Welcome to the W.L. May Company Blog.
Offering information and fun for the appliance repair industry and interested do-it-yourselfers since 2013.

To shop for appliance parts visit our Main Page
Phone: 1-800-377-8881
Email: Sales@WLMay.Com

Showing posts with label Washing Machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washing Machine. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2015

Friday Morning Videos: The Secret Life of Machines- The Washing Machine

The Secret Life Of Machines is a British series that looks at the development and workings of every day objects. This episode covers the washing machine, the history is obviously British-oriented. Still the program offers an interesting look, with examples, explaining many common appliance parts such as timers and solenoids.


             For more education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Wednesday Weekly Stock: Washer and Dryer Maintenance

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we send the kids back to school and get started on some washer and dryer maintenance.
Washing Machine Drip Pan
20752
This blog advocates using hoses with a stainless steel mesh wrap to avoid burst hoses and laundry room flooding. There are also hoses inside the machine. These do not usually have a wrapped version available. Due to lower water pressures involved, these hoses are not prone to bursting. Still, things happen, so it is wise to stay prepared.

A leak in the interior of you washer could cause a pool to collect, unseen under under the machine. This can lead to damage to your home. An easy preventative solution for that scenario is the use of a washing machine drip pan. Camco's part number 20752 is a 30"x32" pan that can be placed under most washing machines.

This drip pan can not only be used to contain any water spillage, but it also has "blank out" holes of 1-1 1/2" side or bottom outlet and a fitting allowing this pan to be connected to already existing floor drains if the laundry room has them. Being a made of white polypropylene plastic, it will not rust, corrode or crack.
VA1
While we are under the washing machine we can also address an issue that many front load washer users experience. Due the high speeds involved in running a High Efficiency Washing Machine intense vibrations have been known to occur. Stable flooring and a well balanced machine can do a lot to minimize that problem. Even after balancing, some machines still vibrate excessively and on occasion the machine actually shimmies across the floor.

A solution is offered for this problem with the Vibe Away pads, part VA1. These are basically foam pads that fit under the legs of the washing machine that act as a damper, absorbing the excessive vibrations.
Screened Hose Washers
70143
Here is another simple solution to a problem that is not uncommon. In many water supplies, small debris can get into the pipes. When that debris gets into the valve, it can cause problems. If you know you have a water supply that is less than pristine, don't wait for the problems to come up. Be proactive and catch that debris where the inlet hose hooks up, by using Laloo/EZFlow screened hose washers. We stock part 70143, which has a 20x20 mesh and comes in a package of 100, making it a great item to keep in truck stock.
29" Dryer Repair Kit Whirlpool
4392065

Jumping over to the other appliance in the laundry room, we have some dryer maintenance kits for you to consider. Any of these kits make a great truck stock item. Our first is from Whirlpool for 29" dryers. Part 4392065 comes with support wheels (349241T), idler pulley (691366) and belt (341241).

27" Dryer Repair Kit Whirlpool
4392067
Another dryer kit is for Whirlpool 27" models manufactured since 1965, and Twin Thin models. The kit, number 4392067 includes a belt (661570), 4 support rollers  (8536974), an idler pulley (279640), washer (233520) and 9 tri-rings for the rollers(90997).
New style dryer maintenance kit Frigidaire/Electrolux
5304457724
Frigidaire, or Electrolux, also has a few kits for dryer maintenance. Newer dryers from 2002-present use kit number 5304457724. This kit includes a drive belt (134503600), rear drum bearing kit (5303281153),  idler pulley/bracket assy (131863000), front drum support/seal (5303937182), lower front felt seal (5303937183), high temp adhesive, the high temp grease, and photo instructions.
Old style dryer maintenance kit Frigidaire/Electrolux
5304461262
For older dryers, Frigidaire has not forgotten about you. Machines built before 2002 camn generally use kit number 5304461262. This kit includes a drive belt (134503600), rear drum bearing kit (5303281153), idler pulley/bracket assy (131863007),  upper felt (5303937139), and lower felt (5303283286).
Linteater Lint Cleaner
DVC101
No matter what brand of dryer you have, we cannot urge you strongly enough to keep those ducts as clean as possible, Duct fires are a very real thing and we do not want it to happen to anyone-especially people that we could have warned! There are a variety of solutions to duct cleaning, but the best bang for your buck that we have found is the LintEater vent cleaning system.

