Maytag MTW5600 tub holes rusting, what to do?

[warrenkeller]

Hi all. Any info on this is welcome my top load maytags tub is starting to rust around the holes. Read online that this would eventually happen. What causes this? I cleaned the tub up with Ajax but I'm sure the rust will return. My question is if I do buy a new tub, how long should it last before this happens again. Or is the rust around the holes something I can live with? I haven't noticed a transfer of the rust onto my clothes yet. The new tub is 73 bucks from searspartsdirect. Just wondering how much life I can get out of this tub before it needs replacing. It's a black tub with white speckles.

 

[launderess]

Ajax Won't Do A Thing

Indeed the chlorine bleach combined with the abrasive nature of the scrubbing powder can wear down the porcelain finish more than it was alread.

The rust IIRC is caused by areas where the porcelain has been worn or otherwise damaged away exposing the metal underneath. This can happen if the surface is nicked by metal buttons or some such on laundry or such objects not removed before wash goes into the tubs.

Poreclain is also weakened by acids even weak ones such as white vinegar. Quite allot of persons add that stuff to their rinse loads as a "fabric softener", which can over time lead to tub damage.

If the damage is only one or two small areas you might look into preparing the rust spots, then covering with expoxy porcelain "touch up" paint. You are going to have to seek out a type that is made to withstand immersion in water as opposed to merely touching up dings on appliance surfaces.

http://www.remindernews.com/article/2012/02/16/repairing-chips-dings-and-scratches-on-appliances

 

[warrenkeller]

Yea I've never used vinegar in this washer. I use to use it all the time in my FL kenmore elite until the spider broke in two. I didn't know the Ajax could make it worse. Thanks for that! I just wiped it all down once. It seems that maybe 25% of the holes are starting to rust. The washer is almost 4 years old. I'm guessing its time for a new tub soon.

 

[launderess]

My *Vintage* Whirlpool Washer

Has a porcelian tub and the owner's manual references about using acids including vinegar, long story short one shouldn't do it often and contact times should be short. That is one shouldn't soak items in "acid" water for long periods either.

Basically porcelain inner tubs on dishwashers and washing machines were designed to withstand alkaline conditions, which is natural as that is what where most detergents rank on the pH scale. Acids however are another ball game.

If you read the warnings on acid rust remover products such as "Wink" they caution against allowing the product coming into contact with porcelian finishes. Acid products meant to be used in dishwashers/washing machines such as rust/iron removers and tub *cleaners* are buffered and also carry instructions that several rinses must follow use.

Most modern front loaders have stainless steel inner tubs and the outer are the same or fiberglass. Neither of these are affected by weak acids such as vinegar, but it is still a good idea not to go overboard and follow use with a clear water rinse.

 

[whirlcool]

Another way to do this would be is to replace your tub with a new one, which is available. They are not that hard to replace, you could do it yourself. The inner tub and outer tub is still available for under $200. each.

http://www.repairclinic.com/Drum-Tub-Parts?s=t-MTW5600-==c26

 

[warrenkeller]

Do I need to replace the outer tub at the same time? It's in really clean condition. No leaks ever. I do need to get a new tub. The rust spots came back today. How long can a new tub like this last? Also do I have to hit he spanner wrench with a hammer!? Just nervous I'd miss and hit the tub

 

[warrenkeller]

I see in that link you put there's the tub I have the dark one and then a white one for more cash. Is the coating different or better on the white tub than the dark one? Will the white tub last longer?

 

[whirlcool]

No the white one is the outer tub, which is made of plastic. If the one you have is in good condition you can keep it and still use it and just replace the inner tub.

How long will a new tub last? As long as a brand new one in a new washing machine would. If taken care of (no vinegar, acids, Ajax, Comet, etc.) it could easily last 20 years.

This would solve your rusting problems permanently.

Someone here who is more into Maytag's than I am could tell you how to change the tub.

 

[warrenkeller]

I meant the white inner tub. The more expensive versions mtw5900 came with a white inner tub. Mine the less expensive came with a black with white speckles inner tub. I think the white tub of the mtw5900 would fit mine, it's the Same cf. I'm just wondering if I spend the extra money to get the better tub, the white one, would it last longer than the black with white speckles one?

 

[whirlcool]

I don't know the differences really. This question is best answered by a more knowledgeable Maytag guy. I'm more of a Whirlpool DD person.

Dadoes probably would know.

 

[launderess]

One of the best ways to protect porcelain tubs

Is to watch the laundering of anything with sharp edges such as belt buckles. Metal buttons, fasteners and so forth also can cause problems.

Where possible items with such things should be turned inside out as to keep them from harming the tub.

 

[whirlcool]

And make sure items with metal zippers are zipped shut too. From my Whirlpool users manual.

 

[mrb627]

DD...

I thought this was a Whirlpool DD machine...

Malcolm

 

[warrenkeller]

It is a whirlpool DD model.

 

[whirlcool]

Before replacing the tub, how does the machine look? Does everything on it operate properly? If you are having other problems with this machine, I'd address those issues first.

I'd say that if the white tub is the same size as the black speckled ones AND the mounting holes line up with the white tub than you could probably use it. Are the weights of the tubs similar?

