I woke up this morning to feed the cats. As I neared my laundry room I heard dripping water. I first looked at the sink. Nope. No water there. Instead it was the washer. The tub was holding 4 inches of water with more water dripping into it. I did a load of laundry yesterday early evening. I'm guessing the dripping occurred over 12 hours. Definitely wouldn't have been good if we were gone for many days! Although, after my parents had a major washer flood during their absence we actually do turn off the water to our house when we leave.
After I showed my husband, I turned off the water at the panel by the washer. Of course it stopped. My daughter thought it was time to get a new washer. She also thought a red washer would be fun! Our washer is over 12 years old if I remember correctly. But I don't want to buy a new washer!
I have been looking online and have determined the part we need is a water inlet valve. I watched one video of how to replace. It looks easy. However, I see our washer comes apart a little different. I need to find a video specific to our Maytag washer. I also see there is a universal part for about $20. However, when I look at the part for our specific model it looks different than the universal one. There is a connection pointing 90 degrees the other way. The part that seems specific to our washer is $55+. I also found this exact part USED on Ebay for $12.95 shipped. Not really sure about a used part and how long it would last, but it is better than $55!
So we do have choices. Buy nothing and simply turn water on and off at the wall. This just requires changing our habits. Buy a used part, install ourselves and hope it works for a relatively good amount of time. Buy a new part for $55 and install ourselves. We could also hire someone to install a new part for us. I would guess that would easily run us $120+. Or go with my daughter's idea and buy a new washer...which then I would want a matching dryer, too. 
I'm sure we will not be buying a new washer, although if we think we can not do the repair ourselves, I might be more inclined to put $120 towards a new machine. But I would wait on that. It sure isn't a need when we can turn the water off on our own at the wall, which is free.
I will be discussing our options with my husband later tonight. I will definitely be showing him the video of how to do the repair too. I don't mind doing the repair myself, but I would like his support and possible assistance if I run into a tight screw or need help lifting something.
Have you repaired an appliance yourself? What option would you take in our situation? Would you buy a used part to save over $40?
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Found A Leak
February 25th, 2014 at 03:15 pm
February 25th, 2014 at 04:36 pm 1393346187
February 25th, 2014 at 04:58 pm 1393347489
February 25th, 2014 at 06:39 pm 1393353555
February 25th, 2014 at 11:12 pm 1393369934
Have you contacted the local supplier to determine if the 'universal' part adjusts that 90 degree variance? What is their return policy if the part is unsuitable? Was the Ebay 'used' part installed and removed in 90 days or 4 years? What is your fall back position if you find the remove and replace task more than expected? Would you consider a basic builder's model installed but never used, heavily discounted on CraigsList? Scratch 'n dent or used, high end W/D too expensive to move to another city for example?
Since the dryer would be replaced if the washer was replaced, is there any meaningful change? The dryer uses the most KWH electric appliance in the house. I've heard it referred to as the energy hog.
sorry...so family specific
February 26th, 2014 at 01:54 am 1393379665
February 26th, 2014 at 02:01 am 1393380096
We have decided to order the part. Including shipping it was $48. I found another site with a lower price. It should be a 30 minute fix at the most.