Repair or replace?

[jitterbug]

We've had two major appliances act up this week - our refrigerator and our washing machine. The fridge needs a new ice maker (can't live without it - I drink ice water almost exclusively and if it's not convenient, I just don't drink much of anything) and the washing machine could be either a major or a minor repair (won't cycle through - it spun my clothes for almost an hour before I realized there was a problem!).

My dilemma is that they are both over 20 old. Is it worth repairing or is it just time to bite the bullet and buy new? I think this is the first repair for both of them. I can afford new - but hate to do it if the repairs are simplistic.

We were told that Sears will be having 30% off Kenmore appliances starting tomorrow - and I think we get x number of months at zero interest, too (we have the money in our savings account, but if we can make the payments out of our regular pay, we will).

Thoughts?

[8 Bit WWBG]

Well you sort of asked and answered your own question. If the repair is cheap enough and will last, then by all means have it repaired. But if you'll pay and then it breaks a different way, get a new one.

I had a similar dilemma with my HVAC last year. I knew damn well that if I went the cheap route, I would pay much more. I hated having to spend as much as I did, but it was at 0% and I now have a top of the line, environmentally friendly, new unit, with a warranty on parts AND labor.

[CCL]

Try repairclinic.com. They can help you diagnose the problem. You can even email them with your concerns and they'll help you figure out what's wrong. Then you'll have a better idea what costs you are looking at for repair.

If you decide to replace the washer, you may be pleasantly surprised by a drop in your water bill. The thing I like most about new refrigerators is all of the light. You can see everything that's in there, even at the back or bottom. The doors hold a lot more, too.

[phil5185]

I agree with boskone, both repairs appear to be bolt-on's, either buy the part and change it out, or have a repairman do it.

As for new appliances - in a rush to appear eco-friendly, the manufacture res have added some not-so-good bells and whistles.

When we looked at Washers the salesman pointed out that the machine automatically weighed each load and then tailored the amount of water to that load - to save water. Think about that - load cells under the tub, probably 3, to weigh the load. Those signals get summed thru a processor and sent to a computer. The computer then sends the proper (?) signal to an electrically operated water valve that has a timer that turns on your water supply for a timed interval (unless it fails, then it runs water everywhere, LOL) to put in the proper amount of water. (Disclosure - I actually have no idea how it works, I am just imaging how it probably works).

At any rate, my response to the salesman was - show us one that doesn't weigh the load - replacing a Gee-whiz Washer every few years is less eco-friendly than using an extra gallon of water a couple times a week and keeping your plain-jane Washer for 30 yrs.

[2kids10horses]

Yeah, we have one of those new-fangled front load washing machines... The drain pump went out. I was able to download a repair manual off the internet, figure out what part was bad, and ordered a replacement. It was a $60 part. Then, had to figure out how to get to it. The repair manual said "take this off", and "take that off...". Well, then I had to look up "this" and "that"... It was quite the ordeal, but I finally got it working.

THe toughest part was getting the rubber seal around the front loading door to seal back just right so it doesn't leak.
But, I saved myself a $300 service call.

I usually try to repair non-electronic stuff, first. Electronic, I replace.

[8 Bit WWBG]

I want an espresso machine, and am debating whether or not I should get one with a built in grinder. On the one hand, everything gets done in one place. But the "more to break" factor must be considered as well.

Plus, it doesn't seem to matter how much you spend on one of those, they still break. I bought a $120 one and it worked alright for a week despite glowing amazon reviews. The guy at the UPS store said he sees those getting sent back all the time, even the $1,200 ones.

[Deleted]

If everything else on the fridge works, why not remove the ice maker and invest in some of those old-fashioned ice trays? For about $10, you could have all the ice you need. That way you don't have to replace both appliances at once.

This assumes that, like me, you don't know how to fix or replace the ice maker yourself.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Actually, in a Target circular this morning there is a nifty little ice cube maker that will make ice in up to 10 min. Price was just over $100.

I hate making ice, but do like it in the summer. If I had the room, I'd give this some serious thought but my space for appliances is very limited.

[kent]

We went though the repair/replace ice maker process several months ago.

I almost never recommend a particular company but I found a really nice guy, Don Schlesinger, at www.icemakersgetfixed.com/servlet/StoreFront

The guy is really customer oriented. I bought a replacement ice maker and it arrived in short order. It's a really simple replacement and all instructions are included in the event you aren't too handy.

As far as replacing the fridge goes, I'd go the repair route unless there's something major that's broken other than the ice maker. Ours is 15 years old (25 cubic foot side-by-side) and in the process of evaluating the ice maker situation, I considered replacing the whole unit because the new one's are supposed to be so energy efficient.

I picked up a Kill-A-Watt electric usage monitor and after taking 24/7 readings for over one month learned the fridge was only using about $13.00 per month in electricity @ $0.192 per kilowatt hour. Balancing the alleged monthly savings with a new fridge(which are questionable at best) against current cost and the break even point is years and years down the road.

[kent]

May 21, 2011 21:09:57 GMT -5 2kids10horses said:

Yeah, we have one of those new-fangled front load washing machines... The drain pump went out.

I hate our front loader! It never drains completely (which is apparently common with these units) and, as a result, it can stink unless you continuously clean it and leave the door open 24/7 to "air it out."

I've noticed lately that there are more and more top loaders coming back on the market - maybe that's a sign?

In any event, and off topic a bit, it's a good idea to clean your dryer venting system periodically to avoid a fire. I took our dryer completely apart (I'm sort of handy that way) and was stunned at the lint build up. Make sure you clean the entire system venting to the outside of you home.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I think I know how Archie would answer this question!

For the fridge, I would just replace the ice maker. If you don't already have one, put a filter on the feed line and replace it every six months. It will greatly increase the life of the ice maker.

For the washer, I would probably replace it. Some places offer free disposal of the old unit.


I also agree that they just don't build stuff to last any more. My parents still have (as a second fridge) the first fridge they bought in 1959, it has never needed a single repair.

[constanz22]

May 22, 2011 14:28:07 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

I think I know how Archie would answer this question!

For the fridge, I would just replace the ice maker. If you don't already have one, put a filter on the feed line and replace it every six months. It will greatly increase the life of the ice maker.

For the washer, I would probably replace it. Some places offer free disposal of the old unit.


I also agree that they just don't build stuff to last any more. My parents still have (as a second fridge) the first fridge they bought in 1959, it has never needed a single repair.

Amen to that! I am seriously going to cry when my 30+ year old Whirlpool dryer dies. That thing is a tank! I "inherited" it when I moved into my parents house. I had initially wanted to bring my "new" washer and dryer with me, but glad I didn't! Also love my 20+ year old upright freezer. It's nothing to look at, but, it runs like a champ!