 

[Iowegian]

I think your Maytag is really a Whirlpool with Maytag badges.

Which means it's only 5 or 6 years old.

If 25% of the holes are rusting, either Whirlpool has bad QC, or someone has misused the machine to make that happen. It would be worth determining which is the case before replacing the inner tub.

But if the rest of the machine is in good shape, it would be worth putting a new inner tub in. There are YouTube videos from Repair Clinic that explain how to disassemble a Whirlpool direct-drive washer, how to remove the agitator, and so on. It's not rocket surgery, but it requires some patience, common sense, time and typical hand tools.

I wouldn't call a repair service to do it, though. It would be more expensive than the machine is worth.

If I were going to do this, I'd replace the seals and gaskets just so I wouldn't have to repeat the teardown/reassembly process. So, you might be looking at $100 in parts instead of $75.

 

[warrenkeller]

Hi Maytag said they'd replace the tub and tranny today. Service date is for Monday. I'm really excited.

 

[whirlcool]

Looks like your problem has been solved.
Did they put in a white tub or a black & gray speckled tub?

 

[warrenkeller]

Hi all Just got back from the hospital. Thought I had a heart attack yesterday and had to have the ambulance come and had to stay at the hospital all night to be monitored. Thank god it wasn't a heart attack but they did see I have PAC and PVC in the upper and lower chambers of the heart. Basically I am having premature heart beats. Anyway I practically begged sears to install a white tub. But they said they have to order what the washer came with. Still glad I have a new tub coming. Will make sure to zip all zippers and sort. Just taking it easy today. What's up guys? What you washing?

 

[Iowegian]

Wow, getting Maytag(Whirlpool)to fix that machine is awesome!

You must be living well.

Congrats.

 

[warrenkeller]

I just told them I have a new baby and the tub holes are creating rust spots on his whites and I'm just not happy. So after a few minutes of arguing with them they offered a tub replacement and also a new tranny because when it spin drains it starts slushing water out if its on the super wash level setting.

 

[warrenkeller]

I had got the parts yesterday. A new tub. New tranny. Another timer as they said its the timer causing the spin drain, which I doubt because they offer a neutral drain kit for the tranny. And also a water valve. The hot water was coming in very slow

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Yeah, the timer does not decide on the neutral drain, really, all it mainly does is decide what speed and direction the motor runs. Great that you got all those parts though!

One thing though, you mentioned that water comes out if it spin drains. That should not normally happen as I doubt Whirlpool would design a machine to do such a thing. You may want to have a look at your tub ring to make sure the gasket is in good shape and in place. (You may as well, because it is necessary to remove it to replace the inner tub)

 

[warrenkeller]

Yes I wanted to replace the tub ring anyway. It's looking a little old. And it has some mold on the underneath. I knew the timer did not control the "spin drain". I even told them it was in the tranny and they didn't believe me. I mean really. The make a neutral drain kit to fix that problem. But the parts will all be installed Monday. Hope they can get the tub in without a scratch!

 

[Iowegian]

@DirectDriveDave:

Maybe the early 1960s ones do.

Contemporary Whirlpool machines (ones made after about 1984 that is) don't neutral drain.

The basket starts to turn, the pump drains out the tub. Then the spin cycle does its thing. Spin, spray rinses, spin...

 

[Iowegian]

@warrenkeller:

You don't need to replace the "tub ring".

But you do need to be careful. The snap clips can be removed successfully - and not replaced. But if you get all badass, it won't turn out well.

 

[warrenkeller]

I actually won't be installing this. Sears will on Monday. And the snap clips? Which ones and what happened if there broke. Sorry for sounding dumb right now

 

[combo52]

Washer basket replacement

When We have had to replace a Super Capacity basket in recent years where it is not covered under warranty, I always use the Stainless Steel basket that was used in the MT DD Washers for a while, I have found that they are the same price. The white porcelain wash baskets with the spiral hole pattern in DD washers had a life-time warranty against rust and other problems when they were introduced, although 5-6 years ago WP eliminated this warranty when they also eliminated the longer warranties on the transmission etc.

 

All WP built TL washers built since some time in 1985 Neutral Drain as did all WP built washers built from 1947 on. Only the initial introduction of 24" wide DD washers [ late 1981- mid 1985]  ever did a spin drain, WP quickly learned that they would not get away with this cost cutting way of building washers and went to considerable trouble and expense to redesign the DD washers to incorporate this desirable function. Today every TL washer built world-wide does a neutral drain with the exception of Speed Queens built for the US market, and that is coming.

 

[gansky1]

When you have the cabinet off of the washer, you can remove and replace the same tub-ring over and over provided you're careful not to break either the white plastic clips on the ring or damage the tang on the edge of the outer tub that the ring attaches to. Press down on the tub ring above the clip and pull it out and away from the tub. I've done this hundreds of times on DD washers and never broken a tub ring. Unless damaged, you can clean and reuse the ring as well, no need to buy new.

 

[whirlcool]

Contemporary Whirlpool machines (ones made after about 1984 that is) don't neutral drain.

Our 1993 Whirlpool washer uses a neutral drain before spinning. It only does a spin rinse for the final spin.