Lubricating Maytag Conventional Washer Motor

[launderess]

Keep reading how the motors on Maytag wringer washers are lubricated at factory for "five years" of home use, then need to be done so again at intervals depending upon usage. Did this advice follow until the end of production? How and or where does one apply oil?

Thanks in advance for replies.

 

[abcomatic]

Is/are, there places for the motor to be lubed? thanks, Gary

 

[launderess]

Don't know, that is what one hopes to find out.

Have read posts on Internet about "tubes" projecting from motor indicating where to apply oil, but don't see such things on mine.

Owner's manual states users were to summon a Maytag serviceman to do the oiling, that isn't going to happen.

 

[bradross]

Depending upon the era of the machine...

it would vary, I suppose. On the old Delco motors for the Model 30 (from the 1930s) there are two very obvious ports for oiling - one front, one back. But like you, I have never found a place on the motor for my Model E (mine is a 1977 model.)

 

[combo52]

Lubricating A MT WW Motor

At some point certainly at least by the mid 60s these motors were considered Permanently Lubricated, LS did the manual for your WW say that it should be lubricated, if so your washer probably has oiling ports on the motor.

 

It certainly could help any split-phase motor like these with sleeve bearings to add a little fresh oil after this many years even if the washer was never used much, oil can get old and break-down.

 

Unless your washers motor has oiling ports you would have to remove the motor to oil it, and most motors would either have to be taken apart to oil or on some makes you can drill holes to add oil.

 

I might be able to give more pacific advice if you take a picture of your washers motor so we can see which of the three different brand motors MT used is in your washer.

 

 

[launderess]

Have the generic Maytag OM

Scoured off the Internet.

Oddly my copy of service manual that doesn't even include the "J" series per se (though mentions where appropriate various service would be the same), does not list the motor under the "Lubrication" guide.

Getting light and a camera under the washer to take a clear picture could be difficult, and don't want to risk leaking oil by tipping the ole gal over.

If have time this weekend am going to start cleaning the washer up, will see if can scout out the motor model number and make.

 

[maytagmike]

Maytag motors

Hi Launderess

When i worked for Maytag and repaired wringer washers, I remember only the Delco motors needing to be oiled, I have a 26 and 37 in my collection with Delco motors. My mom's 62 E2LP had a GE motor and when it gave up the ghost I replaced it with one from work made by GE for Maytag, I don't think from the looks of your machine that it has a Delco motor on it. Delco motors are all enclosed, the GE motors has holes on the ends for air. Hope this helps.

 

[maytagwringer]

"Permanent Lubrication" and Oilite Bushings

Launderess,
This is my first post on this Forum. I decided to visit after an invitation by Forum member, "bradross", who has taught me a lot about vintage Maytag wringer washers.
Although I am not well versed about Maytag washer electric motor, I have extensive experience with electric motors such as antique/vintage Singer sewing machines and antique/vintage electric motor fans.
The transition from solid brass/bronze bushings to Oilite (oil impregnated porous bronze alloy bushings) in electric motors are directly related to Chrysler Corporation's development of Oilite in 1930. Widespread use of Oilite did not occur until 1933.
Solid metal bushings require constant replenishment of lubricant since the lubricant is strictly in the space between the shaft and bushing. Therefore solid metal bushings have oil ports drilled all the way through the bushing to the shaft to regularly replenish the lubricant.
By the late 1930's and especially post WW II, many electric motors used Oilite bushings.
These Oilite bushings were sometimes labeled as "permanently lubricated". This marketing ploy was actually not true. Over time the oil impregnated in the Oilite bushing became depleted. Most of the oil would be gone after 5 years of regular use.
If an oil port is present for an Oilite bushing, then the hole will be drilled to the outer edge of the bushing but not through the bushing.
The purpose is to replenish the lubricant in the Oilite bushing. An example is a post-1947 General Electric Vortalex fan.
In restoring old electric motors, it is useful to apply the above information. Solid metal bushings usually require oil ports. Oilite bushings may or may not have oil ports.
In bradross' post he mentioned that his 1935 Model 30 wringer washer had front and rear oil parts. I suspect that those electric motors had solid metal bushings.
By the E models (1939) and the J and N models (1940), I suspect that Oilite bushings were being used. In addition to longer intervals between lubrication, the advantage of Oilite bushings is less chance of over lubricating electric motors. Excessive lubrication is a bad thing for electric motors. Oil soaked brushes and cloth insulation is dangerous.

