Are Washers Built to Break? Inside a 1984 Washer vs. Now 

My repair technician told me to buy a new washer, as replacing the circuit board would cost over 300 USD. I did the only logical thing I could think off as hardware/firmware engineer, which was to reverse the heck out of my washing machine. Threw out the original garbage circuit board, designed my own circuit board version in Eagle cad, used only solid state relays instead of mechanical relays, ... For less than 150 USD total... I've now an 18 year old washing machine that has WiFi, BLE and ZigBee ... It's also configured to remain in standby, until my smart meter and solar panel setup commands it to power on. Saved me a lot of money on my energy bill so far...

My grandpa had a family of eight kids and bought a Maytag washer and dryer in the 1960's. It lasted him over 45 years with just a few belts, a timing motor and one heating element. Because it was all electromechanically run, he could keep it going without spending a lot.

When my dad died he left us instructions to buy mom a new dryer to replace their 30 yr old Kenmore. Well, mom loved her Kenmore, no way would she give it up. She passed 10 yrs after dad and that dryer was still kickin'!

A friend of mine gave me a 1980s Kenmore washer/dryer set 10 years ago because they were so old. I'm still using them. I've never had to fix or replace any part on them.

One thing that is often overlooked with the statement "they don't build things like they used to" is that they don't cost what they used to, either. From the 1985 Sears catalog (the same "$170 less" page shown in the video), that washer was on sale for $329.99. That's $946 in 2022. But that's discounted by $100, which would make the "regular" price $1233 in 2022 dollars. The modern washer is just over half that price. Some of that price saving is in using components that don't last as long. A better capacitor might add a dollar to the price. A better relay, maybe two. Do that for a dozens of tiny components, and now you have a machine that's $100 more, but functions identically to the cheaper one for the first few years. Between two otherwise identical appliances, one with a 1-year warranty (Whirlpool's current warranty length), and one $100 more with a 5-year warranty, most will go for the cheaper model, so that's what companies make.

Some older friends bought new Maytag appliances and a Cadillac in 1982. They still have the car and most of the appliances in 2022, and use them everyday. The dishwasher died and was replaced with a Bosch that developed a must odor right away. (It's not the removable filter.). The friends are now in the 90's, and I remain their friend and repair technician. Stunningly so, I can still find parts for everything when needed.

My Kenmore washing machine is from 1971. It came to me after 15 years from a 4 kids family. Since then, its run 2x per week. Still works fine. The dryer is GE from1963 I’ve overhauled it once. Basically new belts, oil its bearings and vacuum it out every year or so.

My 1983 Maytag is running great which we bought new. All we ever replaced is one drive belt and water input solenoid. The old Maytag has a front panel that is held by two Philips screws that you can get to most of the parts. My brother in law has one from the 70's which he is still using. They don't make them like they used to.

I have a 1991 Maytag top loading washing machine that still works great! I've replaced belts many times, and recently had to replace the bearings, which was nearly impossible. The outer tub, unfortunately, is rusted so badly that it will probably last only 5 years or so, and they don't make replacement tubs for that model anymore! But, I plan to hold on to that thing as long as I can. It's wonderful! Simple, but wonderful.

When my 43 year-old Maytag washer and dryer broke and parts could not be found, I asked the technicians what brand they recommended. They said in unison, “Speed Queen.” You won’t find Speed Queen washer and dryers in big box stores, so we went to a higher end furniture/appliance store to view them. They are made in Ripon, Wisconsin, rather than somewhere in Asia or Mexico. They are commercial grade, and they are heavy since they are mostly metal, not plastic. The Washer and Dryer we purchased came with a 7-year parts and labor warranty. I don’t know if they will last as long as my Maytag units, but I hope so.

Over the years I've repaired several washers and dryers. Not as my job, just end user fixing things. I learned a couple of tidbits from this video to tuck away in case i need them. Thanks.

