finally got my maytag 806 washer & 808 dryer!!!

[hippiedoll]

update & pictures....

THANK YOU Dan Pieslak,
for emailing me & sharing a tip with me.

i was finally able to pull out that stubborn & stuck agitator!! instead of doing the boiling water method (which is time consuming and pretty risky, having to lug them big, heavy, hot pots full of steaming, boiling water), he shared with me his way of removing stuck on agitators. he said to remove the filter & fabric softener dispenser cup, out of the agitator, and to take a hair blowdryer and turn it on to the highest heat & the fastest speed and point the blowdryer down into the agitator's barrel. to set the blowdryer down in there and walk away for about 15 minutes or so. and that, that should do the trick.

well, i did this with my "vintage" of course, sears blowdryer. and after about 5 minutes, the blowdryer overheated & turned itself off. so, i went over to unplug it and i felt the agitator and it was warm. so i thought, let's give it a tug and see if the blowdryer helped any? well, after like 2 tugs, the agitator popped up and i was able to remove it!!!

this was last night. and this morning, i cleaned the underside of the agitator and also scrub the bottom of the washtub and also the agitator shaft.

here are the before & after pictures i took, to share with you all....

i also took a picture of the inside of the lid, to show you how clean the underside of the lid is. the lids on the 208 & 608 that i got, both had a circular pattern of dullness on them. i'm assuming that it must've been a layer residue from powder detergent being used in the washing machine? but i wanted to show you how shiney & smooth the underside of the lid on the 806 is. the only bad thing about this lid is that there are some chips of paint missing in all 4 corners. not bad, but there is minor rust where the paint chips are, in the 4 corners of the underside of the lid. but no biggie.

)

 

[rp2813]

The Old Hair Dryer Trick

Well, we learn something new every day.  I've had success using a blow dryer to heat/loosen up stuck receiver and transmitter caps on old bakelite telephone handsets, so hey, why not use the same method on a stuck agitator?

 

You did a fabulous job of cleaning up the post and tub!  That machine is literally a shining example of why the original Maytag Man was such a lonely guy.  You're going to enjoy many, many years of dependable service from it.  Roger can advise (if he hasn't already) on any parts you might want to stockpile to keep your golden girl going.

 

I think the paint issues on the lid corners aren't all that uncommon.  You might be able to find some vintage old stock harvest gold appliance touch-up if you have an established appliance parts retailer in Tucson that has been in business for a long time, or on line, but I have a feeling the missing finish won't spread any further on the lid so if you can live with it as is, your restoration work at this point is all done!

 

Great job!  Enjoy the solid sound of your Maytag thrumming away!

 

[goatfarmer]

Maids could be Alice/Hazel, or similar.

 

[DigAPony]

Coat the agitator shaft with vaseline to prevent it from getting stuck again. Apparently, no one ever bothered to since the washer was built, you were lucky to get it off without a major struggle.

By the way, if you really want to make those machines gleam a light duty automotive polishing compound on a damp soft rag will remove or minimize most scuffs and scratches, follow with a coat of wax. I takes some elbow grease but the results are worth it.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-Ultimate-Compound/16550255

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-Gold-Class-Carnauba-Plus-Liquid-Car-Wax/870634

 

[floyde]

Congratuilations

Just like the set I got last June only in avocado green! I love them, they were also from 1979. I had a few little issues but with new belts the washer runs like a dream. I love being able to do a load of laundry in under 30 minutes!

I also don't have the dryer hooked up because only have gas connection in house, but looking forward to using it some day!

 

[frigilux]

I know I'm late to the party, but congratulations! The 806 is, for me, is the ultimate Maytag washer. It has a lot of cycle and option flexibility. Thanks for taking the time to post all the photos.

Many trouble-free loads to you!

 

[electronicontrl]

Beyond Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

OM Gosh! That set is MINT!

Congrats! Christina now has TOP-OF-THE-LINE
They are beautiful!!!!!!

