Looking to fix up my grandparent's old Maytag Washing Machine

[mike1086]

I recently acquired my grandparent's house where I spent most of my time growing up. I don't feel like getting a new washer or dryer because I don't think new appliances last. The model number on this washer is A808 and I read that there was never any such thing made so maybe someone can help me with that. I am using the machine now but I think it needs damper pads because it spins badly out of balance and turns itself off which is annoying. Also the machine was leaking from the piece that fills the tub so I joined the hoses together with a brass fitting. I'm not sure what the purpose of the small plastic piece I bypassed was. It's been working ok for now but I want to get it right so I can put the front back on it. Any info would be appreciated. I also need the hose that goes from the tub to the drain pump. Base is rusty but seems solid. I can do mechanic work and was just wondering if damper pad replacement is a big deal.

 

[goatfarmer]

That would be a 608. All parts needed should still be available.

 

[rp2813]

Nice machine with added sentimental value!  A matching dryer (even if not a 60<span style="text-decoration: underline;">n </span> series) shouldn't be too hard to find.  There are old threads here that should include step-by-step damper pad replacement instructions.

 

[appnut]

That's more like an 108 or 308.  

 

[qsd-dan]

We'll need some closer pics of the console to narrow down the exact model. A 608 should have a 4 button water temperature switch unless it has been swapped out at some point.

 

[combo52]

Late 70s MT Washer

Looks like is saw a lot of use and oversudsing, Usually if the damper pads are failing the machine does not tent to go off-balance, the machine may try to walk on the floor with bad dampers.

More likely if it is going off-balance a lot you are either using too much water for the size load you are washing or you are washing just one or two heavy things in a load. With MTs less desirable spin drain and silly cut off switch MTs are sensitive to loading and usage habits, but once most users get the hang of using a MT it should not give you too much trouble.

Changing the damper pads is a fairly involved job but doable. If it won't ruin the sentimental value too much you might try to find a better condition MT washer and transfer the cabinet and controls from this one.

John

 

[yogitunes]

Welcome to the club Mike...

in fact, your in my neck of the woods...

but I have to agree with John, you might want to locate a donor machine....

that base plate looks rough, who knows what is going to be in the area of the damper pads...

Check with Buff's Appliances in Woodstown on route 40....he used to have a bunch of machines out back...

not hard to change body and/or tops to another base.....

let me know if I can help

 

[good-shepherd]

Eh, mis-matched BOL-MOL set in very rough well used condition.

I'd understand the sentiments but find some better machines and dedicate the re-furb to your grandparents memory.

Here is nice TOL Avocado Maytag A806:

https://allentown.craigslist.org/app/d/hidalgo-old-washer-dryer/6842279772.html

 

[yogitunes]

I was thinking of something like this....granted this would be the orbital transmission, but these units are fully featured if not TOL...200.00 for the set....

https://cnj.craigslist.org/app/d/paterson-maytag-washer-and-dryer/6842748547.html

 

[yogitunes]

or even a set like this.....

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/app/d/voorhees-maytag-washer-and-dryer-for/6833424615.html

 

[yogitunes]

any one of these machines with the 4 speed selection options will give you more variations of cycles than you can imagine...

https://reading.craigslist.org/ppd/d/lenhartsville-used-appliance-blowout/6847736077.html

 

[mike1086]

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I appreciate your offer for help Yogitunes. I will check with Buff and see if he has any old machines like this. I'm 32 and most people my age wouldn't think like this but I love that avacado machine you pointed out good-shepard. I'll deal with this machine malfunctioning for a while because it gets the job done. Being a truck driver I don't have a lot of time to mess with it. I pushed the tub to the rear of the machine and can see where at least one of the damper pads is detached from the base. I'm putting another picture of the control panel on here. Looking closer at the Model number it looks like it is an A308.

 

[mike1086]

Lint trap stuck in agitator.

I tried removing the lint trap on my washer today and ended up pulling off the agitator. From what I found online it just sits in the agitator. Has anybody ever heard of this happening before? I'm guessing it may be this way if it was never removed during the life of the machine. Thanks everyone in advance. BTW if I could get a mint set of top of the line avacado machines (806?) I'd gladly get rid of these. Part of the problem is I don't have a pickup truck.

 

[combo52]

Stuck lint filter

The lint filters in these Maytag washer is tended to get stuck in the agitator because they weren’t removed regularly. A build up of mineral deposits from using two little detergent would cause them to stick in place.

When people got these washers a soon learn that the lint filter was pretty useless and they stopped cleaning them and that’s why they got stuck

 

[good-shepherd]

Part of the problem is I don't have a pickup truck.

You don't need pickup truck. Minivans work better with their low floor height or an even an SUV.

I brought home washer and dryers in the trunk of my Olds Cutlass Supreme before I had a minivan.

Not pretty but they made it.