A608 Maytag Washer

[mint46]

I have finally finished moving!We were able to have Christmas in our new home. I was so worried that I would still be moving, but I got it done. And as an extra amazing gift to me, I found an A608 washing machine for $75 on Friday. It is almond and does not have a lighted panel to match my dryer. But it will definitely make me happy until my exact match comes along! I have done zero washing or cleaning with this machine so far. We just moved my 1946 westinghouse fridge out of our apartment, into the house, moved refrigerator that was in the house to the basement as an extra, and moved my maytag washer into the basement all in the same day. My muscle team is tired! That fridge is a BEAST!. Beautiful, but definitely not something I want to move again.
Soooo.. .I guess I should post some pictures of this machine now. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas

 

[appnut]

Congratulations Christie!!

 

[electronicontrl]

One of the last....

Very nice machine. This is one of the last "center-dials" made. (Based on the date of purchase). You did good!

 

[speedqueen]

Very nice, you won't be disappointed with the performance. I believe these wash nearly as well as anything made today. It bests our 2016 Speed Queen AWN432 and surely the new 2018 models. I have one of the standard capacity models (1976 A207) and would love to have the extra capacity yours has being a tall tub model.

 

[mint46]

It came from

an estate seller. I just could not imagine what would have been its fate if I had walked away simply because of color and lack of lighted panel. It came with those awesome booklets, which I could not be more happy about. The original owner has written their purchase date on it. I love when people do that because to me it is a small glimpse into the prior life. Gives it a little history.
The lint filter looks like it has never been cleaned, as well as a ton of gunk down inside the agitator where the filter is housed. I wonder if a bleach cycle would help? Or is there a super secret handshake I can do to get the agitator out and try to de-gunk manually?
I'm really eager to get a wash cycle going. The seller only ran it through a spin cycle and I was not there, my boyfriend picked it up for me while I was at work. The tub is in very good condition. No stains. All the enamel is solid. I couldn't be more pleased at this point. I know there is a white, lighted panel,with gold, out there and if I find it, I will be happy to pass this on to any member here. But for now... my saga begins with this particular model

 

[goatfarmer]

 

Nice score!

 You might be able to bend a toilet brush, to go inside the agitator, and clean it.

 

[gyrafoam]

Soak that filter in Lime Away. Clean the tub with it as well. Just be prepared to rinse it off before it etches the porcelain.
Some automoitive Mequire's Cleaner-Wax, inside and out, will do wonders to polish it up and protect it from spills.

What a great machine to find waiting for you. Best Welcome Wagon present there could be!

 

[good-shepherd]

The tub is in very good condition.

Yeah, the tub has a nice gloss to it, no hard water damage. Appears to be fabric softener build up on the lint filter, not mineral deposits, Lime-a-way may not help much with that.

By the way, the $500 purchase price in 1980 works out to a little over $1500 in 2017 dollars according to underestimated BLS inflation numbers. In real terms probably closer to $2000 and not even a TOL machine.

However, considering its still going strong 37 years later somebody got their moneys worth and then some.

 

[hippiedoll]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

On your maytag 608 washer.
To me, it's the next best thing to an 806 because you get the big tub and 2 speeds.

Brand: Maytag
Type: Clothes Washer
Country: USA
Model: LA608
Serial: 678603EL
Manufactured: June of 1980

 

[hippiedoll]

As for cleaning agitator:

If you got a scrub brush with a handle, I would fill the washer with a HOT water wash, put some laundry soap in the washer and let it agitate to mix the water & soap. Then take the scrub brush and scrub down into the barrel of the agitator with the scrub brush while the machine is full of hot soapy water. And you can even put the lint filter onto the agitator, to soak in the hot soapy water too.

And I got a stiff-bristled denture toothbrush & scrubbed the lint filter (inside and out).

 

[hippiedoll]

After you drain the HOT water

From the washer, you can grab the agitator by the skirt at the bottom and try and pull up on it, and see if it pops off (while the agitator is still warm from the HOT water.

If that doesn't work, let us know. I have another "tip" you can try.
;o)

 

[mint46]

a HOT water soak

Might just do the trick. It doesn't feel like anything hard water related. It gets all slimy when it's wet. I ran a load through it today. So, on my next short work day this week, after work I will give your advice a go, hippiedoll.
I did notice today when the spin cycle started up, it smelled like hot dust, if that makes any sense. Once the spin got got going it went away, but I am sorta worried. No other groaning or squealing throughout that single load.. but it smelled like the first few times the heat kicks on for the winter season.
Otherwise, I am very happy. I hope the thing I smelled is nothing too difficult for me to fix after proper diagnosis *fingers crossed*

 

[potatochips]

Congratulations! Excellent find, welcome to the Maytag family.

 

[rp2813]

A608: All the Machine You Need!

Except for the lit panel and some extra speed options.

 

The burning dust smell may go away after a few uses.  This machine could have sat unused for quite awhile, and likely received only minimal use for a decent period before that. 

 

If it's fabric softener residue inside the agitator, that shouldn't be a big deal to remove using Christina's advice to fill with hot water and take a scrub brush to it.  The lint filter might be a little more tedious to clean.

 

I don't know if these late center dial models have a set screw on the agitator.  My restyled 1987 Maytag (the last of the tried and true long stroke transmission design) does.  If you see a small hole in the agitator skirt, feel for a set screw down low on that side of the agitator shaft.  A hex-head driver or small socket wrench is all you need to loosen it and then see if the agitator will lift off.

 

[goatfarmer]

That agitator "should" just pull straight up. keyword, "should".....

 

[mint46]

my thanks

to you all for your advice and encouragement. I have a busy work week ahead of me, but when I get settled and back to my normal work schedule, I will have more free time for tinkering and laundry adventurings. I shall heed the wisdom offered up here and see where it gets me. Again, I thank you