New Maytag Owner!

[saltysam]

Well I was finally able to pick up my "new" maytag the other day and got it home. Figured I needed to find out what was so intriguing about these machine.....Needless to say this thing weighs a ton! Still have a lot of cleaning to do on the outside and on the agitator but otherwise it is in great shape. It's an A206 (yeah i know BOL) but had to start somewhere, right? The serial # is 330507KS Would anyone be able to give me an idea as to what year this is? The lady i got it from said it was her grandma's and that she thought it was at minimum 30 years old but i think it's a lot older than that. here are a few picture that I have taken before i started cleaning it up. Oh, how does the agitator come out? Looking down into there the filter cup goes i don't see a screw or bolt holding the agitator in place. I'm sure i will have a ton of questions about this machine (this is my very firt maytag). Thanks for the help guys!
Mark

 

[saltysam]

Money shot!

a look inside

 

[saltysam]

Underneath

The underneath looks pretty good for it's age, not too dirty and no signs of leaks

 

[saltysam]

Dial up close

only thing i can see that i will need to try and find is a new dial with the correct markings.....

 

[wmlask]

Not BOL

I think the BOL model was single speed. To get the agitator off just grab the base and pull it up. If it fights you, fill the tub with hot water then try again. Very nice machine. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

 

[saltysam]

I had no idea

I had no idea that the entire transmission spins when the machine is in the spin cycle. I was wondering what the counterweight was for, now i know!
Mark

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice machine! I might have a dial, lemme check.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Mark

That baby rolled off the line August 1970

 

[saltysam]

That baby rolled off the line August 1970

Cool! thanks for the info Frontal!

I might have a dial, lemme check.

That would awesome GF! Thanks! Mark

 

[rp2813]

We had that same machine in harvest gold and it just wouldn't quit. Its companion dryer died so we replaced both machines, and I suspect the washer is still going strong out there somewhere.

Nice score!

 

[tuthill]

Congragulations!! Yay for center-dial tags', I just got one too. You'll love it, they're very fun and cool machines. And nothing wrong with a 206, it's the model I had growing up.

 

[charbee]

You'll love it! After we started using our A407 daily, it seemed like our towels were flufflier, and all the clothes just looked better. Don't forget to empty your lint filter in the middle of the agitator! ;-)

 

[danemodsandy]

I'll Second That!

"After we started using our A407 daily, it seemed like our towels were flufflier, and all the clothes just looked better."

Yep, when I switched from a late-'80s DD Whirly pair to centre-dial 'Tags, I had the same experience. The clothes come cleaner, drying is faster and fluffier, just a better experience all the way 'round. I have an A108 (one model up from the BOL, Fabric-Matic) washer and a DE606 dryer (electronic control).

Charbee is right about your washer's lint filtre; you need to clean it each load. If your machine's filtre is like most, it hasn't been cleaned in a while. It will probably take some soaking and scrubbing to get it back on track, but then it will be easy to maintain after that. The filtre is in the top of the agitator; just pull the top of the agitator straight up. The little cup in the top of the agitator is your softener dispenser.

Welcome to the Maytag family!

 

[jons1077]

Very cool!

I've got the 1-speed model. It's the LA308. I haven't hooked it up yet but I know it works just fine. It has Normal, PP, and Delicate. On the Delicate cycle the agitation is intermittent. Fun stuff huh?

Jon

 

[bajaespuma]

I freakin' love the old A206!!!! Love that black and aquamarine powerfinita. You can get replacement dials at Repairclinic.com. Last I looked they had many Maytag dials and buttons as well!

Also, soak the lint filter in a straight CLR or Lime-Away solution in a plastic container overnight. Then use a bottle brush with stiff bristles from the inside of the filter poking the bristles out. I've cleaned many of these successfully that way. Do NOT, NOT let any of that stuff get on that beautiful shiny porcelain tub; it will dull the porcelain very quickly. Please give us another shot of that interior with the agitator.

 

[saltysam]

Don't forget to empty your lint filter in the middle of

You're right about the filter in the center of the agitator. I pulled it out and it looked like it had NEVER been cleaned in the 38 years of it's life! It was totally disgusting! But all i had to do to it was soak it in very hot water for about an hour and the gunk just peeled away....I did take an old tooth brush to the little holes and got them all clean out. Now to get the agitator itself out to I can get the inside of it clean out....can't wait to test it out after I get it all cleaned up.......will keep everyone posted

Please give us another shot of that interior with the agitator. Will do and will also post a video on Youtube for the "maiden" wash.....

Mark


You can get replacement dials at Repairclinic.com
Cool....thanks for the tip on a new dial.......will check repairclinic out to see if they have one.....

 

[pdub]

Congrats Mark

Hey, nice looking Maytag. You'll have fun with that.

I've got a couple myself and love them. Both had the never cleaned lint filter when I got them too. Don't know why so many people found that so hard to figure out!

So, are you looking to collect anything else ??? (loaded question)

Patrick

 

[appnut]

Patrick, many people never knew the filter existed there!! You'd be surprised!!!

 

[saltysam]

are you looking to collect anything else ???

Hmmmmmm, and just what did you have in mind, Patrick? Hmmmm? LOL BTW I've been eyeing up that Poppy 1-18 Chris has.......that would look awesome in the basement next to the harvest gold 1-18 and copper Roller-Matic I have...you better be planning a trip to the Mid-West before I sweet talk Chris into letting it go home with me one night........LOL

Mark