 

[rogera608s]

Christina,
The tub cleaned up beautifully. Was it hard to get the crud off? I still am thrilled you got the agitator off. Good show!
R

 

[mandorob]

Congrats on that pair and thanks for the tip about the hair dryer, I'll give that a try. I've got a DE 606 and an A107/308 in harvest gold also. Still looking for my dream pair of lighted consoles!
I brought the lid of my washer to the paint store and had it scanned so I've got a full quart of harvest gold if you need a small amount for some touch ups let me know,
Rob

 

[washerlover]

Christina, those are beautiful! And I'm partial to Harvest Gold! Great find, have fun!

 

[cornutt]

You've got a pair of winners there! Nice find!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Happy! Happy! Happy!!!

Christina, I am so jazzed for you! Beautiful 806's!!! Welcome to doing laundry the right way. The MAYTAG way. Any questions you have, we're here and ready! WOO HOO!!!

I'm glad Dan emailed you with that trick. It shows me that he's still alive and lurking. It would sure be nice if he could email OTHER people. You know, like people who THOUGHT they were good friends and now live in Concord which is right around the corner from Pleasanton. PEOPLE who will very SOON have 806 and 906 goodness with him here. Take the hint, Dan. Please.

Anyhoo, Christina, you have just beautiful machines there and can hardly wait for you to join the club of people who have shot video of their 806's! (Hint, hint!

RCD

 

[firedome]

Harvest Gold is da bomb!

Glad your dream machines found you! ... flower stickers would look groovy on 'em, we old '60s types "highly" (get it) approve!

 

[swestoyz]

Congrats Christina!  I've been really busy lately and I'm just now seeing this post.  You found yourself a lovely pair.  You'll serve as a good mom to them for years to come!

 

Ben

 

[hippiedoll]

thank you:

rp2813:
thank you for the vote of confidence. the paint chips on the lid, are on the 4 corners, where the corners are painted black. so, it's not that noticeable, unless you're looking for them. i'm fine with them actually. just as long as it doesn't cause any damage. i was thinking of even using black nailpolish, just to coat the bare metal?

goatfarmer:
"hazel" came to my mind too, when i was thinking "alice". and they would definitely be "working" at getting the clothes clean & dried. ;o)
hm hm hm....

DigAPony:
thank you for the vaseline tip. i let the agitator shaft air-dry all day long. and at night, i coated it nicely with the vaseline. you know, the agitator comes off & on so easily now, without hardly any effort. no more lower back strain )
hm hm hm....
and thanks for the tip about the automotive polishing compound on a damp soft rag. i will keep that in mind, once i get the dryer in the laundry room and everything situated.

floyde:
thanks, & i do remember the avocado set you got last june. i believe they were in palm springs, right? i had my eye on them too. hm hm....
i am so glad they went to a good home & that your washer is running like a dream now. )

Frigilux:
better late than never! and thank you. i'm liking the flexibility of options too!! something that i was looking forward to, since i like to wash blouses on gentle and have a fast spin. and you got it! for me taking all the pictures i took. i was kind of afraid i might burn some out, with all the pictures i was taking. ;o)
hm hm hm....

electronicontrl:
thank you.
WOOO WOOO!!! )

rogera608s:
thanks roger. the crud actually cleaned off pretty easily. i used that handled brush that you used on the lint filter. and that got most of the crud off, with some water & dish soap. the parts that were more stubborn, i used the toothbrush-sized wire-brush. and that took of the crud that was stuck on.
when you come over, you can give the agitator a tug & see how easily it comes off & pops back on now. ;o)

mandorob:
thank you rob. oh wow! what a sweet offer!! that is so nice of you to offer me some harvest gold paint for touch-ups. you can get my email address from my profile and send me an email so we can discuss details.
thank you rob. )

washerlover:
thank you todd. harvest gold seems to have been a pretty popular color from the 1970's, huh? the 208 i got was also harvest gold.

cornutt:
thank you )

