Maytag N2lps question

[jocks54]

There is a Maytag wringer washer for sale on e-bay. It is close to where I live. Can you guys check it out and see what you think? The seller says it has an on and off switch but it does nothing. Was the switch added later?? Your thoughts please? I have never heard of this.He says the machine runs ok. Just wondering!
Thanks
Ps Its in CT

 

[scoots]

Hi,

I assume you are refering to the Maytag N2LPS at auction attached to the link.

I'm sure the "switch" he's refering to is the black lever you can see in the second picture... it's a mechanical control that engauges the pump to drain the tub. I can see how it's mistaken for an electrical switch since they are labled "ON/OFF" but all Maytag Wringers simply plug in to activate the motor... no switch.

Now as to why it didn't work, a few possible reasons: If the tub's empty, then you're not going to get any water so the lever will appear not to be working. OR the pump/linkage are slightly out of adjustment and if everything else is good, it should be an easy fix. (the lever moves the pump which causes a friction wheel to drag against a pully.)

The other thing about these machines (Maytag Wringers) is that the late model units originally had a squeeze-bulb safety floor switch so that the wringers could be stopped instantly. We're decades down the road, so these rubber blub switches are usually no good and not available for replacement (and generally hated as a nusance). There is a fix that uses a screw to hold the linkage closed in the absense of the squeeze bulb, but since the ad specifically says the wringer still works, somebody may have already taken care of this for you.

The price of $100 is not a steal, but it's not unrealistic (I was just looking at a Craig's list for another N2 for $300, which is crazzzy). If you enjoy barganing, you might get it down lower, but frankly it does look like a good machine, and the price looks fair.

I have an NX (the stripped-down model) that I use for a daily driver and I've fallen in love with it. If you've never used a wringer be aware that they are time consuming, wet, and labor intensive devices. I am an AutoCAD draftsman, so I am already spending too much time in front of a computer, so wash day is how I get in some exercize.

Last thought: if you transport it home, REMOVE the wringer head and when you place the washer on its side, be sure the wringer support tube is on the TOP of the machine. If it's on the BOTTOM, oil will leak out and make a delux mess.

Let us know if you need any more info.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[stan]

I guess If it's not

too far away, you could go and look for yourself. Find out what "on/off" he's talking about, and ask how he drained it! maybe he just lowered the hose?
If it is a little too far, then maybe call, or email him. Ask him to sent you a pic of the "switch"

I did see one once, that someone had added a toggle switch to. Made it a little easier to use.

Let us know what happens. I really like the Maytag N

Good Luck

 

[jocks54]

Hi
Thanks so much for all the info! I am probably going to lose out on getting or even contacting the seller. I am using my webtv eail box to write this as my puter crashed, I cannot get in to ebay. (No java script) Unless one of you nice guys can e-mail the seller and have him e-mail me? [email protected]
I never even thought he was talking about the pump switch on the side!

 

[jocks54]

Hi
Thanks so much for all the info! I am probably going to lose out on getting or even contacting the seller. I am using my webtv email box to write this as my computer crashed, I cannot get in to ebay. (No java script) Unless one of you nice guys can e-mail the seller and have him e-mail me? [email protected]
I never even thought he was talking about the pump switch on the side!

 

[stan]

Looks like

the bidding ended, but no takers, so he still has it! Hurry LOL

 

[jocks54]

maybe mine!

Hi all
90% sure this beauty is gonna be mine!!!!!
Waiting to see if in fact the pump works and he did not lower the hose to drain the machine. If so, is the pump a big deal to fix??
I have read about the wear of the pulley etc. I was able to use a neighbors computer to get in touch with him.
I am so excited I am wringing my hands and rapidly swishing!!!! (Couldn't resist)
No comments about the swishing ok guys??? LOL

 

[jocks54]

Uh OH!!!!!

The seller says he lowered the hose to drain the machine.
I hope he is just not knowing the switch is the pump lever. I explained to him to put water in the machine and do not lower the hose but engage the pump lever.
If the pump is not working, is it an easy fix?? I need the pump to work as I have no floor drain.
I am sooooo upset!!! Maybe with you guys help I can fix this. I am mechanicly inclined and will offer him a lower price. What is usualy wrong if it does not pump?
Thanks!

 

[stan]

Well.

If it's the same machine that was posted on Ebay, it was a pump model.

So the reason it may not work is, maybe the pump control arm is missing, or someone removed the pump, and was using it with a floor drain!
Or has been moved out of position to where it dose not engage the fly wheel ...Who knows til you look.

In any case, when you get there to look, you'll see if the pump is there, or not.
If it's there, and your able to plug it in, you'll hear the motor turn on. While running the motor, if you move the pump lever to the "on" position, you' hear it engage... If you able... while motor is running, move lever back on forth while looking under it's skirt...
You'll see what I mean! It's a very simple and efficient mechanism.

