Can somebody help me get my wringer washer going? please?

[mayart]

Hi everyone!

I have been enjoying reading here for several months and just recently became a member.

I just got an old wringer washer off of Craig's list after wanting one for a long time. I am on a quest to get clean clothes once again after years of working like a dog to figure out why mine aren't getting clean could get them clean back in the 90s and the late 80s).

So far, I've gotten a new Speed Queen top loader, a whole house water softening system & filter, I'm not using any of the new detergents with "optical brighteners", I'm using Charlie's Soap & no fabric softener which is slowly getting years of mineral buildup off the clothes. Plus I am soaking the whites in Iron Out for a few days at a time in a bucket outside. These are just SOME of the things that I am doing.

I decided to get a wringer because I am tired of having to stand alongside or nearby my top loader washer to keep turning the dial to keep it agitating, plus I don't think that it agitates as good as my old Sears Kenmore (bought in 1988) which broke and was replaced by a very expensive, ineffective Whirlpool Duet back in 2004.

I have been trying to gleam knowledge on how to work with my wringer from googling and this forum. I've cleaned the outside and am now working on the inside - took the agitator and screen off. The machine was plugged in and worked at the place when I bought it. It had been stored in a shed and the people needed to make room in the shed so they were selling it. The lady I bought it from didn't have much info on the washer because it had belonged to a friend who moved out of state and the friend told her to "just sell it".

I don't know if the rollers work, the underside is a little rusty, and I need to put a bolt in the area that the "safety" bulb hose was located.

It leaked oil on the way home because for some reason, I thought that the agitator knob was supposed to be UP and not down.... :/
And I can't figure out some other things about it:

it looks exactly like the one in these pictures:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2008/18890x58.htm

same colors, hoses, modern lettering on clear plastic on the front, has a gooseneck to put over the sink to drain - but doesn't have a "P" in the model number, it also has a 3 prong Maytag plug & electric cord. The model number is: N2LS and the serial number is: 6638305(5 may be an S?).

Can anyone give me any tips to get going with my wringer so I can get these mountains of laundry down to a more manageable size? Is there any kind of pictorial online so I can clean things out, replace oil/grease, and any other restoration that would be needed? Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[revvinkevin]

Hello! Before I checked your link I was going to ask "what brand of wringer is it?" But I see it's a Maytag! Nice!

The resident Maytag wringer expert is Geoff Delp, in Minnesota. I'm sure he can give you what ever advice you need. I'll send him an e-mail.

Good luck with it!
Kevin

 

[geoffdelp]

Hi Terri ... I received your email; I have been rather busy lately.

Your Maytag should do the trick ... however ... I wonder about the soap you are using. You know, soap, over time, will have a dulling/graying effect on clothing if not rinsed thoroughly. Our resident expert, Launderess, should have more details for you. I do know that water must be softened well when using soap and that mechanical rinsing (in a machine) would be more preferable than hand rinsing in tubs; it will remove more of the soap residue which is what causes the dulling effect.

I also wonder about the Iron Out you are soaking your clothes in. Is that causing damage to your fabric at all? It seems that it might, because it is so powerful.

To start using your Maytag, fill the tub to the top of the vanes on the agitator ... see the following picture:

 

[geoffdelp]

Then ... plug her in and start the agitator by pulling on the blue button on the front of the machine ...

 

[geoffdelp]

..

 

[geoffdelp]

Don't forget to add your detergent/soap!!

 

[geoffdelp]

Add clothing only as long as there is free circulation. From the manual ... "when properly loaded, clothing should tumble to the center". Don't overload!!!!!

 

[geoffdelp]

When washing is through, push button in with your knee or your hand, turn on the wringer and start running clothes through. If you have never done that before ... well ... I could go on and on about how to do that!! Have you ever used a wringer before? See where the wringer control is pointing? You move it forward to get the rolls moving away from you; move it towards you for the rolls to move back to you and all the way to the left for the "swing" position to move the wringer head.

 

[geoffdelp]

Rinse in at least 2 tubs of water ... rinsing in the washer is even better yet!!

 

[geoffdelp]

It sounds as if you have a pump on your machine. When you are done washing, hang the gooseneck over the edge of the sink and turn the pump to the "ON" position (machine needs to be plugged in for this, of course). When complete, don't forget to move pump to "OFF" position (messy if not the next time you wash ... I've done it; not fun!!) and lower the hose into a pan or on the floor so you can remove the agitator and rinse out the tub. HAVE TONS OF FUN!! I just love these machines!! Geoff

 

[geoffdelp]

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[geoffdelp]

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[geoffdelp]

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[geoffdelp]

"Big washings go fast in a Maytag ..."

 

[geoffdelp]

There's a lot of power in these machines, that's for sure.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Welcome, Terri!!!

You'll like it here. I, not too long ago joined the 'conventional washer' club when I got my 1957 E2LP. It would be great if you could post a pic or two or operational video when you get the chance. The great advice from Geoff and the others helped me understand and get the best performance out of mine. It actually sat in a barn for a decade or two before I rescued her and it worked first time! It's also neat how many NOS parts are still available for them.

It's also a treat when Geoff shares pictures of his wringer 'harem'. How many is it now, Geoff?

Here's a E2LP in operation and there is a separate vid of it wringing as well...

Again, WELCOME!

RCD

 

[polkanut]

P.S.

Don't forget to release the pressure on the wringers when you're done, and lock them apart. This helps to avoid flat spots on the rollers.

 

[whitekingd]

My first washer was a Maytag E2LP

I LOVED that machine. It was well worn out when I got it. It leaked around the tub seal, and I used plumber's putty several times to make it stop. It was well used! But I used it for 2 years before getting another machine. A slight leak of oil down the back leg is actually somewhat normal for these machines, so I was told. It's a workhorse, so use it and love it. Also, try using Mrs. Stewart's Bluing in the rinse water. Calgon water softener might also help with your problems. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mayart]

Thanks, Kevin, Geoff, Drew, and Polkanut!

Geoff, should I even try to start it up before replacing the grease? It did leak a good amount on the trip here.

More later, I just got done cutting up and freezing a dozen or so bags of fresh strawberries from the farmers auction and it's 4 am.

Talk to you all later! :}