That Kenmore is so similar to mine. I've had to replace the springs, inlet and outlet hoses, clutch, and agitator dogs, but it's still kicking. Bought it new in 2005, and hope it lasts another 15 years.

i run a laundromat and am still running some whirlpool/Inglis top loads that were installed in 2003/ 2006. and you dont need to pull the drum to pull the trans just remove the agitator and drop the trans from the bottom. those old machines just go seem to run till the bottom rots away. The biggest problem is that they are overloaded on a regular basis and once in a while you have to beef up the spin clutches.

We bought a basic Maytag top load washer and dryer in 1981. Only had to replace the pump in the washer and my husband replaced the coil in the dryer. 42 years old and still performing perfectly! I will never buy new!

In 1979, we moved to a new apartment and bought a new washer and dryer. We moved in 1992 and left the units in our basement and sold them to the new tenents for 25 bucks each and they were still running. we replaced the drum of the washer in 1990 and heating elements in the dryer twice in that whole span of time. We are a true throwaway society.

Great video all around, but special props for quoting "of whom much is given, much more will be expected". My family has a fleet of 5 or so Maytag washer and dryers my grandfather and dad have kept running for 50 years. We just bought a new Maytag washer and dryer, and while I love the high efficiency and tech, the lid lock has already failed on my 1.5 month old unit, making it worthless for nearly 3 weeks. That bullshit component alone has me somewhat regretting not getting a speed queen instead.

The barely used 1983 whirlpool/kenmore dishwasher I bought for $30 works SO well SO fast and reminded me so quickly of FUNCTIONAL appliances that I hunted down a 1986 washer/dryer set for $200. My clothes come out WAY cleaner WAY faster, and I would have gladly paid more for those old used suckers than what comparable new ones sell for. Component accessibility/maintainability/adjustability/replaceability are EVERYTHING, and needless motherboards don’t mix with the humidity + dust of washer/dryers. If nothing else, see what builds up in a washer’s inaccessible filter after a few years in a household of long-haired humans, a shedding dog, and baby socks.

1983 Maytag washer and dryer are still running just fine for me. Finally replaced the belts on the washer, expect another decade or two out of them.

I have almost the same model as the new whirlpool you show here. I'm not sure if the design is a year or two older or a year or two newer, but it's very close. Mine is considerably easier to disassemble. The inner tub in mine isn't held in by the nut but by an adapter plate with a cross pin made of tough plastic. It might not be as maintainable as older washing machines (this was the first time I've taken one apart), but compared to pretty much anything else I've fixed it was a dream. The technician's manual inside the outer housing was amazing. All the parts that could fail I found to be modular and easy to replace, and it was very easy to source parts. Each part that was a module had a connector that was keyed so you can't mess up the wiring. All the things on the main circuit board that are likely to fail are through-hole components and easy to desolder and test and replace. It was the easiest thing to repair that I've repaired in a while and I fix a lot of random stuff.

Ya missed talking about the 2 main wear items in the direct drive washer. The easy to replace agitator dogs. They function to only allow the agitator screw assembly to rotate one direction. This forces the clothes downward to the agitator vanes. This movement is the primary wash action of the top load washer. The clothing moving in 40gal of water allowing the fabric to release dirt and detergent work into fabric. Old non HE detergent cleaned by deeply working into fabric and lye to strip away stains. FYI they still sell this type of detergent (no HE symbol) at commercial supply and Costco stores. The other main wear part is in the transmission, it's the neutral drain assembly. This is very important to the spin function of the transmission. Between agitation and spin the motor must run with the transmission in neutral to pump out the water. There's a neutral drain assembly in the transmission to accomplish this. When it fails, the spin will begin with a full tub of water and burn up the clutch. Once the clutch is shot the spin function will not run fast enough to wring the clothes of water.

I’m 56, I remember working on the wig-wag machines. To wire the new wig wag, my father taught me: “Red, right,WRONG!” Because it didn’t work when he hooked it up that way. Lol

Around 2000, my family bought a set of used machines from a thrift store. The washer cleaned everything you could throw at it, and the lint filter was amazing. These were already 15 years old when we bought them and we put another decade on them. I really miss the washer lint filter.

our family washing machine has been standing and washing for way longer than what it's supposed to be. it is no longer a supported model. only got this main panel replaced once due to water leakage. and also a piece of water distribution valve that is coming from another brand of washing machines that I found at the basement recycleing field. still amazed that it has been washing.

