GE Washer Timer Knob Identification & Sourcing

[slantsixdan]

GE (Canadian-market) washer, guessing between 15 and 20 years old. Cannot find a dataplate anywhere on the unit; no model or serial number to be found.

Timer has been getting progressively more difficult to turn; today the tangs sheared off the knob. I went browsing at *mumble*.com and found a photo of a white version of the black/dark brown knob I seek to replace. here is that photo:

1) Can anyone furnish a machine model number I might use to find this knob locally (Toronto), and/or P/N for black, almond or white versions of this knob? (Or, preferably, a machine model number and some knob P/Ns...)

2) Plastics-safe silicone to lube the accessible portions of the timer gears, to limber it up so the new knob won't meet a similar fate. Yes/no/something else?

Thanks in advance!

[Pegi]

I can probably do that tomorrow, can get some numbers off of the knobs at my business.  Look at the left side of the washer down by the floor, front edge above the left front foot, might see the tag there with the model number, not that it will help us but will help you.  Do not believe we will be able to access your model number here in this data base out of Canada.

[slantsixdan]

Good pointer! Found the dataplate (decal) on the right side of the machine above the RF foot. Camco, made in Canada, GE License, Model VW973KW118, Serial BF578717.

[Pegi]

Cool, guess they put them on the other side in the Great White North...now you can do some research and get that knob...

[slantsixdan]

Yep, will call Camco tomorrow. Timer-lubrication question still remains, though...

[Pegi]

I do not know of any way to libricate the timers and have no way of knowing what style is in your washer.  I suppose someone else in here might have some suggestions...

[slantsixdan]

It is an Eaton unit very similar to this one:

[Budget Appliance Repair]

In that style of timer there isn't really anything that needs lubed, just spray the cam area with WD-40 and shake off all excess, turn the knob while spraying and you will find the timer will probably loosen right up and turn good.

[slantsixdan]

Actually, before I read your reply, I applied Syl-Glyde (medium-light body silicone-based grease) to the gears, and a tiny dab on the leading edge of each cam. This freed-up the binding timer immediately; I went from having to haul the timer around with a pair of vise-grips to being able to turn it with the knob shaft by hand.

Trying to find a replacement knob. What fun; the nearest GE-Camco parts store "doesn't have an outside phone line", so I had to recite the model number to some dåmn central "customer service" agent, who got it wrong twice before being able to recite it back to me correctly, then after awhile reported that the nearest store has no stock. (Big help...this means they haven't got the black knob. No, she was not able to check if they had it in white or almond. "Not without a model number, sir." This is stupid; if the store had a telephone like every other business in the known world, I bet someone behind the counter would've known the P/Ns for white and almond and been able to check.

The second-nearest location took my model number and part I needed, said "Gimme yer phone number and we'll call you back", and so far the telephone sits in silence.

Is GE parts support this poor in the states?

[Pegi]

Nah, hundreds of places in the USA, including this site would have you fixed up in a few minutes....if you get the part number might be able to help more? 

[Pegi]

Look thru these images page by page and you might spot the knob for your washer...

[slantsixdan]

Looks like a RepairClinic.com number 277861 or 277962 (white, what's the difference in these two?), 277799 (brown/black like original), possibly 2501 (chrome) would work...all of these have the correct type of splines and retainer clip, just not sure if all have the same shank length.