New Member: Just bought a Maytag Wringer Washer and wondering what I've gotten myself into

[homesteadgal]

So I've loved the idea of wringer washers forever. They were all my grandma ever used and I just think they're so neat. While browsing around at one of my favorite thrift stores a couple days ago I came across what I believe is a Maytag E2L circa 1939-1941 for $35 and I just couldn't pass it up. Ideally I would like to use it for at least several loads a week if not a daily driver. So far I have given it a good cleaning and removed the agitator which came off fairly easily. The inside of the tub is intact with no rust and doesn't appear to leak however I will need to get a new hose before I can leak test it properly as the old one split during cleaning. The belt, gearbox and motor are all present but the cord has been cut. My father is planning to rewire the cord in the next couple of days so we can test the motor. One thing I do notice is that there is some dried oil drips on the bottom of the gear box and the agitator only wants to make a partial turn and then stops so I'm wondering if the gears may be gunked up? Does anyone know of any appliance repair places in northeast ohio that might be able to service a unit like this one and what I might be looking at cost wise to get it running? Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rp2813]

There are lots of wringer fans here, and some detailed threads on the restoration process which can be found by using the "Super Search-a-lator" on the main forum index page.  A small oil leak may not be a big deal -- yet -- but if the oil you're seeing is the last of what was in the case, then you could run into some trouble.

 

You might have a tough time finding a repair person, but you can try calling Larry at Modern Parts in Parma.  He could perhaps know someone in your area who still works on these.

 

[hippiedoll]

congratulations

homesteadgal, on your cool maytag wringer washer buy!!!

it sure does look like a neat find!!! i hope you can get it up & running with little effort or cost!!! it's a good thing your dad knows how to rewire the electric cord. that is too cool!!!

you be sure to keep us updated on your progress!!

keeping my fingers crossed for you to get this maytag wringer up & running easily & soon.....

;o)

 

[wringer]

Not to worry and

congratulations on your new gal. I have Amish friends who restore these beauties and can sell you most any part you need. I have 4 gals with another on its way. I use them as daily drivers. Lots of us here are huge fans of wringers. Let us know how we can help you.

Jim

 

[packardmanken]

Congrats on the Wringer!

Congratulations Homestead Gal! Welcome to the "wringer fold" (you will have a lot of them to work out!) I am fairly new to the site also, but have found nothing but helpful, kind people here. You are lucky to have a Maytag. Its like the '57 Chevy of the washer world. Everyone must have had one so they and their parts seem plentiful. I have a Kenmore Visi-Matic, and parts are much more difficult to come by. But lots of good advice here. I did the same thing with the hose, went to cleaning, and "poof" instant leaks!

Just search "wringer" on the site and you will come up with tons. I use mine especially for linens and whites as my new Kenmore will not fill the tub with hot water (gov regulations) and I want them CLEAN like only hot water will do!

Good luck and have fun. Also dont forget to check out the "Ephemera" section to look at literature that works with you machine.

 

[homesteadgal]

Thanks guys.

I did download the manual for my washer and read through it today. Just for curiosity sake what should a new hose cost and where would be the best place to get one do any stores carry something similar, maybe sold by the foot? Also what would I be looking at cost wise if I need to replace the motor? Lastly if I end up needing the gear box and wringer taken apart, cleaned and oiled what would be a fair price for the service?

 

[epixstar128]

Home depot should have the hose or a auto parts store. What part of ohio are you from good to see more members from ohio.

 

[homesteadgal]

Found a new hose

epixstar128, I'm in the Akron area.

I was able to find a length of hose at a local appliance shop that fits the machine. The only problem is that while the outer diameter is the same, the inner diameter is a bit bigger than the old hose. I did cut the hose to size and try putting it on with a hose clamp but after about five minutes a very small amount of water wanted to drip out over the top of the hose. On the bright side she seems to hold water otherwise, which is nice since I wasn't able to do a leak test prior to buying. My first thought is to try and have my husband get the hose clamp a bit tighter. I'm figuring if that doesn't work perhaps I could apply some waterproof caulk around the top of the hose. Thoughts?

Also in the works: my brother in law is going to media blast the casters and adjustable leg extensions for me and my father is planning to reattach the electrical cord so we can test the motor. I should have a better update on Wednesday after both are done.

 

[rp2813]

Could you wrap some (electrical?) tape around the stem the hose fits onto in order to make it a tighter fit?  Or would that be a forbidden MacGyverism?

