My new Maytag A407

[robbinsandmyers]

More investigating today

I removed the agitator today and saw what appeared to be a brown encrusted mess. The oil leak didn't look as bad as before and I wiggled the shaft looking for play and didn't notice any at all. Looks like a snap ring and washer to replace the seal so I'm going to try to source a part number online. I did wire brush the corroded locking ring clean. It will need a good soaking in Kroil before trying to remove it. I did rock the tub side to side and there is a definite knock to it. Gonna need that tub bearing I'm thinking its that bad. I may as well change both bearings, bushing and top seal as well as clean and replace motor slides and springs which those will happen Sun then the correct timer when it arrives. All that other stuff along with spanners I'm going to start acquiring then spend a few hours tearing this thing down. Let's see if these pics load this time.[this post was last edited: 12/26/2015-14:27]

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Looks Good, and Normal>>

Hey again,

 

For its age, not bad...don't worry too much about that collar/lock ring.

If it doesn't turn after taking the screw out, then use a Hammer and Sharp Chisel.

Breaks right into on about the third lick. Made to do that anyway.

 

Tranny diagram, part#'s and more, in the mail...

 

Good Luck,

LaVidaBoem

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Im going to have to take another peek I didnt notice a locking screw. The pics seemed to load no problem from my tablet. Not sure why they didnt from my comp. When the time comes if I cant remove that ring should I angle the chisel like Im trying to loosen it or straight down from the top to split it? Sun will be to concentrate on the motor area then take some LA's Awesome and wipe the pulleys, belts, and overall general area pained grey in the belly and underneath as clean as possible. This thing will need a good going through for sure and Im going to be sinking more money than I hoped but at least when its done it will be good for many more trouble free years. I still wish I had found a cleaner older unit with lighted panel close by but one will show in time. I cant imagine what they washed in this thing all those years to brown the tub although this was on a farm so who knows.

 

[LaVidaBoem]

At an angle, straight down...

...no use trying to turn it with the chisel...

 

But be careful, you don't want to hit the porcelain tub, and knock out a chunk.

 

Good Luck,

LaVidaboem

 

 

[goatfarmer]

I've had pretty good luck turning them with a chisel and hammer. Also, IIRC, the threads are reverse of what is normal.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Youtube video

Just downloaded this video and I hope it comes out. I started it at the last few seconds of the first wash cycle through drain/spin to the rinse cycle where it slows down during rinse then tries to recover once rinse has ended only to have to stop spinning as the second wash starts. You can hear a knocking sound and also a sloshing while its slowing down during the rinse phase. The timer also did its thing while spinning also but I nudged it to keep it running. I removed the motor and cleaned both metal brakets with a wire brush they were pretty rusty. Then I greased the slides and reinstalled it with new springs. The belt was still slipping and agitation was slow even after I cleaned any trace of oil or grease off the pulleys and belts. I even wiped the inside of the machine and bottom. I ended up going with 3 springs on the motor. Hope this helps. Thanks. John.

Post script: Forgot to mention this load had two pairs of jeans, two sweat shirts, 6 tee shirts and 6 pairs of shorts. Not sure if I over did it??

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIUZ846fyY4&feature=youtu.be

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Drain Problem #1

Hey Man,

Just like in my first impression when this started...

 

You have a drain problem.

 

Follow all the steps above from removing tub lid (band type on that model), and look in the outer tub for anything.

Remove Drain Hose @ tub...then at intake to pump.

Same with outlet hoses from pump to siphon-break, all the way to the end of drain hose.

 

Post another video of it draining into a couple 5 gallon buckets.

 

If the drive belt is not slipping on the pump, (infrared rpm meter), its the pump.

 

Although video cam/sounds can be deceiving, its sound like the radial bearing.

I DO NOT think its the spin tube bushing/bearing/sleeve.

 

Let us know,

LaVidaBoem

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Pumps and timers

Hmm you've got me thinking on that now. I'll have to remove the top sometime this week and see if somethings floating around in there partially blocking the drain to the pump. The stand pipe is about 4' away from the washer and about 18" higher than the top of the machine. Not sure if that distance and height matters? Doesnt seem to have an issue on the final drain and spin speed but then again it doesnt rinse on that one. One time when it was slowing in the rinse/spin mode I thought the belt was slipping so I pulled back on the motor slightly to put more tension on it. It actually bogged the motor to the point the starting switch was kicking on and off it was loading down that bad so there a deff drag on that tub then when this happens. Even more so when it first goes into spin mode with a full tub of water.

The correct timer came today and I tried to install it but stopped. There was a couple of terminals that didnt have the same numbers as my old timer. Are there a few wires that go to different terminals or dont get used at all? The new timer looks nothing like mine. Mine is a square box where the new timer has a flat profile. I havent sent the incorrect one back yet and looked at both and externally the 204889 and 204899 look the same. Are there online wiring diagrams to show timer replacement? Thanks.

 

[LaVidaBoem]

I don't know on the timer diagrams.

OK great on the water/drain problem.

 

Your clue in the video is the fighting of the water over the top of the tub...and then on the rinse/spin, it is accumulating water rather than getting rid of it...

 

It should be able to easily pump out more than the spray/rinse is pumping into the machine.

Yes, I am sure about the motor boggin', suds lock or water lock will stop them in their tracks.

 

Four Feet?

Hmm...maybe. I am not really sure on a Maytag.

Never had one in that position.