The kit, part DVC101 includes four 36 inch long flexible rods, self-feeding 4 inch diameter auger brush, blockage removal tool, 2 1/2 inch diameter lint trap brush, vacuum adapter, dryer adapter, operator's manual with detailed instructions, illustrations and tips for dryer safety and maintenance.
spanner wrench
TB123A
The last featured item this week is not a maintenance kit of any type. It is a tool that any repair person should have, yet few know the part to ask for. TB123A is the spanner wrench used to remove the tub nut on many Whirlpool, Maytag, and GE washing machines. If you are doing maintenance and find other needed parts (such as cosmetic or trim pieces), call us with your model number and we will be happy to help get you what you need.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Kelly's Korner - Dwip, Dwip, Dwip

Hey, All,

There is nothing more annoying and frustrating than a leaky faucet, right?  Drip, drip, drip, day and night until you just can't stand it anymore and call a plumber.  But what if you have a drip under your dishwasher or washing machine?  You may be able to hear it, but not figure out where it's coming from.  Or you may not hear it...disaster awaits!

You all have seen the way water can shape rocks and earth with the relentless power of rain, rivers and floods.  But a drip, time after time, can be just as destructive to your house.  Think about it - these drips from a cracked hose or pump, is seeping into your flooring, sub floor and joists and soaking up that water and setting up for rot.  Not a good image, huh?  The cost of having to replace all that (and with today's expensive flooring options) is enough to turn your hair white.


DWP24
So what to do?  Well, as usual, we at W L May have a solution!  Come on in and get aquainted with the Dwip Pan - no, I'm not being silly this time!  That's what it's called.  The DWP24 is 24" x 20 1/2" x 3/4" with a lip on 3 sides.  This will catch the drips and directs the water to the front of the machine where it will immediately become apparent that you have an issue.  And at an inexpensive $39.95 retail cost, it is very cheap insurance against a potentially monstrous repair bill.  And this is made right here in Oregon!

20752
Now for your washing machine, we also carry a washer drip pan.  The 20752 is a high impact plastic and is also a very inexpensive solution at $43.92 retail.  This pan measures 32" x 30" x 2" outside dimensions and has an optional 1" drain either out the bottom or the side.  Your washing machine fits comfortably inside no matter what style of washer you have, top load or front load.

So for a minimal cost you can save thousands on potential repair bills from undetected water leaks!  You might even check with your homeowners or renter's insurance companies and see if using these qualifies you for a discount.

Better to be safe than sorry!  And all you techs out there - I'd be pushing these at every service call!

Have a great week!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Wednesday Weekly Stock: Washing Machines

Every week at W.L. May we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we look into the world of washing machines.

Several the washing machine items that are being featured this week were also featured a few months ago. We return to them because of their consistent popularity. Those parts are:

  • 70143, Screen hose washers
  • 285352, Oil seal kit for direct drive input shaft
  • TB123a Spanner wrench for Whirlpool. Maytag, and GE
  • CW-151 Universal water valve

There are some new pieces to add to the mix of featured items this week as well.

VA1
High efficiency front load washers have been popular for many years now. Cost savings for both power and water have driven the success of these units. One of the ways these units save power is by running a faster spin cycle. That greater speed increases the vibration of the machine. In some situations this can cause the machine to rattle loudly or "walk" across the laundry room. Making sure the machine is in balance will often help a lot, but sometimes more is needed. The VA1, or "Vibe-Away" pads are designed to fit under the washing machines legs to absorb the machines vibrations, stopping the rattle and the "walk".

W10207783
While the Vibe-Away pads can help with excess  vibration, the majority of shake in the machine is absorbed by suspension springs, or "shock absorbers". May of the Whirlpool models will use part W10207783. This is a set of three suspension springs.

