our bad luck with appliances continues

[rfuerst911sc]

My wife and I have been married for 39 years and during that time it seems like a major appliance has either completely died or needed repair about every 6-8 years . We have owned GE , Maytag , Westinghouse , LG and a few others . Two days ago in our home we are going to list for sale at the end of the month our Maytag side by side refrigerator stops cooling
The freezer is working fine but no cooling in the fridge . I'm in the middle of rebuilding the back deck so no time to play with appliances . Called the repair service and he diagnosed a bad mother board , $421.00 dollars and it's working again . My wife had dug out the purchase paperwork for the fridge , yep right on time it's been 7 years
It has been our experience that the washing machine is the worst offender followed by the dishwasher . Refrigerators have been quite dependable until now .
We just purchased a Maytag fridge for our retirement home so marking our calendars for 6-8 years in the future !

[ckelly78z]

I think most appliance makers (these days) install a self destruct mechanism in thier units that activate after 7 years. This seems to hold true with the quartet of kitchen appliances, and the washer/dryer.

I have been able to revive the clothes washer several times with buying inexpensive replacement drive parts, but that doesn't exist on the kitchen units.

We had an 1957 International Harvester chest freezer that just kept on working even after we sold the house in 2000. The doggone thing was too heavy to move up out of the basement.

[masraum]

I've managed to use the Internet to diagnose appliance problems at least a half a dozen times. I have then purchased parts from the Internet usually for $10-120 (usually <$50) to fix the issue.

I think these are the places that I've mostly used for both (they are related).
Appliance Parts, Appliance Repair Help, Appliance Maintenance Advice | AAA-Appliance.com
https://www.repairclinic.com/

[Baz]

My microwave is 27 years young and still works like a charm.

Other appliances have been replaced at least once since moving here in '96.

[sammyg2]

I've found the cheap and easy fix on my washing machine twice on you-tube.
One time for the coupling insert ($8) and one time for the ratcheting pawls ($4).

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I've found the cheap and easy fix on my washing machine twice on you-tube.
One time for the coupling insert ($8) and one time for the ratcheting pawls ($4).

Yep, I just did those two things a month ago, but I am noticing that the top of the wash tub is wearing down, and a small rust hole in the bottom. They still work, but for how long ?

[sc_rufctr]

I've been extremely lucky with appliances. I fixed my dryer a few years ago for about $25.
A cheap micro wave is good for about 6 years (maybe). TV and other appliances seem fine for now.
But my hot water system has recently been replaced and it was only 8 years old.

My mum has a Kenwood kitchen mixing machine that's about 40 years old and she uses it often.

[jyl]

All our kitchen appliances and our hot water heater were installed in 2000. The fridge lasted at 13 years, the range about 14, the dishwasher is on its last legs, I've repaired the hot water heater (DIY new fan motor). I suppose I should feel lucky, but 13-17 years seems too short a service life for what should be extremely mature technology.

I'm trying to not buy standard consumer grade appliances as replacements. My replacement fridge is a commercial True. My replacement range is an American Range, not a genuine commercial range but I made sure it has zero electronics. Not sure what I'll do about the dishwasher. A genuine commercial D/W is a real stretch ($ and workflow), so might have to buy another consumer grade D/W. When the hot water heater finally goes, I'll install tankless.

[love911]

I had the same problem as yours 2-3 years ago,freezer was fine but fridge part was blowing warm air. After doing some Internet diagnosing ,I found out it was the defrost element thermostat.It cost me I think $20-$25 in parts.
This is a 13 year old side by side Kenmore and only had this problem and a compressor replaced under warranty.

[aschen]

we bought a new fridge last year that has gone down 2 times already. Since I am You-tube certified in appliance repair I thought the internet would help me fix it. I had no luck since it was a newer model I guess. I couldent even find the diagnostic routines on the web. It turns out there is a hidden tech sheet located in the hinge. There are something like 27 different self checks for all the sub systems. They sent out a warantee repair guy who just started replacing parts according to a phone call he had with headquarters. One (of many) temp sensors and a fan motor I believe.

