Just bought a Maytag NX "Blue Bell" and have some questions...

[scoots]

A Maytag NX "Blue Bell" turned up on my local Craig's List. It had been up for some time and came down from $300 to $100. When I looked at it I discovered that the machine was almost pristine and worked perfectly so I bought it... and then made the mistake of putting it down the wrong way in my truck bed (wringer post DOWN)and a lot of the gear case oil leaked out.

I've done a search on this site, and apparently in order to get oil back into the case I have to open up the transmission. Is this correct? What specific type of oil is used? I know the wringer gear grease is still available, does Maytag still carry the transmission oil?

Are there any oil lubrication points in the roller head? What type of oil is used?

The agitator tends to float off the spline and I understand needs a rubber retaining ring. Does anybody know the specific part number so I can get the right one?

Last question is for a recommendation for a maintenance/service manual. The agitator has a manufacturing stamp for 1966, and I assume that it is original to the machine. Will any "N" series manual work for this model?

Thanks.

 

[qsd-dan]

I've done a search on this site, and apparently in order to get oil back into the case I have to open up the transmission. Is this correct?

Unfortunately, yes.

What specific type of oil is used? I know the wringer gear grease is still available, does Maytag still carry the transmission oil?

Maytag 056080 (current part# is Y056080) oil that was used for pitman and orbital transmissions is backwards compatible with wringer transmissions. It's still available, but becoming somewhat difficult to find.

The agitator tends to float off the spline and I understand needs a rubber retaining ring. Does anybody know the specific part number so I can get the right one?

Original part# was 15494. It got superseded to 015494, and I think it's currently going by Y015494 as of late. Whirlpool is changing some part #'s AGAIN with a 6- and then the original part#. Check all part #'s during your search. Thankfully, the automatics used these stop rings through the early 1980's, so they aren't too hard to find.

Are there any oil lubrication points in the roller head? What type of oil is used?

See below....

 

[combo52]

OIL LOSS ON MT WRINGER WASHER

You could not have possibly lost enough oil through the vent hole to ever hurt the washer. Forget this ever happened and continue using your washer all you want. You will likely do far more damage by disassembling the washer and adding the 1/2 cup of oil you probably lost. If you must add oil it can be pumped in the vent hole with a flexible hose with a very small noseal on the end.

 

[scoots]

Thanks

Thanks for the valuable input on this. I'm new to wringers and appreciate the help.

Apparently, when the unit is put on its side, the fluid loss is limited to 1/2 cup because of the configuration of the gear box...that's my impression because that 1/2 cup is mentioned several times in the posts I researched.

One last question, I gather that all the N series have very similar mechanicals, and my NX frame looks like it has mounting holes to take a pump. Can a pump be added?

 

[mr-maytag]

Congratulations on your find! It would be great to see some pictures when you get a chance to post some. If you have the serial number (and two letters behind it) and post it, I or someone else can tell you the year and month of manufacture.

 

[scoots]

Hi Tim

The serial number is 91157DD. My camera stopped working the other day so I will have to get a replacement before I can upload any images, but it's just a standard NX: Blue and white flecked porcelain tub inside and out, machine gray wringer head, shaft post, skirt,legs, and lid. No pump, short electrical cord, lid but no hanger. Most of the plastic fittings are turquoise (Lid knob, motor knob, wringer release bars) but the agitator is black and has a time stamp that translates October 1966.

Mechanically, it's in good condition: the agitator and wringer head come off easily, all the mechanical levers move smoothly with crisp detents, no flat spots in the wringers, which look rather fresh, although it does have some shortcomings mentioned in the first post. Small amounts of rust on the skirt.

The agitator has issues. There's a large chunk missing out of the top (my guess is somebody whacked it with a hammer to keep it on the spline), there are pry marks on the bottom, and it tends to float.

 

[mr-maytag]

Hi Bill,

The serial number for the washer translates to February 1967. I'm not that familiar with the NX. I think I remember reading on here that the NX had a short agitator (like an impeller). Is that what yours has? The regular Maytag E, J and N wringers manufactured from January 1966 and on have turquoise accents and agitators. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[scoots]

It's an agitator, with a center post that comes up over the surface of the water (part 4525). The picture below is my unit the owner posted as part of the ad for Craig's List.

Reading between the lines of other posts, I've also gotten the drift that the NX was fitted with a impeller, and that it had problems with larger items like sheets. Perhaps this was a retrofit.

 

[scoots]

Here's a general shot of the unit, also from the Craig's List ad.

Thanks for the info on the date of manufacture.

 

[scoots]

Postless Agitator

I found a picture of the post-less agitator that was installed on the NX and am posting it. This photo is from an expired eBay auction and cited here for reference.

 

[mixfinder]

Tends to Float

The Maytag I grew up with had a red Gyrator which would always float off if the water level was less than half.  Mom never did anything but fill it to the top and wash in the same water for 8 hours straight but I was always dinking around.  We dipped the rinse water from a tub into the washer so it would drain out the hose.  I would start the Gyrator and dump in the rinse water by bucket fulls and just about the time the action was mind blowing up would come the Gyrator.  When attaching the Gyrator it needed a second push which likened to the feel of pressing a beater into socket.  Not really a click more like a a bump.  Of course one always removed the Gyrator and strainer at the end of the day to wash the mud out from under the speckled blue plate.  It had a half turn lock and often with soapy hands it was near impossible to move.