My First Maytag Arrived Today!

[mjg0619]

Last week, I posted a link to a Craigslist ad in my area with an early 90's Maytag washing machine and an older Hotpoint dryer.

I got in touch with the seller and ended up striking a deal for the Maytag. I couldn't pass it up. It belonged to his girlfriend's aunt who never married, never had children, and had no pets. The machine was run once every week or two whether she needed to or not. So needless to say, it's basically in "old lady fresh" condition.

The seller delivered it right to my basement door for a small extra fee, which was extremely nice of him as he and the machine were located about an hour away from where I live.

I couldn't be any more excited over this if I tried. It runs perfectly with no leaks, no squeaks, no clangs, bangs, or noises. Minimal rust on the interior, just normal damp basement syndrome. Somehow I just had a feeling that this would be a machine that some Windex and Bounty would make shine like new. I still need to take a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to that big scuff mark on the front panel.

Below are a few pics and I will post the link for the two YouTube videos when they're done uploading. I got a 30 second video of the maiden wash and a video of the rinse and final spin.

BTW, in case you can't make out the ratings plate in the photo, it says:

UL Listed 545G, 120 V., 60 HZ., 7 A.

Model: LAT7793AAL
Serial: A6204684 then there's a big space and then it says HF

Maytag CO. Newton, Iowa, U.S.A.

 

[beekeyknee]

Your Maytag was made in March of 1993. That's a pretty bad gouge on the front of it.

 

[mjg0619]

Fortunately, it's mostly just a giant scuff mark and it will come off without too much effort. There's only one dime sized spot that the paint is worn off.

Here's the first clip of the maiden wash. If someone could offer some information on how to properly load and get the best results from the Maytag, I would really appreciate it. I set it to large fill level to really flush the tub and innards out. It was a little dirty and smelled a little bit musty from sitting.

There will be a second video in a little while which is of the rinse and final spin.

 

[beekeyknee]

Your load size looks about right. Drop clothes loosely in around the agitator up to about the top row of holes on the tub. Bulky items like jeans and sheets or blankets need more room. Non-bulky items like socks, T-shirts, underwear and so forth can be loaded up to the lip of the tub top as they compress more when they get wet. I guess you know what the lip of the tub top is? It's the white ring that is very close to the cabinet top.

As far as cleaning the machine, if you can, get a small socket(I think the size might be 1/4 inch) and ratchet and loosen the set screw at the bottom of the agitator barrel. You'll have to feel for it. Sometimes a mirror and flashlight will help you with this. Once you've backed the set screw out a few turns you should be able to lift out the agitator. There will probably be all kinds of nastiness under there. Also clean the underneath side of the agitator. Use an old toothbrush to clean out the splined hole with some dish liquid. Then use the brush and some more dish liquid or other cleaner to scrub off the drive shaft and mounting stem (the part the drive shaft comes out of.) Don't forget to pull your lint filter out and clean it. It's in the top of the barrel. A lot of people didn't ever clean theirs and they would get really gross. If some one did this it will take you quite a while to clean it. I've had to soak them in vinegar, scrub them and even cleaned each little hole in the filter with a needle. It's a pain but it makes a difference. Just don't bang it on anything thinking you're going to knock off the build-up. You'll just damage the filter.

Underneath the agitator you may find considerable mineral build-up. I've used vinegar on this before too. Some say it damages the finish of the tub, but I haven't had that trouble. I just wouldn't leave it set overnight or anything. I've also used CLR too. Put some on, scrub a little bit with a medium soft brush, rinse and repeat. You will also find two odd shaped inserts underneath the agitator. If you can get a narrow blade screwdriver, work it underneath the edge of the insert and pry up around the perimeter of the insert until it pops out. Then take it to the sink and clean it. Don't scrape too hard it's a mesh filter. Sometimes vinegar or CLR type products work good on these too.

After you get the inserts clean, snap them back in (after you've cleaned the bottom of the basket.) Then after the agitator is clean, grease the drive shaft with a medium coat of Vaseline, replace the agitator, tighten up the set screw (just snug, don't over do it), leave out the lint filter, fill the machine up with hot water, some soap (enough to make some suds but don't get all crazy with it), a cup of bleach, let it run through it's cycle and you should have a much cleaner machine.

If you want to get really adventuresome you can take the front panel off and clean inside the machine and inspect it for possible problems. I can direct you to some threads if you feel like you want to tackle that. Good luck and have fun.

 

[mjg0619]

Second video, as promised.

You'll notice the wet spot in front of the right front corner. This is NOT a leak from the machine, but a casualty from the bucket of brown bottle Lysol and water that I was using to clean the exterior of the machine.

You'll also notice the lack of spray rinse. I didn't have a washing machine hose to attach to my garden hose, so I had to fill the machine manually.