5304485917

Every manufacturer has there own solutions to engineering problems like machine vibration. The Electrolux solution uses 2 instead of 3 suspension springs. These are sold as a set of two using part number 5304485917.

22001682

Another call we get regularly involves lid switches for Maytag. These switches incorporate a 4 amp fuse that we get requests for. Whirlpool has decided to stop offering that fuse as an individual replacement part, instead the recommend replacement of the complete switch assembly. We stock that assembly with a part number of 22001682. The assembly includes the fuse, two switches and mounting hardware and brackets.
4681EA2001T

Finally we look at another part that is in our stock due to numerous requests. LG washer drain pump 4681EA2001T is used on LG and Kenmore models. It should be noted this does not come with the pump casing. It is a genuine OEM part, but due to manufacturers regulations, we are not authorized to supply this part for LG warranty servicing.


 For more education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Wednesday Weekly Stock: Washing Machine Related

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we return to the laundry room to look at a few things for washing machines.

48368
Perhaps the most essential ingredient in doing a load of laundry would be the water. Obviously, the washing machine needs to be connected to a water supply and fill hoses are how the water gets to the machine.

As it turns out, fill hoses can also be the cause of a lot of damage and expense. A burst hose can release a lot of water, which is a problem when there is someone in the home to deal with it. The thing is, hoses seem to like to burst when there is no one around do deal with the problem. This  can lead to standing water and extensive property damage.

A good recommendation to prevent problems from burst hoses is to use a hose that is wrapped with stainless steel mesh. These hoses do cost a little more, but only a little, and the protection they provide greatly outweighs the expense. One of the most popular lengths is 5 foot and we stock it under part 48368 from EZ-Flo.

20752
In the event that a hose does burst, or a leak occurs, a drip pan under the washing machine can help to minimize damage. This drip pan from Camco is 30"x32" and can capture a lot of water. It comes with a 20 inch drain attachment that can be connected if there is an available drain.

W10135699
High efficiency front load washers have been popular sellers for a while now. The efficiency in water and power usage is the big draw. Due to the front load design, a door boot is used in front of the drum to provide a tight seal since the door is below the water line. Unfortunately water has been known to collect in the folds of the boot causing the growth of bacteria and a funky unpleasant smell.

Affresh is the Whirlpool endorsed solution to the problem. A "hockey puck" tablet of cleaner is run through a cycle on the machine to clean out those nasty smells and their cause. The most popular version of Affresh is sold for consumer use with three tablets to a package. Its part number is W10135699.

W10549846
If you wanted to stock up, you can get a 5 puck box and a lower per unit price. Just ask for part W10549846.

W10189713
There is a triple strength Affresh that is also available. This is not intended for consumers, but rather for technicians who have been called out to service a, let's be delicate, fragrant washing machine. Being a stronger concentration it will do a very good job of getting rid of the source of the smell. When the consumer sees how well Affresh took care of the problem, it is a no-brainer to suggest they might like to purchase a 3 or 5 pack of Affresh for ongoing maintenance.

24002
Some people have concerns about powders residues from using a dry product. For those folks, Washer Magic provides a liquid solution to clean door boots and other parts of the washing machines interior. It is in stock at W.L. May right now under part number 24002.

00089
Finally this week, we look at a laundry product that is not for the machine, but is for the clothes themselves. White clothing can be hard to get clean and bright. Bleach works well, but can be damaging to colors.

White Brite is engineered to bring out the white in your clothing and really make your clothes "brite". A nice side feature is that the formula is friendly to colors and will  generally not cause fading, Also, if you are like me, and a little on the clutzy side, White Brite won't leave spots behind like bleach will if you accidentally get some on your colored garments.

Naturally, we keep White Brite in stock and you can order it under part number 00089.

      For more education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Weekly Wednesday Stock Ideas: Washing Machines

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we look at a few washing machine parts and related items.