I think the old adage of they don't build em like they used to really applies to these things. All the features and electronics controls conspire to kill the new appliances. You can't even pay extra for high quality units these days, you just get more features. Why in the name of zuess would I want a tough screen LCD in my fridge.

Sorry for the rant, in the future I think I will buy the least feauture rich product I can. I want my fridge to keep things cold, thats about it.

[legion]

I seem to have to fix or replace an appliance every year.

2012:
-Had to have red LED replaced in my DLP television that was purchased in 2007. I'm expecting this to fail again soon. Cost $450.
-Had to have icemaker on refrigerator repaired.
-Had to have motherboard in microwave replaced.

2013:
-Had to have motor in the washing machine replaced.
-Had to replace Blu-Ray player that stopped playing Blu-Rays.

2014:
-Had to replace fan that cools compressor motor on refrigerator.
-Had to replace dishwasher a week before house sale.
*Moved to Georgia*
-Bought new washer, dryer, and refrigerator.
-Had to have whole-house pressure regulator and pressure-relief valve replaced.

2015:
-A week before house sale, had to have outside units for air conditioners cleaned out as they were clogged with dog hair from the previous owner.
*Moved back to Illinois*
-Had to replace audio receiver that stopped switching video inputs.

2016:
-Had to replace "scary toilet" in kid's bathroom.
-Have to chip ice out of icemaker every month as it covers sensor. No idea why it started doing this.

2017:
-Had to replace the dishwasher that came with the house (an older model designed to work with phosphates in the soap).
-Had to replace a ceiling fan that stopped spinning (and I took out the multimeter to see if it was a wiring issue).

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

We had an 1957 International Harvester chest freezer that just kept on working even after we sold the house in 2000. The doggone thing was too heavy to move up out of the basement.

That freezer is very rare piece man -

[dafischer]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

We had an 1957 International Harvester chest freezer that just kept on working even after we sold the house in 2000. The doggone thing was too heavy to move up out of the basement.

My has an International Harvester refrigerator from about the same vintage in the basement. Still working fine.

[motion]

Yeah... between our homes and rentals I am constantly buying new appliances, water heaters, HVAC equipment, etc. Never ending.

[cstreit]

...for us its dryers (every 2-3 years they need a fix.)
...and dishwashers (every 4 years).

I've been able to repair almost all from repairclinic.com for <$100 each time.

[GH85Carrera]

My parents bought a Sears Kenmore chest freezer in 1961. Dad was in the Air Force so it made many long cross country trips, even to Hawaii and back. Over 16 moves in all. When they retired they put it out in their detached garage. It was a typical garage so summer was real hot. In the winter they kept a small heater out there to keep it above 40.

They had a tree fall on the electrical power cable to the house. It shorted the hot and negative and roasted everything that was plugged it, except that freezer. The got all new appliances clocks, and anything that was plugged into the electrical connection. That freezer was still working when I sold that house. I left it for the new owners.

It was made in the good ol days of American built quality. Now a new fridge is just insane money, and won't last 10 years. And it will need dozens of $70 water filters in those years.

[Geary]

American Home Shield sells a home warranty on appliances for around $300/year. I don't know how they make a profit. $75 for a service call, and if it isn't an easy repair, they send you a check for a new appliance WITHOUT making you jump through hoops. We'll never go without it again.

[1990C4S]

I get at least seven years from the used appliances I buy on Craigslist. Washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove and fridge. Nothing was over $250. Only my Maytag washing machine quit, but it lasted seven years and the replacement Maytag was $100.

But I'm not married...you may not have this option.

[SpyderMike]

buy a real clothes washer - Speed Queen. My humble opinion.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would happily pay double for real quality. Too bad it doesn't seem to exist at any price anymore.