Grease-like stains - Maytag A608

[brickster]

Since purchasing this white A608 on Sept. 8, 1978, I've only had to replace one belt, fix the siphon break, and clean the motor start contacts over its entire 32 year career.

Suddenly I am blaming it for gradually marking every piece of clothing and towel with black, smeary-looking stains, one washday after another. I can't see any grease in the tub, nor can I find any drawing a rag between the bottom of the turquoise agitator and drum. Where do I start?

 

[qsd-dan]

Does your detergent have fabric softener included in it? If it does, that's most likely the problem. It's a common issue.

Remove and check your agitator for any cracks around the shaft splines. If there are any, some of the lube on the agitator shaft could be making its way into the wash water.

Hope this helps.

BTW, Welcome to our site!

 

[combo52]

BLACK STAINS ON CLOTHES

Remove the agitator and look for any stains on the tub or on the bottom of the agitator coming out from the shaft area. If so clean them off and see how fast they reappear, if its coming from the shaft area you have a major repair on your hands, but it can be saved. It would need a seal and stem kit and probably a new transmission.

 

[brickster]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Since you mention splines, I figure I should be able to remove the agitator by pulling it straight up. With 8 fingers between drum and agitator, I pull, pry, and wiggle, then -- just before I break the thing -- decide to check back with you to be sure that's the way to get it out.

Been using Dreft for about 10 years. Try to keep the water soft, so not much is used, but last year or so I can't find the big jugs I used to get - just the 2X (not HE) concentrate. At first I diluted prior to using, but since have abandoned that step -- adding detergent just as I let loose with the water - always cold water.

 

[qsd-dan]

Since you mention splines, I figure I should be able to rem

Yeah, it pulls straight up. However, if the agitator isn't periodically removed and the splines lubed up with some Vasaline or Petroluem Jelly (most owners never to it), they can really be a bear to remove.

There are a couple of tricks to remove the agitator. One is to pour boiling hot water down the center of the agitator and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Put some old rubber gloves on and try to pull it off. Also, another method is to wrap an un-inflated bicycle tube underneath the agitator. Wrap it in a manner where the stem peaks out, hook it up to a pump and slowly pump the tube until the agitator pops off. Lastly, there's a device called an agitamer, but lets try to get it off without spending any money, right?

 

[brickster]

Agitamer - wow

As a point of interest, I found you all, by reading a thread where a member was looking for the owner/operator manual for an A608. I have an extra, if that is really something useful.

Could not find any mention of periodic agitator removal as PM, but it does have this as the very last line in the pamphlet, "4. Should the agitator be removed (not normally necessary), press down firmly until you feel it reseat on the shaft."

After reading the bearing and seal pictorial, I understand the turquoise plastic is just stuck. How fortunate, I just bought a spare tube for my bike last week, should the boiling water bring no joy. Doesn't look like there's anything for me to hook a slide hammer on.

Well, out of the armchair and to the project. And thanks once again. Nice place to spend an evening on line!

 

[qsd-dan]

adding detergent just as I let loose with the water - always cold water.

Uh-oh, that could be your problem right there. Long term cold water use WILL causes a build-up of nastiness to occur.

 

[mrb627]

Cold Water

I agree. You might want to investigate a cleaning cycle with hot water and automatic dishwasher detergent.

Malcolm

 

[combo52]

STAINS ON CLOTHES

Having now seen the stained clothes it does look more likely that what you have is problems related to long term cold water washing. It would be best to disassemble the washer a little, remove the agitator and possibly remove the tub cover and the inner tub. You can also try cleaning the machine with very hot water and automatic DW detergent and ammonia, but this may take many attempts, soil that took years to accumulate won't wash away easily. To prevent this type of problem clothes should never be washed in water colder than 70F in any type of machine at any time. And closer to 100F or more will work much better. The water here in Maryland is too cold at least part of the year for any cold water washing, all year if you have a well. Good luck with this problem and let us know what you find.

 

[brickster]

Grease found

Long term cold water use WILL causes a build-up of nastiness to occur.
Oddly, my dear wife has not experienced the staining when she does her clothes. She uses all the temperature ranges, and the same soap.

You might want to investigate a cleaning cycle with hot water and automatic dishwasher detergent.
I will! When I finally got the agitator off, I saw where all the nastiness originated.

To prevent this type of problem clothes should never be washed in water colder than 70F in any type of machine at any time.
You see, like you, Mrs. B is from Maryland. She'll love to hear she was doing things right! (I'm a mere transplant from the midwest.)

The story of how I got that piece of turquoise plastic removed is here:
[this post was last edited: 7/21/2010-13:57]

Maytag a608

 

[lebron]

Nice Work

The 'tag experts will be able to tell from this picture if you have a major issure of just the result of years of build up.

And yes you are right, Kenmore's have a waaaay more complicated tranny than these Maytags (although they were still reliable in their own right.)

 

[brickster]

That Kenmore was no fun at all, because I kept failing to fix it. I recall the sales person in the appliance store nodding his head and then showing me how empty and simple the Maytag's cabinet was.

I cleaned things up and ran a load, then updated the pictorial link. My opinion so far is the left-hand nut is made of pot metal and mostly disintegrated -- barely enough left at the top to keep the seal retainer clip. I'll pull the agitator and give the shaft a wipe with a paper towel after each use, and see how it and the clothes look, for the time being.

Maytag a608

 

[rogera608s]

I have the same washer bought in Jan. of 1977 and it has been equally reliable. In the picture of the agitator post I don't see the spring clip that goes on top of the steel washer to hold both the seal and washer down against the agitator shaft collar. I think without the clip the seal might be ineffective.
Roger

 

[qsd-dan]

Great job, brickster!

I can't quite tell if that's build-up or center seal grease from the Y0A4923 center seal. Like combo mentioned, you can probably get away with replacing only the stem and seal if it ends up being the problem, as long as the tub bearing is still operating quietly.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[brickster]

After a week...

Wife has done a load of beach towels, and I have added three loads of my own stuff, including white towels, examining each piece carefully as it comes out. I think there are no new stains, at least I believe I recognize all the old ones, but each time I check under the agitator, and it remains clean, I can't help wondering what lies beneath the basket retained by that rotted left-hand nut. Wondering whether maintenance is called for, or some more watchful use under the "don't fix it if it ain't broke" rationale.

For now, I think I will monitor for another few weeks.

 

[qsd-dan]

I would leave it alone for now. If you remove the nut, you'll have to spend some time re-centering the innter tub (it pivots on the stem), which will require you to remove the top from the outer tub. Re-installing the top, getting it centered at the proper height, and getting the seal to actually behave and seal, can be a PITA if you have never dealt with it before.

 

[brickster]

Update - no news

I have left it alone except for pulling the agitator every day it is used. It remains shiny clean under there - not even worth dabbing with a paper towel. The clothes haven't received any new stains.

 

[qsd-dan]

Sometimes no news is good news. Here's to many more years of trouble free operation