Maytag Wringer N2LPS

[mt999999]

I bought a house at property back-tax sale, and found this old girl on the back porch of the neighbor's house... considering that the neighbor's house was abandoned and the roof caved in, I didn't think they'd miss it much. I dumped the nasty mosquito filled water out of the tub, and had a friend help me haul it home. I uploaded before and after cleaning pictures, but the "before" pictures were after I started scrubbing the inside of the tub. All said and told, I think this machine is surprisingly clean for what it has endured.

From reading about these, I'm surprised that the agitator came off so easily. It seems that it won't stay on easily, either. Perhaps because it's been full of stagnant water for 15+ years out in the weather. I'm also surprised to not see grease leaking down one of the legs from water getting past the driveshaft seal. Considering how rusty the inside shaft area looks, I think that I won't even touch that seal since it isn't leaking, considering that it might never seal again. The old Maytag belt looks mostly OK. Someone already bypassed the safety pedal.

I'm surprised that it fired right up when I plugged it in. The agitator and the wringers both move as they should, and even the pump works! I had to tear apart the motor because it was smoking, but after cleaning it up and oiling the shaft, it seems to work well now. I snapped off one of the green motor mount clips, and I'm waiting for a replacement in the mail. After, all I need to do is figure out how to grease the wringer head, and I'll be washing away! I'll clean up the rust spots on the body some time later. The lid was stuck inside the tub full of water, and it's been rusting away.

Any tips/advice welcome!

 

[stan]

Well

It cleaned up good!
If u post serial # someone here will date it for you.
I’d guess 70’s
I’ll look at my service manual to see about lubricant for wringer.
You already know how to set the wringers apart when not in use..
Sounds like it’s ready for a maiden Voyage.
Spot with cleaning Barkeepers Friend may get rid of the rust spots

HTH

 

[stan]

Lubrication

From owners manual

 

[qsd-dan]

Check out this thread Larry made of his E2L. The running gear is almost identical to the E2L minus the wringer heads (smaller).

 

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?41892

 

[mt999999]

Thank you both!

That post of Larry's has been informative... but I have a lot more reading to do! I'd like to do a full restoration of this one, but time is not on my side at the moment. Perhaps some day. Either way, it's a rough old washer, but if I can press it right back into service as-is, I think I will, since I really don't have anything into it either way.

Since it doesn't appear to be leaking oil anywhere, it seems that somehow, the PU shaft seal is still holding. Plus the agitator came off easily, maybe due to being full of rain water for the last 15 years. I think the rubber to hold the agitator down is gone. I'll grease the shaft with petroeum jelly to see how the agitator holds on through a wash.


The bearings inside of the wringer head look quite rusty. There's still a nice thick grease on the shaft when I pull the wringer head off. I'll have to work with oiling the wringer rollers. I'll read through Larry's post to see what kind of oil or grease goes into the power unit, and perhaps I can replace the oil to verify that water hasn't gotten in.

If anyone would like to date it for me, I would appreciaate it. Te serial number is: 703830

 

[mt999999]

Success!

Boy, those green motor clips sure are a bear. I broke one coming off, and the replacement finally came in the mail today. I tore the motor apart and lubricated/cleaned it, then got it all back together today.

I ran 3 loads of sheets through, and last a very soiled load through the water. The wringers squeal sometimes, and there's an occasional drip of water from the pump or hose connection, but all else seems to be well. For some reason, after putting the motor back in, the pump is no longer operating, and the pump wheel is not catching on the flywheel.

If anyone would date the serial number for me, or tell me how to look it up, I would appreciate it. I put that 6 digit number in my prior post.

 

[stan]

Good job

With some adjusting you should be able to get the pump wheel to engage.
While machine is off..Look under it and operate the pump lever on and off, you’l be able to see what going on there and possibly what may need a little lubricant.
The rod should be threaded to adjust length to get it to catch…I remember correctly.
A drop it two of oil on the roller hangers may help the squeak.
Do you have a service manual for this machine?
There is a downloadable one here in the forum.
Post a video for us if u can, we love success!

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

serial number

Are there any letters or only 6 numbers?

 

[mt999999]

Stan

How does one post a video? I took a couple of brief ones, but must they be uploaded via another site, then linked here? I uploaded a few pictures. Perhaps too many suds!

I also started draining the transmission oil today, per the other photos. Surprisingly, it didn't stink at all (smelled like fresh oil), and it had no evidence of water contamination. Perhaps, someone once took care of this unit before it was left out to rot. The oil looked like thick Hershey syrup, and still had good viscosity. I'm very tempted to duct tape the vent hole once it's all drained and tilt it onto its side to refill with the 12 oz of 80W90 gear lube. I bought marine grade gear lube.

I bought an old/original instruction book on eBay, but after reading it, I'm assuming that it's not as in-depth as the actual service manual.

 

[mt999999]

Serial Number

On the serial number, it only contains the 6 numbers; no letters. I uploaded a photo of the sticker here.

With 60 Hz instead of cycles, I'm assuming that this is a post 1970 model, perhaps?

 

[mt999999]

I put the new transmission lube in this morning, and greased the upper and lower ringer rollers. Packed some new grease into the shaft for the wringer head and used the wringer head shaft to push it down inside. It swivels freely now when the lever is turned all the way out, and the wringers don't squeak anymore unless I put too thick of fabric in.

Unfortunately, I snapped one of the pump on/off lever bolts, but it's still on there with one bolt. I'll get a replacement at the harware store. I did manage to get the pump adjustment set so the pump now works when turned to "on". I cannot believe how fast the pump drains the tub... It's almost freaky! I did several wash loads today, and some are still hanging out on the line. I'm beat...

 

[ea56]

Good for you Micheal!  Doing laundry in a Maytag Wringer washer can be a very rewarding experience.  In no time you can have a weeks worth of laundry washed, rinsed, wrung out and hanging to dry.  Yes, its a lot of hands on work, but the time goes by quickly with the end result being a sense of accomplishment, plus immaculately clean laundry.  I hope that you are enjoying your new toy.

 

Eddie

 

[ozzie908]

Could you get a Spin dryer

That would help speed up the process of drying even on a line?

I am fortunate to have a number of them even some that pair up with the older wringer washer I do cheat though sometimes and throw the wash into the automatic washer for a rinse and spin when I have lots to get through :0)