 

But, that is why I want you to at least empty into a bucket...get the hose down low, and see if it pumps the volume that it should.
One can tell a bunch in the time it takes to do this...And, I never thought, I assumed everyone has 5 gallon buckets around...Maybe not.

 

The timer, I should be back up with a scanner soon, just hold on...will send you the diagrams out of the book...tell me one more time exactly the timer # you have now.

The stop in the timer advancement is in the  same position as when the water is accumulating in the basket...Those are the points that are worn out...because of the excessive current draw of motor fighting the water buildup during rinse/spin.

 

We may end up fixing the drain problem...and you might decide to fix the points in your original timer.

 

And hang in there...we going to fix this old girl yet...

 

LaVidaBoem

 

[mrb627]

Drain Hose?

Out of curiosity, do you have the correct drain hose on this machine or a different one?

Malcolm

 

[robbinsandmyers]

La VidaBoem, I can get a bucket at Home Deopt and try that over the weekend on Sun. Problem is most of the basement is part of the tailor shop where I live. Its in front of the house and goes into the basement where its closed off. My landlord is old school Italian and if he hears me tinkering or playing with water he will rock the boat and be a pain so I work on this in cloak of darkeness when he's closed like after 6PM weeknights or Sun/Mon when the shop is closed. I agree it fighting the water.

Malcom, yes its the original drain hose with the machine, Only thing I did was cut the bend off the end and stick a metal sleeve inside and added another foot plus elbow from the landlords dead Whirljunk. The machine is 4' away from the wall where the standpipe is but the hose has a nice graceful flow to it no kinks. I will try and make a video of the machine and pipe location but its an ordeal loading it unless Im screwing it up as usual. Give me a rusty 1929 Locke lawn mower thats been sitting outside 40 years and I can get it running no problem but comp stuff still stumps me after 16 years LOL. Thanks as usual for the help guys.[this post was last edited: 12/29/2015-17:05]

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Sorry for the delay. Havent been feeling too well lately plus the holidays. My timer is a 204889. Here is a pic of the machines location to the standpipe. Its about 5' from the wall. I cut the elbow off the original drain hose and spliced the extension you see in the pic. The splice is just out of site at the top of the dryer. Hope this helps. I hope you guys had a great Christmas and New Years. Thanks. John.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Still need help on this guys

Just bumping this thread up. Its still doing its thing and its such a hassle now to bbaby sit it when using. I need to replace the timer but the new one doesnt have the same terminals as my old one. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for these? It seems my lifeline has disappeared and I never recieved the diagrams I was told were mailed a month ago and my emails arent getting returned. I tried removing the top cover on the tub to see if a sock was blocking the drain but the inner and outer tub are so close even with a flashlight I couldnt tell. Looks like the inner tub has to come out for that. The machine doesnt seem to spin as fast in the first cycle as it seems to do in its last spin mode. Not sure if this is normal? I also noticed when washing if I press the button from regular to premanent press it stops agitating. Normal to delicate makes no change in agitation speed. Maybe the switch is shot? Thanks for any possible help on this.

 

[goatfarmer]

There "should" be a wiring diagram on the front of the outer tub, pull the front panel. As to pushing the PP button, IIRC, it may stop, depending on where the timer is. PP on that model is an agitation, and a soak, repeated.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

There is but Im wondering if anyone knows if some wires dont get used when replacing the timer? The new timer is flat where the old one is more box like. Both are Kingston though but the new one is short a few terminals the old one has.

 

[wayupnorth]

My Fabric-Matic does the intermittent agitate soak wash only on delicate. PP does a partial drain with cold refill after wash but all at full speed.

 

[goatfarmer]

There should be NO wires hanging out in space. Some of the timer terminals may not wired, but all the wires should be used.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Thanks. Will double check the timers again. I had started swapping over the new timer one wire at a time then ran into a wire off the old timer that I couldnt find a terminal for on the new timer so put it back together and called it a day. Supposedly this is the correct timer for an A407.

 

[goatfarmer]

IIRC, the wires on that Maytag will have a number on them, that correspond with a timer terminal number.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Ah yes, more updates

Ive not gotten around to the timer swap yet as Ive been busy with this new oil leak staining my clothes. I just purchased off Ebay hopefully all the parts I need to fix the leak and also replace the tub bushing assy ( which I think is causing the knocking sound) and seal kit plus the spanner wrench to do it all. Ive also noticed the water level switch may be going or coming out of adjustment as the large setting only fills up to the bottom of the second hole from the top on the agitator. When I first got it it was the bottom of the top hole which I think was still too low. Here is a link to the auction. I hope this will fit my A407 as I just assumed lol. While I have it all apart Im going to see if I can replace the oil in the trans somehow. By the time Im done this whole machine will be reworked! Ive also figured out my first spin cycle issue of the tub slowwing to a crawl. Firstly it doesnt come up to speed as fast as it should, Im thinking the tub bushing is dry and worn and binding somehow although its final spin is just fine. The other thing is once all the water is spun out of the tub and its trying to come up to speed, all the rinse water never gets pumped out of the tub. Ive proved this when the rinse is just about to shut off and the tub has almost stopped turning its going so slow to the point I reached in and stopped it with the machine running. There is all the rinse water in the bottom of the spin tub dragging it down. Not sure why this is happening. Whether it be the stand pipe is too far/high that a small amount of water is unable to be pumped out of the tub or there is in fact a piece of laundry in the outer tub blocking the drain hole. I removed the top cover and tried looking between the spin and outer tubs but they are too close and I couldnt see anything with a flashlight. I'll know for sure when its torn down. Does this kit look right for my machine? Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281925515801