Redcarpetdrew:
thank you so much for letting me know you are here & ready, if i have any questions. i am so over the moon and glad that they were in such good condition & not needing alot of work!!!
and i hope dan reads your message & says hi )
as for a video, i do have a youtube account, but i don't know how to do the video? i'm not very hip when it comes to technology /
i know i can make a video on my cell phone. but how to get that video onto youtube, i wouldn't know how to carry that out. but i'm open to having someone try to explain it to me so that i can make a video & post it?? ;o)

firedome:
thank you. and thanks man, for the vote of confidence on the "rickie tickies". i still have to figure out which colors and where?
at first, i think one big flower in the center of the lid and maybe 2 smaller ones in the corner of the front panel. then i think, maybe one in the corner of the lid and a big one in the center of the front panel? so many possibilities... ;o)
will definitely post pics once i get them all decked out in their flower accents.
hm hm hm....

swestoyz:
thank you. i'm glad you got the chance to read the thread & see the pictures. thanks ben )

thank you all again. i really do appreciate your kind words, encouragement, tips, and offers. they really mean alot and put a smile on my face )

 

[114jwh]

Congrats on your new acquisitions! They look to be in amazing shape and a lighted control panel is definitely worth it!!

 

[washerlover]

Christina, always appreciate your taking the time to thank all of us individually! That's an awesome set, not being a huge Maytag fan, but you've inspired me to get my turquoise (circa 1962ish?) Highlanders up and running. Washer timer shorted out or something and haven't had the time or knowledge to try to fix it. But you've given me renewed energy!

 

[mr-maytag]

Congratulations, Christina! So happy for you. Very exciting!

Ted

 

[danemodsandy]

Christina:

I just wanted to add my congratulations on this fine set. I have the same pair in Almond as daily drivers, and an earlier White set is undergoing restoration.

You've obviously been spending your time here on AW.org picking up the information you needed to make a sound judgement on buying these beauties. In fact, I hope someday you'll go through your old posts, to see how far you've come since then. I think you've educated yourself more - in less time - than almost any new collector I've ever seen.

I think those machines dropped into your lap because the appliance gods felt you were ready for them!

You've paid your dues, now enjoy.

 

[goatfarmer]

You could also call it Rosie, after the Jetson's maid.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

At the end of GREEN ACRES Season 1, episode 25, "Double Drick", (CBS, March 23, 1966), the blackout, is theorized to have been caused when Mr. (Oliver) Douglas plugs an extension cord into the outlet at the top of a power pole which was just installed by the inept employees of the local public utility...

 

As he holds an extension cord and prepares to plug his the new power outlet, the film freezes... A voice-over credits "the Douglases getting electricity with the Great Northeast Blackout of November 9, 1965, the infamous day thirty million people were plunged into darkness"... As the film resumes, sparks fly from the outlet and the words "Double Drick!" appear on-screen...

 

Wonder, then, who or what type of incident, caused the major power-outage in the Summer of 2003?! (LOL!)

 

 

-- Dave

 

[hippiedoll]

thank you....

114jwh:
i am definitely amazed at the condition that these are in too! i still can't believe i have a set of my very own & that i am actually seeing them in person. i feel like i need to pinch myself to believe it.
hm hm hm...
like i said, i was happy with my 608 washer's abilities & tub size, but trying to remember to catch the "GENTLE" washing cycle in spin mode, to push the "REGULAR" button for fast spinning, and then, remember to come back and push the "GENTLE" button, for the slow agitation for the rinse cycle, was well, let's just say that like 80% of the time, i got "GENTLE" washing agitation & "REGULAR" rinsing agitation, because i forgot to switch it back. LOL.....
thank God, none of my blouses suffered rips, snags, pulls, or runs!!!
but now, with the 806, i don't have to worry about running back & forth, to change the machine from "GENTLE" & "REGULAR"!!! )
the lighted control panel is a plus, but the main thing is the settings (for me)!!!

;o)

washerlover:
ALRIGHT!!! i'm glad that my thread & set have inspired you to get your "turquoise (circa 1962ish?) Highlanders up and running". that is too cool!! i hope that the timer issue won't be to difficult of an issue. and yes, it's best to take advantage of the renewed energy that you've gotten, to tackle this and get your highlanders working again!!
be sure to keep us posted of your progress & be sure to take some pictures too. i bet they are beautiful!! GOOD LUCK & positive vibes to you. i'll be keeping my fingers crossd for you!!!

;o)

mr-maytag:
these are almost as exciting as your BRAND NEW/still in the box, speed queen twin tub washer!! i think we are both riding on the same cloud of elation right now.
hm hm hm....

