Maytag Atlantis Success!!

[vintagekitchen]

Ok, the new thrust bearing kit arrived today. I won't lie and say it was easy, but it wasn't too bad to put on. I finally figured out how to push up on the brake and wedge it that way, or I would have never gotten the e-clip on. I ended up using the thin washer, as the thick one caused tub indexing.

Now I may as well confess, I did end up doing a major no-no during the repair. At first, even though the pulley was pushing up to release the brake, and everything else was working as it should it still didn't want to spin. So, with the top up, and the machine trying to spin, I very very carefully grabbed the edge of the tub, and gave it a shove. It began spinning slowly, then suddenly ramped up to speed, and has been working perfectly ever since. I have done 3 loads, and LOVE IT!

I know what I did was dangerous, and I did it with full understanding of what could happen, and wouldnt reccomend anyone else try it, but It worked. As my grandpa used to say when he was working on some of the farm equipment and I would question the safety of something, "If working on things was always easy and safe, there would be no repairmen or mechanics left in the world. Sometimes you have to know what you are doing, and just be very careful."

 

[vintagekitchen]

Look at those lovely spun out clothes..

 

[vintagekitchen]

The 30 day detergent dispenser is awesome! Why on earth didn't anyone else use these?

 

[vintagekitchen]

Control panel close up..

 

[vintagekitchen]

Last one

Miss Maytag in all her glory. I know alot of members don't like these, as they aren't a "true Maytag", and are in fact basically a Norge, but I don't have any problem with that. From what I understand, Norge was always a good performer, and did great on heavy soil. So far, that is holding true, the Atlantis washes very well.

I love the look of these. I'm a retro guy at heart, and something about this design strikes a retro note with me. The lines, the curves, the push buttons, it all makes for such a classic look. For once a modern appliance has managed to blend nearly seamlessly into my vintage home, and I am thrilled.

 

[tecnopolis]

vintagekitchen,
HUGE Atlantis fan here! Not so much the MK II's, much bigger fan of the first design. Glad to hear your back in biz!

 

[frigilux]

Kevin-- Two questions: Are wash/spin speeds determined by cycle choice? Does the Colors cycle have a slow spin ala Perm Press? Does the detergent dispenser dose a measured amount, or do you just push the button and dispense as much as you want?

OK, so I guess that was three questions, LOL.

 

[dustin92]

We have a Maytag Performa set (basically the same norgetag) and it works well and has a huge capacity. I find the dryer slow and noisy, but the washer cleans well.

 

[gansky1]

A client of mine had this washer, or one step up, and loved the detergent dispenser though it does make the lid heavier when full. It washed very well and held a ton of wash but it was rather noisy, but then, it's a Norge

 

[vintagekitchen]

Cycles and settings

Both the Color and Whites cycles use a single spin speed of 9 minutes at 620 rpm , and the Delicate cycle uses 6 minutes at 410 rpm.

The agitation speed does vary through the settings, Fast agitation being 88 oscillations per minute, slow agitation being 55 oscillations per minute, bth with a 155 degree arc. The basic agitation is as follows-

Colors, Heavy-9 minutes fast agitation/9 minutes slow agitation. Normal-3 minutes fast/9 minutes slow. Light-9 minutes slow. All 3 options are followed by 6 minute fast spin, 6 minutes slow agitation rinse, and 9 minutes fast spin with spray.

Whites, Heavy-12 minutes fast agitation/9 minutes slow agitation. Normal-6 minutes fast agitation/9 minutes slow agitation. Light-9 minutes slow agitation. All 3 options are followed by 6 minute fast spin, 6 minutes slow agitation rinse, and 9 minutes fast spin with spray.


Delicates, Normal-3 minutes slow agitation/3 minute soak/3 minute slow agitation/3 minute soak/3 minute slow agitation. Light- 3 minute slow agitation/3 minute soak/3 minute slow agitation. Both options are followed by 6 minute slow spin with spray, 3 minutes slow agitation rinse, and 6 minute slow spin.

