Maytag a107a Slow Agitation

[diogenes]

Hello everyone,
Great forum!

I couldn't find an answer to my exact problem.

I use the normal cycle. The A107a will start agitation slow, but if I lift the lid to restart the agitation, each time it gets progressively faster until its "like normal". I could be lifting the lid 10+ times it seems.

Everything else works perfect. What is the fix? It seems to reset this behavior every cycle, altho seems to get better with more use, altho im not 100% sure. Today it even made an intermittent noise while slowly agitation that went away.

Thank you!

 

[mrb627]

Could be a Number of things

1. worn belts
2. thick gearcase oil
3. weak motor
4. binding pump

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

It really helps you for us to know how old the machine is, where is it located, is the machine overloaded.....do you have it plugged in?.......

it could be a number of many things without more detail, and of things you have tried already to remedy the problem...........

motor
motor glides
motor springs
belts
pump
water temp
bearings
transmission

did you try selecting "Normal" speed for agitation?

just trying to help

 

[rockland1]

A common problem on Maytags after years of use. The tub seal allows water to enter the transmission. When this happens, the lubricant in the transmission gets thick.
Sometimes you will see oil leaking from under the bottom of the machine. The only fix is a transmission rebuild. After that, it's as good as a new machine.

 

[combo52]

Slow agitating A107

First of all it is somewhat normal for this washer to start out a little slowly, This is only a one speed machine, so you are using the correct speed. It could be stuck motor rollers, a pump belt that is too tight, a worn main drive belt and a few more serious things that have been mentioned already.

 

[arbilab]

From #1:
++++++++++++++++++++
1. worn belts
2. thick gearcase oil
3. weak motor
4. binding pump
++++++++++++++++++++

In my (limited) experience, 1, 3 & 4 will show up in spin before they show up in agitate. So will motor slide and springs.

My 20yo Tag did that but only in winter (garage 50-60F). I ran it a couple minutes on 'gentle' which resulted in the same agitate speed but not the strange noises. Once the trans warmed up a spot, pressing 'normal' would bring it right up to speed. Summer (garage 70-90F) it worked properly.

From this and #2 and #3, you see there is a spectrum of causes. Some more dire than others.

 

[diogenes]

Thank you for the responses.

The washer is outside, and had a chilly night last night so that might explain the noise this morning and noticeable slowness. I'll investigate packing with new grease I guess, as I have seen this mentioned a few times. I didn't understand if the speeding-up-when-restarting thing was a different issue.

Take care!

 

[goatfarmer]

I've also seen the top shaft in the transmission on similar vintage Maytags start to bind up.

 

[kenmore71]

Do understand that that replacing the oil in the transmission is a MAJOR job that requires a considerable amount of disassembly of the machine in order to get the transmission out. In the process all sorts of things can go wrong while removing the agitator, inner tub and the transmission itself. Have you had the the front off? If so is there any sign of oil leakage from the transmission? If there is then it may be worthwhile to attempt a transmission rebuild or transplant. If there is no leakage and agitation gets up to speed within a few minutes I would leave WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

I know a number of 40+ year old machines that are not leaking oil and exhibit this behavior (which is always worse when cold). If it is only thick transmission oil (and not actual water in the transmission) chances are there will be another major problem with machine before the tranmission itself fails.

 

[mixfinder]

Hold The Phone

Its almost a textbook case of motor glides and rollers sticking in old grease or soap residue.  I would sure remove the front cover and watch it start agitating.  If you provide an outward pressure on the motor and it takes right off, bingo, its motor glides.  Cold grease is another culprit so if its oustide and getting under 55 degrees you could see it taking a while to get excited about agitating.

 

[arbilab]

Oh quite agree. Optimize the easy parts before thinking about tearing into the trans. If the slider is mucked, clean it. If the springs are rusted, replace them.

If it still starts slow on cold days, tolerate it. It will wear the belt a bit faster but throwing belts at it is a lot simpler than tearing the whole thing apart.

If you only have one speed, when cold consider letting it run unloaded for 2-3min. Subsequent loads won't require that, it's already warm.

If the trans is leaking and eventually quits or starts floating oil up into the clothes, probably worth having it rebuilt. That machine is a lot sturdier than anything sold today.

 

[combo52]

Slow agitating A107

There is no such thing as a weak split phase motor, if it is not running at full speed it will cut out on the motor overload in just a minute or so.

 

[qsd-dan]

Maytag protocol states that surrounding ambient temp must be a minimum of 60F or higher for proper operation.

Kelly (mixfinder) is correct. Start with the easily accessible and common wear areas first before tearing into transmissions.

All automatic Maytag washers that find their way to me immediately get new motor glides and springs, new belts, and a shot of turbine oil in the pump. Make sure you squeaky clean all 3 faces of the motor carriage glide surfaces. Liberally apply poly lube to all 3 faces of the motor carriage surfaces as well. Before installing new belts, use brake cleaner/rubbing alcohol ect. and deeply clean all of the pulley grooves. The upper motor pulley for the trans collects lots of belt material over long periods of time from slipping while ramping up to 618 RPM's for spin cycles.

2-11125 trans belt

2-1124 pump belt

205000 Spring/Glide kit

 

[arbilab]

ambient temp must be a minimum of 60F
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well now, that explains a great deal doesn't it?

 

[autowasherfreak]

When my Maytag 806 was in the basement of my old house, she was very sluggish during the winter months, and would make some strange scraping noises, and with a minute or two she would be up to speed.

After I moved into my new house, and the washer was no longer in the basement the problems went away.