Opinion of vintage (late 70's?) Maytag Washer?

[beekeyknee]

Yeah Dustin. Some Iron Out should help with that tub and some CLR. You might want to spray the CLR on the basket and let it set for a bit. Long enough to remove the iron but not etch the porcelain. Use a nylon bristle brush. Rinse often and check closely for scratching or etching of the basket. I think I did that once a long time ago. It's laborious and time consuming. That hard well water is just miserable.

But just imagine what's under the agitator and between the basket and the tub. It will most likely be a thick crust of yuck. If you can get the agitator out (hopefully that agitator shaft seal is still good), fill the washer with the hottest damn water you can find, put in several scoops of STTP in the machine, replace the agitator, let it agitate for a full cycle, stop it and reset the machine to the beginning of the wash cycle and let it set overnight. Then go back the next day and turn it back on again. You may be shocked at the crud that comes out in the water. I'd do it with the front off. If it's encrusted with minerals and other crud and there happens to be a pinhole leak somewhere, it might start leaking. Sometimes that crud forms a barrier for leaks. Kind of like cleaning out the bottom of an old water heater that's had a build up of sediment for years. It can be a blessing and a curse. You know your doing something good but in the process you start another problem. I'm the type that will just tackle it, but some people don't like opening a can of worms. Just depends on the person.

Anyway, your machine is looking better. I've used a needle on the lint filter before. Good luck.

p.s. If you own your own home the installation of a water softener will slowly solve most of your problems. Especially if set to very soft water.

 

[twintubber]

Try

soaking the lint filter in white vinegar.
It's usually very effective at removing the sort of build-up on lint filters and fabric softener dispensers. It's cheap and environmentally friendly and if it doesn't work, then you can try the next step of using a chemical.
After that, if you have one, run it through the dishwasher.
The spray power and detergent action will get into all those small holes and clean them very thoroughly.
I suggest CLR for that tub issue as well.
In fact, they show it in the commercials being used for just that purpose.
And if I'm not mistaken, the first ones years ago showed a Maytag washer with a white tub and rust marks.
Just my two cents worth, but hope it helps.
And good luck, that's a very nice machine you have a acquired there, and way better than your Shredmore any day!

 

[dustin92]

I bought some Iron Out and ran a cycle with it, it definitely helped, but the buildup likely took almost 40 years to accumulate, so I don't expect it to disappear in 30 minutes or less. I just ordered new belts because it seems to struggle to agitate for a couple minutes if I haven't yet run a load, and I can slow the agitator down just by grabbing it. Can't complain, just over $9 for both belts, and they look super simple to replace. Othrwise, it's working great, and I'm very happy!

 

[dustin92]

oh what have I gotten myself into??

I ran another cycle with Iron Out and hot water, then figured what better time to try removing the agitator? It came off with a pretty good effort, and I found even more hard water scale than the lint filter.. About 1/8" thick under the agitator and a nice crust on the bottom of the agitator itself! Luckily the crust on the tub came off with minimal effort, had to chisel a couple spots gently to get it to let loose and it came off in pieces, a couple 2-3" pieces were like concrete. The agitator wasn't so easy though, it's in the utility sink downstairs on it's third soaking with thick toilet bowl cleaner. Scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush between soakings and it's improving slowly. I can't imagine how hard water must have been to build up like this- when we moved into this house, there was a 1989 Speed Queen in the basement, and a 2001 or so Maytag Performa upstairs- Neither had any buildup to speak of.. A little orange staining where water fills, but no crust anywhere and I'd had the tub out of the Maytag and at one point the agitator out of the Speed Queen. I consider our water hard, but apparently it is nothing compared to what this poor machine was used in! Here is a picture of some of the crust I removed from the tub.. And that isn't all of it.

 

[beekeyknee]

I was right, wasn't I Dustin? Now imagine what's between the basket and the tub. If you get that far it will be just as bad or worse. That's that old nasty water for ya.

 

[dustin92]

Not going to dig that far into it, at least not right now, It's working great as it sits and no odors whatsoever so I don't see a reason to go any further. Almost have the agitator cleaned, just need to give the tub another good scrubbing and put the agitator back in. Will install the new belts when they come, supposed to be here friday.

 

[wayupnorth]

Yes Dustin, Belts are no issue replacing. After my appliance guy fixed my motor pulley and slipped new belts in in no time. Watch that video posted here on AW of a a Maytag 906 from start to finish and on You-tube as all old Maytags are built the same.

 

[washer111]

Water Hardness

Well, a kettle in these parts can go bad within one year without cleaning. Water is 25gpg. 

 

Dishwashers, washers, everything. The scale is hideously bad. 

 

[dustin92]

Belts are changed, took about 5 minutes Really made a difference in spin, clothes are coming out much dryer, but unfortunately it's wanting to dance a bit now. I think I just need to level it though. Surprisingly, the old belts looked to be in pretty good condition- just weren't doing the job properly.

 

[yogitunes]

for the lint filters, on just about any machine.....

use a power washer.....

if you don't have one, go to a car wash.....

just keep your foot on it otherwise it will go flying out of sight...

found this to be the easiest and fastest way to clean every nook and cranny....