Maytag Maxima/Whirlpool Duet pump trap

[cam2s]

So I've had a Maytag Maxima XL 7000 series set since december. So far they have been great machines. They use a decent amount of water and heat as long as you know what cycle to use. However I was doing a load earlier and it sounded like something was caught in the pump so I thought I better check the pump trap. This should of course be an easy procedure, but since Whirlpool doesn't put an access door in the lower panel, it was going to be a little bit more involved. Even worse, on the latest series of machines they ever so thoughtfully did away with the lower panel too! So to get to the pump trap I had to take the top off, the control panel off, and then take the entire front panel off, which involves taking off the boot and undoing the wires on the door latch. What were they thinking!? I did find this strange piece of plastic that had somehow worked its way past the guard and was hitting the impeller on the pump. There was also a torx screw hanging out down there. Anyways, here are some pictures of the machine while it was apart for anybody interested.

 

[logixx]

Form before function, clearly.

 

Interesting pics! There are quite a few changes compared to my Duet.

 

[combo52]

New Maytag XL7000

Pretty Washer, but as a service person you can see why we sell our customers Speed Queen FL washers, cleaning the trap is a 5 minute job at best. When one considers the longevity of SQ FL washers and what you will save on service they will pay off the difference in initial cost by the time a regular machine is scraped and you are buying your next machine.

I bet that many service companies would charge at least $200 to take that washer apart and clean the trap, not to mention if you dare to put it in a closet, and in an overflow pan and stack a dryer on top LOL, most will just get condemned if they are over a 1/2 dozen years old.

 

[cam2s]

I knew a service tech would have charged an arm and a leg to do that, so thats why I did it myself. It's still under warranty, but I guess they don't need to know that I took it apart. If the Speed Queen FL still had an internal heater I would have seriously looked at having one of those. The biggest deciding factor in getting this set though was that I got quite a black Friday deal on them. Hopefully they will be reliable!

 

[mattl]

That would be a deal killer for me - no matter how good the machine was that is a royal pain.

 

[mrb627]

Most Owners...

Would have ignored the noise until the machine failed. Then suffered a $500 repair bill or junked the machine altogether...

Malcolm

 

[laundromat]

That is one of the main reasons I hate Whirlpool. They have known about this for years now but prefer making millions off of unknowledgeable buyers who would rather "keep up with the Jonses" and buy the ones they saw at a friend or reatives home rather then do research and speak to a knowledgeable salesperson. I would show the GEs,and LGs then show the Duets with the panel removed so theyd see how.inconveniant that was jist to clean it out.The warranty and design sold the LG every time.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Unbelievable!!

I've always complained about the Duet's not having an access panel and having to take the bottom panel off to get to the drain pump, and most of the other brands address this with an access panel........and now THIS?? It's even HARDER to get to than my current older Duet.....Part of me likes Whirlpool, but part of me hates them.

Incidentally - my 9 year, 2 months old WP dishwasher is starting to make REALLY strange grinding and squeaking sounds.....but it's still washing normally. I think it's on its last leg.

 

[frontloaderfan]

Access panels...

My Frigidaire FL doesn't have a pump strain access panel either. It also must be taken halfway apart in order to perform this simple maintenance step.

This built-in "flaw" has been discussed in another thread already. It appears that only machines built for the North American market are made this way. The manufacturers are most likely trying to protect themselves from a law$uit when Joe Schmoe unscrews the pump screen with scalding hot wash water still in the machine or when he floods his apartment and claims the machine didn't come equipped with a warning label about the dangers of opening the pump while the machine is in operation.

 

[combo52]

Pump And Button Trap Access On North American FL Washers

Many machines have been built here with front access, unfortunately for styling, product liability reasons and cost to manufacture most big NA manufactures have left this vital area covered up.

Speed Queen FL washers have by far the best serviceability of just about ANY FL washer on the market, including virtually all FL washers made worldwide. Even a complete bearing and seal replacement is only about an hour long project.