I LOVED the Whirlpool "DESIGN 2000" washers like the one on the left. You could fix almost anything with two thumbs and a screwdriver. Kenmore sold them too under their brand name, as well.

I have a simpson washer made in 1989 and its 2 years older than me! I paid less than $50 for it and it runs perfectly every time. They dont lie when they say they dont make em like they used to

I would encourage any buyers to look at entry level commercial washers and dryers. If you can't order it with an optional coin slot, then its not the right one. Speedqueen is the brand I bought 8 years ago and they were just $200-$300 more than entry level big box retail store units. They don't have anything fancy but they work, don't have lid locks, easy to repair, should last longer, don't have to follow efficiency standards, etc. They just work hard.

My grandma has used the same washer and dryer for over 40 years and she bought them used 40 years ago!

I have a matched set Maytag insignia washer dryer I bought new in 2001. Neither one has a circuit board in it. The only problem I have had was the washer has a large plastic socket type thing that the tub pivots on in the bottom that wore out. I replaced it myself and it was really cheap. If you have one and the tub starts wobbling really bad on spin cycle it is that socket. While I had it apart I replaced the belt but it was still ok. I ordered the belt with the socket just in case it was worn out, so I thought I might as well put it on. I kept the old belt for a spare. Never had to do anything to the dryer yet. I may have to replace the timer on the washer some day. It has gotten noisy but still works fine. Makes a buzzing noise. One thing I have noticed about new washers, my sister has a new top loader and the spin is faster and gets a bit more water out. But if the load is pretty well balanced my Maytag does good enough on removing water.

I have that new whirlpool machine at the moment. Bought it in 2017, working well so far 🤞 I won’t go back to a front load.

one way to pull an argumentative tub loose from the spin tube is take a 2X4 cut where it will fit under the inner tub's edge and then use a car jack underneath it. as you crank it up, it will apply force from the cent directly into the tub and (usually) pry them apart.

I had to laugh - the original Kenmore washer/dryer pair you show at :50 is the exact same units we have. We purchased them new back in 1992 when we built our house - but they look exactly the same. Over that time I believe we did have the dryer repaired once (a belt, I think) but otherwise they are still going strong after 30+ years.

You think 80's stuff last? You see see my 1950's maytag front load washer. My grandparents bought it new and its been handed down as a family heirloom ever since. It has never broken down and is always being used. Best part about its design is that its simple and everything is made of metal.

The collective failure rate of every component in modern washers is calculated before production and is GUARANTEED to be lower than even the most reliable individual component 40 years ago. Design and engineering flaws have nothing to do with the fact that modern components last longer and in more extreme conditions, under far tighter tolerances and failure rates.

I have an old Speed Queen and its marvelous fully stainless steel insides. I know why local Amish like them. But they like old Maytag tubs and rollers too.

I'm a home builder built houses for 42 years the original group of home owners had to all the same appliances until the house was paid for 30 years later today you'll be on your 3rd set

Front loaders are better i think although a lot of new models have sealed plastic drums making main bearing replacement impossible . great video though ! EBAC is a new British brand that is designed to be 100% repairable and designed to be easy to work on .

I bought the model on the right in 2001 and it lasted over 20 years. We got rid of it this last year when the central spring that held the wash bucket in place just got too wobbly and squeaky.

While vacationing in Cuba back in the late 80s the old American fridges from the late 50's were still working.

I have a new appliance for you. The 12 volt chest car fridge. Boy, is everything small and neat.

