1996 Maytag Dependable Care squeal during agitation only

[orbital]

Hi Everyone,
Somewhat "new" member here (I did make one post a couple of years ago in the Imperial forum). As you can see by my user name I have been, up to now, a fan of the Maytag Dependable Care washers and I have 2 of them on different properties (both only used by family). This one, which has had relatively light use and is in excellent physical shape has me stumped. It has started to make a squealing sound after agitating about 8 minutes - so the sound only appears in the last minute or two of the wash. It disappears when it spins and does not appear again in the rinse. Even if started right after one load finishes the next load is be the same - starts out fine, squeals the last minute or two of wash and is then quiet again. Belts have been changed and made no difference and there is no sign of any water leaking.

An appliance repairman who was in for another unrelated issue with my kitchen exhaust said he thinks it is the transmission starting to go. I took the front panel off however have been unable to tell if the sound is coming from the transmission or from underneath the machine where the belts and pulleys are. This does not seem like any typical symptoms for this type of machine. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. If it needs a new transmission I will probably be replacing it with a Speed Queen. Thanks in advance for any help!

Video of the sound:

 

[foraloysius]

Can't play the video, it says you deleted your account.

 

[orbital]

I apologize there appears to be some technical difficulties with YouTube right now. I will try to upload again later. If anyone is interested I can send them the video clip directly. Any ideas of what to look for on the washer would be greatly appreciated!

 

[cfz2882]

possibly pump

could take the pump belt off and let it run through the agitation cycle-see if the squeal is still there...

 

[orbital]

Thanks - I will try that tomorrow. I am hoping it is something relatively simple like the pump.

 

[askolover]

Mother's did that about 20 years ago.  I talked to the local Maytag guy about it.  He said more than likely something like a straight pin had gotten to the pump and that it would eventually break off and cease to be heard.  He must have been correct because in a couple of days it stopped and hasn't done it since.  I don't know if this is your problem though, just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[orbital]

I am certainly hoping it is pump related. I just don't understand why it only shows up after several minutes of agitation and is then quiet again once everything reverses to spin. Will focus on the pump area tomorrow. Even better would be if it just went away on its own!

 

[askolover]

At least pumps are cheap and simple to replace if needed.

 

[orbital]

Yesterday I took the front panel off and set it to agitate for the full 12 minutes of the regular cycle. I was planning to take the pump belt off when it started squealing to see if that made the difference. The sound never appeared - go figure.

Anyways I finally managed to get the video working:

 

[orbital]

It is the pump

Sound came back and I isolated it to the pump. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

 

[pumpkina]

Great!

Was there a straight pin or other foreign body in the pump?

Does anyone know why the sound is limited to the last couple minutes of agitation?

 

[cfz2882]

bushing heating up and binding

these pumps have the steel shaft running in bronze bushings-once oil dries up,bushings can bind,heat up and squeal.pump runs other direction for spin.Bushings can be oiled on maytag pumps-older ones anyway,by taking the screw out of the bearing housing and adding oil.

 

[combo52]

Maytag water pumps

Actually have a stainless steel shaft.

 

[orbital]

I don't see a foreign object in the pump, although I will have a better look when I actually take it out of the machine. The explanation about the bushings make sense.

New pump is on order. That said, how would I be able to tell if the old one can be oiled and what type of oil would I use?

 

[combo52]

Oiling a MT Washer Pump

They never really need oil but you can remove the little screw between the top and bottom bearing and put a few drops of light machine oil in and then replace the screw.

 

If the bearings have gotten so dry that they are actually the cause of the noise they are very damaged and the pump should be replaced if you want it to last long.

 

Most times these pumps start squealing there is either something stuck in the pump or the rubber impeller has swelled a little and is rubbing on the inside of the housing. So unless you can knock or fish a foreign object out of the pump they are better replaced.

 

John L.

 

[orbital]

Pump replaced - washer quiet again

Did not find anything in the old pump so looks like it was the bearings. Thanks for your help.