Monthly Archives: December 2011

Washer Repair Day . . .

Today was the day.

I couldn’t put it off any longer. Or, at least Jan said I couldn’t.

It was time to tackle pulling the dryer out of its cabinet and checking out the dryer fan motor.

The first step was to remove the retaining strip at the base of the cabinet. It looked like this was the only thing holding the washer in place, and it was.

Kind of.

Washer Removal 1

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After removing the strip I found the washer still wouldn’t come out because the screws on the door hinges protruded just enough to block it.

So, off with the doors.

Washer Removal 2

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Then after placing my furniture dolly underneath, I started inching the washer out.

Washer Removal 3

Washer Removal 4

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Once the washer was out of the way, Mister had to immediately investigate things.

It was obvious that the cabinet was built around the washer since both the dryer vent hose and the water drain hose were too short to allow the washer to come all the way out, and in fact pulled loose before the washer was halfway out.

I’ll have to add extensions to both before I reinstall the washer.

Washer Removal 5

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Jan’s now got that island counter in the middle of the kitchen she’s always wanted, at least until I’m ready to reinstall the washer.

Washer Removal 8

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Luckily, only four screws and the top comes off. And even better, the fan motor is right at the top.

And here’s the alleged culprit.

Washer Removal 6

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Looking closely it was easy to see what had happened. The circle with the tabs on it is actually a cooling fan for the motor underneath it. The motor bearings had worn enough to let the shaft with the fan on it drop down and start rubbing against one of the motor’s electrical connectors. This caused the noise I first heard for a week or so before the motor finally died.

Washer Removal 7a

A blog reader, Tom Van de Bussche, had already clued me in on where to get a new motor, so I was on the phone to Westland Sales in Clackamas, OR to get one in the mail to me.

As it turns out, it will be shipped out from their Elkhart, IN location. Sure wish it had died a month or so ago, I could have picked one up while we were there.

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Thought for the Day:

Bad decisions make good stories.

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Bingo and BBQ . . .

After coffee, this morning started out with chores around the rig, working on the Christmas tree, fixing a drawer slide, etc. Then about 12:30 Jan and I headed into Clear Lake to take care of some errands and see a couple of clients.

First thing, I dropped Jan off to get her hair done while I went by the bank, and then Brandi’s to pick up a package that had come in. Then it was getting gas and stopping off at Lowe’s for a few things.

Next, I checked in on a couple of clients, the last one being the one with the AT&T DSL problem. I called Customer Service to complain about being charged for a new DSL modem. They said they’d check it out and call me back within one hour.

Guess what? I’m still waiting!

By this time we’d kill enough time that it was time to go pick up our granddaughter Piper for Bingo.

We then ended up at Rudy’s BBQ for supper. Brisket and Jalapeno Sausage,  MMM MMM Good!

Our friend Maria picked up Jan and Piper about 6:30 and I headed back to the rig for a couple of hours. Then about 9:30 I headed down to La Marque to pick them up.

And, as it turns out, Jan won a $100.00 jackpot. Not bad at Christmas time.

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Thought for the Day:

I sometimes have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

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