Maytag Neptune Washers

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Jerry,

If there's anything I can tell you, it's stay away from Neptune! I own a Neptune which is now slightly over 5 years old and it's been repaired twice in the last 2 years. All of the circuit boards and the motor have been replaced. The first repair was over $300 (which I paid for) and the second was over $600 (which because I complained to Maytag so much about,they paid). I would suggest you checkout www.maytagfrontloadsettlement.com for more info on the class action suit which Maytag recently settled with consumers. I'm hoping to be reimbursed for the $300. AND to make matters worse, the machine is starting to smoke again! I don't expect it to last much longer.....Imagine...$900+ in repairs for a $1000 machine which probably won't make it to 6 years old!

Rich
 
Like I've said time and time again, the only FL I would ever have is a Dexter, Milnor, or Wascomat double-loader bolted to the floor.
 
Re: Maytag Neptunes:

I've got what I call the 2nd Generation of the "3000" series Washer and Gas Dryer. I've had the problem as many others have had, with the Mold/Mildew in the Washer, but I've gotten the Retro-Fit Kit "No-Charge" to customer from Maytag. My Dryer's Inner Door Panel has a Crack in the Upper-Right area and the Door Seal won't stay in the Grooves. The Seal has Tabs that go into Slots on the Inner Door Panel, but for some reason they keep popping out on the Lower-Left area, where the ends meet. There are only about 2 or 3 of the Tabs that pull out, so I have to just be careful, until I'm able to get the new Panel and Seal "Under Warrantee" from Maytag. Other than these issues, the only thing that I don't like about the Washer, as with most everyone else of the Club, is not having a Window on the Door. It does Wash well and the Dryer is quite Fast Drying {naturally with Electronic Dryness Sensor's} and I always use the Wrinkle-Out feature, in case I'm not able to get out to the Dryer right away, so nothing Wrinkles.

I hate to say this, because of so many Guy's and some Gal's that really like Front-Load Washers for best Cleaning, but after I get all of the Repairs complete, I'm going to Sell these and go back to Top-Load Washer's, except for my Gibson Washer and White-Westinghouse Gas Dryer Stack-Set. I want to Stack them and either put another Washer next to them, or another Dryer, but an Electric Dryer, because I've got both the 220-Volt and Gas Hook-Ups for Dryers. I just need to cut out for another Vent Hood for the extra Dryer. I'm also going to look into getting my Collection of Washers and Dryers operating again and trade them around, so I can keep them all operating, instead of just sitting around and not operating.

Peace and Happiness, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
DIY Neptune repairs

I have never been wild about the fact that Maytag didn't put a window in the door, but came upon a Neptune MAH4000 about 9 months ago and it was in such good cosmetic shape, I plunked down $25. It worked perfectly, except for the extractions (spins). I talked with gansky and he said that sounded like a bad control board. After checking the prices ($200) I thought that was too much. Glad I didn't, because it probably would have fried, too.

In less than 5 minutes, I found this site and for about $25 I had the Neptune running like new -- probably better that new.

I will give you the link and see what you think.

That washer is now at my mom’s. The second one I acquired was an older MAH3000 series. It had the same problem. I temporarily fixed it by bypassing the door lock switch (when the door is closed and the latch is locked a micro switch is closed) This allows the washer to spin and the door to be opened anytime during the cycle (which is fine with me!). The only pitfall of this setup is the washer never stops. After the final spin, it will tumble the load until it is interrupted but pressing the off button, opening the door or pulling the plug.

The Neptune has become my everyday machine. I am very satisfied by its washing abilities, quiet operation, generally quick wash cycle time and its frugal use of hot water.

Here is the link to the DIY board repair:

I ordered the resistor and triac from Digi-Key Corp. The information I read was to replace the original traic (400 volt) with a 600 volt one. They were so cheap I got 10 of each (I am anticipating more Neptunes in my future!). The wax motor which they recommend replacing, I found was cheapest at Point and Click appliance repair. DO REPLACE THE WAX MOTOR WHEN YOU REPAIR THE BOARD. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE WAX MOTOR IS THE CULPRIT.

Point and Click Appliance Repair link:
http://www.pcappliancerepair.com/cgi-bin/promotehome.cgi?affiliate_id=GSCMP2

I also opted to replace the door gasket on the 3000 series as the previous owners were growing penicillin on it. (it took less than 30 minutes to replace) Got the door gasket at P&C, too.

Here is a link to the Neptune MAH 3000 repair manual: http://members.shaw.ca/gavb/xmb_neptune_mah3000.pdf

If you are not keen on the soldering, I would suggest a TV repair shop.

Go for it!

Steve1-18

 
I have had several Neptunes as well, currently have a 3000 in almond that I need to move into the basement for some test running. The first one I had needed lots of repairs but the parts and the service manual together were less than $200. Once I got the thing up and running, it was a decent enough washer - not the best at rinsing but otherwise OK. I ended up selling the washer to an older couple who were thrilled to get it. The machine I have now (in almond) has the same "never stops" affliction that Steve mentioned, I'll pick up the parts to replace the door switch sensor this week and give it a go...
 
No FL machines?

"Like I've said time and time again, the only FL I would ever have is a Dexter, Milnor, or Wascomat double-loader bolted to the floor."