 

[midcentnurse]

We had a matching set very similar to this in the early to mid 90s. I loved how solid the controls felt and the whole machine in general. Worked so well

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations on your Maytag

Loading small, lightweight items above the top row of holes is a good way to risk having them wind up in the outer tub. Maytag never advocated loading above the top row of holes in the tub. Small items should be washed with larger items or, if washed by themselves, at lower than full tub water levels so that during the spin drain they do not run the risk of being carried up and over the top of the tub. Most machines that did a spin drain used a clothes guard at the top of the tub to try to prevent this, but Maytag did not.

 

[beekeyknee]

Tom,

I personally haven't had this problem with small mostly cotton items loosely dropped into the tub up to or maybe and inch or two above the agitator. As the water enters the tub the clothes drop by at least half and when the machine fills the load is about right - in my experience. This would be a load of all cottons - socks, t-shirts, underwear, and tea towels. Basically bleachable/colorfast items. Bulky items that don't compress when wet have a completely different loading configuration. I do understand what you're saying about items going over the side of the tub. I've just never had this problem when following the procedure I was describing.

Brian

 

[tomturbomatic]

Brian, I am glad for your good fortune.

 

[mjg0619]

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen! That giant scuff mark on the front came off almost entirely.

Brian, I'll be sure to do the basic disassembling that you outlined. It seems ery straightforward. The machine already smells leagues better just by having a full cycle run and leaving the lid up overnight to let it air out.

Tom, even in my direct drive Whirlpool I always put the lightweight things, such as socks, at the bottom and put the larger things like undershirts on top of them. So I don't think I should have a problem with the new Maytag.

 

[mjg0619]

The verdict is in.......

I LOVE the performance of a classic Maytag! I have it currently set up in the basement kitchen at the sink and I'm one happy camper!

 

[askolover]

my mother-in-law

has this machine.  Only ONE repair in all these years....the lid switch!  I replaced it for her a few years ago and it's still going strong!  I love the sound of a Maytag motor.

 

[bvf]

you will love this

Im looking for a pair of these for rental home they never stop ……if you push if off a clift the person at the bottom will use it for 30 years…have fun

 

[mjg0619]

All cleaned up!

Since today was my day off, I finally decided to take the Maytag apart and clean it the way Brian said to in his above post.

It wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. The lady clearly took care of her washing machine and didn't use crappy detergent and cold water.

However, I did discover that while the fabric softener dispenser is present, the lint filter is missing. Does anybody have one they would sell?

 

[jetcone]

Nice looking and sounding machine Matt !

Now you have room for 4 more LOL !! 

 

That was a good looking machine. And the tub looks in great shape too.

 

 

 

[beekeyknee]

Matt,

Concerning your missing lint filter, I don't understand how that's possible. In the video you posted above in reply #4, pause the video at 1:05. The fabric softener cup is setting inside the lint filter. The lint filter is the big round piece that the fabric softener cup sets in. It pulls up and out of the agitator barrel. If it's never been removed it's possible it's stuck and completely covered will all kinds of crud. You can just try pulling up on the filter until it comes loose or if you want, shine an LED flashlight through one of the oblong slots on the side of the agitator barrel. See if you can see anything in there. Dig in one of those slots with a tooth pick. If some nastiness comes out, that's exactly what you've got - a stuck lint filter. Remove the fabric softener cup and pull up on that top piece until it comes out. If I'm right, you will be shocked and disgusted with what you find.

To clean it you will need to take it to the sink to start the cleaning process. Don't expect to get it completely clean in one day. It will take awhile. It will need to be soaked in hot, soapy water and scrubbed with a brush. Then probably soaked in vinegar for a few days to remove hard water deposits. When you have it as clean as possible that way, you can take a needle and stick through the little holes to get the bits that won't come out. If you have one, an air compressor with a blower/duster tool attached to the hose helps that last step too.

If I'm right about this, take a picture of it when you get it out and post it so we can see.

Brian

 

[mjg0619]

Brian,

Attached below are the photos you asked for. Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't there be a long, perforated cylinder attached to the bottom of the agitator cap that holds up the softener cup?

 

[wayupnorth]

That model is same style as my 511 and newer than mine but says on the panel Self-Clean filter. So I doubt it has one down in the agitator like mine does that needs to be cleaned every load. And I dont think it could have had a filter like my Kenmore had that just shot lint down the drain. Anyone else know?

 

[beekeyknee]

Well, shows how much I know. I've never seen that before. I think there were some models that were later than yours that had a taller top the cup sat in that weren't removeable, like a one piece agitator. But that's a new one for me. I'm sure some of the other guys that work or have worked at dealerships have seen it though.