Washing machine repair - where there is a will there's a way.

[up2you2]

My old washing machine was I thought coming to the end of its life.
In trying to come to the decision to replace it, memories of its last repair came flooding back, in so much that following its repair it was still noisy
What followed was that they told me, that although they could fix it and make it work, they couldn't make it quiet again.
I rolled over and reluctantly accepted this fait accompli.

Fast forward four years, now it's shaking and vibrating to the degree that if I turn my back it's half way down my Soi.
Now it looks like I will really have to buy a new one, but my dilemma being from the same manufacturer or not.
Outside of the noise factor I have been really pleased with it, so again this nagging thought came back to me, that these machines are solely quiet on the day they leave the factory, and are brand new.
So I thought I would pose this question directly to those concerned, requesting that they confirm with a yes or no answer.
Well of course I think most of you can write the script from here on in, all the ducking and diving, pivoting, diverting and a level of obfuscation worthy of an Oscar nomination.
But at the end of the day I got a result!

Perhaps it was my ability in putting forward rational arguments, that surely this does not have to be the case.
My previous service record was reviewed, to the degree that now finally I had reached those that were not only intrigued, but yes was it really possible to make this washing machine quiet again.
So much so that they would like to come to service it free, all labour free, and to top it all, all spare parts would now be reduced by 50%.

In spite of its age, this was an offer I could not refuse, as remember the machine had been working efficiently, albeit very noisily.
To compliment this the "A" team of service engineers came, three true professionals and not the som tam team as before.
I thought there might have been a digital readout detailing all of its faults, or a specific cycle that would induce all of them.
That turned out not to be the case, the machine was completely striped down in my car port.
All of the required parts were available, so that again was not an issue:

Tub back (ball bearings)
Belt
Spring etc-Hanger;HEBA
Damper
Assy weight Balancer Right
Weight Balance (L)

Total damage (cost) came in at THB 3228, a mere fraction of a new model.
  

[richard_smith237]

Excellent - perhaps things from this aspect of customer service in Thailand are improving. 

 

I had a similar interaction with Electrolux - figuring our drier (10y old) was on its last legs.

 

After a little pushing, discussion and finally getting through to the 'right people'... they came out with the promise that if they could fix it they would, if they couldn't, it'd just be a call out charge - They fixed it, costs were relatively cheap... 

 

I think the next time it 'goes' we'll just get a next one and I'm inclined to go with the same brand. 

 

 

As this is 'not a name and shame' but a positive outcome - who is the manufacturer that provided you with good service (in the end).

[Maybole]

What make is it?and where did you buy it?

[bluejets]

We replace wife's mums machine(dual tub) every 3 years or so as it get approx. 4 to 5 hours solid work each and every day.

LG 16kg and same model each time.

Seems a good design so why change it.

Flog off the old one for next to nothing to a relative( plenty in line) and away we go again.

Also seem when it comes to change, one of the electrical retailers or other will have it with a saving of around 2000baht so just over 7,000baht.

 

There are other top loaders there (same brand) which go out on a 10 year basis but no where near the work load.

During their life span maybe a couple of nylon clutches and that's about it.

Simple as to work on, no pumps just drain valve.

Worst case there is when others do not put smalls in a bag and they get wrapped under the agitator/pulsator.

 

 

[brianthainess]

26 minutes ago, bluejets said:

We replace wife's mums machine(dual tub) every 3 years or so as it get approx. 4 to 5 hours solid work each and every day.

LG 16kg and same model each time.

Seems a good design so why change it.

Flog off the old one for next to nothing to a relative( plenty in line) and away we go again.

Also seem when it comes to change, one of the electrical retailers or other will have it with a saving of around 2000baht so just over 7,000baht.

 

There are other top loaders there (same brand) which go out on a 10 year basis but no where near the work load.

During their life span maybe a couple of nylon clutches and that's about it.

Simple as to work on, no pumps just drain valve.

Worst case there is when others do not put smalls in a bag and they get wrapped under the agitator/pulsator.

 

 

That's similar to what we use, Haier 7.5kg  about 3.5K Delivered and Checked working. The last one lasted about 7 years, the only thing that I had to replace was those straps that operate the drain valve, but eventually the motor packed up. Spares are available on Lazada. 

[daveAustin]

Nice story... had many good experiences like that. Was gonna say the balancing was likely off. Having worked alongside some of them, Thai engineers can be really switched on.

 

Regards machine, all for keeping things going, but would dump it next time. Was a Zanussi lover until had direct drive LGs. Super quiet and reliable. The things have an alarm when finished or you wouldn't know!

[dddave]

More than 15 years ago, I bought a small TOSHIBA 6.5kg top load automatic washer. B5999.

Probably 4 or 5 loads a week. In those 15 years, one B500 repair. I finally had to replace it a few months ago, not because anything wrong mechanically but the plastic control panel on the top had deteriorated from direct sunlight on the balcony and was becoming unusable.  I replaced it with the updated but nearly identical TOSHIBA model, still B5999.

[proton]

Toshibas are great our last one lasted 15 years daily use

[bluejets]

Trouble with that is, things like shafts wear and seals go hard and brittle from the soap powder and before long one is back to knackered much more quickly than it prooves worth it.

[up2you2]

On 9/16/2024 at 4:41 PM, bluejets said:

Trouble with that is, things like shafts wear and seals go hard and brittle from the soap powder and before long one is back to knackered much more quickly than it prooves worth it.

So is the solution, of what you are proposing here, is just to replace the washing machine when it becomes noisy?

[bruceluigi]

My washer started going nuts a while back—crazy loud, shaking all over the place, and just a total hassle. I was ready to toss it and get a new one, but figured I’d see if it could be fixed first. Turns out, the bearings and belt were shot, but once those were swapped out, it was running smooth and way quieter.
Honestly, getting someone who knows their stuff to check it out saved me from spending on a whole new machine. If you’re in a similar spot, it’s worth calling in a pro. I’ve used musiccityappliance.services before, and they did a solid job fixing mine.

[treetops]

20 hours ago, bruceluigi said:

My washer started going nuts a while back—crazy loud, shaking all over the place, and just a total hassle. I was ready to toss it and get a new one, but figured I’d see if it could be fixed first. Turns out, the bearings and belt were shot, but once those were swapped out, it was running smooth and way quieter.
Honestly, getting someone who knows their stuff to check it out saved me from spending on a whole new machine. If you’re in a similar spot, it’s worth calling in a pro. I’ve used musiccityappliance.services before, and they did a solid job fixing mine.

 

Always good to know about a repair service in Nashville, USA on a South East Asian forum.  Thanks. 🙄