Fix or Replace F&P top loading dryer?

10 years ago

We've owned the washer and dryer set for 5 years, but we have a family of 10, so probably has had the equivalent of a 10-yr-old set in more average-sized homes.

We've already had to replace the bearing in the dryer due to loud screeching, which, from internet searches, is a common thing with these dryers. It's starting to screech again on occasion, so likely time for a new one again. But last night a burning smell got our attention, and the dryer drum and clothes were VERY hot. We could try replacing the thermostat and heating elements, and hope that fixes it. Or do we cut our losses at the age, use, history, and reputation of the unit, and roll again? Internet searches turn up reports of chintzy wiring involving the heating element. Not an expert, I'm unsure if changing the parts also addresses the wiring issue.

The F&P laundry set in our previous home worked like a dream for years and years. This one, not so much. We replaced the board on the washer just weeks out of warranty. About a year later, it stopped recirculating and would stop in the cycle as soon as it got to the spray types of wash or rinse. Although we replaced the recirculating pump (or maybe it was pump motor), the problem wasn't solved. The next step would've been another new mother board, and since we could run the machine as long as we used the permanent press cycle, we've just done that, rather than spend more money in parts or repairs. So if we get a new dryer, we'd probably get a new washer, too.

I'm thinking about Speed Queen for durability, but don't want to jump to that expense if it's not a prudent step.

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Comments (7)

fordtech
10 years ago
I would seriously consider the Speed Queen set. You have gotten a good run for a family of 10 on that set and it appears that the speed queen are the best top loading value right now, and durable for high usage like your family no doubt has.

With the F&P top loading dryer no longer manufactured, parts are going to get harder to find each year.
rhome410
Original Author
10 years ago
Shows what I know! I didn't know they'd stopped manufacturing the top-loading dryers. I really have liked that style.

Thanks so much for the info and the advice. I hope SQ does better for us... for longer.
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LEQ9508PW0 (zero at the end, not letter O) Most probable items (prices quoted from an online source) -- -- Heating Element 279838 - $35.95 (or alternate ER279838 - $27.50) -- Thermostat Kit 279816 (includes both Hi-Limit Thermostat on element frame and Thermal Fuse on heater box) - $22.30 -- Operating Thermostat 8318268 - $21.57 Unlikely all of those items are bad, but even if they were, the parts total is $71 (standard ground shipping is only $6.95), which is considerably less than $450 to $500 for a new dryer (or *much* more than that for a new washer/dryer pair). Less likely -- -- Timer 3406725 - $82.37 -- Motor 279827 - $67.83 (or alternate ER279827 - $54.75) Your choice, of course, but seems more reasonable to repair than buy new.
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I love the washer and loved the dryer when it worked. F&P actually said they will pay for the repair and parts cost. I did not think they would. I am now trying to find someone to repair it. They gave me two phone numbers. One number the repairman said he does not drive to my area. His office is only 15-20 minutes away. The other number they gave me is an appliance repair center that we had problems with before. My husband said a few choice words and they won't deal with us now. I would really like to get the dryer fixed if possible since it matches my washer and it is easy to use and load. Thanks for your help. Cindy
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Spin speed has nothing to do with tangling. When spinning, the clothes don't move in relation to each other, they're simply compressed against the basket. I have an F&P agitator-type machine (model IWL12), and always spin my sheets at the highest speed (1000 RPM). Slower spin can have an effect on reducing wrinkling, however. The standard cycle spins at 1000 RPM, so manually select a slower spin for wrinkle-sensitive items ... or use the Easy Iron cycle which is preset for 300 RPM spin and also uses the higher-fill "traditional" wash action. All the many options are there for a reason, to get better performance on specific kinds of loads. Loading methods are key to minimizing tangling. As Robyn outlines, do not pile clothes atop the 'agitator' or wrap them around it. Drop each item in as a bundle, spaced evenly around the basket, with smaller items as fillers between larger items. Pick up a fitted sheet, loosely gathered, and drop it in toward one side. Place a flat sheet at the other side, and fill the spaces between with pillow slips. And wash sheets as a separate load using the Sheets-specific cycle. For jeans, place three to four pairs around the basket, then another layer atop that, for six to eight pairs total. Maybe nine up to nine pairs (three layers of three) depending on how that works for you.
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dadoes
10 years ago
There are three (six) toploader dryer models currently shown on F&P's web site so I am reasonably assuming they're not discontinued. The site has been redesigned since I last visited there.

Electric & gas AeroSmart LCD
Electric & gas AeroSmart LED
Electric & gas SmartLoad
rhome410
Original Author
10 years ago
I see that now, thanks. Probably means there'll be parts for awhile yet... but do I want to keep buying them and trying to fix these machines? That's what's tough. I'm disliking the short lives of and almost guaranteed hassles with appliances these days.
dadoes
10 years ago
rhome410,

I can say that my DEGX1 is 8+ years old and hasn't yet needed any bearing repairs. Only 1 person in my household, although I've been doing my grandmother's laundry for the past 4+ years.

Five-ish years ago it went to making a squealing/rattling noise, which I suspected to be the belt idler pulleys. I bought the parts but decided to let it run until the problem reached the point of either failure or unable-to-stand-the-noise to see how long that took. Interestingly the noise stopped within a few months so I have not done the repair.

A few weeks ago it went to throwing an overheat/airflow warning fault when a larger-size load is run on high heat (Regular or Denim cycle). There's an airflow restriction somewhere, probably in the outflow blower/duct housing at the left of the drum ... or maybe on the intake of the element box, I haven't yet investigated. The fault doesn't occur on medium or low heat cycles, which run at 2/3 of the full element capacity.

I like the dryer and will repair it as needed.
fordtech
10 years ago
Sorry about that. In a prior thread recently posted someone posted that the machines were no longer going to be avaliable in the USA and parts avaliability was soon to be scarce. I guess I should have checked the F&P website.
rhome410
Original Author
10 years ago
No problem, fordtech.

Dadoes, our screeching started and stopped for awhile, then just got unbearable. We're in the starting and stopping thing again now, I think.

I have liked the dryer a lot. But our household, not only large in the first place, but, at this point, mostly active teenagers in sports, who seem to go through a LOT of clothing and towels, really uses and uses the laundry equipment. We're not hard on things, but just the usage takes its toll. Since others have had similar problems with the dryer, but under much milder circumstances, I guess I should count us lucky we made it with this laundry set this far. :-)

Fix or Replace F&P top loading dryer?

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Fix or Replace F&P top loading dryer?

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