New Maytag Atlantis washer with Stainless Steell drum

[norgechef]

Found this washer on an ad that read "maytag washer-needs repair". Went to pick it up yesterday and the old man who owned it said it was 13 years old and started making a squealing noise recently so they decided to just get a new washer. He sold it to me for just $25! As I suspected, it needs a new pump. I am just going to take the pump off of my old performs machine and use it on this one since they are interchangeable. I can't believe the condition it is in for being 13 years old. When I picked it up the blue protective tape was still on the console. It looks like a brand new machine!

Even more surprisingly, when I took the front off there was not a mark to be seen. All I noticed were then white shavings from the snubber, which I will replace as well. I am planning to put this machine in my downstairs laundry (which I have yet to build) along with my Neptune 5500 dryer. It's basically matching minus the electronic controls. It is model MAV9501EWQ. with a stainless steel drum and Automatic Temperature Control. Energy star certified. In bisque color. This was the top of the line model back when Atlantis washers were still in production. Very rare you would find a machine like this in immaculate condition.

 

[murando531]

Very nice! I have an Atlantis MAV6300 that's at my father in law's. It was slightly older than this model, when they had the vertical push button switches and the upper agitator didn't have all the extra spirals. Despite what many say about the Atlantis, I always have loved this washer. Huge capacity, could roll over and clean an overstuffed load of towels and have them smelling fresh afterwards. The in laws abuse the poor thing, and I'm honestly wishing it would die so I could take it back and restore it, but the thing WILL NOT QUIT. It still runs as smoothly as ever.

Replacing the pump is so easy you can almost do it one handed. Looks to be a very nice machine, although personally I was never a fan of this style control panel. I never understood why the switch, when the older one looked more sleek and modern.

 

[norgechef]

@murando531

I always loved these machines as well. I guess I was lucky to always get ones that gave me little trouble. My first was a 2005 Maytag Ensignia, that worked amazing under extremely heavy use. At one time there were 8 people living in the house and it ran constantly during that time. In 2011 I replaced the snubber, pump and thrust bearing kit. The snubber was the only part that really needed replacing. Pump and thrust bearing were preventative measures. It worked well again until 2013 when the transmission packed up and would no longer spin. I replaced it and sold the machine shortly after.

Since then I have had 1 other Performa washer, made in 2004, and that needed the motor replaced. It was very dirty and used when I got it. I used it as a daily driver for the last year or so and its still going strong, but I decided I am going scrap it and keep most of the parts for the Atlantis, since it is old and quite rusty.

Capacity wise, in my opinion they can fit as much or more than most front loaders made around that same era and still provide decent rollover and good wash results. They clean much better than any ''real'' Newton Maytag washer I have ever had. And fit 2-3x the amount!

 

[tecnopolis]

The Original Maytag Atlantis kind of pushed my washer obsession into overdrive.
At the time, it was a pretty advanced design style-wise compared to your typical Whirlpool of the same era.
I loved it soo much I bought the model with the detergent dispenser built into the lid.

 

[brucelucenta]

A glorified Norge washer. When they are working, they work very well. If you have one that the tub seal goes out on or that starts slinging transmission grease and locks up, not so much. Certainly majestic looking machines though.

 

[arbilab]

Pardon my ignoramoose, but with its pants off it looks like a slightly touched up version of a legacy Tag. I'd want one of those too.

 

[murando531]

I spoke too soon...

Not that I'm surprised at all, nor am I disappointed or mad...at the Atlantis that is.

We went over to my father in law's last night, and he took me into the laundry room to ask if I knew why the washer would be leaking oil underneath. Tipped it back and there is yellow grease all over the floor, and slung all around the underside. When I took the front panel off though, I can't see a drop that has leaked inside the cabinet. No signs of any leaking from any gaskets. I also can't tell where any of it could be coming from underneath where the pulley is.

I tested it with agitation and spinning, and can't hear a single sound out of the ordinary. It still has strong agitation and spins perfectly. There's no telling how long it's been leaking like that, and they've had it for over two years now. They also don't take care of anything they own, and they overload the thing multiple times a day, and the poor baby is filthy. I'm honestly just hoping the transmission will lock up so I can get it back and attempt to restore it even remotely back to the condition it was in when we had it.

I didn't take pictures; I always get so frazzled in situations like that because it's already a challenge to talk "washer or dishwasher" with people who could care less anyway, plus my hands were covered in grease.

At first I had little faith in LG because the FL washer they had bit the dust in just three years, and the dryer isn't doing much better, but now I'm realizing that poor washer was trying to escape! I don't know how any modern machine would survive those people.

 

[runematic]

That's pretty common.  I do not think it's user error.  Breathe & relax. lol

 

[norgechef]

You can replace the transmission oil seal

Contrary to what others will tell you. I replaced the one on my Performa as it had started a small leak. If you were going to do this repair you would also need to de-grease the brake. Once oil gets into the brake the tub is free to spin during agitation, which adds stress to the tub seal and bearings. If it has leaked a lot of oil it would probably be better to just replace the whole transmission/bearing assembly. Considering the age its questionable whether replacing the oil seal would be worth it in terms of how much longer the gears in the transmission will last before you need to tear the washer apart again to replace it.

And I wouldn't wait for the transmission to lock up. This often results in a burned out motor.