If one selects the Superwash option by pressing the Superwash button, the cycles change to the following--

Superwash Colors, Heavy-18 minutes fast agitation. Normal-12 minutes fast agitation. Light-9 minutes fast agitation. Spin and rinse are same as before, all 3 options are followed by 6 minute fast spin, 6 minutes slow agitation rinse, and 9 minutes fast spin with spray.

Superwash Whites, Heavy-21 minutes fast agitation. Normal-15 minutes fast agitation. Light-9 minutes fast agitation. Spin and rinse are same as before, all 3 options are followed by 6 minute fast spin, 6 minutes slow agitation rinse, and 9 minutes fast spin with spray.

Superwash Delicates, Normal-3 minute fast agitation/3 minute soak/3 minute slow agitation/3 minute soak/3 minute slow agitation. Light-3 minute slow agitation/3 minute soak/3 minute slow agitation. Spin and rinse are same as before, both options are followed by 6 minute slow spin with spray, 3 minutes slow agitation rinse, and 6 minute slow spin.

The Temperature options are Hot/Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/Cold, Cold/Cold. However, there is an option for these as well. If you select your temperature, and then press the Auto Temperature Control button, the washer will mix the water to ensure a cold temperature of 75 degrees, and a warm temperature of 95 degrees.

It also states specifically that washing below 65 degrees will give poor results.

The load sizes are Mini-10.5 gallon, Medium-14.1 gallon, Large-19.5 gallon, Super-23.3 gallon

Last, there is an option for an 3 minute slow agitation extra rinse in all 3 cycles, colors, whites, and delicates.

While I wish it had a permanent press cycle, I can work around it. Superwash Delicates Normal should suffice formost of my permanent press needs, with the Warm/Cold temperature setting. That is the good part about mechanical controls, one can tailor them to whatever you want.

 

[vintagekitchen]

Detergent Dispenser

It is actually a pretty good set up. The dispenser will hold up to 100 onces liquid detergent, and can be completely removed from the lid if one needs to clean it, or doesn't want it.

There is a veiwing window to show the total amount of detergent on the right side under the fill cap.

On the left slide is a veiwing window with a slide indicator on a smaller tank that refills each time the lid is closed, just above the dispense button.

To use the dispenser, you fill it with detergent, and move the slide indicator all the way to the top. Push the dispense button, and fill the detergent cap as usual. Then move the slide indicator down to the level showing in the window.

After that first time, you can simply push the dispense button for each load, holding it until the level in the window reaches the slide indicator.

With this set up one can alter the amount dispensed depending on brand of detergent, dispense extra detergent for heavily soiled loads, or not use any detergent from the dispenser at all (perfect for the times one wants to use Woolite for delicates, or powder for whites). And it is one less bottle to worry about.

Of course there is also a single load softener dispenser on top of the agitator, and a single load bleach dispenser to the side of the tub opening.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

MT Atlantis

While not the most reliable MT washers ever.  These were made in Newton IA using the Norge design.  The capacity and wash performance are amazing.   The only downfall is a WP or SQ would last much longer with fewer repairs. 

Nice job getting one with the 30 day dispenser.  Mine dosen't have that and I wish it did.   Nice save.

 

@Dustin 92.  While the MT Atlantis and Performa used similar mechanicals the controls the Atlantis had much nicer controls and a stronger cabinet.  Performa was a lower line E.G.(Roper) while Atlantis was considered TOL E.G.(WP Gold-KA) 

 

This link is to my Atlantis doing a bobload of 3 blankets.

WK78

 

[norgechef]

some people don't know this

Most Maytag Performa, Legacy, Ensignia and Atlantis washers were made in Herrin Illinois, not Newton Iowa. If your Maytag's model number starts with any of these 3 digits it was made in Herrin Illinois.

PAV -Performa
MAV -Some Ensignia, but mostly Atlantis machines
CAV -Crosley branded Herrin machines
AAV -Magic chef branded Herrin machines
HAV -Herrin Maytag's made exclusively for sears (I think)
MAVT -Different Maytag Herrin model numbers started with MAVT, but not Atlantis's.
SAV- Herrin made transmissions and tub seals but most of the machine was manufactured in the Searcy Arkansas Amana factory.
NAV -Amana branded Herrin washers.

 

[strongenough78]

So Kevin, when are we gonna see a video of yours in action?