If the pump is missing you can still get a rebuilt pump from Phils Maytag for about $50.00.
If that's the case, maybe you could offer a little less? $25.00 ( half the cost of the pump)

Also make sure wringer works, pressure nob tightens rollers, and control lever operates rollers to work forward and reverse, and that wringer locks into position (if it dose not lock, it has a broken index slide. very easy fix, and Phil has them)
Bottom line you got to go look!

Now if you get it (hope so) don't get so excited, that you drive off forgetting the lid LOL

Let us know!!

 

[jocks54]

Thanks guys!

I am going friday if things work out!
I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the help!!!
Now he is saying the pump works, But like you said I won't know till I see it. I don't think he nows much about the machine. It does have the aluminum drain hook.
I will look at everything you suggested. Than I can report back and maybe you guys can help me date it and get it running good!!!

 

[stan]

Sounds good

Those machines are pretty tough, not a lot to going wrong (uncomplicated)
You may find that everything works, as these were made to last, that's why there are so many of them still out there, and working.
Also Maytag did'nt stop making them til 1983 or so.

I noticed in the photo, that the rollers were separated, witch is what you are supposed to do when not in use, to avoid getting flat spots... so maybe it's been well cared for ?

Think you'll be fine

How are you going to move it? Can it be done on a truck in a standing position?

 

[jocks54]

Thanks for more great hints, I will remove the wringer head and transport with a truck with the machine upright. I am wondring if this switch thing he says doesn't work is that rubber bulb thing that has been reworked. PS how do I open and close the wringer rollers? Is that what the lever on top is?

 

[stan]

Yes!

Someone here, I'm sure has a copy of a Maytag wringer instruction book, that can be scanned for you, I have one. I can copy and send, if you want.
You really should have one, it explains better than I can tell you, But for now here's my instructions LOL

Push the release bar first, Hold down release bar, and turn lever on top counter clockwise, keep the lever in that position, and slide your hand between the rollers, and lift up about two inches, while holding up turn lever back, clock wise, and rest it down. this will keep the rollers from touching.
This is how it looks to be now, in the photo I saw.

To use the wringer, you slide you hand between rollers and with your thumb push the release bar, and turn lever clockwise a little, now you should be able to rest it back down where the rollers touch, at this point, if you were going to use it, you would press the bar and tighten turning the lever as far as it turns, clockwise. Then it's set, and will remain tight until you hit the release bar again.

As far as moving.. I don't think you should remove the wringer head unless you have to.
The other lever, that controls the forward/backward movement of the rollers (when machine is on) is sort of a gear shift. in that it has a neutral position, this allows the wringer head to turn 180 degrees freely.

However one of the positions of this lever is... well we'll just call it "park" in that it locks the wringer head in position, so it dose not turn freely. This is the position you want it it when your moving it in the truck. You sure don't want that thing turning freely while you picking up the machine and carrying it, it weighs about 40 lbs! It can move around, and hit you in the head if its not locked in position.
If you can't lock it in position, then the index slide is broken ( this is the little gear spring inside that i spoke of earlier) In witch case you will have to remove the wringer head, and transport separately... (should lift off, and out of the machine, the heavy part I mentioned)
As I mentioned before, don't worry, Phil has them, ( index slide) and it's a very easy install, but you will have to have in oder to lock the wringer in place while running clothes thru!
Often times this is broken, due to rough handling by the user!

Once you get it, and work with it a couple of times you'll see, it's not as complicated as it may sound!
Sorry if I made it seem that way. LOL

HTH
Stan

 

[jocks54]

Thanks Stan
Great help. I will keep you posted. I hope I am not making a wasted long trip! But feel confident if I have a problem you guys can help me! He has lowered the price already!

 

[westie2]

One more this is to get you a 3 foot piece of dowel rod  so you can lift out the clothes and flirp up to the wringer.  Save you catching you fingers in the wringer.  That or get clothes tongs.

 

[stan]

Hope to hear

you make out O.K on Friday.

Once you have it home...Yes we're here to help, as there are things you should know about filling, draining, how to position the wringer, what to be careful of going thru wringer. Also cleaning the sediment trap...
Be sure and look for that when your there, it's under the agitator... so agitator lifts off and sediment trap is under, that also lifts off and out, to be cleaned between loads) I'll try to put a pic up here a a little while so you'll see what I mean.
Again.. if it's missing Phil has them!!

 

[scoots]

Instruction Manual

I already have a Maytag instruction manual scanned. Just drop me a line and I will send it to you (and anybody esle that needs one). It's from the early 60s, so the only thing missing relates to the wringer stop foot switch bulb.

 

[stan]

photo

Agitator and strainer

 

[stan]

Opps

sorry for the up side down pic !