Amana washer?

[dustin92]

I just got a 1999-2000 amana top loading washer, probably BOL, 1 speed, no special options. I got it for nothing from our pastor because apparently something happened to it and it didnt spin and filled the house with smoke... the repair guy in town said the bearing seized up and burned the belt,he said it would cost $350 to replace the bearing, so they just replaced the washer with a whirlpool direct drive. but personally, i think the tub brake didnt unlock for the spin, because I kind of jerked the basket and it came loose and has washed 3 loads with no problem. the bearings are noisy, and it has a rattle when it agitates, but it does wash well. was Amana owned/made by speed queen? everything mechanical reminds me of my moms old Speed Queen. that was the best washer we have ever owned! it lasted 11 years (1995-2006) of overloading and abuse and was still running when we got rid of it. had I known of this site then, we would still have it. the only major problem was the tub brake was totally GONE

 

[dustin92]

My question is can this washer be as good as our old Speed Queen? and what would need to be done to it? (rattle during agitation, noisy bearings)

 

[whirlcool]

Actually both Speed Queen and Amana were both owned by the Raytheon Company from 1979 to 1998.

The Speed Queen name went to Alliance Laundry products, and the Amana name went to Maytag.

Hmmm 1999-2000, you COULD have the dreaded Amanatag on your hands! These are really terrible problem ridden washers!
What is the model number of your machine? If it starts with SAV, watch out!

This is the machine that really ruined Maytags reputation! Well, the Neptune didn't help either.

 

[volvoguy87]

That's my video.

Be careful! If it was made under the guidance of Maytag, run FAR away! If not, it might be good, but beware! The tub and suspension supports on the Maytag versions are weak and failure-prone, the brake is problematic, and the main seal is also failure prone.

Proceed with EXTREME caution,
Dave

 

[dustin92]

the model number is ALW110RAW

 

[dustin92]

a picture

 

[dustin92]

inside...

 

[whirlcool]

Dave:

Was that you narrating the video? If so, your voice sounds just like mine. Speaking manner and accent and all. It's very distinctive.

 

[volvoguy87]

Yes that was me narrating.

Had I scripted it, it would have been much smoother. I'm not much of a speaker, I prefer to communicate in writing so I can edit what I say and how I say it.

My Mother was raised in Waltham, MA (outside of Boston) and my father was raised in Southport, NC (outside of Wilmington on the coast, a VERY small town at the time). Those two accents, though mellowed, made for an interesting linguistic upbringing.

Dave

 

[dustin92]

so is the washer any good or not worth fixing?

 

[westie2]

It is one of the Maytag built Amana's. They are very problem prone and like others have said bad news. We had one that lasted 3 years and the time flamed out on us. The SAV Maytags and the ALW Amana's have the same guts and were the downfall along with Neptunes of Maytag.

 

[huebschman]

Confirmation

This is not a model manufactured by Alliance Laundry Systems.

 

[combo52]

AMANATAGS

If the main bearings are noisy you have a bad main seal, unless you want to fix it yourself to save the labor cost [ not an easy job] junk it or if you are into lots of noise and drama run it till it dies. SQ solved the seal problems with this design if you ever want another washer like this one. When I went to the service training at MT they showed us this machine. When we did the tear down on this I could see that the main water seal for the outer tub was an aluminum hub with a triple lip seal that road directly on the aluminum hub. I told the trainer that they would be lucky if it lasted 5 years [ the norgetag had the same lousy seal ]. I did the same thing when I did the tear down of the first Netunes they used a triple lip seal where the seal rings were all concentric , if the shaft developed any end play the seal would be useless. It took them a few years but they changed to a more conventional triple lip seal on the front loaders. You have to wonder what they are thinking if I can come along and point out these serious design flaws in these washers and I an not even an engineer.I could have saved the Maytag company. Its the same as a lot of the Republicans that are running for office now they don't learn the lessons of history.

 

[alr2903]

My Amana died from center seal leak 7years from the day of purchase, if it's not leaking wash away. I would not invest a lot of money in it. The seal leak repair was quoted to us at $350. No way. Yours may never leak. Friendly advice at first the leak may be insidious. Ours ruined the utility room vinyl flooring, just keep an eye on it. alr2903

 

[whirlcool]

Aren't the Amanatags also known for dropping smelly oil out of the bottom on occasion too?