)

danemodsandy:
i was wondering if you were going to see this thread & when i was going to hear from you??!!??
you know, i also have to thank you for nudging me towards the 806 as well. if it wasn't for you & your coaxing me, to look at all the advantages of an 806, i probably wouldn't have given it an extra thought. and so, i thank you sandy, for pointing out the pluses of having an 806. you were definitely the major influence, in my decision of considering, looking at, and wanting, to get an 806!! if not for you, i probably would have stayed with my 608.

and as you suggested, believe it or not but, i have read through some of my old posts here in the group, and sometimes i laugh out loud, at some of the things i've typed. BOY, i sure was clueless about maytag washers, at the very beginning. and you are right, i have definitely learned ALOT from this friendly, knowledgeable, and patient group of collectors & enthusiasts!! thanks to you all, i can now tell the difference between a maytag 308, 408, 608, 806, and of course, a 906, just by looking at the control panel! something i thought i would never accomplish!

you know, i considered myself to be a "HOOVER honey", when i first started out, searching & hunting for my hoover twin tub washer. but, i have to say that i have now been converted & i'm officially a "MAYTAG mama"!!!
LOL.....

thank you again sandy.

D

goatfarmer:
i did think about the name "rosie" too, because of the jetsons. but you know, i really didn't dig on the jetsons much. it wasn't a cartoon that i watched very often. but it did have a catchy jingle, didn't it??
"meet george jetson"...
hm hm hm.....

;o)

 

[hippiedoll]

update....

just wanted to keep you all posted:
i did receive the parts i needed, to fix the leaky drip;
the water injector tube, the injector sleeve & valve, in the mail yesterday. roger is bringing his leveler tomorrow & we are going to check the level of the washer, put the new water injector tube, injector sleeve & valve, on the washer, and also relube the damper pads, since the original damper pads are still in place & still under the damper.
once that is all done, i think this baby will be ready to be brought back to life & used, like it was meant to be.
so, i'm getting pretty excited to get this baby back into service so it can be "churning away" regularly. so far, i've used the washer on 3 occassions:
1st time was towels.
2nd time was a week's worth of laundry
3rd time was my full size bed sheets & pillowcases.

i've got a hamper full of clothes, from this past week, that are just waiting to go swishing, swirling, and swimming around, in the 806!!!
hm hm hm.....

;o)

 

[mr-maytag]

I think so, Christina! I haven't found my 806 sent yet, but I haven't lost hope!

 

[hippiedoll]

ATTA BOY!!!

mr-maytag!
we can't lose hope! you have to have hope & patience & you will find your set too.
but in the meantime, enjoy the high from your BRAND NEW/still in the original box, speed queen, twin tub washer!!!
that has got to be tons & fun to play with & watch washing!!!

;o)

 

[hippiedoll]

update & question....

update:
roger came over yesterday and we got the new water injector parts on the washer, and he also lubed the damper pads & correctly leveled the washer to the floor. so the washer is ready to be put back into "working" mode.
but.....
even though i lubed up the agitator shaft & stop ring with vaseline, the agitator was giving us a heck of a time, not only pulling it off but, also, trying to get it to "pop" back down, onto the agitator shaft. in fact, it got to a point where we weren't hearing/feeling it pop on or off? and it was still hard to push on or pull off the agitator shaft. it seemed there was too much space between the bottom of the tub and the agitator skirt.

now, i kept lubing it up with vaseline and trying to push the agitator down onto the shaft, and after a handful of times of lubing the shaft and wiping the underside of the agitator, i can feel it "popping" back on, when i push the agitator down, but i am having a difficult time pulling the agitator up & off the agitator shaft.

first question:
is it possible to use too much vaseline on the agitator shaft?
i ask because everytime i lube the agitator shaft and push the agitator down onto it, when i pull it off, there is a gob of vaseline on the sides of the agitator shaft hole, of the agitator.
i know that means that there is too much vaseline and it is getting squeezed out. but would that make it hard to push on & pull off, the agitator from the agitator shaft?
i figured the more vaseline, the more lubricated it would be and the easier to slide the agitator on & off. is this where "less is more" would apply?

