Maytag A806 Washer Will Not Drain Completely

[waterdog]

My 1977 Maytag A806 washer only partially drains on the normal cycle. If I use the other permanent press cycle it does drain completely. I replaced the pump about a year ago so I am thinking it could be the timer? I am new here and have been amazed at the caring and knowledge this whole community here has. Been reading posts here for days... it is quite addictive. I also have the matching DE808 dryer. My mother bought these new in 1977 and I inherited them 7 years ago when she passed away. I LOVE THEM!!! Much better than the "throw away junk" they sell new today. These are built like a tank! Thank you all in advance for any thoughts and info on my problem.

Mark

 

[yogitunes]

lets investigate a bit further.....

during the Normal cycle, as that's when the problem seems to exist....we'll go with the idea this is not a SudsSaver machine...

is this during both spins?....or just one?

for an Ex-Large capacity tub, full of clothing, it should have been empty and ramped up to full speed in under 2 minutes....for the first spin, the 3rd minute is the spray.....

as during the first spin, which should be roughly 4 minutes, in that time, it does not drain the whole tub?

or as the final spin, which is 5 or 6 minutes roughly...again, not emptying the whole tub....

as this does not happen during the PP cycle, we can rule out drain too high, hoses clear of obstructions, belt in good condition....

have you checked the timer against a clock, to rule out running too fast...

do not be surprised of a pump that may airlock for no reason, the only cure is a new pump....

keep us posted...

 

[tomturbomatic]

If you are using a liquid detergent, I might suggest that the suds could causing the pump to air lock or the tub to suds lock which might be eliminated on the PP cycle by the extra water in the cooldown diluting the suds.  Boy, was that an exercise in the subjunctive.

 

[waterdog]

Hello Martin and Tom, thank you for the replies. This is not a SudsSaver machine. It does empty on the first spin... but not the second. I then go to just the spin part of the PP cycle and it does empty totally. I do use liquid detergent, but this occurs even with no detergent. I did find a timer #2-04499-2 (exact match) brand new on Ebay for only $25.00 plus $7.00 shipping so I bought it. I know these are rare so at least I will have a spare if this is really not the problem. Thank you again for your time and knowledge. I LOVE this site!

Mark

 

[yogitunes]

out of curiosity.....

what happens if after the last spin, and water remains, if you selected the Normal spin again?

does it do what the PP spin does?....empty the tub and damp dries the load?

 

[DADoES]

 
Does the final spin run to completion when the drain failure occurs, or does the machine shut off prematurely to the designated timer "Off" position?

 

[waterdog]

Sorry... forgot to add that the timer does run at normal speed... not too fast.

Mark

 

[waterdog]

Using the normal spin cycle a second or even third time still will not empty it. I then go to just the spin part of the PP cycle and it does empty totally and damp dry the load. The final spin on the normal cycle does run to completion when the drain failure occurs, and the machine does not shut off prematurely to the designated timer "Off" position. I do not think that the PP press cycle has rarely if ever been used. Always the Normal cycle.

 

[DADoES]

 
That's just ... weird.  There's no functional difference between the final spin on Regular vs. Perm Press that would account for the problem.  Does it drain at all after the rinse on Regular?  Is it spinning in the wrong direction (motor not reversing)?

 

[waterdog]

I just ran it through the whole normal cycle empty with just water on the small load setting. All 3 phases, pre-soak, rinse and damp dry of the normal cycle worked perfectly. All spun the drum counter clockwise and emptied it completely. I am perplexed... feel like I am going crazy?!?

 

[rp2813]

I've observed a couple of things with my A712, which is the '80s brown console version of the 806.

 

First, a disclosure.  The machine is located outside.  All vintage Maytags I've used have lived in a garage or outdoors, and during cold months they are slow to ramp up to normal speed.  This may play a small part in pump action.  I noticed a tiny squeak from the pump when I ran a load earlier this week after temps were around 40 overnight.

 

The load consisted of towels and rags that had some recent stains, so I dumped plenty of Mexican Foca powder into the tub and set it for about half full of water.  It created copious suds and the machine had trouble spinning out and didn't empty completely.  I reset the timer for another wash cycle and that reduced the suds and all was well after that.

 

Check to see how long it takes a full tub to empty before the spray rinse begins.  Generally, the tub is just shy of reaching full spin speed before the spraying begins.  I know your problem seems to occur on the final spin, but if your machine is still pumping out water by the time the spray rinse starts, there's an extraction issue.  It might be the pump or its belt.

 

[waterdog]

The tub is empty when the spraying begins. I am wondering if the stand pipe that the discharge hose empties into might have an issue... but you would think that if it had a clog it would back up into the house? When I just did the last full cycle test, that went perfectly, I just had the discharge hose hanging over the laundry room sink. BOY it empties a lot of water FAST!! I will update after I have my plumber investigate that drain pipe. Thank you all for your advise.

Mark

 

[toploader55]

I just thought of something...

When I moved into my current residence there was a issue when the owner's washer went into the rinse, it filled for ever. Like way too long. I investigated and it turns out that once the machine filled for wash, drained, spray rinse, then final rinse, it turned out that the drain hose was pushed down a bit too far (Cheap Replacement Drain hose. Very flimsy).

It was siphoning the water once it got to a certain level.

Point is... the problem could very well be at the standpipe and the drain.

I have a 806 with a very long run to the standpipe and is pumping upwards. I have never had a drain issue ubless it was from sudslock.

Maybe this may help with the problem.

 

[waterdog]

NOT the timer...

Update... This issue started when I had the main sewer line cleaned. Lots of tree roots. I have to have this done every few years, home built in 1954 with clay pipe, but have never had this problem happen before. It seems that when I bypassed the stand pipe and used the laundry room sink it opened up the stand pipe drain. it works fine now.

The timer #2-04499-2 I ordered on Ebay came but it is the wrong one. They sent timer #2-04483-1. They said that they were sorry and did not still have another #2-04499-2 and refunded my money. Did not ask for me to return it. I have no use for it. Does anyone here want it? If so, all it will cost you is the shipping.

Now I have another problem with my A806. The outer tub is leaking on the bottom where the pump hose is attached. Corrosion. Looks like a nightmare to find a new one. Maybe JB-Weld will work for awhile? I WOULD HATE TO LOSE MY BABY!!! Any ideas where to find a new outer tub?

Thank you all for your time and wisdom... this is a great community!

Mark

 

[goatfarmer]

Probably won't find a new outer tub. JBWeld, maybe find a large capacity donor machine with a good outer tub.

 

[good-shepherd]

where the pump hose is attached. Corrosion

If beyond repair, any outer tub from a large capacity (w/ bleach dispenser) Dependable Care Maytag, before the change over to the plastic tub covers (1995 or so?) is a direct replacement.

New outer tubs are NLA.