My existing clothes washer is DOA and has been removed. I have a very basic Sears unit I got in 1996 for my temporary bachelor house and simply put in the backyard shed when I bought my house as it had a washer already hooked up. It was working fine when stored
Tempted to haul it in and reconnect. What are the changes it will work if connected> will the internal hoses and seals be rotten after 20 years in a hot in the summer cold in the winter state of Maryland shed?
I would think so, but hook it up outside (garden hose and extension cord) and take it for a dry run 
before you haul it inside and swamp your house.
Hook it up to a water hose outside and try it there first. Then if it leaks, it will do so outside.
Billy, stop reading my mind! 
It may need a new belt. But heck, give it a try.
I agree do it outside. Just in case any seals dry rotted. You’ll know pretty quick if it’s leaking water.
Since it’s a Sears washer you might be able to get replacement seals and belts and what-have-you, as long as the metal parts aren’t corroded. Maybe. :dubious:
Most Appliance parts are generic. I recently replaced a Whirlpool Refrigerator that was purchased in 1989. Had it serviced twice. The last time was for the defroster fan motor. The serviceman picked it up from a supplier three miles from my house. My electric range’s lower oven element went out. That was a generic part too. Something he carries on his truck all the time.
The fridge was still running. But I decided to get a new one. I figured 27 years was pushing my luck. I didn’t want it going out on a weekend and lose all the stuff in my freezer.
Don’t think they call that thing the defroster motor. It’s the fan motor in the freezer. Whatever they call it. Sounds like a freight train when the bearings go bad. Pounding my fist on the fridge made it shut up until the serviceman came.
funny story. It wasn’t making any racket when he got here. I was trying to describe the sound. He slapped the fridge and said “like this?” and I said yep. it is loud.
Yeah, I had a Chevy Vega like that, once. 
My folks had/still have (?) a fridge that must be 35-plus years old by now, maybe older. They only use it when Christmas time rolls around for storing extra goodies for the holidays. They just don’t make 'em like that any more.
Older refrigerators are VERY energy-inefficient.
I live in an apartment, and when my old refrigerator, which was probably installed when the apartments were built in the early 1970s, showed signs that it was on its last legs, I called the rental office and asked for a replacement. The fridge still worked OK but the hinges were seriously rusted and one in particular looked like it was about to break.
They replaced it with a very basic model, and my electricity bill immediately declined by about $20 a month. 
But they’re frikkin’ HUGE; you could store a yak in some of them.
I go sleep now–night-night.
Certain models from that era in the 70s, yes. For the most part though, this is sort of a myth, sad to say, probably foisted on us to sell more refrigerators. The old Philcos and Westinghouse from the 50s and 60s actually in fact use quite a bit less juice, although they don’t have a defrost function. They use just a trickle of current, and are also very quiet as well. Now it is true the styling and colors will not meet modern sensibilities, but as far as energy consumption they are tough to beat. Perfect for a keg or beer fridge, soda, etc in the garage or basement. In terms of longetivity, nothing made in the last ten or even twenty years is very likely to be plugging away 60 years from now.