So you changed your mind when you got the Westy Space-Mates stackers? And I'm willing to bet that if you came across a combo, you'd be on it like white on rice. And then there's the Bendix.....hmmmm :-)
 
Neptune

As a Neptune owner for the last 5 years, I have to say that I am very pleased with my machine. I have the 4000 series and it has performed w/o fail. It gets very heavy use. There have been several times over the last few years that I have washed up to 12 loads in one week. Mainly when my niece and her mother were living with us. The only time I needed an actual repair was when cold water would not run cold. Instead of the lukewarm it suppsed to be it was coming in completely hot. They replaced a board, which when they did that, added a suds removal program. It has run that program a few times when I was using a high sudsing detergent. The timer stops at Rinse "1", it fills, rinses, drains and tries to spin. If it can't spin it repeats the entire process again until it can. It generally has to do it one extra time before the timer advances and carries on with cycle. Like everyone else though, I am very sad that Maytag did not put a window in the door. Would I buy another Neptune today? Probably not. I do not want to tempt fate. Besides, I wanna a window in the door. :-) Thats all for now.

Christopher
 
Neptune

Well, here's my Sunday afternoon ritual: pick up the newspaper & check out my local appliance store's trash heap. They fill up a huge container & have it carted off. Usually, you see old Hotpoints, GE's & Kenmores (like 80's versions) Yesterday, there sat an almond Neptune that looked pretty clean & I almost picked it up
 
Neptune Probs

The machines that have been converted for 240V have never had those probs from brand new in Australia. There was the Door boot issue, but other than that they've been solid machines.

They're not very popular here, as for $2000 AUD you could almost get a Euro Washer instead. According to my Maytag repair buddy, He see's more PAV style Maytags than anything else, they just fall apart. He's been reconditioning the LAT machines and reselling them for almost what they were worth new.
 
Hi all,

Haven't posted here for a long time, but saw this thread and as a former Neptune owner thought I might as well join in!

First washer I ever bought was a Neptune 3000, along with the matching dryer, when I moved into my first home. Unfortunately I only had the set for just over a month, as the washer started leaking profusely from underneath; apparently the tub had a hairline crack caused by rough handling during transit, which grew bigger as the machine was used. So, the set went back to the shop and they refunded me.

That said, and despite the bad press the Neptune has received, I'd still have another one in the future if space and funds allowed. Loved the capacity (it spoiled me forever), and found the cleaning to be very good indeed. The washer was surprisingly quiet, the dryer less so due to the amount of air it moves.

Regarding the Neptune's tendency to grow fungus, I think this is partly down to the compulsion to close the door fully after use if only to shut off the tub light. Normally after using mine I turned the power off at the socket and left the door ajar so the interior could dry out, but that's something I do out of habit with any machine.

Jon,

What problems have the commercial Neptunes been having? I've seen many launderettes using them, but all have displayed a sign telling the user not to oversoap the machine as this will prevent it going into the spin cycle. Sounds as though they're sensitive to incorrect use (or abuse), which is often the norm in a commercial situation.
 
Hey Kirk! Long time no hear from.

Brisnat, funny, I know two people who have Neptunes. I havent heard of them having any mechanical trouble, and they are both happy with them.

Sometimes I wonder if the mould issue is related to the rubber used?
 
Neptune reliability

I suspect it has a lot to do with the use the machine gets. A friend of mine bought one of the first nes and hasn't had a single problem with it. But then, he does only a couple of loads a week.
 
IIRC since laundromat customers cannot see inside the wash tub, many constantly use waaaaaaaay to much detergent.

Have seen people do this with traditional laundrette front loaders. Those washers do not have pumps to get choked up with excess foam, nor gunked up with detergent.

Launderess
 
Neptune

Hi Arrrooohhh,

I meant that the Au neptunes have only experienced the mouldy door boot, but otherwise appear to be mechanically sound.

My reference to the PAV style machines were to the Performa TL that just seem to disintergrate. It wasnt aimed at the Neptune
 
Hi Brisnat!

I read my post again and it was all wrong. What I think and what I say (or type) are often two different things, something goes wrong in the transmission, Ha ha!

Its funny that the Neptune is so expensive ($2599 last time I looked, IIRC), but I know of two families that have a Neptune. One had mould problems and the other hasnt, but then one couple always leave the door open, unplug the machine from the all and everything. (My mum had always done this, it seems some of us learn good habits from our parents and others well...) I still have wondered though if the rubber the Neptune boot is made of could exacerbate these problems. The LG Tromm looks like an alright purchase at $1999 and with a window to boot!

What goes wrong with the PAV machines?

I wonder how the Hootags are holding up? (The Maytag euro style FL's)
 
Hi Arrrooohhh,

It has indeed been quite a while, over the past year or two I haven't spent nearly as much time online as I used to, what with everything that's been going on. It's only now that things are starting to settle down and get back on track again, giving me the time (and, more importantly, the inclination) to log on and chat more regularly.

Hope all's going well, I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone :o).

Brisnat,

That's the opinion I formed of the domestic Neptunes sold here in the UK too, they seem to hold up OK in a home environment. Although it must be said one is unlikely to hear many horror stories because they sell in such small numbers here. Commercial use is a whole different kettle of fish though, and it would be interesting to hear more experiences of how they fare in launderettes and on-premise laundries.

Cheers,

Kirk
 

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