Whirlpool 285805 Inlet Valve for Clothes Washer

This item, a GENUINE OEM replacement part made in Mexico (not US as stated in site information) works just like the original part with smooth transitions to hot, warm and cold water unlike the ones from China that create very strong transitions that shake the water lines.

The cold water on my washing machine was coming out slower and slower and squealing like Lloyd Christmas, and it was bumming me out. I want this washing machine to last a long time and be a family heirloom. So, accepting with dignity my role as a steward of this Kenmore 80 Series that dwells in the coldest room of my house, I braved the wild world of YouTube fix-it videos in search of the kind (and quirky) men and women who have gone before me and posted on diagnosing this issue (inlet valve, as I discovered) and how to fix it. I met some interesting filmmakers and enjoyed various styles of cinematography. When I was ready to blossom, I stood up and announced to my princess that I was fully prepared, willing, and able to fix the washing machine. The response was somewhere between - or both - not so sure and concerned. But detractors be darned, this prince would now only need a screwdriver or two and his bare hands to restore the smooth flow of yesteryear. The children had my back. They come alive whenever the shiny, rarely used tool box gets the nod. This may erupt into a question-fest and a fix(damage)-things-with-dad's-tools-fest, but the little ones never cease to be amazed by my very underwhelming, beginner-level handyman skills. We all bring something to this team. So the kids and I got down to business and followed the simple and straightforward steps that my new YouTube friends had so generously demonstrated in their videos. Within a matter of minutes, the moment of inlet valve swap-out was upon us. The children and I paused, looked each other in the eye, shared anticipatory grins, and then recomposed ourselves for the first moment of truth. Will the old valve come off and will the new valve fit? Yes, it did. Yes, it did. Satisfying. But we're not done. We now work backwards and reassemble the machine. It takes a mere handful of minutes to get everything back in place. The second moment of truth is upon us. Will the valve and washing machine work? Yes, it did. Yes. It. Did. The nervous stomach gurgles instantly fled as the children and I basked in our successful handiwork. Ahhhhhh, the flow. Ahhhhhh, no more squeal. We were underdogs, but now we are victors. We've ensured that our family Kenmore will serve generations to come. But what about the naysayer? The beautiful princess naysayer? At last, the beautiful princess naysayer was impressed.

I was a little leery buying this part on Amazon at this price when the same thing sells for around $65 elsewhere for a genuine Whirlpool part…but, it’s exactly the same as the one we had on my washing machine and it came shipped to me in a Whirlpool box, so I’m thrilled! My washing machine is a Whirlpool that my parents bought for me 34 years ago and it still works perfectly and looks new but the water was coming out slow and then one day the water was slowly coming out even after the cycle had stopped. Both of those issues were due to the faulty inlet valve (hey, 34 years it’s been at work, I think it held up pretty good)! The one I purchased is exactly the same as the old one and now my 34 (almost 35) year old washing machine is back to like new! Very happy with my purchase and the price at which this seller offered it…thank you!

Installed this valve tonight on my Whirlpool model LA9200XWW1. The washer is 23 years old. The cold side of the original valve had begun making a howling noise when the washer was filling with cold water. I took a guess that the solenoid valve probably needed replaced and ordered this part. Thanks to many youtube videos I was able to find some videos that showed how my particular washer needed to be taken apart to install this valve. For my washer this did involve removing the front/side cabinet assembly but it came apart easily just like some of the videos I had seen since I knew what to do. The valve was not a bolt in replacement for the original. The original uses two mounting screws through the rear panel of the washer. I had to use the adapter plate that came with this new part. The included screw was used to mount the adapter to the valve body. Then I was able to mount the valve in the rear cabinet using the two factory screws that held the original valve in place. This part did come in a genuine Whirlpool factory box. We are doing laundry now and it is functioning as expected with no more "howling" noises. I'm happy with this product and thanks to the other buyers that have posted informative reviews on it I knew that the adapter plate may come into play in my situation but all of the hardware I needed was either included or reused from the original valve installation.

This took about 15 minutes to install on my aging washer. Saved a hefty repair bill and was easy enough to do myself. Did not look like the old part, but rest assured, this is meant to replace the old piece and comes with everything you need. Watch a few videos first to get familiar with the process, but there were no surprises.

I liked that it was only $15 and it is a genuine Whirlpool part. I gambled and bought this instead of the Whirlpool 8578341 that was the original part. That one was about $70 and had some kind of bimetal thermistor , I think it automatically adjusts the water temperature if the incoming water is too cold to help with detergent dissolving better. The Whirlpool 8578341 had a third electrical connection instead of two . I just taped the third wire connector off and set my wash for warm water in the winter months or if the water just feels really cold . It fit right in where the old one went and so far it appears to be working fine. I'm not sure if the bimetal thermistor worked that well anyway. It seems as if the detergent is dissolving better now. I seem to be getting a more sudsy wash than when I just ran the cold cycle.

I was a little concerned if it would fit and work because it does not look at all like the original I replaced on an old Kenmore washer. However, with the universal bracket, it fits perfectly and works perfectly.

Works great! Who knew youtube and amazon could save me so much grief.

Fit perfect, great price and works awesome

Perfect fit no problem so far

The valve easily replaced the original at a much cheaper price. Well made!