Maytag #A606

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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knitwits1975

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Jul 22, 2005
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O.K. So this website and all your stories have inspired me to get into the restoration and collection of old appliances. On 7/18, one of My neighbors gave me an old Maytag, Model #A606. I am Guessing that this machine is about as old as I am (I'm 30). If anyone can tell me a thing or two about Maytags, I'd appreciate a few pointers. I rebuilt a Whirlpool from 1980 when I was 17 (in 1992). So it's been a while, and clearly the Maytag is a different animal. This machine works pretty well except for the fact that it takes the whole duration of the spin cycle (4 1/2 minutes) just to drain the water. I can't seem to get the top open. I also can't figure how to remove the agitator.

P.S. I always thought that I was the only crazy one that would have a hobby like this one. I also have a Maytag wringer.
 
The pumps on these washers are almost indestructable. You may have a clogged hose. With a large load, it should be empty and spinning full speed in 2 minutes. Check the pump belt underneath the machine (the skinny belt). I shouldn't be tight, you should just be able to pinch the belt together in the middle. Then, check the hose that goes from the tub to the pump for kinks or clogs. You will find it behind the front cover.

There are 2 screws near the bottom of the front, remove these and swing the front up untill it unhooks. Now, there are 2 bolts that hold the top on if you want to open the top.

The agitator just pulls off, but I bet it's pretty well stuck. I used rope and a slide hammer to remove mine.

Ken D.
 
Ok knitwits1975

You have the right place. I have a plethera of info on the Maytag A606. Just change the 23.95 belt. I reccomend both be changed. Remove the front panel, (two screws at the bottom) and then pull slightly out and down on the panel. It will come off. Thenk tilt the washer back about 1 foot, make it stable and the belts are right in front of the frame underneath. no tools except for a phillips screw driver are required. If that does not work, email me.

Hey welcome to this website. We have a very interesting time here and more to come..........................

I will help you.

Good luck Steve
 
Re: Maytag Agitator:

Hi! knitwits1975, there is a Small Round Hole towards the bottom of the Agitator, between the Fins, on one side. It has a Screw inside the indentation, that needs like a Nut-Wrench, or a small Socket, to loosen the Screw, then the Agitator should then pull up and off the Shaft fairly easy. I hope that you get this info, before attempting to just pull the Agitator off, without loosening the Screw first, since no one mentioned above before. I thought that I would let you know about that, to prevent damage of the Agitator or the Shaft. I hope that this all helps you with working on your A-606 Maytag Washer, they are great Machines.

Peace and Happy Maytag Washing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
I don't believe the A606 has the set screw. The ones with the set screw came on later models. Of course one should look to be sure tho. There is always the possibility that it was replaced with one with a set screw.
 
No setscrew from the factory on the 606 agitator.

Another thing to check on a slow drain,is pull off the hose that goes from the bottom of the tub to the pump. Sometimes something like a penny can get jammed,and plug up the hole in the bottom of the tub.

kennyGF
 
More on the Maytag A606, please...

Wow, what a great site to find.

My name is Julia and I have my parents' old Maytag A606 washer (and the dryer, too!)

I'm wondering a couple of things. First, how old are these machines? Second, sometimes (though not always by any means) water leaks from beneath the washer. Would this have any variety of reasons, or is there likely to be one?

Also, sometimes it makes an odd sound lately. Sort of like a high-pitched squeal. Would that be a belt? Should I change those? (I love to do DIY stuff, believe it or not...as long as there's nothing I can make worse by doing so and so long as I don't cost myself a lot of money...saving money being the point of the DIY'ing for me...and my lotsa-laundry 7-month-old son!)

Thanks for any guidance you might have to offer on any of these points.

Julia
 
Could be the belts squealing,easy enough to change. Check the hoses in the back,could be the cause of a leak. Another common spot for a Maytag water leak is a small plastic part,not sure what it's called,which is in the hose from the mixing valve,to the top of the tub.It gets limed up,and can cause a leak.Easy enough to fix.Pull the front off,and watch while it fills,to see if you can pinpoint the leak.
606's were made from the mid 60's,up into the mid to late 70's.IIRC.Welcome!

kennyGF
 
Thank you all, and one last thought...

Thanks very much for the feedback. I do appreciate it very much.

I have an odd sort of question for you. This A606 washer and its accompanying dryer are obviously very old, but they're hardy Maytags from all I've read. A friend has offered me a washer and dryer set that is about 10 years old (I don't know the brand, but it's not a Maytag, for sure). They recently replaced theirs' because they wanted a more energy efficient set.

My question is...am I better off with a 10-year-old set that is working well or sticking with (and fixing) the old A606 Maytag? I know it's sort of a subjective thing in the end, but I thought some folks here might have a thought regarding the efficiency of these old units vs. another 10-year-old set?

Thanks very much again.

Julia
 
About the Parts...

DADoES, thank you so much for the parts links! I appreciate it very much.

Unfortunately, I'm not appliance savvy enough to know whether I need ALL of these parts or whether I might need one or the other. :)

I hope I don't get kicked off this thread for being a novice. At least I love to learn.

This is precisely how I fix my old Saabs. On the old Saab threads on the internet, believe it or not!

I'm going to take the front panel off of the A606 while I wait for feedback on the "to keep or not to keep" issue.

Again, my thanks to all of you.

Julia
 
Julia, my vote is to keep the Maytags. If you decide to opt. for the 10 year old friends' set, someone here Im' sure would love to have your washer and dryer.
 
Julia-

Stick with the Maytags! Few machines are their equals.

Parts are still quite available for these lovely units.

There's no reason why these couldn't go another 20-30 years.

Just my .2 .

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
Even 10 years ago washers weren't built to last as these Maytags were. I'd keep the Maytags.
What is the cosmetic condition of these unit?
Don't worry about asking questions here, we enjoy answering them! If you don't ask, how are you going to know?
 
Diagrams/Schematics Available Anywhere???

Thank you, Maytag enthusiasts! I appreciate the advice.

Does anyone know where I might obtain a diagram of the inner workings of the A606?

That way, when folks write:

"small plastic part,not sure what it's called,which is in the hose from the mixing valve,to the top of the tub"

...or...

"pull off the hose that goes from the bottom of the tub to the pump"

...I'll know what the pump is and what the mixing valve is, etc.

I realize these are very basic questions, but everybody's gotta start the learning curve somewhere!

If there's a place where I can find a labeled diagram, I'd appreciate knowing where it is.

Also, for the parts, is it sufficient to search for the A606 parts and simply search using a word like "belt"? I want to be sure to buy the right belts to fix this thing.

By the way...it leaked like crazy this morning. :(

Thanks a million for all of your continued help.

Julia
 
Thank you!

Wow! Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

What an awesome site. I never dreamed I'd ever have so many Maytag repairman friends. :) Or that I'd venture to become one!

Thanks again.

Julia
 

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