The bad news for you, Launderess, is that to replenish oil in the Oilite bushings requires disassembly of the electric motor. The absence of oil ports will require disassembly of the motor to apply any lubricant.
I use 20 weight, non-detergent machine oil to melt old oil and soak into the pores of Oilite bushings. A typical 20 weight, non-detergent oil is sewing machine oil such as Zoom-Spout oil. Some people swear by Tri-Flow Superior Lubricant (oil) with PTFE.
The pores in Oilite bushings were typically vacuum impregnated with lubricant (30 weight oil) originally but it is impractical to do that now.
Good luck with your project. Hopefully someone more experienced with Maytag electric motors will comment.
If bearing makes more sense in this post, then substitute bearing for bushing.

http://https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilite

 

[launderess]

Thanks all,

Took a peek under the machine and it appears there is a General Electric Home Laundry Motor. Looks like this:

 

[launderess]

It seems Maytag also used Emerson motors in their wringers which did require periodic lubrication.

 

[maytagwringer]

SAE 20 Oil to lubricate Oilite bearings

The Emerson electric motor had an oil service schedule which sounds good.

Continuous Duty - Reoil every year.
Intermittent Duty - Reoil every 2 years.
Occasional Duty - Reoil every 5 years.
Reoil each bearing with 20 - 25 drops SAE 20 oil.

Both of your electric motors look modern enough to have Oilite bearings.
The General Electric Home Laundry Motor would be easy to take apart. Make sure to keep an account of any thrust washers at each end of the motor shafts and remember to replace them on reassembly. After disassembly, I would clean out any carbon deposit, grease, oil or dirt inside the motor with CRC Lectra-Motive Electric Parts Cleaner. I would especially make sure the armature was cleaned. I would polish the commutator and make sure that no dirt or grime was embedded in the mica between the commutator contacts.
I would look for any felt at the end cap of the commutator Oilite bearing and saturate 5-7 drops of SAE 20 weight oil into the felt (if present). I would soak 2 wads of soft absorbent cloth with the SAE 20 oil, place one into each bushing and leave them there for a week. This might allow some oil to absorb into the Oilite pores.
Remove the wads of oil soaked cloth and wipe any excessive oil that might have drooled down the inside of the end caps. Do not remove the felt (if present) since it was supposed to act as an oil reservoir.

I won't get into how I would consider drilling a hole down to (but not through) each Oilite bearing and make removable brass plugs to keep out dirt between oilings. The holes would be facing up so that a small amount of oil would be sitting at the bottom of the hole. It would not be original but would be very discrete and would allow oiling without disassembling the motor.
I don't even have an original Maytag Delco electric motor for my current 1934 Maytag Model 30 so I cherish these motors.

 

[combo52]

MT WW Motors

The first GE motor would either need to be taken apart to add oil but it is also easier and safer to drill holes in the ends and add oil, I have done it hundreds of times.

 

The Emerson you pictured is NOT a Maytag WW motor, it is not even a washer motor, it is a furnace blower motor that is designed to run almost continuously which is why they suggest oiling it so much.

 

It is ridiculous to consider oiling any laundry motor every 5 years unless it is in almost constant commercial use. These motors were considered permanently lubricated, but as I mentioned before it does not hurt to oil them every 20-40 years.

 

John L.

 

[launderess]

Thanks guys

@combo52

Really? Someone sold that Emerson motor on eBay as NOS for a Maytag wringer washer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/s55bxgtw-50...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Cannot see myself tearing down the machine and or otherwise getting at the motor anytime soon, so shall just have to keep an eye on things. Knowing it was repaired at least once previously for a leaking gasket at least lets me know what is in their should last a bit. That would have been my only rush to "dig into" the machine.

 

[combo52]

Lubricating A MT WW Motor

Hi Laundress, that is not a MT WW motor, it says right on it  Belted Fan and Blower Duty motor, it does not have a MT Pt# or name on it.

 

As I have said before you can't believe and quote everything you read on the internet, it would be great if you got out more, Why didn't you come to the washer convention for example or maybe one of Martins washer parties which are even closer.

 

Everybody likes you and we could help you with your appliance issues, but it is painful to try and help and watch collectors try to fix and solve appliance problems on the internet.

 

[maytagwringer]

Emerson Washer Motor

Launderess,

I looked at the ebay listing for the electric motor you provided a picture of:
Maytag Genuine Factory Parts; Emerson Belted Fan and Blower Motor; Model S55BXGTW-5016; Service Replacement Part No. 0A5080. The shipping box has Washer Motor printed on the outside and someone wrote Wringer above the printed Washer Motor label.
In the attached picture you will notice a yellow plastic plug. That plug is pried off to access an oiling hole. This oiling hole was designed into the commutator end cap by the Emerson engineers to allow for the recommended oiling schedule listed on the motor's label.
There is probably a corresponding yellow plastic plug designed into the output shaft end cap. This yellow plug covers the oil hole for the Oilite bushing on that end. The ebay seller did not provide a picture which shows that output shaft end cap's yellow plastic plug and the evidence of a corresponding oil hole underneath.
I assume that the larger Red button is a reset button for an electric fuse in case the motor becomes overloaded.

I think that others will give specific advise on your exact Maytag wringer washer electric motor and how it should or could be lubricated.

I hope the information I provided has been helpful. I never intended for it to contradict any information that anyone says that has better information about your exact Maytag electric motor.