CW-151

Generally speaking, for a clothes washing to work you have to have water. To get the water into the machine, you need a valve, The CW-151 is commonly used on many older model washing machines. It has two solenoid coils and is well known for it's blue plastic body.

134731220
Newer designs of machines made by Electrolux also have newer valve designs. This valve, part 134731220 is found behind the soap dispenser on Electrolux front loading washing machines. It comes with short fill hoses attached. Some other Electrolux models uses a similar valve with longer tubes attached to it.

70143
Valve failure is sometimes attributed to debris in the water line. To help prevent debris reaching the valve, some installers like to use hose washers with screens when the hook up the hoses. We stock EZ-Flo's screened washers in a pack of 100. It has a 20/20 mesh on the screen.  The part number is 70143.

TB123A
Whirlpool, Maytag and GE top loading machines all use a retaining lock nut for the inner tub. The TB123A is used to loosen that nut and get the service call completed quickly.

285352
A water leak can happen in a lot places. Valves are not the only culprit. Sometimes, on a Whirlpool or Maytag product, a leak can occur at the transmission inlet shaft. Replacing  the oil seal kit might be the solution. A common seal set is part 285352.

W10358149
Before you jump to checking out the seals, or the valve, it might not hurt to make sure you don't have something as simple as a leaky hose. Whirlpool washers often use a drain hose inside the machine that includes a coupler at the rear wall of the machine. They use the number W10358149 to identify that part.
SSD6
A less specialized drain hose is the SSD6. This is a 6 foot length of corrugated drain hose. In includes a step down fitting on one side and a built in gooseneck on the other side. The same style of hose is also available in an 8 foot length.
24002
Finally we look at product designed for cleaning and deodorizing the inside of a washing machine. For those who do not like the "hockey puck' style of Affresh cleaner, Washer Magic liquid may be their product of choice. A 2x strength cleaner we have it in stock under part number 24002.

     For more education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Twitter Tweets: Washing Machine Edition



While looking through our Twitter feed we found these washing machine related tweets to share with you.

Heading into the world of Twitter, it quickly becomes apparent that things are not normal.


Washing machines are screaming...


Washing machines are flooding homes...


When these things start happening it kind of stops being a washing machine and becomes more of an irritation.


In spite of the occasional irritation, we should consider ourselves lucky to have washing machines. 


If you have a washing machine (or a dishwasher) this tweeter suggest you learn how to use yours.


When you know how to use your washing machine, running it might be music to your ears.


Speaking of music, this guy attended a concert and got agitated.


If by destroyed he means drunk, well then, maybe he is responsible for this installation job. By the way, tweeter, that is a dryer that is hanging around in that laundry room.


Returning you to normal, the least we can do is leave you with some actual valid advice. 

Maybe your own washing machine is not acting "normal". If your appliance is screaming, spilling water, or just not making the kind of music it should, don't ignore the problem! Small problems can turn into bigger (and more expensive) problems when they are not dealt with quickly. If you need parts to do the job, give us a call here at W.L. May and we will do every thing we can to get your machine back to "normal".

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Friday, April 4, 2014

Friday Morning Videos: Making Cider in A Washing Machine

Down here at W.L. May Company, we hear about a lot of ways people rework their appliances to serve other purposes. This is an idea we had not considered. With some pretty simple modifications, these folks have turned their old washer into a cider making machine. Not sure this would pass muster with the health departments inspectors, but it does look like it works.



For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Kelly's Korner - More Accessories and SuperHero Book Stuff

Hey, All,

Just a few things to add to your growin' list of stuff you can't do without.

Does your customer have a washer that drains into a sink?  Help them prevent overflows from the lint clogging up the sink drain with the Lint Snare (OM112).  This is two stainless steel mesh "socks" and a zip tie, that attaches to the drain hose of the washing machine and catches the lint that washes out with the drain water.  You can see how much lint is collect and it's easy empty.

Portable dishwasher with a worn out sink coupler?  This kit will fix most of them out there - 285170 -
this has a new spring, gasket, collar, dogs and "C" clip.

