Just one of those days

[48bencix]

My newspaper didn't show up, so I thought I would drive out to get one. But first I started a load of laundry in my Maytag LAT 2500 dependable care purchased on May 13, 2001. After it started I heard the agitation slow and went to look, well there was about a quart of water leaking out. This has happened before, but a much smaller quantity, and I blamed it on many things, including overflow from the drain, which has also happened before.

So I took off the front, and could see that the tub seal was shot, something that does happen to these washers. I remembered that the leaks have been happening for a couple of years, but small amounts. So the seal lasted perhaps 5 years.

There was a lot of oil spun around the inside of the cabinet, and it looked like this happened over a long period of time.

 

[48bencix]

So then

So I thought about having it repaired, since I do have a matching set, and they are located in my kitchen. So I went out to start my truck and the battery was dead. Well, this has happened before, so instead of charging it I decided to buy a new battery.

So I put the battery in my car and went to Sam's club, but they didn't have the right one, so I went to Walmart, but there is no one to help, and they didn't have the right one. So I got the right one at Auto Zone. On the way back, I stopped at Lamco Maytag, where I bought the washer. The guy said that the seal and bearing probably went out, that was the weak link in that machine. When I first came to this club I was so proud of those machines, but I was informed that the seal was weak. He said that it would be about $350.00 to repair it. I also looked at new Maytags, by Whirlpool, the new set would be $800.00, not a bad price, and nice looking too.

I went home, installed the battery and decided to have the washer repaired. I managed to get it on the truck bed, I really hope I didn't damage the pully on the bottom. I took it to Lamco and they said it probably would be done on Tuesday.

Funny, a 7 year old washer needs that kind of repair (it needed it at 5 years old) used by only 2 people. I have a 58 year old Maytag, a 29 year old Frigidaire, and a 15 year old GE that all still work. At least I have the other washers to tide me over.

I feel good that I am not junking, but repairing. The guy said the seal should last 8 to 10 years. At that point I will be getting a new set.

Martin

 

[lightedcontrols]

Every now and then.....

you'll get a washer with a bad seal. That seal was most likely bad from the begining, but the water amount was so small, you just never noticed it. Sometimes in manufacturing they don't seat properly. I've seen those seals last well over 40 years! Trust me, in the long run, you'll be glad you had that machine repaired. Mark

 

[appnut]

Martin, sorry this has been such a frustrating day. The thing I don't like about the new Whirltags is they only offer cold rinses. Yes, today's top loaders have a 75 or 80 degree regulated warm rinse, but that's better than pure cold water in winter time. And Martin, happy Fatherrs Day. ugh.

 

[qsd-dan]

Yeah, unfortunately leaks seem to be much more common on the orbital transmissions than the older style ones.

They're still MUCH better than the whirltags though!

 

[48bencix]

Probably was

As Mark said the seal was probably leaking for a long time. As I think about it, the wash of the first load is where it would leak. Even on Saturday, after it leaked about a quart, it didn't leak for the two rinses. Maybe the heat expanded it and sealed it better.

Since the standpipe did overflow occassionally, there would be water under the machine at times. It is too bad I didn't pull off the front cover to investigate, it is so easy with these machines.

I also looked through my paperwork for the washer and dryer, I could have purchased an additional warranty, the longest period was 7 years. The unit failed 7 years and one month after purchase. The price was $150.00 at the time and I thought why would I pay for a warranty on a Maytag?

Sunday went much better. I am having a great time doing my regular laundry in the 1-18, and it's much more fun to watch than the Maytag. I would consider using it as my daily driver, but I would like to make it last as long as possible.

Martin

 

[48bencix]

Here is what I am using

Here is my 1-18 that is my temporary daily driver. I am so glad to have extra machines during the outage of one machine.

 

[laundromat]

Love that Custom Deluxe(Gold Crown) washer you have but hate the color.Otherwise,looks great lots of hours spent doing my laundry in numerous models of that era!!!!I think this was the first model they made with the knits cycle that would agitate for three minutes then soak for three minutes intermitently.I had there Elete touch and wash model.It had a feature where the tub had to be at least half full for the agitator to go full speed on the normal agitate speed.If not,the motor automaticaly slowed the speed down to delecate.

 

[jetcone]

Ohh thats my second

favorite model, it has the blue energy saver settings and the blue jetcone on the control panel with the faux cherry wood tone finish and black background for the knobs.
Nice machineage there!

My favorite 2 speed machine is the model above this that seperated the wash and rinse water temp controls that way you could have any combination on your own recognizance!

 

[48bencix]

I got it back

I am continuing this on the Deluxe forum.