Milnor motor problem?

[alex]

Hi everyone, I just bought a laundromat this week. I appreciate all the help from this board to this point. I haven't had to post a thread yet, as all my questions had already been asked by someone else previously. I do have a problem now with a Milnor 35LB front load washer from 1986. I was hoping to get some help from the repair guys. The washer was not working when I bought the mat. The previous owner said it was running during an electrical storm, and would not go into the high speed spin-out after the storm. I tapped the clutches and motors with a hammer and the machine seemed to operate normally. It has now done about twenty loads, and is acting up again. I went in tonight and smelled an "electrical smell", I found the back of the machine hot and upon investigating, found the lower of the two motors to be hot to the point of not being able to leave my hand on it for long. The clothes in the mashine were sopping wet, although the machine had cycled all the way through. I unplugged the machine for a minute, and when I plugged it back in I could hear a relay click, but did not see the motor move at all. I have little experience with the workings of an electric motor. Since the motor is hot, I am sure it's getting electricity. I suspect that the motor needs to be replaced, but I am unsure if the capacitor or something else could cause this type of problem. The machine is three phase powered. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. -Alex

[Outlaw]

If it is a 3 phase machine then it has no capacitors, if you don't know that then this is probably best left to a service tech to delve into.
Besides, this is a question geared toward the premium services section not the free section.

[alex]

Like I mentioned, this is not my area of expertise, and you are undoubtedly right that a service tech would be the way to go, but I really prefer to do my own repair work. I am a good mechanic, but never had a reason to learn how to work on electrical stuff. There is a capacitor, so I guess it isn't three phase. I suspect strongly the motor, so I'll pull it & have it tested as well as the capacitor. I'll update the post once I get an answer from that, hopefully it will help someone else with a similar problem in the future. I didn't want to put the post in the repair section as it didn't look like anyone was using that area of the forum, and I figured if no one was signing up to use it, than no one would be able to view my post, and I wouldn't be able to get advice from anyone. If money would help grease the skids, I'd be happy to make a donation or sign up for an extra service. The site has been very helpfull to me and I am planning on making a donation anyway, just waiting for my business accounts to be all up and running (yes, I'm that new to the business!). Still appreciate any advice anyone has on the Milnor.
Thanks

[alex]

On the way in to pull the motor, I noticed a charred spot on the capacitor. $6.00 for a new capacitor and 5 minutes of work, and the machine is working fine again. I suspect that without the capacitor working correctly the motor wasn't able to start turning, and that is what caused it to get hot. Hopefully future repairs continue to be this easy!

[Outlaw]

Good job. Some actually are this easy.