second question:
why would the agitator be so hard to pull off of & push on to, the agitator shaft, if the agitator shaft has vaseline on it?
(could the stop ring be too old/hard???)

just to give some more detailed insight to what's happening,
the gobs of vaseline i am wiping off, from around the agitator shaft hole in the agitator, is not white or clean-looking vaseline. it looks kinda dirty with some brown (dirt/muddy) color mixed in the vaseline.

any ideas why the agitator is giving me such a hard time???

i look forward to hearing your replies and advice.

thank you

)

 

[beekeyknee]

Might be the stop ring or maybe rust under the stop ring. Did you check under it before you put it back on? Also, did you clean out that splined hole with a tooth brush? I use PB Blaster, but it stinks. WD-40 might work. It's cheaper and doesn't stink but doesn't work on rust as well.

 

[DigAPony]

is it possible to use too much vaseline

Could be you over did it with the vaseline and now it's packed into the bottom of the agitator. The rusty color is left over rust, scale, crud, etc, in the agitator. Process of elimination is the way to go now.

Throughly clean out the agitator hole and splines with an old brush and some WD-40 to dissolve the rust, follow with scouring powder and hot water, (i.e. Bon-Ami, Ajax). If a garden hose is handy blast some water in there as well.

Clean the agitator shaft again, apply a very light coat of vaseline and check the fit. If still binding the stop ring may have swelled up and need replacement. Also, double check the agitator doesn't have a set screw on the side.

 

[lamont]

Too much grease will not allow the parts to fit together. It makes a hydraulic seal and them you have to overcome that suction to remove the agitator.

Grease in a sealed hole can create an airtight seal and exert a LOT of pressure on parts.

PAcking a bushing with grease and smacking the grease-filled hole with a close-fitting punch with a hammer usually drives out the bushing. You are probably getting a somewhat weaker version of that.

I would wipe all the stuff off and just apply a thin coat to both surfaces and try to wiggle it slightly as you push down. That should break any seal trapping air.

 

[hippiedoll]

thank you:

for your replies.

beekeyknee:
as for the stop ring, i didn't take the stop ring off, when i cleaned the agitator shaft. i didn't know i was supposed to take the stop ring off & clean underneath it too, since i didn't do that with the 208 or the 608.

as for the splined hole in the agitator, i did clean that out with a toothbrush. and even when the vaseline was gobbing out, when i would put the agitator onto the shaft, i ended up wiping all the vaseline out of the splined agitator hole, with q-tips. so that is nice & clean now.

DigAPony:
i've cleaned out all the vaseline from the agitator hole & splines. and i now removed the stop ring and cleaned the groove where the stop rings fits into, with a wire-brush and some dawn dish soap.
also, the agitator doesn't have a set-screw on the side. i also placed the agitator down onto the shaft, while the stop ring is off, and the agitator went down all the way, with no problem. so i think you are right, the problem is the stop ring may have swelled up.
i also noticed 2 cracks running along the top edge of the stop ring too. i could see the cracks, when i was squeezing the stop ring.

lamont:
when i put the agitator back onto the shaft, i will remember to apply a "thin coating" to both surfaces & wiggle the agitator slightly as i'm pushing it down onto the shaft.

update:
since i have the stop ring off the agitator shaft right now & noticed 2 cracks along the top edge of the stop ring, i have decided to buy a new stop ring on ebay and put the new stop ring on the machine and throw away the old stop ring. this the stop ring seems to be the problem.

i will remember to lightly grease the agitator shaft & the groove for the stop ring, before putting the new stop ring on. and then, i will put the agitator on. should i put some vaseline on the stop ring too, once i've got it into position on the agitator shaft, so that the agitator will slide over the stop ring easily?

THANK YOU GUYS SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLIES. without you guys, i would still be scratching my head, wondering why i can't get the agitator to pop on & off easily!!!
LOL.....
now i know the culprit is most likely the darned stop ring!!

)

i'll keep you all posted, when i get the new stop ring in the mail. and i'll check back often to see if there are anymore replies with suggestions of what to do.

again, THANK YOU GUYS.

)