 

[hippiedoll]

wrap some (electrical?) tape around the stem ...

good idea rp2813!!!

if not electrical tape, maybe some of that thin rubber "plumbers" tape? or if you have some of them thicker, wider rubberbands??? but i'm sure those would work for a certain amount of time before starting to disintegrate???

maybe you could get some of that silicone gel sealant and carefully coat the inside of the end of the hose, that fits over the stem/port?? i would think maybe coating the inside of the hose end, with a popsicle stick or something similar and after you've gotten the inside of the hose coated with the silicon sealant gel, just let it dry completely. and then put it on the drain stem/port?? and you can use a hose clamp on those hose as well to make sure it is a solid fit too.
that's what my "learning" mind comes up with?

another way you could go is to try some bubblegum that has been chewed alot so that almost all of the sugar/flavor is out of the gum. that could also be another solution. i think i've seen "macgyver" use gum in some of his "solutions"??
hm hm hm.......

good luck!!!

and if i think of something else, i'll reply again...

;o)

 

[e2l-arry]

OR . . .

Phil sells drain hoses. You can find them on Ebay for about $22.00. Yours does not appear to have a pump so you could just get a few feet at Home Depot or ACE. You don't want to mess with silicone or tape or it WILL leak, sooner or later.

But, I'd see if you can get it running before I spent a dime on anything else. The fact that your agitator won't turn freely could be a sign of trouble. If the Power Unit is jammed, as soon as you plug it in the motor will shut off to keep it from overheating and ruining itself. Try this. The knob in the front activates the agitator. The motor turns the power unit continuously. The front knob simply actuates a clutch that when pulled out connects gears to make the agitator move. Even without power if the knob is pulled out the agitator shouldn't be able to turn. Push the know in and it should move freely. If yours doesn't behave like this there's something likely wrong in the power unit that will require opening it up. Not an impossible task. I've done it a few times myself. Otherwise you'll need to find someone that still knows how to repair these and I suspect that's a dying breed. So, first things first and see if it even works before getting ahead of yourself. No point in spending money if you decide it's going to be too much.

Most of these old Maytag's have some degree of oil leaks. As you're standing in front of the machine, check the left, rear leg. If it's clean, that's a good sign. If it's all gunked up with dried up grease/oil, it had been leaking for some time before it was retired.

I've rebuilt one of these so if you need any help, just ask!

Larry

 

[mickeyd]

"wondering what I've gotten myself into"

Some might say, "Heaven!"

 

[homesteadgal]

Yep it has oil on the leg...

Larry, the agitator does behave like you describe however upon closer inspection it's apparent that just about every moving part has been leaking oil. Currently she's completely opened up. The power unit is off and on its way to a machine shop to be fully disassembled and rebuilt. On Wednesday my father is going to redo the motor. Other than that we just have to remove the rest of the part that goes up to the wringer and rebuild it. We decided that since I want this machine as a daily driver we will just do a full restoration. It might take a couple of weeks but hopefully we will get many good years out of it after. I'm very excited to get this all done and I'll post pictures and updates as they come up.

 

[stan]

Hi Kim

Since you going for full resto on this, you might be interested to see Larry's old thread, just type "Moving Maytag E" in the search bar.
It's a long thread, but has fantastic photos of every part of the machine inside and out. Well worth the read, especially for the tricks needed for re assembly.

 

[homesteadgal]

Stan,

I read through part of that thread in my earlier searches. I'll have to go back and check it out in its entirety. The part of it I did see definitely inspired me to go ahead with the redo upon finding out that I had bitten off more than I had originally thought. Also thanks to everyone who has given me advice and encouragement so far. I did become a bit discouraged at one point but I really think it'll be worth it in the end.

 

[stan]

Hi again

I always recommend that thread to anyone who's taking one of these beauty's apart. He has detailed photos of the electric motor rebuild your Dad may want to see, along with the entire machine apart, cleaned, re painted and ready for re assembly, pics of new gaskets, seals, showing how, and where they go. He did a fantastic job polishing up the aluminum tub.
He originally did not have a pump model, but did add one.
Yours probably has the pre made holes in the cross bars for you to add one if you want.

Phil in Ovid N.Y still has many of the parts, including the pumps. Of course these parts are not made any more, including the
"tub to pump hose" If you decide to add a pump...that hose is a bit difficult to replicate because of its shape... So if you think you want to add one.. Better get while the getting is good.

Keep us posted with your progress (we love pics)

 

[homesteadgal]

Motor update & pics

So the motor has a new cord and runs beautifully. The washer is pretty much completely disassembled. Now we're down to finishing the rebuild on the power unit and painting the washer body. I've added a couple of updated pics. Anyone know if this is the original motor?

 

[homesteadgal]

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[homesteadgal]

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