Fixing my 1972 Frigidaire Jetcone 1-18 washing machine

February 7, 2022 8:29 am Published by Matthew Leave a comment

I will update this blog post as I work on this project and whenever I find new information about these washing machines, comments welcome

Got a problem with the washing machine. Spin cycle isn’t working. It seems a nail (must have been in a pocket) has created a small hole in one of the seals under the agitator which is causing the clutch to get wet and slip (it spins fine when the machine is dry).

While I think I’ve got this figured out (looking for the part I need). I am realizing how hard it is to find parts for these old machines. If anyone out there has any repair tips or information, please comment below. If you have any spare parts for these machines, I want to buy them from you. Please contact me.

For anyone interested, here is a picture of my washing machine and a video of it running.

Here is a longer video of the full cycle I’ve uploaded to YouTube.

I know finding information about these old washing machines can be a challenge, therefore I am sharing what I have to help others.

Here is the wiring diagram on my washer (not super easy to read, but it’s something).

I have uploaded the picture in hi-resolution here. WordPress doesn’t play well with large images.

I found a Frigidaire 1-18 Service Manual online. Sharing for anyone else who needs one.

2/23/2022: I finally got the washing machine fixed!

I gave up trying to get the snap ring back on the bellows, I ended up using a hose clamp.

Note: I had help from AutomaticWasher.org and DavesRepair.com

Here is the forum thread where I asked questions at AutomaticWasher.org (for the sake of archiving, here is the forum thread archived as a PDF)

Here are the emails between myself and Dave (he’s a great resource of knowledge on these machines!)

Final video of the repair process!

Edit: 2/28/2022: I ended up with a small leak again after the repair. I fixed it by removing the jetcone agitator again and using “plumbers goop” (pipe thread paste) between the metal piece above the outer bellows and under the agitator. This stopped a small leak that was getting through between the agitator and the top of the bellows.

Links:
http://davesrepair.com/Parts/638860sale.htm

http://davesrepair.com/Parts/FRGWbellowspliers.htm

http://davesrepair.com/Parts/9956650B.htm

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?89549_13

http://www.matthewfurman.net/sites/blog-extras/frigidaire-118-bellows-davesrepair-emails.htm

http://www.matthewfurman.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/286_Frigidaire_Full_1-18_Washer_Service_Manual.pdf

http://www.matthewfurman.net/frigidaire-118-wiring.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T64BTu1raI&feature=youtu.be