Maytag Neptune Questions

[vintagekitchen]

Ok, went out looking for a replacement for the Atlantis which seems to be willing itself to death, and ran into a Maytag Neptune at one of the shops. It is what I am assuming is an early one, since the control panel is almost identical to my Atlantis, rather than the electronic deigital control panel. The guy hooked it up, and I ran it through a cycle which it completed with no problems. He said if I trade in the Atlantis I can have it for 100 dollars.

Now, for a few questions I hope you guys can answer..

Am I jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire? I have heard some people love the neptunes, and some hate them, so I assume it is a difference between models.. I just don't want to repeat the mistake I made with the Atlantis

Is this a good price?

What do you guys think, should I get this one or the Kenmore Limited Edition late 80's BOL Maytag I am asking about in the Vintage forum? (feel free to advise on either, I am getting exhausted trying to decide.)[this post was last edited: 8/14/2012-21:53]

 

[DADoES]

 
All Neptune frontloaders have a control board. The board triggers the mechanical timer to advance per programmed sequences.

 

[cfz2882]

early neptune

i have 1998 mah3000 neptune and really like it-bought in non-operating condition,
i had to do the usuall wax motor/control board repair.
I love the sound of the "switched reluctance"drive motor as it ramps up to spin
speed;kind of a"UFO liftoff"sound
Things can and do go wrong with neptunes though,so possibility of expensive repairs
for people who are not "washer gearheads"and must"farm out"repairs.

 

[spankomatic]

I had the first version Neptunes. Had to have the wax motor locks and motor control board replaced three times. My brother has the machines now and still running. I prefer the later version 2004. I like the control panel better and have not had any problems with them.

 

[retro-man]

To spankomatic
The picture you posted is not the first version of the neptunes. the 1st version which i have a set of where not digital display. they had a manual knob and pretty much looked just like the oasis that vintage kitchen has for the control panel. these came out a few years later. I had the wax motor and board replaced in the recall and the set is still running fine after 12 years and they have seen some very heavy usage.
Jon

 

[mayken4now]

You talking about this kind of Neputne?????

It's a MAH4000 the second model# of front load ones made. I say GET IT. If it stinks, dissamble and clean it. If it squeals, fix it. I am on load 4283 since restoration. --Steve

 

[mayken4now]

Picture should be to above

message. Forgot to grab it before posting.

 

[tecnopolis]

I love that Maytag inspired laundry room!

 

[spankomatic]

@retro-man
Correct... the photo I posted is the later 2004 model MAH6500AWW that I prefered over the first version.

 

[vintagekitchen]

Neptune it is!

After looking up old posts on the site, talking more with the man at the shop, downloading manuals, and checking prices for parts, i decided to get the Neptune. (Notice I was far more thorough this time. My little Atlantis adventure taught me well, lol).

From what I have been able to see, the Neptune is one of the easiest washers to work on, parts are not that difficult to obtain or install, and are fairly inexpensive as far as parts go. The water level is one of the highest for a front loader, yet stays below the bearings, meaning the only seal I really have to worry about is at the front of the machine, and it is not that expensive nor difficult to do. The wash performance is good according to everyone I have talked to, and the machine appears to have had all early teething problems corrected already, (If you can beleive it, the woman who had him come pick it up purchased a new washer because the dispenser lid broke, and she felt that the washer was old enough that she may as wlll replace it since it was no longer under warranty. People amaze me.. Thats actually the reason I am getting it at such a low price, because he only had to repair the dispenser lid.)

I called this morning, and by this afternoon my Neptune will arrive, and the Atlantis will drift away like a bad dream. I just finished draining the detergent dispenser, silly as it may seem, my penny pinching soul cringes at the idea of letting someone walk away with what turned out to be about 80 ounces of Era detergent.

 

[mayken4now]

Good Choice

for your new machine!, Now get the matching dryer.

 

[vintagekitchen]

Matching dryer

Trust me, the hunt is on! Mismatched sets drive me bonkers, and next to that shiny neptune, the old 80 series Kenmore dryer is gonna look awful shabby. Seems most people around here are hanging on to the dryer even if they part with the washer though. Found 3 Performa dryers, but no Neptune.

As a side note, how do you handle detergent dosing in your Neptune, and what detergent type or brand do you reccomend? I want to get this right, and my experience with front loaders is limited at best..

 

[vintagekitchen]

Its here its here!!

Omg, I am a very happy little man right now. The neptune is here, hooked up, and happily chugging away on a hot water stpp and bleach wash, (no laundry), to make sure it is nice and clean. It's so quiet compared to the failing Atlantis!

Bonus!-- I looked up the model number, MAH5500AWW, and from what I understand, this was the last run of the dial control models, and came from the factory with the updated wax motor, control board, etc, so no worries!!

 

[retropia]

It has lots of buttons, congratulations! Keep us posted on how it performs for you.

 

[tecnopolis]

...Now that you have a new daily driver, tear down the Atlantis and fix it. Search craig's for a Matching dryer and it would look swell to see the three all lined up to serve your laundry drudgery needs like faithful servants. Antique Maytag robots if you will.

 

[mayken4now]

As far as detergent in the Neptune

We like to use Tide original scent HE is best in my machine. Depends on your water hardness or softness. Make sure you keep the dispenser area clean. I always start my machine then add the powder to it. If you add it before, then close the door, it will blow back at you!!! Just saying. If you use bleach, make sure not to overfill and the same with fabric softner. It will drain itself out if not careful before it's suppose to.

 

[vintagekitchen]

Atlantis

Long gone. I knew I wouldnt tear into it, since it is such a labor intensive repair, and since the needed parts were so expensive. The clincher was the oil found underneath when it was moved out this morning, which meant water was getting in the transmission as well, so I traded it in towards the price of the Neptune.

 

[tecnopolis]

.$230 for a whole new tranny and bearing.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Interesting!   I didn't realize they made a "5500" with the old style "knob" type control.  

 

I have a 5500 (built 2001) with the electronic control panel (like the photos above and as seen belching suds all over the floor during my April wash-in).   I've had it for a year now and have used it nearly every week since with no problems.  

 

Andy (Redcarpetdrew) has said it's supposed to spin at 900 or 950 rpm, but heavy items don't feel as "dry" as when spun in the square door Frigidaire (1000 rpm??) or the KM Elite (1100 rpm).

 

Kevin