A606 At Last

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Bobby,

Taking a closer look at the blue plastic agitator... it looks like it's in two pieces. Is this correct? The upper agitator seems to rock a bit from side to side, but won't pull up. If I look down into the center hole, I can see what looks like a crudded-up rubber gasket, then around that is the lower blue plastic agitator - which is kind of like a cone. Does any of this make sense?
 
Button, button, who's got the button?

Well, Appliance Parts Distributor, in San Leandro, CA, that's who!

I went there today to pick up a belt set and a button set for the A606. After a considerable amount of cross checking (the parts list that Bobby gave me is apparently superceded), the kindly counterman finally emerged from the rows of parts shelving with a little packet bearing the missing "Small" button, as well as the "Normal" and "Large" buttons. Score!

They also had the belt kit, of course, two for the price that one usually goes for. Score!

The buttons are now in place, and I'm going to replace the belts as soon as I get around to cleaning off all the old grease and chunked rubber on the pulley.

In last night's chat, Erik was kind enough to steer me through checking the little rubber cap on the very bottom of the tranny pulley, and lo and behold, while it held some grease, there was no sign of oil overflow. Erik says that means the tranny is not leaking, and that's good enough for me.

So I looks now that I have a "complete" A606, ready to be hooked up and given its first run in its new home.

Heck, I might even eject the Neptune temporarily from its berth so I can enjoy the sights and sounds of a real top loader again...
 
Way to go Rich! I glad you were able to get the buttons locally instead of having them shipped in or via the net. I like the idea of supporting our locally established Appliance Parts stores. You will feel satisified once you get the pulley's preped and belts on and are able to run a wash!

Ben
 
Watch out, Suds, you'll NEVER go back to your Neptune again!!!
Fixerman, the agitator pulley was a factory part made in the 60's, probably long since vanished if you haven't seen one. It was listed in the old prts calalogues. I never had one. Suds, did you get the agitator off? The old black Bakelites were two pieces, the top barrel and fins, and a shroud that was screwed on underneath with the coupling. I never pulled apart an old style blue poly agitator, but I would guess it's two pieces as well. If the agitator doesn't want to lift off, discretion may be the better part of valor. Translation, if it ain't broke,...
Bobby in Boston
 
Bobby,

Well, the blue agitator feels like it has two parts. Erik explained to me that the lower part is called the "skirt". It's completely covered by the agitator part, which extends all the way down to the bottom of the tub. I can see the skirt if I view down the middle of the agitator (lint filter removed), and I can feel its outer edges if I hook my fingers under the lower part of the main agitator.

I've temporarily given up trying to remove the agitator. Based on Erik's advice, it looks like this tranny is not leaking. I'm hoping to give this washer a test this Sunday (when the rain is supposed to end) and also it's twin, an A606S I recently picked up.
 
Maytag A606 Serial #305408KZ

Hello All,

I just discovered this site and thread and wondered if anyone can give me an idea of the age of this Maytag A606 machine with the serial number 305408KZ?

Thanks,

Dale7905
 
SLUGGISH TURNING TRANSMISSION

I worked for Maytag for a couple of years and had many many of those machines apart as far as they come. It sounds to me like you've got a bad upper agitator shaft bearing, which will make the transmission difficult to turn in the agitate direction, and will also ruin the belts. It's a commonly overlooked failure. Another symptom of this disorder is that the agitator will not move as quickly as it should when you test out your new belts.

Good luck.

Bob
 
Bad upper agitator shaft bearing?

Bob,

That sounds reasonable if the machine was eating belts. Time will tell. As I write, the machine is on it's "maiden" run in my courtyard.... cold water from the garden hose... Kirkland "HE Compatible" liquid detergent... washing two very thick terry bathrobes... It doesn't seem to have any problem agitating during the wash cycle, or spinning out the wash water. The turnover is excellent, better than I remember with my old '83 Whirlpool.

I cleaned off the bottom of the machine, and the pulley, before putting on new belts. I will check the underside after the wash cycle is complete to see if there is any new grease fling.

There is some chirping from the belts at the start of agitation and also the start of the spin, but this may be normal for a Maytag (I don't know), or it may be that I didn't thoroughly rinse off the hand dish detergent/TSP mixture I used to clean the pulleys and underside of the machine with. The machine also isn't exactly level, tilting to the left rear (due to the slope of the courtyard).

But I'm thinking, at this point, that the agitator shaft bearing is just fine. Probably wouldn't hurt to service it anyway. Time will tell.

Plus, I have another amost identical machine, the A606S, to test. Supposedly this works just fine, although it's not in as good cosmetic shape as the A606.
 
Sluggish Maytags

My rescued A606 was very sluggish at the beginning of the wash, and usually was never up to speed until the rinse. I tore apart the tranny and as I suspected, the oil had turned to sludge. Cleaned out the old oil, put in new. Purrs like a kitten now. I had the same problem with the old 142. I think it was from sitting idle for many years. Has anyone else come across this problem? It seems like a Whirlpool/Kenmore can sit for one hundred years and then fire right up again. And cold temperature was not the cause.
Bobby in Boston
 
I just finished testing the A606S, and it runs just fine. The suds saver feature even works. Although the cheesy non-stock suds saver hose has a permanent kink in it, which restricts the restore suds flow.

The machine doesn't chirp at all... so I went back to the A606, and did a more thorough job of cleaning the pulleys and also gave the belts a good scrub in plain water with a dish brush. I used some brake cleaner on the pulleys, which along with gentle scraping took off a fair amount of melted rubber adhering to them. The motor pulley was particularly encrusted.

I'm about to re-test the A606, as soon as the A606S finishes its wash. I just couldn't let those suds go to waste :-)

Pictures may follow.
 
Maytag A606 Serial #305408KZ

Super32

Thanks for the info. This unit came out of a rental unit and reportedly will sometimes 'stick' at the end of the agitate cycle, and just keep agitating. The tenants reported that if they lift the lid at the end of the agitate cycle ( they timed the cycle ) the washer will then proceed to the next cycle. Hard to believe just opening the lid ( which normally cuts off the spin cycle ) would cause the timer to become 'unstuck' and proceed to the next cycle, but that's what the tenants reported.

I'm wondering if the unit is worth repairing and knowing the age will be quite helpful. It's hard to believe the unit is 35 years old!! I've had some experience repairing electrical and mechanical things and maybe all that's needed is a little lubrication on the timer. I think I'll try taking it apart to see what it looks like and try to run it through a few wash cycles again.
 
Dueling A606's

In the left corner, the pristine A606.

On the right corner, the frugal A606S.

Both came out swinging their transmissions mightily. First the A606 showed what it could do with new belts. Then the A606S selectively expelled its sudsy wash water into a special container, then sucked it back up for the next load.

The A606 scored points for its nearly flawless finish, both inside and out. The A606S scored points for having a squeaky clean transmission, and that its suds saver valving and circuitry worked so well.

The A606 lose a few points because it needs to have its water level adjusted (too low). The A606S needs to have its non-original suds saver hose replaced - the permanent kink in it restricts its ability to suck the wash water back up.

The decision: it's a tie!

1-29-2006-19-01-6--sudsmaster.jpg
 

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