After 34 years....

[yonder]

of trouble-free service, our ancient Kenmore dryer tumbled it's last load. This follows the passing of it's mate, a Kenmore washer, about 4 or 5 years ago. We replaced that with a Speedqueen washer and will likely do the same for the dryer. I know the new products are way more efficient, but I got to say I'm very impressed with the service life of the old beast (two repair calls in that time) and don't expect anything will come close to lasting as long. In a way, it's fitting as Sears has recently gone belly-up too.

We're close to making a final decision but thought I'd ask for any advice/ideas/opinions before we make the leap.

[madaboutharry]

1. They are all made like junk now.

[yonder]

3. It's funny we've not had to pay much attention to that until recently.

[dawg day]

2. After my old washer finally quit,

I was pretty horrified how much inflation in 20 years!

[Phoenix61]

4. Make sure you can manually set the water level.

I’ll never trust a washer I have to run cleaner through to keep clean. Good luck!

[yonder]

6. Thanks, our 5 year old washer does that but it's the dryer that went tits up.

[LunaSea]

5. How did it die?

It may still be repairable. Dryers are pretty simple devices. a heater coil, motor and a clock/controller, and those parts are readily available as most Kenmore appliances are made by Whirlpool. Heaters tend to fail when they get too hot, like if you forget to clean the lint trap. Often they come with a type of fuse that simply melts at a too-high temp. Motors fail but will cost about a third that of a new unit.

[yonder]

8. Can't say for sure, we've debated getting someone out to look at it,

but decided it was time. The last service call 10 years ago? the guy said that it would probably be the last time.

[LunaSea]

11. Did it quit heating or quit spinning? Or both?

Lack of spin, but still heating may mean a broken or slipped belt, a very simple repair.
Lack of heat may mean the coil has died or melted the fuse.
Sometimes an object or material can get lodged between the drum and body and can jam the drum, which can lead to motor failure.

Just know that a newer replacement will not have as sturdy a constitution as your old one. It will be infested with IC chips which will likely fail before the mechanical parts do.
I've got a pair of 20 year old Kenmores myself and plan to keep them up and running as long as parts are available.
Plus I find a ton of change and guitar picks every time I open up the dryer housing!

[yonder]

12. Both. It was taking longer and longer to dry,

then one day it just stopped with an electrical smell and wouldn't restart.

I'm wary of the digital aspect of the new ones too.

[LunaSea]

13. The electronics will give you cool features.

But sometimes they make a simple device more complex than it needs to be.
A whiff of electrical scent certainly means something is toast. You might consider an internet search of the dryers model number to get an idea of parts availability and prices or call an appliance supplier in your neighborhood and ask their advice on parts availability for that particular unit. If you are not handy with tools yourself then your biggest problem is finding a good repair person.
I'd give it a chance providing parts are available, and I suspect they may be.

Of course I get a kick out of reviving old things and bringing them back to life.

[yonder]

14. Thanks for your encouragement, LunaSea.

but we went down and picked up a new Speedqueen today. Yes, we feel a bit of guilt for not pursuing the repair option but did it anyway. It's their base model and doesn't have many bells and whistles. Somehow I don't think we will see the same 34 years of service out of this one but it could be the last one we ever buy.

Sounds like you're a function before form kind of person yourself. I've been an adherent of the KISS principle forever but have departed from that with this purchase. Time will tell whether we made a wise choice.

[LunaSea]

15. Congratulations!

Hope it works spectacularly for you.
I'm really a fan of good design in form and function. Too many things are designed for ease of assembly on the factory floor or considered "disposable" to suit me.
Keep that lint trap clean, and if you use those dryer sheets, remember to wash the screen every few months to minimize the fire hazard.

[pangaia]

7. I've had front loading Kenmore washer and dryer now for 11 years.

Nary a problem . I load them up, turn them on, they turn off, I unload..
Washer uses almost no water...

I don;t do anything to them,



KNOCK ON LOTSA WOOD !!!!

[brush]

9. American Home Warranty will fix or replace appliances. They are the best warranty company.

The service call charge is higher than others but they cover everything. I had Old Republic before and their service charge was $65 then went up to $75. Last summer my fridge stop cooling and I call Old Republic and they told me that since I didn't specify that I wanted coverage on my refridgerator, they wouldn't fix it.

My jaw dropped and I came close to cursing the rep out as the fridge is the main appliance you want covered so who would think you had to specify it?

No dice they told me. Not covered.

I then asked to pay to have it covered. That didn't work either. Not covered. I quit them right then and there on the phone. I lost a $400 worth of food and sevaral days to get it fixed by an appliance repair company. This prompted me to go online and I found that American Home Warranty covers everything without you having to say you want the main appliance you expect to be covered, covered.

Their service call is $100 but I gladly pay it as I know they will come quickly and if they can't fix it they will replace it.

[yonder]

10. this is good to know, thanks