Maytag Neptune top load

[spacedogb]

Hey everyone,
I have the chance to get a Maytag Neptune for $200 locally. Is this a machine worth purchasing or should I let it pass on by? I seem to have found mixed reviews from you guys about the paddle agitation.

 

[DADoES]

 
Only if you want to invest in one as a collectible and for occasional play.  Not so much suitable as a daily driver.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Agreed. Very cool washers, with a very unique wash action. These are the 1-18’s of the future. If it’s really mint I’d buy it for $200 strictly as a collectible.

 

[combo52]

Neptune Top Load Washer

It is differently an already rare collectable washer, I would not compare it to a 1-18 nearly as much as to the much better and more heavily produced calypso machines.

 

John L.

 

[henene4]

Have heared that parts are rare and expensive. The clutches and drive systems in general were pretty prone to failure on these.

While a novel design idea it had several major drawbacks and issues which could have been resolved in a redesign, but due to the sales numbers of these machines Whirlpool decided against a redesign.
Basicly the same fait as the Calypso.

If it's working fine it sure is a nice rare-use colletor item. Didn't soem of these even have a built in heater?
But for regular use, selling on or repairing those are nothing to get happy with to my knowledge..

 

[spacedogb]

Parts

I was going to ask how readily available the parts were. Has anyone experienced sourcing parts?

 

[DADoES]

 
Parts are sourced from Whirlpool now, like all Maytag products.  Take a spin through several online parts sources to get a feel for what's available and what may have gone NLA.

There were two Maytag Neptune TL models, FAV6800 and FAV9800.  9800 has water heating and an LCD touch panel like the Neptune MAH7500 frontloader.

IIRC the mechanical design was offered under the Crosley label (in platinum gray color) for a short time, and some other brand that I've seen but don't recall.

 

[spacedogb]

This one is the FAV6800. I see there are some things still avalaible and I think I will try and purchase

 

[henene4]

Just ask the seller if you can hook it up and check it before buying.

Common faults were the clutch and transmission failing, so override the lid lock and set it for a spin. If there is a fault, either it keeps tumbling and never engages the spin or the tumblers turn while spinning.

I think the service manuals are avaible online for free, so maybe have them with you to run a quick diagnostics cycle to check the electronics and such.

Other faults should be nothing hugely different to any washer, except maybe if the dispenser is defect.

Those things that made the washer special were the things having issues and the things that were extremly expensive and rather annoying to fix!

Edit:

http://www.laundrynation.com/manual...9800_neptune_tl_service_manual_m_16022808.pdf

That should be the corresponding service manual!

 

[DADoES]

 
Overriding the lid lock is not easy.  There's a magnetic sensor on the left side and both latches must be held in a mid-position just past the spring-balance point as if they're engaged into the slots on the edge of the lid.

Easier to raise the top.  Be aware there's an accelerometer on the board in the console that responds to cabinet impacts and it'll stop spin if there's too much movement of the raised top.

The top also can't be raised much during fill (and the lid surely can't be open) because the incoming water flow goes into the back edge of the lid for the dispensers and gravity will make it backflow.

 

[spacedogb]

The seller says it works fine and is delivering to my house. So can’t exactly hook it up. It’s been in storage and if the “transmission” is just the $200 pulley assembly I can live with that but if it’s the no longer available transmission then it isn’t worth the $200 plus sourcing transmission. I think I will let this one pass. [this post was last edited: 5/13/2018-22:38]

 

[DADoES]

 
The pulley is more of a drive clutch, and that's absolutely INSANE if it's $200 now.  (It can be disassembled, cleaned and relubed if nothing is worn-bad and the torque spring isn't broken).  The "transmission" is a little gear assembly (filled with mineral oil) that fits in bottom/center of the basket and drives the tumblers via their edges.

 

[iowabear]

Good luck with the machine!  I think it will be a very sought after collectable.

 

[henene4]

The clutch is indeed about 200$.