And to keep that washer from "walking" across the floor, get a set of Vibe Away anti-vibration pads - VA1 - just put these pads under the feet of your washer and it will stay put.

Give us a call here at W L May if you would like to find a certain accessory item and we will do our darndest to find it for you!

Have a great week!



Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Ted Talk: The Magic Washing Machine

Kelly will be back next week. Until then we have a video to share with you.

TED Talks are conferences held periodically that feature prominent modern thinkers who make short presentations about a wide variety of subject, In this clip, Has Rosling talks about the washing machine and its effects on society and the advancement of mankind. It is an interesting presentation that we hope you enjoy.


For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Friday, January 3, 2014

A Trip To the Washing Machine Museum

Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum in Eaton Colorado is the largest washing machine collection in the world. I may need to make a pilgrimage someday. In the meantime the following video shows off a few items in the collection. The sound quality not is so good, but how often do you get to see working examples of the antique models?

Here is a link to the washing machine museum http://www.oldewash.com/

Enjoy the video.



For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Friday, December 6, 2013

Fun Friday: American Restorations Tackles An Easy Washer

One of the things I like about being a part person is seeing and keeping alive old machines. Naturally, I enjoy a lot of the antique shows on TV. American Restorations on History Channel is one of those programs. Luckily the History Channel offers clips for sharing so we can show you this clip on a 1930's Easy brand washing machine. Enjoy!



For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Throwback Thursday: News Recap September 19, 2014

If you have been reading the W.L. May Blog but haven't checked us out on FacebookTwitter or Google+, you may not be getting the whole story. We use all of those social media outlets to share news stories that relate to our industry as well as appliance tips we have found from other sources. Here is a recap of some of the top stories we have seen lately. A lot has been happening so without further ado:

We start with a few consumer friendly articles we feel would be great for sharing:
  • The Simple Dollar discusses the cost effectiveness of hand washing dishes vs a dishwasher. Link
  • Rodale News made these suggestions for saving money when running your refrigerator. Link
  • Reviewed.Com shared their picks for best American made appliances. Link
  • Deseret News offered 8 tips for keeping produce frsh in the refrigerator. Link
  • Angie from Angie List gives her opinion on the age old question: repair or replace? Link
  • C-Net published their washing machine buying guide. Link
  • The Daily Orange made some suggestions for new college students tackling using dorm laundry facilities. Link
Next, we look at the manufacturers and how they have been in the news recently:
  • Whirlpool announced the hiring of a new executive chef. Link
  • Multi-Housing news approves of Whirlpools "Ice" line of appliances. Link
  • Whirlpool announced the launch of the industries first induction double oven freestanding range. Link 
  • A new design of Heier dishwasher doesn't have a handle for its latch. Link
  • Whirlpool announced their new WashSquad app for iphones. Link
  • GE's chefs talked about what they like about GE appliances and shared a few recipes. Link
  • GE told us about the process involved with formulating a new color of appliance paint. Link
We found a few articles that might be of interest to those of you who love all thing appliances:
  • We reposted this older story from Digital Trends about some hi-tech refrigerator magnets. Link
  • Newsleader.com discussed retro style appliances and their growing popularity. Link
  • Peta Pixel shared a dishwasher trick for film photographers. Link
  • Main St. had an in-depth piece on smart appliances and the internet of things. Link
  • Scott. J. Higgins makes the argument that the washing machine was a more important invention than the internet. Link
  • We found these images of destruction for those of you who like such things. Link
  • Wired reported on a concept idea for washing machine sharing. Link
  • Gigaom tells us why they think washing machines, not refrigerators, will be the first successful internet connected appliances. Link
  • Digital Journal told us about a blog that offers dating advice based on what the dates refrigerator looks like inside. Link
Sometimes, the links we post are related to technology, business or happenings on the internet:
  • Smart Van posted an excellent article about stock management and its relationship to first call completion rates. Link
  • KFGO reported cautious optimism for manufacturing in 2014. Link
  • Smart Van makes the list again with their 7 Deadly Sins for Service Calls. Link
  • Hubspot offers 30 Terrible Pieces of Social Media Advise You Should Ignore. Link
A new contest was announced
  • Womans world is giving away a Frigidaire refrigerator. Link

