Broken washer, fix or replace?

[HeatherAnn23]

Ugh, my washing machine stopped working today. It's a 12 year old front load Maytag Neptune. Most of these washers had major mechanical issues and didn't make it through the first five years, we lucked out. About four years ago it stopped spinning and my husband replaced the main board - bought the part for a couple hundred, and followed directions online to fix. Now it's just stopped. I googled the specific problem, and it looks like it could be as simple as a start button short, or as complicated as another main board. My husband is swamped with work right now and I'm concerned that he just doesn't have much time to go through each possible problem. Of course there's never a good time for something like this to hit the budget , but I just feel like I'm done with this machine! Do you think it's worth trying to patch it up again now that it's 12 years old, or do we throw in the towel and replace it. Anyone find a good value machine that they love?
Thanks!

 

[amy-momofthree]

Same thing happened to me this week! I had a 13 year old washer and dryer. The dryer had been acting up for 2 years ( took 2 cycles to dry) then the washing machine stopped this week, so time for a new set!

While visiting my parents over Christmas, I fell in love with hers. She just got a new Maytag Bravo so I went to Best Buy to get my new set.

I love Best Buy because they price match. AND if it goes Lower than what you paid in 30 days, they will adjust the price.

I had a very helpful salesperson who checked all the stores prices for me then matched the lowest which was Lowe's. I saved $110 off best buy's price and didn't have to drive around.

Good luck!

 

[disneychic2]

Definitely replace it! I was amazed at how inefficiently my washer and dryer had been performing. I got a new Samsung front load set and it cut my laundry time in half easily. My DH is so handy, he kept fixing them when they went out. Finally I just said enough and he's really glad I did. You'll notice quite a big difference in your new machine.

 

[MickeyManiac]

My 4 1/2 y/o Maytag Neptune went out the week of Christmas. I went into the laundry room and there was grease sprayed all over the wall. It had been sounding like a jet was getting ready to take off during the spin cycle. The repairman came out and the bearings we going out. $800 to repair. We didn't even spend that much on it. I got lucky and had bought the extended warranty so they just replaced it for free. ( I did have to buy a new warranty)

We got a Whirlpool Duet and I love it. I thought the Maytag did a good job but this is so much better. It spins the clothes much better and they dry a lot faster. Laundry time has been cut dramatically. You'll be surprised how much more efficient they've become in 12 years.

 

[snowywhite89]

I would have DH attempt the easy fix. If that does not work then I would get a new machine.

 

[tinker&belle]

Our washer started leaking last night. DH took the front off (found the instructions with google), turned the water on and let it run. He tightened something and it is good to go!

I would at least give it a try unless you were wanting to replace soon anyway.

 

[bdcp]

Replace. I bought a Maytag Neptune frontload washer and dryer in 2003 when we bought this new house. The washer flooded my laundry area twice so we finally got Maytag to replace it with a Neptune Top load which I still have. The dryer died about 2 years ago. I bought a Kenmore basic dryer for what a repair would have cost. When the washer goes, I plan on replacing it with a basic top load washer. Maytag has gone waaaaay down in dependability over the last 10 years. Not worth fixing as it'll need fixing again in less than a year more than likely. Cheaper in the long run to replace.

12 years is way beyond the normal life expectancy of home appliances today. Avg for most appliances is 7 years. Time to replace.

 

[Coll0610]

I'd call the appliance company in town that does $15 service calls and see what a repair would cost. I kind of wish my washer would go - it's 19 years old and I would really like a new one!

 

[HeatherAnn23]

Thanks for all the input! Dh got home today, and took apart.....the dryer! Ok, in his defense the dryer has been making horrible noises for a few weeks, and he quickly discovered the problem. We'll be ordering a part for it, and fixing it up. He hasn't cracked the case on the washer yet - he looked up some part prices and will be looking into it further tomorrow. I've been looking online at ratings and prices for a new washer........just in case!
Thanks again!!

 

[wlake]

We had a 10 year old Maytag Neptune. We replaced the board on ours twice in the first 3 or 4 years and last spring the bearings went (same $800 price tag, PP!). We got a Samsung front loader. It holds a TON of laundry and seems to clean reasonably.

Just an FYI if you have the Maytag dryer too: The new washer holds so much more laundry that it overfills the dryer. I don't dry on the clothes line in the winter (currently it's sleeting!), so I didn't realize this until fall.

 

[htran00]

We had a Kenmore front loader for about 8 years. It started not flushing out all the water. First it was a little, finally it didn't do it at all.

We called Sears and the local guy. Sears was $75 to come look at it, the local guy was $25 and then $40 an hour if he could repair. The Sears guy made it to us first. The local guy never called back to schedule a time. Sears said it was some spider board and repairs would be around $350. He did offer us a $75 coupon to make up for his trip charge.

We went to Sears and Bestbuy. Decided on the LG front loader. Best buy had a sale which brought it down to Sears price and then they took the $75 Sears coupon to price match. I just kept telling them I could go to Sears. We ended up with it about $100 less than at Sears.

Lg's been running well for several years now. We liked it so much we got the matching dryer (on sale, scratch n dent).


Hai
(off topic, we leave for Disney Sat !! Yeah!!!)

 

[eliza61]

I had a 14 year old kenmore that went kaput on me last year. Sears wanted 200 bucks to fix it. Dh was able to get it to work for a couple of weeks before it died again. Not worth sinking 200 dollars on a 15 year old machine.