Maytag Combination Washer-Dryer Found!!!

[gansky1]

Water Use/ Recall

The Bendix combo used about a gallon per minute for drying so the Maytag is a bit more thrifty that way. The washing/rinsing was about the same if not a little more with three deep rinses and the flush/spray rinse.

I'm very curious as well to know what catastrophic problems led Maytag to finally recall or buy back all those machines. Westinghouse did the same thing with their combo as well, and around the same mid-late 60's timeframe. At the owner's option, Maytag (and Westy) would give you a new washer & dryer to replace the combo. I've heard they were frought with troubles, timer, tranny, etc. in addition to higher the labor costs to repair, etc. We'll have to do more research on this, unfortunately many of the people who would know were "relocated" to keep the secret forever - just kidding! ;-)

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Water Usage / Recall

Very interesting about the water usage. Man, I did not know, or forgot that the Bendix combo with condenser dryer used so much water. I guess your Maytag combo is really not all that bad.
About the recall. I think that Maytag was just getting the world to know how great and reliable their top loaders and dryers were. I wonder if they thought, or were afraid that the combo would ruin their track record, so decided to pull them out of homes, and pretend the cobo never exisited. It is also interesting to think about yours making it this far. It may have been a "good one" that the owner was happy with.
I have a book called "Maytag, an American Icon". In it they talk about everything up to the late 80's. Not a mention about this beautiful combo. I was so shocked to hear that you guys saw the combo at the Maytag museum.
I am still so excited about your find!
Brent

 

[gansky1]

They had a brand new combo at the Maytag historical display in the Jasper County museum in Newton and another in the Maytag factory store.

Here is the inside of the one at the factory store - with the box of Dash still inside!

The link is to the pics of the trip to the store last year, nearly all the machines on display were new - never used!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gansky1/detail?.dir=8824&.dnm=b84d.jpg

 

[jetcone]

Pump Repair

Hi Greg:
I like the fact you need to get into the machine. I always like to get into a machine because it makes you familiar with it and that makes it your machine. When I get a washer that needs no work and just runs I never feel like its mine. Reading the service "doctrine" and disassembling the unit gets you familiar with how it works so when it fails again you have a pretty good idea of what is wrong before you even open up the mechanism for repair.
I envy you the pump & blower repair that is the fun part.
Has anyone seen any recall literature from Maytag regarding what the reasons were, Maytag might have told their dealers why they were going to recall these machines?? I will check with Grays here in Melrose they have been in business for 75 years as a Maytag dealer they may have all the service beacons.

 

[tlee618]

I hope that you can find something Jon, I have been wondering myself if anyone had any of the actual recall letters or knew anymore about it. Keep us posted.

 

[arrrooohhh]

That is so exciting to find a washing machine so rare!

Congratulations.

Tell me, how much can be viewed from the window in the door. It looks rather small, but being maytag, one should be grateful its there at all.

I am sure the lighted tub? would make it an interesting experience.