We close with an interesting article about the history of the Philips screw and screwdriver:
  • From A Continuous Lean. Link

Friday, May 31, 2013

Fun Friday: Toy Washing Machines

Have you ever gone online looking for something and ended up finding something else? Something totally different that is useless, but interesting? That happened to me recently. I found that there a lot of different operating toy washing machines for dollhouses and such. Now, maybe this is common knowledge but it was news to me and I found it interesting enough to share. There are a lot of different (and sometimes quite realistic) machines that have been made over the years. This guy featured on the Farm Collector website has a HUGE collection. Make sure to check out the gallery slideshow that features some of the rarer antiques in his collection. When I found that, I also found this YouTube video of another collection that looks like it features some newer examples.
Now as these internet adventures go, one thing leads to another and I found this odd, but kind of cute video of a Furby meeting up with a washing machine.
I thought I reached the limit of toy washing machine strangeness when I stumbled upon this (Chinese?) video.
Well, that's enough playing with toys. Time to help some folks get some appliances working again. Have a great weekend everybody!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

KELLY'S KORNER - HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP

Hey, All!

I was going through some stuff I have stored in my computer and came across this recipe for homemade laundry soap.  I will state right now that I don't remember where I got it and if I am stepping on someone's copywrite, I apologize.  But I thought this was a great idea.  With all the additives and fragrances and stuff that is added to store bought detergent, this is a great alternative.  And I just bought a box of Borax for ant bait (amazing the things you can do with this stuff!), so I think I will mix some up.


Ingredients:
1 Bar of shaved soap (Ivory or Fels-Naptha)
1 Cup of 20 Mule Team Borax
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

Grate the bar soap finely and place in a gallon size container. (Use a fine cheese grater or something similar) Add borax and washing soda. Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes and enjoy the results. Stirring the full time is important; it breaks up the pieces and mixes it fully.
 For washing, use 1 tablespoon per load. If you are washing heavily soiled items, use 2 tablespoons. Makes enough for up to 64 loads!!! Safe to use in High Efficiency/Front-Load washers.

Place in an air-tight container and store at room temperature.
If you are looking for a fabric softener alternative, try using 1/2 cup of white vinegar in your rinse cycle. It strips the clothes of any leftover soap residue and makes them smell clean. Not that bottled clean smell that we are all used to, but a real, deep-down clean. And no, it doesn't make your clothes smell like vinegar.

The great thing about this is that you only use 1 Tablespoon per load!  And you can use it in your high efficiency washers - that detergent is hard to find sometimes.  Then forgo the dryer and hang them outside to dry - now don't you feel "green"?

Have a great week!

PS:  omg, this is so cool!  I was Googling Ivory soap and there was a Youtube "science" experiment where you put a bar of Ivory soap in the microwave for about 90 seconds - the air bubbles expand and when done looks like a plate of solid soap bubbles!  This crumbles really well and I'm thinking that this might be more fun than grating the bars.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Fix It Friday: Whirlpool Direct Drive Washer


If you are a professional appliance repair person, you should already be VERY familiar with the Whirlpool Direct Drive washer. This video is for the do-it-yourselfers out there. Technician Mike shows how to open a cabinet, how to remove a motor and how to replace a coupler. Whirlpool has stopped manufacturing this machine. There are still a lot of them out there though, but it is true we don't get as many requests for couplers as we once did.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Fun Friday: Washing Machine Throwing

Australia has some justifiably famous "World's Strongest Man" competitions. This event features something that everyone who has dealt with an uncooperative repair job would love to do: washing machine throwing. In June. 2005 Australian strongman Bill Lyndon broke the world record for the event. Is there anything the Guinness records people don't keep track of? If you think you can do better you will have to toss a machine weighing 99lb 13oz a distance of 336 cm or just over 3-1/3 meters. Good luck!