Complexity does normally reduce longevity of a system. Other than the undersized capacitors and the mechanical relays (which are sources of trouble that could have been engineered differently) what does the modern machine's board resemble? A board from a cell phone. Which usually is quite reliable despite the incredible complexity. BTW, the tub seal failed on my new style washer. Had to replace the whole transmission to fix it. Getting the basket to separate from the shaft was a rodeo level challenge. I had to use a acelylene torch and beat on it for quite a long time to get it off. I would have just ordered a new basket as the struggle was quite epic, but the price of the basket was quite high. The cost of the transmission was less than two hundred dollars. Not an easy job, but I managed to achieve success. I'm a retired auto mechanic. I can see how this repair is beyond the average Joe.

I'm a retired appliance tech. I started back in the mid 80s and at the time Fridgidaire had been sold to White Consolidated . They had taken the well deserved reputation of Frigidaire for high quality and were putting out machines that were failing to beyond reasonable cost repair just about the time the factory warrenty ended. I loved those older Whirlpool washers with the wig-wag solenoids.

My grandfather used to sell and service GE and I helped him with some tech work and the new ones are junk that is made to break. From Syracuse NY up there is no service tech to repair your washer so they usually make tech from downstate come up here 10 min from the border. The companies used to put a wiring diagram in the back panel to show what did what but now its a trade secret unless you pay a yearly subscription.

Really appreciate this video, im looking into getting my own house and i was looking at washers but it seems from anecdotes anyway that new appliances are overcomplicated and proprietary and dont last an acceptable amount of time considering the cost

We had a set of 4 Maytag laundrymat washers.They turned out to be normal models but with the coin slide uppers, not made for a laundrymat! They had to be super level otherwise they leak everywhere, total pieces of garbage unfortunately had to recycle them all after only about 1 to 2 years of use. No spare parts to get. A total waste of money and time.

A few thoughts on the subject Bought a house about 98 came with a washer and dryer circa 1975 ish Branded Montgomery Ward I've had no real trouble with the washer except I had to replace the timer motor and oddly the dial is not detergent proof Still looks for most part almost as good as new and still works well A couple years later the driver gave up the ghost so replace it with a whirlpool well very soon after that I had to replace the ridiculously thin drive belt and the paint on the dryer is so thin that it has starting to rust and I've had to paint it where as the washer as I said still looks reasonably good after all something you dump wet clothes on a regular basis shouldn't be rusting out so soon .

After replacing the breaks on a clutch and a whole transmission rebuild kit, somehow my washer was still overloaded with comforters. Idk how, as the note on the top clearly stated they were not welcome in there but, thus is life with a teenager. (insert comical extraction of washer to the grave yard here) I had a relative that had that very whirlpool washer and said I could have it, boy did I feel lucky and grateful at the time ...... that lasted 5 days -_- like most DIY folks I took to the internet learned the diagnostic christma tree light sequence and spent the money on a new spider mounting system, only to discover that something was going on with the damn spin plate. 6 hrs, come alongs, pry bars, drills, sawzalls, eventually 7.62 was introduced to the washer and gas mixed with rage hate and fire. I Hope Steve from parts select And bob ross meet a pissed off chuck norris in a elevator btw. For real though I felt your pain trying to get that transmission out. I tried everything I could think of, even had the car jack and 2x6's involved. I've struggled and bumbled through things for days on end before but I can honestly say that I've never had my behind handed to me like that washing machine did before. I eventually settled on a commercial washer from the 80's that uses 40 gals a wash. I couldn't be happier. I could take a ride in that thing and it would just keep spinning.

The spider on modern front load stainless steep tubs are being sold as single unit for replacement.

It's kinda a strange world in that my background was electronics repair, specifically components on PCB's. Turns out I'm probably more qualified to fix modern washing machines than most "washing machine techs". The mechanical part really isn't hard, I just replaced the spindle and bearings in mine a few months ago. However unless you know what you are doing, replacing components on a PCB is simply far more advanced than most people are capable of doing. Which is why most just replace the entire PCB for $200+ vs repairing it when chances are it is a $4 or less component.

My Kenmore electric dryer is well over 30 years old, still works perfectly.

Put your new washer on a surge protector. Just a small power surge will fry a computer board on the new machines.