The gear assembly ("transmission" I called it for ease of conversation) is integrated into the outer tub, right?
It certanly is not listed seperatly on the appliancepartspros site.
And the outer tub assembly is a whopping 722$ plus shipping.

(Link is what I looked at just now.)

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/05-outer-tub-parts-for-maytag-fav6800aww.html

 

[spacedogb]

She’s here!!!!

I didn’t believe the guy as far as condition but now I’m a believe. Here is a low use no scratch Neptune TL!!!!!!!!

 

[spacedogb]

[No message]

 

[mayfan69]

Lovely!

That looks very nice indeed.

 

This was one of the machines I had brought over to Australia in 2016 and John Lefever was very kind to wire it up for me when he was here last year.

 

It certainly is a fun machine to watch.

 

I hope you'll have lots of fun with it.

 

Cheers

Leon

 

[henene4]

Congrats!

These do best with loads that do not tangle, like towels or short sleeved shirts. Loads need to have some weight though, otherwise they just float above the tumblers without getting turned over.

Keep in mind you are using a low water wash system, so be carefull with dosage and keep an eye on rinsing!

 

[DADoES]

 
The transmission assembly is #3 on the Inner Tub / Spinner Parts diagram.  Tagged NLA.

The pulley on mine was replaced at 6mos under warranty, more than 8 (9?) years ago.  I was using it as the daily-driver at that time.  The Calypso was moved to daily driver at that point so the TL has had very light use since.  I disassembled the pulley for cleaning/relube last year.  No issues with the transmission or anything else.[this post was last edited: 5/14/2018-01:17]

 

[DADoES]

 
Serial number indicates January 2004.

 

[frigilux]

Glad you got the Neptune and that it's in such great shape. It's definitely a major collector's item. In time it will be as rare as a bouncing-basket Apex. Congratulations!

 

[runematic]

I had about 12-15 in storage for a while, but when we moved one of our warehouses, I junked them all.   I just had no room to keep them.  Besides the clutch issues, these things had major bearing issues.  We sold quite a few of these machines and my customers were pretty happy with them.

 

[electronicontrl]

FAV6800

I purchased a Neptune TL FAV6800 ten years ago. An appliance store on the east coast had them on clearance. I paid $300 for the machine, $89 to have it delivered to Grand Rapids, MI and $99 for a 5 year warranty.
I use it often. I did have service under warranty. A&E service took 4 service calls to replace the clutch. For the final appointment, it took 2 technicians to get it done.
When it does fail, it will be an ordeal because of cost.
Wasn't the TL manufactured in Florence, Italy? Some where in Europe the same machine exists under a different name.
I sure like mine!

 

[cfz2882]

"other" Neptune TL in foreign markets

haier either copied or licensed the TL Neptune design- haier machine was not sold in North America.

 

[spacedogb]

Clutch

I have not even tested the unit yet so I'm not sure if it works. Hopefully sometime this week I will get to test it. Also plan to buy 2 spare clutches and a spare NIB transmission and motor so I can keep this as a collectors item.

 

[gyrafoam]

I saw one in operation many years ago. It was "interesting" with a load of fabrics heavy enough to settle into the tumbling parts of the tub. Shirts and light-weight fabrics just floated on top with little to no movement. Yours truly, unimpressed.

Frigilux is probably correct with his prediction.

 

[electronicontrl]

Depends on the type of load

These jeans tumble perfectly in the Neptune TL. Bulky items on the other hand, maybe not.

I'm going to have to bypass the lid switch on mine to satisfy my curiosity.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReFnNrx8_1c

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>ElectroniCntrl:  I purchased a Neptune TL FAV6800 ten years ago. An appliance store on the east coast had them on clearance. I paid $300 for the machine, $89 to have it delivered ...</blockquote> Mine probably came from the same source.  Records indicate Rainbow Appliance (in NJ), via eBay, 5/17/2008, $325 incl "free" shipping.