CR tested the $500 Hotpoint HTW240ASKWS and its performance was mediocre, scoring 55 out of 100. But for $628 you can buy the LG WT7005CW which did perform well. Note: in the HD comments, some owners wrote that the LG washer didn't provide enough water. They didn't bother to read the online user manual which describes how to add water.

This happened to my mother’s Maytag laundry center. I asked the repair person for the needed part number, and searched for it online. There are companies online that specialize in discontinued appliances parts. The part cost about $40 from a company called Midwest Appliance Parts Co, but there are others. The repair person was amazed I found it, and charged about $100 to install it.

Find out the appliance part number your repair person said cost $400, and search for it online. Since it’s Kenmore, it may be a Whirlpool part. Appliance repair people don’t have the time to do this, so go look for it yourself.

Electrolux/Frigidaire manufactured some Kenmore laundry centers. The first three digits before the period of the FULL model number (from the tag on the machine, syntax of xxx.xxxxxxxx) is a code for the manufacturer.