Make sure to use the 10% off lowes coupon in the post office movers guide. Home depot will take it as a competitors coupon.
Surfguy, I bought an LG front loader during Black Friday a couple of years ago and it's still running with no mildew, funk or leaking problems. But I ran into the same problems as you back then - every manufacturer sucks and every manufacturer is great. I was going to get another top-loader, but quickly found there weren't very many out there. I just went with the LG front-loader. My previous washer was a top-loading Kenmore that I had for something like 12-13 years. I can only pray this thing lasts at least as long. Something tells me it won't. lol.
thanks for the feedback, Dr of Dunk. you may be interested (or not...lol) to know the 2012 Consumer Reports Buying Guide notes that LG leads the pack in fewest repairs on front loaders. The LG came in at 7% and the next closest was 11%. of course, this survey of 104,000 readers who bought a clothes washer was for 2006 - 2010. who knows if it is representative of the larger sample versus just how many of each brand are in circulation (less LG front loaders sold in lieu of another brand?). i may have to look into one of these. i'm thinking if i get a front loader...i will pay an extra $100 to get the 4 year extended warranty plan. the statistics show that the extended warranties are only used 22% of the time for washers. but, as washer technology evolves, so do the potential problems in using them longer term without problems (especially those damn circuit boards where one issues arises and they yank/replace the whole board sucking your wallet in the process). or, i could get the old school agitator top loader and just slap a 4 year extended warranty on that one. this option almost seems like the most reasonable thing to do imo. but, there is a greed factor that wants to try something different as everything seems to be going in a different direction (like you said...the selections for old style top loaders are dwindling). i wonder if there are any easter deals going on today. hmm.
well, it depends on who you talk to. there is nothing wrong per se. but, there has been plenty of front loader fodder about their reliability after a few years and how the repairs are more expensive. people have had a range of problems with the front loaders. common complaints are mildew, smell/smelly clothes, the seal around the door leaking, and circuit board failures (not cheap to replace). the front loader spinning basket is held in place with springs and those springs wear out. how long these machines will hold up compared to the old top loaders is a big question. and, if you pump a lot of money into these machines and then they need several repairs going out a few years... then you are definitely losing your ass off financially on this one....as several have.
I bought a new top loader 14 months ago from Lowes. Maytag Centennial Washer Model#MVWC6ESWW1. At the time the reviews were all good. (The Bravos reviews were bad.) The machine preformed well for 13 months. Warranty was 12. The part I needed was $75 on internet and took ten minutes to change. This part goes bad on all machines that use it. Maytag is made by Whirlpool. Here is a post from another forum. Less than 18 months after delivery, our little used Maytag Washer failed. It would not fill with water properly, agitated the clothes dry and deposited water onto clothes already spun dry. The Maytag repairman replaced the "Water Level and Temperature controller Switch" (Part #W10248240) during a 15 minute visit for a cost of $170.55, almost half the cost of the washer after rebates. The repairman stated that this part fails frequently as there was a manufacturing defect and the parts are now made by a supplier in the US rather than in China as was originally the case. He also stated that he has replaced this same part up to 3 times in the same washers. I called, E-mailed and wrote Maytag for some sort of adjustment but was refused. Customer service insists on the 12 month warranty and refuses to help even though there is evidence of a widespread serious manufacturing defect in this sensor relay. My understanding is that this sensor relay is present in other models of Maytag/Whirlpool as well. I guess there isn't an easy way to select a new machine. BTW, my previous Maytag lasted 25 years.
I seem to recall reading quite a few complaints about the Maytag Centennial Washer as well as far as earlier than expected problems resulting in service repair calls. This washer ranked #29 out of 41 tested per Consumer Reports. But, I don't trust Consumer Reports as much because they ranked the Maytag Bravos at #6 and #7 but that is on-site testing and has nothing to do with how long a washing machine will last and repair calls. They only have a separate chart showing # of repairs as I previously mentioned. I'm thinking about buying that Centennial model with a 4 year service plan, though, even with the sensor relay defect potentially manifesting itself. But, I'm still trying to process the Terabyte of data on washing machines and consumer reviews through my pea size head. The only sure thing I have right now is a headache. lol
LG Frontloader My LG Front Loader is about 8 years old. I just had a problem with it leaking water this week. I cleaned out some of the plastic filters on it as recommened in the manual and it still leaked. I ended up taking the back cover off and looking underneath as that is where the water seemed to be leaking. There is a rubber hose that attaches at 3 different points via clamps. I took this off as this hose can develop tears over time. I cleaned the hose off and inspected it to make look for leaks. I didn't see any. I went ahead and in reinstalled the hose while making sure the clamps were on tight. Ran the machine through some diagnostic tests (found online) and ran a wash and it appears to be working fine now. It seems maybe the hose was loose at one of the clamps. I haven't had any issues with my LG Dryer (also 8 years old). On the front loaders, it is recommended to clean the rubber gasket around the door periodically. We also leave the washer door open over night after it's been used so that it can air dry.
8 years is a pretty good run with no repairs...and sounds like you fixed your own problem. i'm seriously considering the LG front loader because it seems to require less repairs and is getting good ratings. this is the one i'm looking at for $699: http://www.lowes.com/pd_326990-149-...s-_-Appliances|CenterRail-_-Spcl_Value|BUY_ME do any of you happen to own this model WF210ANW?
Just fYI, that little door on the bottom left is where when of the filters is located. Just check that like very 6 months. The other two are where the hot and cold water connect; you'll get mineral buildup there. I clean them with an old toothbrush.
I bought a Samsung front loader on sale with protection plan, they come to deliver it, hook it up, and turn it on. Comedy ensues. The cold water comes rushing in just buy turning unit on. Apparently, the inlet valve is malfunctioning on a new unit. Delivery guy says "I've never had that happen before in all my deliveries/installs of washing machines". Delivery guy tries to spin/drain to see if works...forgets to put water drain hose into drain hole. Water goes everywhere and guy is like "I always forget that for some reason". Umm. Mop up water. Washer has to go back. Guess what...they don't have another one in stock. Have to wait another week or go pick out another washer. So, I guess I'm waiting a week. Had four different applicances (two DirecTV DVRS fail at same time; then, two washers) fail last week if you include this lemon. What could possibly be next?
I went with a front-loading Miele for my washer and dryer since their build quality and reliability are better than LG, Samsung, etc. I got both appliances at a great deal from Kuhl Linscomb near West Alabama and Kirby.
All of those problems are probably due to them failing to clean the drain filter. The OP would have never had to buy a new machine if he would have just cleaned the drain filter...that was why it wasn't draining...duh.
