The problem is the 12+ year old Whirlpool is clogged. I turned it on the front side and wet vacuumed the hot (red) and cold (blue) inlets. The screens have a greasy reddish/copper residue. Like a car radiator can get.
I poured a little vinegar to see if it could unclog it. It is just sitting there. CLR? Anything? Radiator flush? I can only get a capful of vinegar on the inlets and it sits there.
A new decent one is about $300 but it works fine besides the clog. Thanks and sorry for the vanity.
temporarily you could hook a hose to the sink faucet and help fill the washer faster.
Replace the inlet valve.
Are there screens inside the inlets. They may be clogged.
There’s a screen right where the hose connects....check to see that it is clear, if so, continue down the line...you’ll eventually find the cause.
Here is something about using needle nose pliers to remove the screens and clean them. I will try that.
They also say:
“If your washing machine fills with a slow trickle, you might need a fill/inlet valve.”
Is this hard to change? I probably should just dump it.
Take the hoses off. Look in the fill valve inlets. There are fine screens in them.
With a small screwdriver you can ease them out and clean them..
Do Not leave them out.!!!
If some of the pieces of debris gets into the valve it won’t close off the water supply and you’ll end up with a flood.
There should be screen washers in the hoses at the house water spigots also.
Washing machines if that vintage are generally very simple. Don’t bother trying to fix any individual part. Get the model number, take a few pictures, and head to your local parts supply store.
There is also a solenoid at the fill valve...a simple rebuild kit could fix that.
Punch them both out with a screwdriver(carefully) at the machine inlets.
Then get some screened hose washers at the hardware store and install them up at the hose inlets at the washing machine valves. They will be much easier to get to there for cleaning or replacing.
1. You can pry the screens out and replace them. Or even leave them out. You can probably get replacement screens online easily enough or from a local vendor.
2. If you have rust deposits inside the solenoid (the part that automatically lets the water in and shuts it off), you could try getting some CLR in a syringe and squirting it in the inlet.
If the screens are clean the inner layer of the hose may have collapsed.
Pull the screen off the inlet and clean it.
If that doesn’t fix it try running a coat hanger around and see what comes out.
13 years, you might have calcium and lime build up.
If it have screen filters clogged, easy to clean!!!
Turn off water
Get a Bucket
Unscrew your washer inlets
Place hoses in bucket
Open water inlets
Good pressure???
Bad pressure? Replace rubber inlet hoses,
try again.
OK ? Then the problem is in the machine.
Most modern washers have what is called a “wax valve”, where electrical connections from the control panel heat a valve (normally in the right front of the machine). The heat melts a wax membrane allowing water to enter the drum, and conversely allows water to exit the drum in the later cycles.
About $50 for a new valve, but place a pan under the area worked on, as residual water is still in the lower system.
Dust off and nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure...
I had to replace a coupler on a 13 year old whirlpool...this dude made it easy....especially on how easy it was to access everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLPGs2UMUJc
Repairing your own washer? Are you experienced?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX0XVEmwlfs
OK. I’ll bite. Why are there screens on the inlets?