Washing Machine won't spin....

[silviomossa]

....therefore the clothes come out all wet. I can hear the machine making noise in the spin cycle, but the basket isn't turning. It's 12 year old Whirlpool, not the basest model, but a fairly simple one.

Is there a simple solution? Or should I pay to get it fixed? Or just get a new one? I'm not sure how long these things are supposed to last.

Related question -- Our almost-done drier runs on natural gas. If one is to buy a new one to hopefully last ten years, is there any guess as to whether gas or electric will be better over that span? Thanks.

[Cubfan]

Maybe the motor is burned out? Could be a balance problem? First I would just try to run the spin cycle without any clothes in there.

As for the dryer - personally I wouldn't buy a electric dryer if given a choice. They just don't heat like gas and takes forever to dry.

[mnsahd]

I would have the washing machine inspected prior to purchasing a new one. Could be a simple fix. Bad belt maybe.

I agree with cubfan on the dryer, stick with the gas model.

[silviomossa]

There were only a few delicates to begin with, so it wasn't a balance thing. I can hear something turning but the basket isn't, as if they are disconnected in some way.

[Indy]

There were only a few delicates to begin with, so it wasn't a balance thing. I can hear something turning but the basket isn't, as if they are disconnected in some way.

Sounds like a broken or slipped belt then.

[sao95]

I would bet it's the motor coupler, here is a great how to for fixing it, on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the hardest) I'd rate it at about a 3, last time ours broke it took about an hour to get it taken care of...
forgot the link http://www.affordableappliance.com/Tips/CouplerInstallation.htm

as for the dryer I would stick with gas..

[silviomossa]

I'll give it a look, though I'm not too handy -- think I could do a belt if that's it. I'm not sure what the lifespan is supposed to be on these things, but Consumer Reports index for washing machines (baser models) is that anything older than seven years is worth replacing in lieu of a *professional* repair. But this may not need that.

Oh, and when I told my father-in-law, he said "Come over tomorrow and we'll go over to Sears and buy a new one." Um, okay! Though my preference would be to do a cheap repair if it can be expected to last a bit longer.

[sao95]

I replaced ours about 5 years ago, no problems since...

[jeffus]

A visit from a professional would probably cost around $200. (At least around here).

Super cheapo washer at Lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=206309-46-RTW4340SQ&lpage=none) = $273.

12 years old.

It's up to you.

And I'll vote for the gas dryer too!

[Cubfan]

Super cheapo washer at Lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=206309-46-RTW4340SQ&lpage=none) = $273.


Not to sidetrack the thread, but how do you insert a link and put in your own text like that???

[sao95]

click the button that looks like a earth with goggles, paste your link, click ok, part will be highlighted, delete the highlighted part and type what you want, for an example just click quote on jeffus's post ;)

[woodchuck]

Look into the problem, fix it if you can, if not, you can't hurt anything by poking around and getting a little familiar with it.

Gas dryer, although with an electric you can use a diverter to put some moisture/heat back into the house during winter, gas has dem fumes.

[sao95]

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9264/washer003av1.jpg

[Weston]

I'd lol @ you Sao, but mine has been making funny noises lately and I don't want to jinx it either.

[silviomossa]

Nah, it's because he was dissing Whirlpool. The could see him typing that thread and said "f-you, you think we break down too much, I'll show you!"

Get it fixed, then it'll be something else. Might even go Stephen King on you. i.e., Sao is yellow, the machine is green. :axe:

[sao95]

Get it fixed, then it'll be something else.

first the car, then the water heater, then the washer, the other car today :shock: damn whirlpool :mad:

[sao95]

A visit from a professional would probably cost around $200. (At least around here).

Super cheapo washer at Lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=206309-46-RTW4340SQ&lpage=none) = $273.

12 years old.

It's up to you.


the part to fix it was $18 ;)

[jeffus]

Sure helps to be handy - doesn't it?! ;)

[sao95]

helps the wife, it's a pain in the arse for me :roll: anyways a few new bolts and nuts were needed just to, uh, dress it up :lol: actually the top had been loose for a few years (maybe since the last time I fixed it :oops: can't remember, but a few of the above and rubber washers and it's good as, really used ;)