Idk if older stuff lasts longer. Also its hard to even get the answer because the only old ones around usually are the ones that are still working. So all the old ones that died quick are already scrapped or trashed and people just forget about them. Whereas the newer ones first don’t even have the time to last long yet because they are just made. Also, the only new ones people will focus on are the ones that already died. Then they see and old one working, know nothing of the old ones that been failed, and say “they don’t make em like they used to”.

Commenting at the start. The new one in the video is the model we have right now.... Replaced the old one in the video with it actually lol... Belt motor or drum motor went out and we have that home warranty... Curious to see how it turns out.

Love ❤️ my Maytag A9800 washer.If. I ever have to replace it. Speed Queen Washer will Replace it.

As this video shows, and is generally true in most consumer and commercial systems-its a matter of efficiency. Standards have gotten much higher over the years, and consumers have gotten more efficient. However, this comes at several costs, often durability. Common issue in modern hvac.

I bypassed the lid lock on that exact washer. There are two microswitches instead of just one.

That issue with removing the tub because of the nut in the center, I am wondering if on a new purchase it would be prudent pulling that apart and coating the spindle and all that with no-seize or vaseline maybe. Then, taking it out and doing that again every 6 months or something. I tried getting my washplate out with the shoestring method and ended up hanging the whole washer from the ceiling with a rope and pully and couldn't get it off. Tried Lime-away and then the plate snapped. I chiseled the rest of the plastic off and there is still the metal sleeve from the washplate on the spindle. That's, what I would like to avoid in the future once I get another washing machine.

I need the Kenmore that's 20+ years old for parts please, mines still running but for how long. And parts are always needed to keep the old girl running. I'm getting flashbacks as you tear down the 20+ Kenmore, been there so many times, the only thing not replaced at this point is the motor. Everything else has been changed at least twice.

Had our washer since like 2000

I hope your health improves and you get better.

Good job picking whirlpool. Almost everything is a Phillips or a 5/8 nut. Maytags are like 75 different sizes.

I thought you being in the washer was just green screen until I heard the body flexing. 🤣

Circuit boards will be unobtainable in the future. I'm still able to get parts for my 25 year old Sears Kenmore dryer. BTW, I found it darn near impossible to find a circuit board for my 5 year old GE Profile range.

0:50 That's the washer and dryer i have at my place!

Never seen a washing machine like that I think, like either of those. Even top loading machines I've seen here are rotating drum machines.

The word that sticks out for me with the older appliance is rebuildable... new stuff is for the most part 'trash it".

My great aunt has a washing machine from 1985 that still works, it is woodgrain and everything, original to the house. In our 1.5 year old house we have a newer washer, it actually looks exactly like the newer model in this video, wonder how long it'll last.

I think the faster spin also allows them to use less water, on the assumption that all dirt particles are suspended and won't be trapped between the clothes, which is dubious.

There are places to buy parts today and anyone who can turn a wrench can fix them. I’ve fixed many over the years. I’ve replaced motors, drums and more.

The PCB is the main thing. By the time that goes, and it could just be a junky relay, the cost to fix is already nearing the cost of a new unit.

Although it might be true for some brands I've put my washer through hell over the past years. And it still runs just fine

Old things run 20+ years no problem. New things stops working after the warranty. Even if they show to you insane long warranty, it is not for entire unit. LG shows the really good machines today. If you get access for these, make a video

I have that exact 1984 dryer pictured.

When it's an obvious failure on the board I'll float a relay or receptacle back on a board but it's not always that obvious and the time it would take to troubleshoot on the micro circuitry level it's almost a better value just replacing the board.

I have a 1982 gas dryer and I had to replace 3 inexpensive parts on it to keep it running for more than a decade.

I once met an engineer who designed parts for appliances. He told me that the parts are designed as cheaply as possible and they have to last slightly longer than the guarantee.

