Washing machine - fix or buy new?

[sherry7]

Gosh, I'm having the WORST week. I did a load of laundry in my front load GE washer last night and another this morning, and noticed that it was spinning weird. By the time I got to the third load, it was making an awful racket. I ran in to turn it off, and there was a bad smell like burning rubber. I opened up the door, and smoke came out.

I did a bit of googling, and it sounds like it might either be the water pump, or maybe the drum. The washer is just turned 6 years old. At this point, I'm debating on whether it's logical to pay to have it fixed, or to just go out and buy a new one. Opinions please?


edit: Ugh, well Google in my friend...even if I don't like the answer that it gives me. Based on the symptoms (smoking inside the drum, loud noise, burning smell of rubber, washer drum moves when I pull up on it), the problem is the rear tub bearing. Just the part alone is $409! Obviously, I'll be buying another washer in the very near future.

Any recommendations on GOOD front loader washers? I can't believe that this one only lasted for barely 6 years, for a small family.

 

[taymorel]

If it is a really cheap fix, then fix it. But you can buy a new machine for $200 so it may be better to just get a new machine.

Our dryer stopped working about 2 years ago and the repair was so much that we just bought a new one.

 

[shoney]

The exact same thing happened to me in the Spring. Our washer was 6 1/2 years old. It broke on Thursday night and had a new one Tuesday morning! I couldn't see fixing it.

Now the dryer and washer aren't an exact match...both Whirlpool duets, but the Washer is a little different. Oh well, don't look in my laundry room! LOL

 

[sherry7]

Ugh, well Google in my friend...even if I don't like the answer that it gives me. Based on the symptoms (smoking inside the drum, loud noise, burning smell of rubber, washer drum moves when I pull up on it), the problem is the rear tub bearing. Just the part alone is $409! Obviously, I'll be buying another washer in the very near future.

Any recommendations on GOOD front loader washers? I can't believe that this one only lasted for barely 6 years, for a small family.

 

[jmsaj]

If it is a really cheap fix, then fix it. But you can buy a new machine for $200 so it may be better to just get a new machine.

Our dryer stopped working about 2 years ago and the repair was so much that we just bought a new one.

Where can you find a front load washing machine for only $200? I have never seen one for under $600-700.......

 

[sherry7]

I think she meant if it costs only $200 more than the repair would cost...at least that's how I interpreted it.

 

[Kellydelly]

Where can you find a front load washing machine for only $200? I have never seen one for under $600-700.......

I think she meant you can get a new one for $200, not a frontloader, though.

 

[mrodgers]

The "features" spout about the stainless steel drum. What they don't tell you is the bracket that attaches to the drum in the rear and spins on the bearing is aluminum. With all the detergents running through the drum, the aluminum corrodes and weakens, thus snapping eventually (10 years for mine.) It was $450 for a new drum for my machine for parts only. I bought a model that was on clearance for $500 at Sears because they switched at the end of contract from GE to LG for the Kenmore brand.

Companies can't build them with quality like years gone by and depend on making money from future loyalty rather than make money now from inferior quality materials making it necessary to replace them often...