Maytag e2l leaking oil

[angelina]

I have been noticing that some oil drips out of my washer after it has been sitting in between wash days. I circled the area that seems to have the oil or fluid or whatever it is dripping out and based on the repair manual I believe that price would be taken apart to remove the worm gear and I’m hoping that the gasket just needs to be replaced. Can anyone confirm this? I’m hesitant to take apart a washing machine that probably older than my parents unless I know I can fix it without ruining it.

I’m also wondering what kind of oil I would use to replace what has been lost and how I would fill it

 

[softheatwash]

a can of worms

be careful! before you start digging into this I would try to tighten any bolts around that part maybe their just loose. You don't want to open a can of worms on these old machines its gets complicated try to research as much as you can as always good luck

 

[angelina]

Found one bolt

Thanks for the luck , I’m going to need it, i never thought about looking at the bolts, I did notice that the bolt attaching the transmission to the bar that runs across the bottom was very loose so I tightened it but I don’t think that was the issue. I also noticed several spots that had grease running from them and wiped it all down with a rag now I’m going to wait a few days and see if grease reappears anywhere .

I also noticed that the pipe running from the wringer arm through the bottom of the machine and into the transmission has a small hole in the top so I think that may be where you fill the transmission fluid, does anyone know about that?

 

[softheatwash]

Start small

Try cleaning it then try and locate where the oil is seeping from it might be a crack in the caseing in that scenario I'd try to seal it with whatever you can

 

[launderess]

Sadly there comes a time when all Maytag Wringer

Washers will begin to drip/leak oil. The extent that this occurs (drips versus a puddle) determines how urgently repairs are needed.

That being said Maytag so over engineered these washers, plus built them to last they can (and have) been run with transmissions where water has almost totally displaced oil for years.

There are several reasons why oil is leaking from a Maytag wringer, and we've discussed them all ad nauseam previously. You can easily use search function to find:

Here are a few:

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?21996

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?31181

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?53620

Other way oil can leak is from washer being laid down/tilted incorrectly.

 

[bradross]

Hole on top of horizontal drive shaft for wringer...

Hi Angalina,

That is a "breather hole", but is not intended as a port for oil replacement. The only way to properly replace the oil in the power unit is to remove the tub from the base, and open up the power unit. It is a LOT of work and involves careful removal of the brass bolts in the bottom of the tub, which usually requires a special "gulmite" wrench. A couple of the members here have successfully done this and will hopefully lend some advice to you.

 

[angelina]

I think mine has just started dripping but I only got it when I bought my house in April and have used it all summer and just now started noticing it. However I was talking to my neighbors and they said that the older woman who owned the house previously stopped using it because she thought it was broken so I don’t know what has happened previously other than that I haven’t tilted it on it’s side.

I was afraid that that might be a breather hole and that I would have to take the tub apart. I think it’s a good thing I have my automatic washer coming this weekend because this could turn into a bigger winter project fast once I figure out where it’s leaking from

 

[launderess]

Serial number

On side of washer tub there should be numbers stamped. If you can provide members here will decode and give age of unit.

Depending upon age, conditions of use and so forth, then yes, your washer may need a "tune up". This would be normal and part of routine ownership.

Sadly for us the days of simply telephoning a local Maytag repairman to sort out wringer washers is long over. There are a few left (one Amish owned business down in Ohio), but IIRC the gentleman in Ovid, New York (closer to Maine) has retired.

Happily there is a wealth of information online (including copies of service/repair manuals) that can get you on right track.

Personally know when it comes time to have mine overhauled probably am just going to ship it down to the Amish. Have neither time nor patience for taking apart washer... *LOL*

 

[launderess]

Unless your machine is spewing out great amounts of oil

Shouldn't worry about side lining machine yet. Just keep an eye out to see if things get worse.

Myself wipe down the rear left leg after use and every now and then while machine is sitting idle. This and have a piece of newspaper under same leg. All in aide of seeing how much oil is leaking if any.

Small amounts of oil leaking does seem to be common with Maytag wringer washers after a while. Know mine once had an issue because found notes from repairman underneath after he did previous work to correct.

 

[stan]

Dose not look too bad to me

As Brad has mentioned there is no way to simply add gear oil to the power unit, without tare down.
But yours look pretty clean compaired to many other working machines. And dose not appear to show signs of water getting into the power unit. You'd see a nasty sludge if thst was happening.
A lot of oil has to leak out to be a problem, so I wouldn worry.
Clean her up, use and enjoy!
If more than a cup drips out.. O.K then worry a bit.