indicate something amiss.

I think, after the death of my brother and my Moms, I've drawn a line on DIY efforts, despite having tools up the wazoo. If I have any more trouble with this Whirlpool, I'll order up another. Or -- get another repair scheduled?

I just know that otherwise -- everything here is working out pretty well. My old 95 Trooper doesn't need anything but may an oil change in a couple months, and a timing-belt swap-out maybe next September or October.

My plan for tomorrow is to move my TABLO OTA HD box and antenna upstairs, and I ordered a new antenna for $60. IF I can get a lot more stations and particularly PBS stations, it will all be worth it. We might even scuttle another streaming subscription.

You're in SoCal, right? There's a ton of SpeedQueen dealers down there. YES, you'll pay more for one...but depending on the model, they offer up to 7 year warranties. Most of the "junk" sold at the big box stores only comes with 1 year warranty...some might include a longer warranty for the motor...but not all. Hell, you might even be able to score a decent used one...or set on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace.

BonzaiDuck · Jan 27, 2025

BoomerD said:
You're in SoCal, right? There's a ton of SpeedQueen dealers down there. YES, you'll pay more for one...but depending on the model, they offer up to 7 year warranties. Most of the "junk" sold at the big box stores only comes with 1 year warranty...some might include a longer warranty for the motor...but not all. Hell, you might even be able to score a decent used one...or set on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace.

Well, so far, I've found the likely outlet where I can buy a Speed Queen top-loader. The most expensive, short of $1,500, has a two-star review total (4 reviews) and a 7-year warranty. Another Speed Queen is priced short of $1,400 with a five-star review total (or average, I would think). I cannot read customer reviews at the appliance store web-site.

Considering the Speed Queen that popped up in an Amazon search priced at $2,991, the prices at the local outlet seem more than reasonable, since I expected them to be higher than Samsung, LG or Whirlpool offerings at Home Depot and other big-box stores here.

Now, I can see, there is no hurry with this -- until the Whirlpool breaks down again. I won't have to tap my nest-egg to pay for it. Those things are supposed to last for 25 years, according to the available info. That's longer than my life expectation. But I'd rather shell out an extra $600 or so just to avoid repair bills and more trouble before I punch my ticket into the next life.

BoomerD · Jan 28, 2025

BonzaiDuck said:
Well, so far, I've found the likely outlet where I can buy a Speed Queen top-loader. The most expensive, short of $1,500, has a two-star review total (4 reviews) and a 7-year warranty. Another Speed Queen is priced short of $1,400 with a five-star review total (or average, I would think). I cannot read customer reviews at the appliance store web-site.

Considering the Speed Queen that popped up in an Amazon search priced at $2,991, the prices at the local outlet seem more than reasonable, since I expected them to be higher than Samsung, LG or Whirlpool offerings at Home Depot and other big-box stores here.

Now, I can see, there is no hurry with this -- until the Whirlpool breaks down again. I won't have to tap my nest-egg to pay for it. Those things are supposed to last for 25 years, according to the available info. That's longer than my life expectation. But I'd rather shell out an extra $600 or so just to avoid repair bills and more trouble before I punch my ticket into the next life.

Speed Queen top loaders run from about $1250 to around $1700 (MSRP) Even their front loaders top out at around $2550. Depending on whose reviews you read, they're either the second coming of the laundry god...or horribly over priced machines that don't clean clothes properly.
My next set will be Speed Queen. I'm tired of the Samsung front loaders that do a mediocre job of cleaning.

BonzaiDuck · Jan 28, 2025

BoomerD said:
Speed Queen top loaders run from about $1250 to around $1700 (MSRP) Even their front loaders top out at around $2550. Depending on whose reviews you read, they're either the second coming of the laundry god...or horribly over priced machines that don't clean clothes properly.
My next set will be Speed Queen. I'm tired of the Samsung front loaders that do a mediocre job of cleaning.

In post #32, I mentioned I was going to start a "small load" of clothes in the Whirlpool. This time, the Whirlpool performed properly and there was no noise at the end of the "Spin" cycle. We'll just keep using it until it breaks down, and - hopefully -- until I've got extra cash to pay for the Speed Queen outright.

Well, the dryer is finished and I have to fold the laundry. In the days of the '50s decade when both of my parents were alive, one person had to do this work while the other went out to make a living. But I've been doing my own laundry over my entire lifetime -- really. And what feels or smells better than freshly washed and dried clothing?

Paperdoc · Jan 28, 2025

^ Agreed, but one that is better is such clothing freshly dried on an outdoor line. Assuming, of course, that your smog and air pollution indices are low.

BonzaiDuck · Jan 29, 2025

Paperdoc said:
^ Agreed, but one that is better is such clothing freshly dried on an outdoor line. Assuming, of course, that your smog and air pollution indices are low.

Yes -- a fond memory of mine from a time when I was 4 years old: playing in the back yard while Moms' was taking dry clothes off the clothes lines, at a time and in a place with low air pollution indices. But here in So-Cal, we have wind with dust . . .

A Washing Machine Repair or Replace Decision

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esquared

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Costco Members: Samsung 4.5 cu. ft. Large Capacity Smart Front Load Washer with Super Speed Wash - $379.97

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