Old Maytag Washer and Dryer set - considering a purchase but need help first

[frogkid11]

Hi ladies and gents,
I have the opportunity to pick up this matching Maytag washer/dryer set for pretty cheap this weekend. The seller has had them for over 10 years with no major issues. Recently the dryer has started making a noise that they believe are the bearings and her husband has convinced her to buy a new set and give up on this vintage pair.

I don't know much about these and am wondering if anyone can tell me if DIY repairs on this dryer are complicated? The model number she has listed in the ad is DE806 if that helps to identify them.

Thanks in advance for all of your help and information. Take care.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Those are nice. I believe they top of the line models, the ones everybody here seems to prefer.
Others more knowledgeable will jump in...but I would guess, for the right price, you can't go wrong snapping them up and sorting out the dryer noise.

 

[washerlover]

OMG!

Absolutely. Beautiful. You must get them! Yes, they are nearly top of the line, with the backlit consoles, and all the bells and whistles. I've recently become a Maytag fan, and you will not be disappointed with these machines. They are absolute troupers and very reliable, and easy to repair. Go get 'em!

 

[DADoES]

 
They're much older than 10 years.  Blue console trim dates from 1966 to approx mid 1970s.  For sure an 806 pair evidenced by the lighted consoles.  906 would been top-of-line but the 806 is more flexible for settings.

 

[beekeyknee]

Chris,
There's a tremendous amount of info on this site about your questions, although finding it can take a lot of time. Others may offer you information. Some can be positive and some can be negative. You will have to sift through it yourself and make your own decisions.

In the Google search box under "Imperial" you can type in 432923 and get a thread titled DE 806 Operation and Refurbishment by Volvoguy87. You can also type in 58081 and find 1972 Maytag HA806 set from Reno. The first part of my thread is dedicated to the dryer. The second half is directed toward the washer. This is my thread from last summer. You can also just type in DE806 in that same field and get a lot of hits.

I opened "Automatic Ephemera", narrowed publisher to Maytag and scrolled down to Service Manuals, but I didn't find anything for DE806 Dryers. I'm sure if you read enough of the threads other people have posted, you will find what you're looking for.

Just off the top of my head, it sound as though the drum bearing have gone dry and are squealing or another moving part is rubbing or needs oiling. When these dryers are running properly they are one of the quietest machines.

On a more personal note, I find that these dryers are best for people that like to do smaller to more medium sized loads of laundry more often (like the way our mothers did laundry back in the 60's and 70's, as opposed to the type of people that like to do huge loads of laundry at one time and work on it all day (I prefer the former). Of course you probably realize that what was considered a large load of laundry back then and now are two different things. Secondly, it seems like these dryers do better with the shortest run of exhaust duct as possible and I always use solid aluminum duct.

If you have more questions, I'm sure someone will be along to answer them for you.

Brian [this post was last edited: 5/20/2016-05:07]

 

[brucelucenta]

These are quite easy to work on and not that much to go wrong as long as there is no oil leaking from the bottom of the washer. Probably just the pulley or blower wheel on the dryer needs greasing, if it is making a noise or even possible might need a new belt.

 

[bajaespuma]

These are beautiful machines. I would buy them and I have bought them and added them to my collection. The A806 is one of my favorite vintage machines of all time; an elegant machine from a time past.

 

Some of my own experiences with these machines: even though they're pretty and somewhat reliable, Maytag HOH dryers are a disappointment as daily drivers. The DE806 is very quiet, gentle on heat and easy to use, but it is very limited as far as settings go, the electronic sensor doesn't always let the load dry completely and it has a small capacity given the size of the cabinet. The door and opening are very small and you have to stoop way down to unload it. Dealing with the lint filter is a pain.

 

The washer is also quiet, very reliable and simple, but it's not the best performer at cleaning lots of dirty laundry. I've never seen one that doesn't strain at least a little bit when it starts to agitate. Their rinses are stingy. Also, even though it was Maytag's "most versatile" model , there is no extra-rinse cycle, and you would have to return to the machine to add things like bleach and more detergent if you use the pre-wash and/or soak cycle.

 

Having said all that I would still buy them again and add them to my collection. They are classics.

 

[volvoguy87]

The HoH rebuild thread.

Here is my above-referenced thread. Thanks for the reference!

The Halo of Heat design is not without its flaws, but I love them and find them to be superior performers, especially with the electronic control.

Dave

DE806 operation and refurbishment...

It's been awhile, but Elginkid and I finally got our 1975 DE806 put back together and we have some issues and questions. I finished reassembly, plugged the old girl in, and pushed Air Fluff (to test the motor without heat) and she purred quietly to life. I opened the door to turn it off and I...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[goatfarmer]

Buy 'em! You will never look back....

 

[christfr]

yea I say the same youll love em, they are easy to work on, parts still avail for them, grab em and don't look back....