Maytag WU1000-Raising the dead

[tombombadom]

Hello All,

First time poster here, and soon to be first time home owner.

The house I am buying I have been the care taker of for several years. The house has been dormant for sometime, I was just there to look after it and make sure nothing crazy happened like a broken water line or that the heat was working.

It is equiped with several vintage appliances, the most intriguing to me is the dishwasher. A Maytag WU1000. In fact everything in the kitchen besides the fridge is a Maytag.

Like I said before, this house has been dormant for some time, including its appliances (except the fridge). I tried out the dishwasher and it made this crazy rumbling noise when it finally fired up. The next time I went to try it, it filled and would not drain.

I found out the belt had broken, and I saught out another one. I found one and plan to install it soon.

My real question is, should I invest much in this unit? It appears to be in good shape inside, I just wonder with it sitting for so long if I have anything else I should look out for?

I found a thread on here about the "reverse rack" series, and learned quite a bit. I've never really used a dishwasher before but would like to learn.

Thanks for any help or insight.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Oh yes that's a good machine and and has great water sounds when it is washing and rinsing! i'd start with the belt and see how it runs from there.

Here is the service manual if you don't have one already...

1984 Maytag Dishwasher Service Manual

1984 Maytag Dishwasher Service Manual

www.automatice.org

 

[rp2813]

Welcome, and ditto what Robert said!   Your dishwasher has no shortage of fans here.

 

If you can post pictures of that machine and the other kitchen appliances, many here would enjoy seeing them.

 

[cam2s]

Maytag RR

These are great machines! WU1000 should be TOL if I"m not mistaken. They had unusual racking arrangements which some loved and some hated. If you understand the logic of how it works you can really pack them full and they are excellent performers. Not a quiet machine but it sounds like it is getting the job done! Probably should check all the seals for leaks if you haven't done so already. Even though you've already put water in it it wouldn't hurt to pour some very hot water in the bottom and let it set so the seals can rewet. Agree that we need to see pictures!

Cameron

 

[tombombadom]

I put the belt on and it seemed to work fine! I got the water to drain out that it had filled with. When I get in the house and can watch it through a cycle, I'll try it again. I think it's going to be fine. No leaks noticed.

Please enjoy some pictures of the other vintage appliances in the house

 

[tombombadom]

User Manual

Just curious, if anyone might know where I could find a owners manual for this beast?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Welcome To Our Corner of the Universe

I can't say our corner of the world because we have members in many countries.  Does the house have any laundry appliances? Does it have set tubs in the basement? Is the heat forced hot air or hydronic? What about the water heater?  Is it 30 , 40 or 50 gallon?

 

Congratulations on getting a new to you house. You chose a neat screen name.

 

I am a Tom made in Chicago. 

 

[reactor]

Great find, Tom!

Great find on the dishwasher.

I would remove the lower wash arm and cover. You will see the self-cleaning "micro-mesh" filter. It cleans by backwashing. Pull that out and make sure there is no collection of debris on it or hard water deposits on it which may build up and reduce the screens permeability.

Not much gets by the micro-mesh filter, but I would still remove the bottom and top (look ABOVE the upper rack) spray arms and take a needle and insert it into each hole just to ensure none are clogged.

This is the same model I had, so you should find six relays behind the lower panel.
One for each of the following: motor start, motor reverse, detergent cup trip, rinse agent trip, heater and blower.

If for example, your detergent cup doesn't open or you see you rinse agent is not being used, check their respective relay first. I had my rinse agent trip relay go out a couple of times. They are easy to replace.

You will enjoy your machine!!

--Barry

 

[tombombadom]

Thank you guys!

My best friend gave me that nic name when we were kids (we have been friends for over 20 years now), and it just kinda stuck. Makes a great screen name!

Thank you guys for the tips.

Yes this house has an old Whirlpool Gas Dryer (seems to work fine), and a old front load Westinghouse washer. The washer doesn't work (makes this horrible smell when it spins), and I would rather have a top load anyway so I will be getting rid of it. Its a unique unit, I have never seen one like it. The wash basket is very small.

House also has a new furnace (2 years old) A Ducane 95% efficient, and an old Lenox Central air outside which is currently not working. Hoping to get it to go as well. There is also an old Water King water softener that I checked to see if the timer was working, and it was. I'm going to add salt and cycle it a few times and see if it will come back to life.

I did see the relays behind the front panel, I actually moved them out of the way so I could change the belt. That is good to know their function in case I ever have a problem. It doesn't look like this unit got much use, so hopefully it will work good for me!

 

[tombombadom]

[No message]

 

[combo52]

Very Cool Washer

Hi Thomas, Don't get rid of that washer, even if you don't end up using it someone else might want it.

 

Who ever bought that washer was pretty smart and valued performance and economy over a low initial price.

 

That washer is much bigger than you might think, it will easily wash a queen sized comforter.

 

If you want to fix it I have lots of spare parts for these washers.

 

John L.

 

[reactor]

nice washer

Hey Tom,

I agree with John. By all means keep that washer, if you can. I have had two and regret selling them.

WCI used Westinghouse's original design, with very few tweaks. The machine is simplicity itself. No transmission. Basically you have a motor, some pulleys, two belts and a couple of solenoids. All it does to go into spin is to kick in a solenoid (loudly!) that tightens the spin belt against the pulley and woosh instant spin.

As John said it will hold a queen sized comforter and I used to wash sleeping bags in it. You will love it!

 

[tombombadom]

Washer

So in other words, that was a pretty top end unit when it was new?

I think I might try it again, I'm wondering if the belts were what was creating the smell. Theres a couple of belts hanging above it in sleeves, I'll have to investigate a little closer, maybe pull the back off of it and see whats going on.

To be honest I don't know much about it, but I'll take your guys word for it.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Just don't use the liquid chlorine bleach dispenser. The fumes rust out the top. It's not porcelainized.

 

[tombombadom]

I'll order some new belts for it as well and see if it solves the problem!

 

[combo52]

Early 70s WH FL Washer

Take the back off and see what is going on, If it struggles to spin the helix spring may be dry and need grease.

 

We worked on hundreds of these washers and I still have lots of parts including new belts, but replacing the belts will only help if the old ones are bad, these washers were not hard on belts.

 

Either post pictures or get in touch and I can help walk you through checking out what is wrong.

 

John L.

 

[mickeyd]

Took me a minute to identify ~

Had never seen this version of a Westinghouse FL (front loader) before. Quite the looker! Maybe if you get it running right, you'll be smitten and never look back. Good luck.

Doctor John Le Fevre to the rescue, the Sanjay Gupta of washers. :'D

How nice!

 

[tombombadom]

I'm gonna go look it over tomorrow. I will pry start a new thread with what I find. Hopefully we can revive this thing!