GE Smartwater Water Softener (Model # GNSF35Z01) - I bought a GE Smartwater Water Softener (Model # GNSF35Z01) from a home improvement store for around $400 in March 2000. In April 2002 just after the 2-year warranty had run out, it stopped softening wate

GE Smartwater Water Softener (Model # GNSF35Z01) - I bought a GE Smartwater Water Softener (Model # GNSF35Z01) from a home improvement store for around $400 in March 2000. In April 2002 just after the 2-year warranty had run out, it stopped softening water. I went through the troubleshooting checks in the manual, was not able to fix the problem, and called the Rayne dealer who was the only local service for GE softeners.

GE Smartwater Water Softener (Model # GNSF35Z01)

I bought a GE Smartwater Water Softener (Model # GNSF35Z01) from a home improvement store for around $400 in March 2000. In April 2002 just after the 2-year warranty had run out, it stopped softening water. I went through the troubleshooting checks in the manual, was not able to fix the problem, and called the Rayne dealer who was the only local service for GE softeners.

The serviceperson advised me that the disc was worn and did not seal sufficiently to produce the vacuum that the brining stage required. The disc was not heavily scored, and to the naked eye it appeared that the minor scoring would not prevent a good seal, but I accepted the explanation. (I

later found out through trial and error that the (very) minor scoring on the disc caused by its rotation during recharge does indeed prevent a vacuum and prevent discharge in the brining stage. Although I am just a layman, it seems to me that the part is engineered to fail after a period of use, in this case, 18-24 months depending on the hardness of the local water supply.) The serviceperson told me the price for the repair would be $291. (He got this price from a note taped to his clipboard. The note had a breakdown of parts and labor for the repair, so apparently this is a common repair.) The company charged me $211 for the 3 parts listed below and $80 for labor.

After the repair was complete, I went online and found the parts at the GE site for the price listed below. WS26X10002 ROTOR & DISC $38.50

WS35X10005 SEAL KIT $50.95

WS08X10005 GASKET, NOZZLE/VENT $26.00

Sub Total : $115.45

Delivery: $10.95

TOTAL $126.40 I called the Rayne dealer and talked to the owner and questioned not only the markup on the parts (which some claim is standard markup, but still seems a little high) but also the need for the replacement of three parts (really three sets of parts) instead of the one identified as the cause of

the problem. The Rayne dealer sent me a check for $100 and told me never to call him again. I didn’t. In August 2004 the unit stopped softening water again. I checked all the part listed above for wear and found that the rotor and disc had the same scoring I remembered from April 2002. (The life of the disc in this case is 28 months.) I ordered the rotor and disc and the seal kit from Sears Parts Direct. I replaced only the rotor and disc (really an integrated set of parts), and the unit ran through recharge stage by stage without a problem. The unit softened water. The seals did not need replacement nor did the gasket, nozzle and venturi. I find fault with the situation described above on a couple of levels. First, I suggest that the rotor and disc (really just the disc) are engineered to fail with only a minor amount of scoring from the rotation

during recharge. [I found it incredible that the failure of the rotor and disc coincided with the end of the warranty period (although, again, failure depends on the frequency of use). In the six months leading up to the end of the warranty period I did get several written “reminders” to extend my warranty for a fee.] In addition, the replacement of the rotor and disc is not a user level repair listed in the owner’s manual. (The only user level repair in the manual is cleaning and replacement of the nozzle and venturi,

two parts that I have found do not exhibit much wear at all.) I also suggest that the repair is not user level in order to get repair business for the authorized service shop. (This should come as no surprise either.) Second, I suggest that the authorized service shop (at least in my area) drives up the price of repair by replacing three parts where one would do. (I paid $400 for the unit. After two years, I was asked to pay nearly $300 to repair the unit. That was 75% of the purchase price! That was not acceptable.) My recommendation is this: do not buy a GE Smartwater Water Softener. If you already have one, expect it to fail in the brining stage after using it for 18 to 30 months depending on your water consumption and the hardness of your local water supply. When it does fail, check the rotor and disc, the seals, and the nozzle and venturi assembly. (It is relatively easy to get at the rotor and disc by removing 5 or 6 screws from the housing around the assembly. This is not a difficult repair. A detailed and disassembled picture of the unit is available on line as well.) You will likely find that the rotor and disc has minor scoring: that scoring is the cause of the problem. (It may also have some raised blotchiness, which appears to be a buildup of hard water deposits and probably contributes to the problem.) (Also check the white styrofoam float on the brine valve for buildup of salt. That may also affect the essential completion of the brining stage.) The Rotor and Disc (Part # WS26X10002) can be bought online from a few different sites. It will cost anywhere from $32 to $40 plus shipping. It is likely that replacing the rotor and disc (again, really an integrated part) is all that you will need to do in order to get another two years of soft water out of the unit.. While I believe that the part in question in such a simple machine should not fail so regularly (and since I own one already) I can accept maintaining the unit by replacing a $40 part every two years when the alternative is paying a serviceperson $300 for what amounts to a user-level repair. samuel g

Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: Email User Consumer

Comment On This

I've had similar problems with the same model-- both the GE and Kenmore versions. On mine, the resistance of the disc becomes too much for the motor to turn. I'm wondering if the $40 replacement rotor/disc would solve this, or if I should just give up on this piece of garbage.

Comment On This

My advice to others go to ebay and check out seller "truwaterproducts" MUCH better prices.