Maytag Neptune NIB!!!

[gregm1121]

Hi all, well I was talking with John L on the phone today about this find and he said I should post it out here so here it is. I found a brand new in unopened box Maytag Neptune front loader. I saved one panel of the box in the pic(s). I had to take all the packing materials off to get into my SUV. I didn't think it was going to fit and had to transport it on its side but removed the bolts from the bottom and the packing strap from the back once I got home. I still can't believe it. Hoping it will work for a few years. Fingers crossed. My sister bought a used one in 1998 and she had it trouble free for 15 or so years.

 

[launderess]

Congrats!

Saw that listing when doing a CL search and posting various finds, but didn't get around to it for various reasons.

Briefly toyed with idea of nabbing that machine, then realized it was just too large for our purposes, so that was that.

Yogitunes and others happily are resident Neptune experts so you're in good hands with keeping that unit going for ages.

While Neptune was the camel that broke Maytag's back, had always felt if they hadn't rushed things, but a bit more into R&D, *and* made certain changes earlier they would have had a winner. This instead of the stinker (almost literally), that helped long arch rival Whirlpool get their mitts on Maytag. Old man Maytag must be spinning in his grave about that turn of events.

When PC Richards went bankrupt as at local store seeing what there was. Sort of was impressed by Maytag Neptune models on floor, they looked like some serious bit of kit.

 

[yogitunes]

Congrats.....and Welcome to the Neptune World....

 

[DADoES]

 
MAH3000 or MAH4000?

There were numerous engineering/design changes on the Neptune from the beginning through later in production.

 

[qsd-dan]

Looks like an MAH3000. Nice score!

 

[yogitunes]

should he be checking for the wax motor upgrade?.....

just to be on the safe side before it blows out the board.....

got to love that Jet Engine spin take off!

 

[Ultramatic]

Wow!

 

 

Congratulations!

 

[gregm1121]

MAH3000AWW

serial 25146661UQ, so my friend John "coldspot" checked the serial and I think he said it was made in July of '98. He seemed to think that it was not the earliest model but rather a later one with the "fixed" wax motor. But I am concerned about that issue !!!

Thank you for the congrats and your comments. Nice to know there are some neptune gurus out here for possible help.

As I mentioned earlier, my sister had this washer for years and now has a 2010 SQ. She still has the neptune dryer which I recently cleaned out and replaced the rollers and belt for her. Nicely built dryer. I guess its always only that one roller over the heating element that fails. I like the beefy thicker rollers vs the thinner ones on the WP's even though I am very fond of the WP dryers with the lint filter in the top right back.

 

[cfz2882]

wax motor fix should be done.

you should (if capable)remove and dissasemble the wax motors -especially the one for the door lock-and insulate along the edge of the heat pellet with some paint or something to keep the 120v from "flashing over"the edge of the pellet ond blowing the triacs on the control board.My '98 3000 needed the wax motor and control board repair-reddish brown,Italian madewax motors in my machine. Very nice find BTW

 

[gregm1121]

wax motor ...

I don't mind tackling replacing the wax motor at all. There is more than one youtube video to walk me or anyone thru it; however, what I don't or didn't understand you say was "insulate along the edge of the heat pellet" ? What is a heat pellet? How do you insulate along the edge? What does that mean? You also said replace the wax motor "ESPECIALLY" the one for the door lock. Is there more than one wax motor? I thought the only one was for the door lock. Thanks!

 

[swestoyz]

Wow, what an incredible find. Enjoy your Neptune in good health!

Ben

 

[gregm1121]

More research

thanks Ben! …

So I’ve done some more research and apparently the problem wax motors in the first models that were problem had a brown pin and the new replacement ones had a black pin so I will check mine out and replace accordingly

 

[launderess]

Remember that early Tide "HE" Detergent

Received a sample box from cannot recall where, and like a fool used entire contents in my new (and first)front loader, Malber.

Within several minutes was having a Bobby Brady suds fest as froth gushed out of dispenser drawer and anywhere else it could.

One telephone call to Malber service told how to solve issue, and that was it for one and Tide "HE" powder.

In honor of OP's latest find!







From our own Swestoyz!

 

[christfr]

awesome find. and yess welcome to the neptune world. have had one for a good 20 years and love it .. congrats

 

[neptune1]

Maytag Neptune

The machine you have pictured appears to be the first model of the neptune that came out in 1997. I have the newer model that came out in 1999. I say this because on the second model, on the right side below the dial it shows that it has the feature "auto temp control" printed. The first model does not have that control. Also, the first model has the fabric selection buttons label differently from the 1999 model. My buttons are WHITES, COLORS, DELICATES and HAND WASHABLES.
I have had a very good experience with my Neptunes. Had to replace the circuit board about three years ago, no other problems; only one repair on the dryer last year. Have gotten good service from them in the 22 years that I have had them.

 

[gansky1]

Really great find, Greg.  Congrats.

 

[DADoES]

 
Maytag would have the consumer believe that there were no frontload washers until the Neptune ... odd that no inventor designed one, no manufacturer offered one until then. 

 

[cfz2882]

Reply 9 answer

there are a couple more of the same wax motor as the door uses in the dispenser The "wax motor" is a thermal device consisting of a chamber with piston that moves when wax inside expands from being heated-the heat source is a small disc of metal oxide about 1/8" thick with conductive surfaces on each face that have voltage applied when wax motor powered.Paint or varnish can be applied with a small paintbrush along the edge of the disc to prevent arcing at the edge when disc gets condensation moisture on it from being right over the door opening of the Neptune...

 

[gregm1121]

thanks Brendan

Thank you for that, so I don't necessarily have to replace the other wax motors under the dispensers persay but rather as you suggest above "simply paint along the edge of the disc". I have already ordered a replacement wax motor for the door.