2008 Affinity FL Pump Is Kaput

[rp2813]

It was stuttering and then it just stopped.  Fortunately, it was on the verge of final spin.  The Maytag A712 on the patio is serving as back-up for the time being.

 

How much of a job is it to replace the pump on these (model ATF80001FS)?  From what I've read, I know it's not an easy access thing like it is on some other makes.  Based on how it behaved during failure, even if cleaning is an option, I don't think that would fix it.  I think replacement is in order, and it's been really loud for several years anyway.

 

Any links to a how-to article or video would be appreciated

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Sorry to hear that Ralph, but at lease you have a back up washer!

 

Looks like the pump (from RepairClinic.com anyway) is basically $82.   OR... better yet, Amazon is under $28!

 

Here's a "How to" video!

 



 

 

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Kevin! 

 

How did I miss that video?  I could only find one on RC's site that involved the smaller Fridgemore FL machine, and wasn't sure if it used the same pump.

 

Looks easy enough to do, and yes, I noticed the Amazon pump price too!

 

Meanwhile, the Maytag is doing a very full load of colored stuff as I type.

 

[rp2813]

Before I order the replacement pump pictured above, is there any option to open up the existing one and check for an obstruction?  No big deal if it's not possible.  I'd like a quiet pump again anyway, and it's worth $27 and change for that alone.

 

[rp2813]

I've ordered from Amazon.  Reviews are all over the map.  Some say it was bad out of the box, some say it only lasted for a few loads, some say the bearing housing can detach, one said it sounded like a coffee grinder, while others say it's quiet and has lasted for hundreds of loads.

 

Seems like mileage can really vary on these.  They're made in China and supposedly use some plastic components where the OEM ones use metal, but I'll take my chances, and will see about taking the old one apart and try to determine the cause of failure.

 

[imperial70]

I had a noisy pump on my Frigidaire front load washer. When I pulled the sump hose out I found a toothpick lodged in there. Glad it didn't freeze it up. But that's how you look for an obstruction. Nothing too hard to achieve. The hard part for me is staying down on the floor that long.

 

[yogitunes]

those types of pumps start out quiet, and gradually start to vibrate and make noise....

some even stop from the magnets not aligning right, and it just wont turn, or if it does, it wobbles all over.....

lucked out with some as replacing a three blade impellor with a four blade one....faster pump out...

most of these units are interchangeable....sometimes you have to flip the port side to match your machine...

Ralph...if there is a coin trap, clean that out as well.....most times you have pull the hose from the outter tub to gain access....

 

[rp2813]

OK, so I pulled the pump.  When I disconnected the gray drain hose, the water that came out from that side stunk like a sewer.  Remember when I posted about that smell when it drained (into a laundry tub) a while back?

 

No smell when I pulled off the big black assembly with the bellows, so the stink seems to be sourced from the pump or maybe the actual drain hose.  With the pump out of the machine and on the bench, I gave it a sniff and there was a smell, but not as bad as what drained out of the hose.  I went back and sniffed the hose, and with the water drained out of it, it didn't smell so much.   I'm wondering if I should buy a replacement drain hose, or if the new pump might resolve the stink issue.

 

I hooked up the old pump to power on the bench and it rattled to life loudly with an unnerving rasp, but then stopped.  I couldn't get it going again.  I'm calling it dead.  Also, the orange outlet flap that resembles a check valve on a vintage KA dishwasher is somewhat misshapen and doesn't close all the way, and the area that functions as its hinge is ready to detach completely, so it's definitely time to replace the whole thing.  I couldn't find any evidence of foreign objects in the pump or in the cube shaped rubber compartment between the bellows and the pump. 

 

Is there anything else I should check while I have the front off?  The belt looks good and so does the suspension.

 

The new pump should be here on Monday.   I'm really happy to have gotten the '87 Maytag for the patio back in May (appropriately enough).  It's rescuing me big time.

[this post was last edited: 12/9/2017-16:17]

 

[yogitunes]

not uncommon to find drain hoses gunked up, those corrugated hoses trap a lot in those grooves...

may not be a bad idea, since you have the machine apart, to pull the drain hose out, some heavy doses of bleach and/or mold/mildew cleaner, and let the solution run through while stretching/flexing it in all different directions.....then a few good rinses, you will be surprised what will come out....

you may find a cleaner machine one way or another after installing a new pump, especially that flapper working like it should.....that allows one way direction of water, but also prevents stuff like that gunk from coming back into the machine as the draining stops

keep us posted....

