1958 Maytag oil leak... Again

[rickr]

This Damn!! Thing is leaking oil again. The first bottom seal was installed in 2004, when the machine was restored. About 3 years ago, it started leaking oil again, so I replaced the oil seal (o ring) the second time. It is now leaking again. I refuse to replace it a third time. Too much work! Can't I replace the transmission with a newer style, with a real oil seal instead of an o ring? This is one of my favourite machines, but that oil o ring is a bitch to replace. Any ideas guys? I don't mind looking for a parts machine. In fact, I'm sure Kenny can come across one. It is just that I don't know what to look/ask for. The rental house has a Maytag 606 set from 1978 that has NEVER been restored, and does not leak a drop of oil. Was the seal design improved in the 1970's era Maytags? Maybe I need a used transmission from one of those??

 

[d-jones]

Hi Rick - sorry to hear about the trouble you're having.

This sort of thing makes me wonder about the condition of some of the parts that can still be found for these older machines. Yes they may be new in a sealed bag, but how old are they and how might their age have effected their performance? Some synthetic rubber compounds have shown no degradation despite decades of storage, while others degrade in as little as three years. Is there any way to know which was used in the making of a particular seal?

 

Aside from that, when repacking aircraft landing gear shock struts once we have the old seals removed a detailed visual inspection of the surfaces adjacent to the O rings is carried out. Contaminants can settle around the O rings edges which can lead to pitting of the sealing surfaces. Do you recall what condition the  surfaces around your machines bottom seal are in? In the end it seems to me that either the O rings are bad and are failing prematurely, the surfaces the O ring seals against are bad and are causing the O ring to wear out quickly, or somehow the O ring was damaged during assembly. By the way, are we talking about the part number 2-10286 O ring?

 

[kenwashesmonday]

When a shaft seal fails, it can be due to wear and play in the bushing/bearing, allowing the shaft to move back and forth.

 

[brucelucenta]

Another thing you might consider is to take the old seal to an actually place that sells seals for different applications. I have done that with several different seals for various machines I have worked on. You would be shocked at how many different seals and materials they are made from at an actual "seal" supplier. They would no doubt have the newest stock of seals too. Just noticed the unusual lid on that machine too. It looks like the ones they had on the old style machines.[this post was last edited: 7/30/2016-12:48]

 

[gansky1]

Perhaps one of our Maytag Let's Talk Service scholars will know when this was published, but I recall a problem of the helical milling on the end of the agitator shaft scoring the o-ring at the bottom of the spin tube during insertion when rebuilding.  Can't remember now if it was a Maytag factory solution or a dealer tip, but there was a plastic wrap of sorts developed to be used when installing the shaft which prevented the cutting/scoring of the o-ring.  

 

[d-jones]

I have that tool, but so far I haven't had an opportunity to use it. It does thread onto the shaft rather nicely and it looks like it would work.

 

[revvinkevin]

David, I have a few machines just sitting down here waiting for you to come try out that tool!

Ducks & Runs.....

Kevin

 

[d-jones]

LOL Kevin!

Any time you need to rebuild a transmission feel free to stop on by. I'd love to help. For the record here's what that little installation tool ganski mentioned looks like.

 

[gansky1]

I've never seen one - what a smart idea.  It it made of nylon, David?

 

[brucelucenta]

Wow, something I actually have and have used before! I have at least a couple of those in my mass of parts and tools somewhere. I have actually used it before too. It does protect the o ring as you put it on the shaft. Don't know if it is nylon or not, it looks like plastic of some sort.

 

[d-jones]

gansky

I'm going to guess that it's made of nylon. I can't be positive about that, but it has the same look and feel as other nylon parts I've handled.