If you happen to gain any experience with industrial washer-extractors, you quickly find out just how bad residential machines are. One example: to save water, the washer might replace a rinse cycle with a spin (extraction). It's best never to spin after the 1st wash (the suds bath). This can centrifugally beat soils back into the clothes and they will never come out. _Many residential machines do just that_ They're designed primarily for hands-off convenience and water conservation, sacrificing a lot of wash capability. Many people just need to make their clothes smell nice, so the machine is made to work _just well enough._

Those clothes in the newer washer at 14:10 don't look like they're even getting wet, let alone clean.

The irony of this video. I have the exact same two washers right now. The new he machine is 2 years old and came with a pre rotted transmission shaft. The splines are 70% gone before it was assembled (bad casting), the retaining clip has nothing to hold the drive ring for the drum and the fit is so bad the drum wobbles. I just acquired the same elite model built in 2005 in Ohio it's lightly used and I'm currently giving it a better than factory refresh because I will never have another one of those JUNK new ones in my house

Love you videos young man, very informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge you're greatly appreciated

The problem is thousands of manufacturers with no open components

It's very likely that you could have driven the transmission out of the newer washer tub with a good air hammer. I've seen the Ingersoll Rand 119max move stuff quickly that I beat with a 12# sledge for days. If you have a decent compressor, it can't hurt to try.

The overall opinion seems to be yes but not just about washing machines. Older seems to be more favored over newer.

What does "Quiet Pak" mean? Printed on the outside of the control panel at the bottom under the dials.

The old ones are easier to fix. Simple controls. Simple mechanism, easy access. My old washer has only four buttons. Hot, Medium, Cold. And start.

I try to keep the old ones running but getting parts is a real issue these days. Cuz there bilt like tanks but when ya can't get parts your screwed!

I hope your heart is okay.

How do you work on a washer or dryer if you have to remove the shell ??? Some laundry rooms are very small.

For the newest whirlpool machine, you need fire on it, I work with those machines and gosh is a pain in the ass get the Tub out, needs a lot of WD-40 and heat from the torch, repeat several times until the tub is loose them you can pull out from the transmission, this happened because the soap gets between the mechanic seal and the Arrow making difficult to break it, is like hard glue, and one of the most common faults in those transmissions, now for the actually transmission, you can disassemble it breaking the machine rivets with a drill, and for getting together again put some screws and bolds in it, sadly the transmission is totally sealed in those models not like the Easy/Mabe ones (all from the ID system up to aqua saver)

The new modular transmission has a planetary gear set(plastic). That's it.

My son has a washer that does not have a dash. If you put a normal size load the top of the load will not even get wet, So washing smaller loads does not save anything. When you have to buy three machines to one of the old style, you sure haven't saved at all.

Good job! Very through thanks!

Ben, commendations on an excellent video. Thanks. Subscribed.

Can you imagine if you had a technician to work on the newer machine. That person would have given up and drove away and leave you with a broken machine.

Excellent job gr8 video and brilliant content thanks

Did you reassemble the washers and sold them?

Have a question. You briefly mentioned one piece washer and dryer. You showed a g e which a just brought. Did not have much of a choice. Had to put it in the bathroom of my trailer, and it's a tight fit. Was it a real bad choice. It's just me and I only use it 2 times a week. Do you think it may not last 5 years?

Is there any way I can contact you about my Samsung washer I’m having some trouble with? It’s showing a drain error code so I replaced the drain pump and checked the wiring to it and also checked all of the drain tubes but it’s still throwing that code and won’t drain

I think modern washing machines do not last as long as the older ones for a 2 main reasons: 1) Introduction of computers. Seriously...how often do you have to replace a computer these days? 5 years? Give me a break. Computers themselves, are planned obsolesce. 2) Quality of materials. This is a given. Whether it be metal or plastic, they do not make ANYTHING like they used to. Take brake rotors for example...I see rust on brake rotors on brand new cars, just after sitting for a couple weeks. Compared to my 88 Mercury (which had the original rotors when I bought it in 2010), had NO rust on the rotors. The quality of metals and plastic clearly is not what it used to be.

I do not know how to get in touch with you on the new email. Great show! Very Interesting! And Great Training! Thanks!

I'm getting a message that it's best to buy a used appliance and fix it or buy one from you. Got it.