My new Maytag A407

[LaVidaBoem]

Tell us More...

Hello,

 

OK a little info needed for clarification...

 

"Comes to its knees during the Rinse..."

 

Do you mean the spin rinse after wash?

 

Until later,

Maytags that tear up the belts fail in 2 areas usually.

If they eat the belts only when spinning, its usually the spin tube sleeve/bearing.

If they eat the belts during all operations, (agitation) its usually the transmission.

 

Post back, and others and I will try to narrow it down.

 

Hope this Helps,

LaVidaBoem

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Yes during the rinse/spin cycle it practically comes to a stop from the clothes being weighted from the water from a long rinse period while spinning but it seems to come up to normal spin speed slower than videos Ive seen of these. The belts I replaced really werent bad but prob stretched as Ive found out they were originals. Ive saved them for spares. I also dont seem to notice a difference in agitator speeds when I switch from normal to gentle etc while its working. Im kinda leaning towards the slides needing cleaning/lubing and new motor springs as a fix but I could be wrong. Im gonna try and figure out how to post a video of it running and making that noise. Many thanks for the help.

 

[combo52]

Slipping main drive belt on a MT

Are you sure that the pump belt is VERY loose if it is anything resembling tight the main drive belt will slip too much as the tight pump belt pulls the motor inward slightly and causes the main belt to slip more.  If the motor carriage moves freely you do not need new rollers.

 

Other than these possible problems you probably have a much serious problem as the last poster stated.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Hmm, well Ive tried several times to post a video on the comp and also my phone but it just isnt an option it seems. Is it possible or just pics?
re: pump belt. Yes its quite loose. I saw a video online how to adjust it and followed it precisly. I almost think its too loose as the tub doesnt seem to pump out as fast now. A video would really help me explain it if I was able to upload it. Its weird because when the machine goes into spin it takes right off like its going to spin like hell but looses steam after 30 seconds or so and would eventually come up to speed if the rinse cycle didnt bog it down weight wise with water. This is driving me nuts.

 

[wayupnorth]

One of our AW members posted a video of a Maytag 906 a while back doing a complete cycle and the ins and outs of operation. I am sure it is in the archives and maybe by watching how one properly operates, you may be able to see just what is wrong with yours.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

I tried uploading the file in a reply but the movie doesnt seem to show up in the folder in my comp and when I tried in my phone it didnt appear in my videos folder. Its in .MOV format should I change it?

 

[wayupnorth]

It was originally posted from You Tube so check it out there. Title is Maytag 906 extravaganza

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Pump out on Maytag

Hello

Only got a few before I feed Pharaoh's Army today; but your clues lead me to believe that the old girl can't get rid of the water fast enough.

And maybe possibly more...

I'll list a few steps that a would tell a man to do...

At wash drain...

Stop the machine, flip the belt off of the tranny, but leave on the pump; take a 5 gallon bucket, time the fill,...it should fill that thing in almost no time.

Empty the washer this way.

Stop. Replace belt on tranny...turn off cold...spin...Any better?

 

A pump can go bad or have a restriction, a piece of rust, thingy's,...etc.

Your clue about the drain faster before the adjusted the belt too loose tells me that maybe bearing is going bad in pump/restriction making it hard to turn.

 

Anyway, others can tell you of their shortcuts to finding out.

Key:

If spin as above starts out, and then bogs down after time...dragging brake or spin tube bearing as I stated.

 

more to come later,

LaVidaBoem

 

[DADoES]

 
Videos cannot be posted directly here.  They must be placed online via some other storage service and linked.  Most people use YouTube.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

The pump itself does spin freely. In fact I took the little screw out on the side and squeezed some Zoom Spout in there but Ive turned it by hand and it spins very easy. I did turn the water valve off once to eliminate the rinse cycle and she spun like a banshee once it was able to get up to speed without the added drag of water being added. I did forget to mention that when the machine first goes into the agitate cycle when first started the agitator moves slowly and the tub seems to want to spin instead of staying stationary then once the agitator comes up to speed the tub just turns in small notches. With the front off it does want to agitate and come up to spin quickly. I moved the motor back when it engaged into spin mode to tension the trans belt and I lt go because I was afraid water was going to splash over and go on the floor because the pump wasnt pumping it out as fast as it was trying to spin. If I could load that video I think that would help. Any ideas on that???

 

[kenwashesmonday]

A full tub of water (large) should empty in about 90 seconds.

 

[LaVidaBoem]

A lesson to be learned now...

I think its important to get something out of the way now.

This is why people are reluctant to help someone who is not familiar with a couple of things>>

 

1. Follow Directions

2. ..."Oh I forgot that it..."

 

Kindly put, not to make anyone feel bad...but its so important to a tech, either over the Interweb, or in person, get your shit straight before you go flailing around with problems.

That bit about the slow agitation is critical in this Long-Distance Free Advice.

 

I'll go out on the limb now, and say its the sludge in the tranny that used to be a lubricant.

And that brake is off, no movement at All of a Maytag is tolerable.

 

I have to now take a break...its time the throw some garments and run a few hundred gallons of water to wash a weeks worth.

Time, for me, to have that Marlboro in the right hand, a little Mary Jane in the left, and sit back and watch the washers....

 

Good Luck,

We are still hereto help,

LaVidaBoem

Edited:

Post Script:

Are you familiar with the normal working of a Maytag...you sure you aren't stuck on low speed only??