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Martin.

 

I tended to other things and later put the old pump back together so I can compare it to the new one.  I read that sometimes they come backwards and you have to turn the outlet portion 180 degrees, so want to be able to determine that at a glance.

 

As I was messing with it, the sewer smell was evident.  I'm pretty the pump is the source of it.  Meanwhile, I have a question.

 

The pump I pulled off the machine was made in Mexico.  It's an Askoll brand and has the following specs: 

 

Part # 137108100 (this is apparently the new number, the old one being 134051200)

120v 60Hz

1.25A 85w

2min ON 10min OFF

 

I've noticed variations among some of the pumps I looked at on line.  One of them is the same brand, but made in Italy, and reads 10min ON 50min OFF.  Any idea on what this means?  I can tell you right now that when working, my pump stayed on for a lot longer than two minutes, and probably even longer than ten minutes when it was trying to balance a tough load.

 

I've also noticed that some are rated at only 50w.

 

I saw pictures yesterday of labels on pumps that were made in China, but can't find any now.  I'm pretty sure that's what I'm getting but can't remember the brand, and IIRC, its the 10min ON 50min OFF, 85w type.  I'd like to think that 85w is heavier duty than 50w, but the ON/OFF spec is puzzling me.

 

Any thoughts on this?  Maybe sloppy transcribing of the technical data?  Wouldn't be the first time I've seen that in an on-line description.

 

[brisnat81]

It’s to make sure it doesn’t overheat. A Bamix is the same. For every 10 minutes it runs, it should be off for 50mins.

It seems to happen with motors that don’t have airflow through the device to pull air through it.

Duty cycle would be another way to explain it.

 

[rp2813]

Got it -- thanks.

 

I'm amazed the pump that failed lasted as long as it did.  It ran for longer than two minutes at a time almost always, and, as stated above, often for more than ten during a tough balancing act.

 

I hope the Chinese pump holds up as long as the Mexican one did.  The Mexican was a replacement of the original, just because it was under warranty and the guy who replaced the sagging door heard it and said he'd replace it.  I don't know if the original was made in Italy or Mexico.

 

[rp2813]

Easy Fix

The pump arrived this morning.  These Chinese ones have a slightly different shape that prevents use of a screw or nut driver to remove or replace one of the mounting screws.  I had to find a small 5/8" box wrench.  No other issues.

 

I did two loads and the only sound from the pump was a proper muffled hum.  A huge difference.  The odd thing is, even the low roar I thought was bad bearings had gone away.  The whole spin cycle had quieted down.

 

The third load is in the machine now.  I was there when it did its first drain, and the nice hum was still present, but as referenced above, it was accompanied by the coffee grinder sound.  It's not real loud, but my gut tells me it won't be long before it's as loud as the one it replaced.

 

So, other than the coffee grinder noise, the machine sounds like new again.  I'll keep an eye out for a non-Chinese pump.  It looks like I have 30 days to return the pump for a refund.  It's no trouble at all to do this job again with a better built pump. 

 

I should be so lucky that there's just a bit of loosened debris in the pump that needs to clear itself. 

 

 

 

[rp2813]

Well.  After seeing the 2018 SQ video, I've decided my new $24 Chinese pump isn't all that noisy after all.  Just like with Manhattan island, I think I got off cheap.

 

What I'm trying to understand is why it's quiet when it's moving water, but then goes into grinding mode after draining.  As the tub does its brief spin to extract more water, the pump goes silent again.  One would think it would be exactly the opposite.  The pump it replaced was buzzing and grinding -- very loudly -- through the entire process, so this new one is enough of an improvement.

 

No doubt this pump will get really noisy with continued use, but geez, that pump on a brand new SQ sounds so much worse.

 

[yogitunes]

well for the most part, those pumps use water as lubrication.....

when pumping out a great amount of water, the sound is somewhat subdued...

when hitting the ending of the water out of the machine, you will hear cavitation going on....

but it really should be rather quiet for a new pump......maybe ask for another one to be sent to you....even new ones can be misaligned.....

or order the one you did want, and send this one back....

 

[rp2813]

The Italian pump got snapped up fast on BIN.  I think I'll hold out for one of those.  There's nothing but Chinese stuff on Amazon.