Should I talk landlady into chancing it on washer timer?

In a college rental that sees plenty of use, the washer is an old harvest gold with faux wood grain back panel Kenmore washer (has 1985 magic marker date on back which I'm not sure what that means other than the fact it is going to be at LEAST 1985 or before) that weighs a ton, sits firm and flat on the floor, and has the metal sides and front that wrap around in one piece.

The timer is shot.

The male tenants were to drive about 200 miles to landlady's house to pick up either a new or newer washer from her and bring it back. They did not get around to it yet, and now are planning on doing it in 3 weeks. The timer definitely is screwed up. Other than that, the machine runs good and no leaks. The landlady told me a couple weeks ago she does not want to take the chance. Yet she values my opinions.

Now after pondering that this old machine, that BTW is part of a matching set with the dryer that is still going strong - I'm wondering if this nmachine may be of the stock of the era of good machines that can last and last and may be worth spending the $130 on for the new timer?

If it was me, I told the kid today, I'd be tempted to chance it.

 

The washer is over twenty years old. I don't think Kenmore even stocks parts for a model that old. I would call Sears and check before bothering the landlady.

 

Good idea. Never thought of that. No use pulling the cart........

But then I could at least chance opening up the timer the whole way and getting the points out and file them. If I can't get it back together again? - oh well.

 

If it's a belt drive washer I would not repair it. I find after repairs it usually has more problems. In our area ( NC ) we find that the Steel tub is rusting out and there is no replacement for it. Look in back of washer and if you see a panel that can be removed than it's a belt drive. If a solid panel that is a driedt drive machine and it would be worth fixing.

 

If you are doing this work for the landlady for free and she is destitute then MAYBE you could spend time playing with it.
I think you should appreciate however that a rental property is an investment and you sometimes have to spend money on your investments.

At the price of gas for a 200 mile trip and the tenant's time being considered there are used appliance shops that could likely sell the landlady a used or refurbished washer for not too much money. It would likely come with a 30 day guarantee.

 

Greg,

I'm not sure of the exact story but somehow I think she has this extra new/newer unit and she was going to give the tenants like $40 off the rent to come and get it, and the college guys probably think it be neat to drive from our college town to the states biggest college town.

We had 3 used appliance shops in blighted area of town, and now there are none. City bought up blight and I don't think these businesses wanted to relocate to more expensive areas. And also there are a lot of people with money here and landlords kept those shops afloat, but maybe they realized with reoccuring problems it did not really pay to get used any more and instead set up accounts at new appliance stores and got deals there. Don't know. I miss going down there to get used knobs, burners and such. In one of MY rental properties I still have a nice used fridge about 8 years ago that still works, that I got from one of these guys.

 

what is the model number of the washer and i can tell you if its a belt drive and if parts are still made for it. alot of times they substitute parts that are for newer machines but will fit.