That old girl may have just gone loosey-goosey on you...might be time for an overhaul.

[this post was last edited: 12/13/2015-13:50]

 

[goatfarmer]

It's possible something in the outer tub is blocking the drain, causing it to drain slow.

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Spot On>>Goat Farmer...

Yes indeed, don't forget as I do, every time on one these old girls...not as common as the inside motor/speed queen iteration, but a sock or washcloth will throw over a Maytag...

 

Take that tub top off and look>>

 

Good Luck

LaVidaBoem

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Finally !!

I wasnt going to let this get the best of me today because Im the type of person that 1- doesnt buy cheap il-designed garbage, and 2- if I own it, its in perfect working order. I went downstairs and ran a large load of water through a full cycle. Pump wasnt really doing much and the drain sound didnt have the authority it should, the machine on the rinse cycle would just barely start to come up to speed when the spin cycle was over and it would have to stop and begin its second fill. I did two empty loads like this and the second was even worse. The tub wouldnt even completly empty at all and the drain sound was barely a trickle. I flipped the machine back and popped the belts off and peeked under and noticed the trans pulley had a film of oil on it from all the years. Not serious but what I call a sweat leak over many years. I was careful to notice the kitchen floor of the house we removed it from all those years because if it left spots on the floor I wasnt going to take it. There were none. So I looked in the pulley sheave and although it looked clean when I ran my fingers through it I did get slippery fingers. I took some LA's Awesome and cleaned all the sheaves and belts off of any oil whatsoever then reasssembled and tried again. A little better but it wasnt pumping the water out like it should. The motor slides were smooth and not binding in any way. My last resort was tipping the machine back again and doing another pump ajustment as it seems insanely loose. I loosened the three screws and slid it to its farthest point. Slightly tightened the one closest to the motor then stuffed the motor back to tighten the trans belt. The pump didnt move at all and the belt still had less than the 1/4" play. Long story short I had to leave the pump at its farthest point to get the adjustment. If I needed any more I wasnt getting it lets just say that. And these are factory FSP belts to boot. Set the machine back on the floor and even levelled it better than it was before because it was 1/2" too far back. Now it works perfect. Im thinking it was a combo of the two but more the pump belt adjustment because it couldnt evacuate the tub fast enough. What an ordeal! But feeling accomplished. I also think the moving tub issue was the slipping trans belt because it doesnt do it now and agitates like it means it along with pumping like Engine 51.

re: workings of a Maytag. Nope. Im a small engine guy that also restores antique powered mowers and old diesel Mercedes. I play with vintage fans, Edisons, Monitor Tops etc but not washers or driers. Thirty years ago when I was a kid I helped the old guy around the corner in his appliance repair biz so went out on calls on these but pretty much forgot it all over the years although its slowly coming back. He was a smart old German and also collected the machines. I remember an Easy copper tub wringer, Locomotive, two tub Westinghouse, L-4-48 Westinghouse, WD something or other Westinghouse, and his mint 1958 Westinghouse W1000 and D1000 set in dark grey. The washer needed an escapement that was discontinued and he found a NOS one a fellow repairman had for $100.00 but was too cheap to buy it. He was a Westinghouse guy for sure and even had metal Westinghouse kitchen cabinets! There still may be some in the basement of his old house.

Anyway many thanks for all the replies and advice I really appreciate the help. Lets hope this is the last of it for a while so I can enjoy it.

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Very Very Good...

Hello,

You see, I bet all three of us >>Goat>>Combo52 and I just gloss over them leaking trans...

Never saw one that didn't have at least one drop.

 

Anyway, all of us here probably would have degreased the old girl, and just took for granted it just can't be that!

Nothing wrong with using spray carb cleaner, and  compressed air to dry a Maytag. Even the motorbase/glides.

Then grease what you want...

We all were scratching our heads and other parts,...cause we know its that simple,...a Maytag won't spin till it gets rid of that water...and any drag, is usually all that'left.

 

We are very happy for you...and you taught everybody not to forget the obvious.

 

Happy Maytagin'

LaVidaBoem

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Well I learned a lot from all the advice given and would still be scratching my head had I not already joined here a few weeks prior to finding this machine simply by a chance convo with a friend. I did consider the carb spray at first but the fumes would have had my upstairs neighbor running down in a panic. I get that LA's Awesome at the dollar store and its the best degreaser Ive ever used and if you get any on your hands it doesnt sting. I highly reccomend it. In fact in the next week or so when I get time Im going to remove the front again and wipe clean as much of the bottom and insides of it with some rags after I spray it down. It should clean up nicely. Maybe a new thread with before and after pics. As much as I like this machine Im still saddened of that mint 1962 A101 I had to sell when I moved 10 years ago. It was a cream puff and silent as a whisper when it ran.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

A new symptom.

Well all was going good the past few loads with the washer and all of a sudden its aquired a new glitch. It seems when its halfway through its first spin cycle before it goes into rinse mode the machine simply shuts off. If I push the timer knob in then back out it goes on it merry way through the rest of the wash cycle. I dont even have to turn the timer just a quick one two of the knob does it. Im thinking timer now?? Is this a good time to say yikes!?

 

[combo52]

Replacement timer needed.

 

[tinkr]

Great find!! We bought one new in 1970

Identical to our family washer I washed many loads in ours. replaced in the 2001.
In 1972 I bought the matching dryer for my mom. Her old dryer shocked me every time I touched it. Geeze No one else just me. So with my first pay check we got a new dryer.