Our new Blue Bell washer!

[spiderjames]

New to the forum. Hello everyone.

After being sorely disappointed with 2 new modern "water saving" washers, including a Maytag commercial model, We found this one in michigan and had it shipped. A bit pricing with shipping but we could find none available near us. The same one I remember from my childhood. I will actually clean clothes, unlike the other two!

 

[rp2813]

Congratulations!

It looks like it's in beautiful shape.  If it's what you wanted, it was worth the cost.

 

I've only seen wringer washers in action a couple of times in my life and both were Maytags.  I'm not that hands-on with my laundry, except in the practice of pre-treating.  I'm all about expediency.  I suppose using a conventional washer is regarded similarly to ironing.  Some people love it, others dread it. 

 

You'll get many years of satisfaction from your "new" Blue Bell.  Enjoy!

 

[qsd-dan]

These are durable tanks that continue to withstand the test of time. I strongly encourage you to replace the A4298 agitator shaft seal. When this seal fails, water enters the transmission and bad things eventually play out. You'll also need a 15494 stop ring since the old one will most likely break during the removal process.

 

[ea56]

Congratulations on your score! This is a cute little Maytag wringer washer. Even if it was the BOL of the Maytag wringer line up it will still perform just as well as the higher end EL models, just a little smaller tub and no pump.

I love doing laundry in a wringer washer and if I had the room for a laundry tub for rinsing thats what I’d have now as a daily driver. The rhythmic process of doing laundry this way is Zen like to me. And what a time saver! To be able to wash and rinse and wring out 3-4 loads in 60 mins is wonderful. Even though it does take a bit longer to dry the clothes because a wringer leaves a bit more moisture in the finished laundry, its really not that much more. And I think these old Maytag wringers clean better too.

I hope that you’ll get lots of pleasure out of your “new” Blue Bell.

Eddie

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

Reply# 2

In your video it says to grease the top of the seal when installing, so I have 2 questions =

1) what's the purpose of grease on top of the seal?

2) why not grease the bottom?

It seems like the only place you do NOT want grease is on the sides but I wonder why the instruction specifies putting some on the top. Maybe to allow the top surface to expand a bit under the washer? I don't know. Any thoughts?

 

[launderess]

IIRC from my several Maytag service manuals purpose of bit of grease to top of agitator seal is to keep it from sticking to stop ring. If that occurs seal would turn from being in contact with stop ring.

Basically bit of grease is on top of seal for same reasons it is inside.

 

[spiderjames]

Thanks for the replies. We tried a few loads and it seems to work perfectly. I will be looking it over this weekend and doing some clean up and lubricating as needed. I will inspect the seal and probably put new seals in and check the gear box for water/oil. Would 90wt hypoid gear oil be OK if we need a fill?

 

[qsd-dan]

Would 90wt hypoid gear oil be OK if we need a fill?

Needs to be a GL-4 oil since there are yellow metals (brass/copper) inside the transmission.

 

[circlew]

I have always liked these. I remember seeing pictures of them in the parts book when I worked at the store that was a Maytag dealer. Saw one in person many years ago, but don't remember where.

 

[ozzie908]

@spiderjames

Enjoy your new washing method it will be very satisfactory I am sure. During winter months or when using a dryer why not treat yourself to a Spin Dryer that will remove more moisture and with todays energy prices save you a few $ into the bargain. I think Launderess can help you with regard models available to you etc.

 

[wayupnorth]

I had the next model up with same red trim. When moving it I must have dislodged a gear as it seized up. I gave it to a nice Amish man that could fix it and put on a gas motor, then gift it to a new couple with a baby in their community. He told me those old Maytags can be kept for generations.

 

[spiderjames]

Is this the oil?

https://www.amazon.com/Sta-Lube-SL24229-Multi-Purpose-SAE-QT-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B000KKHO86/ref=asc_df_B000KKHO86/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312141533517&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7720019044172239993&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvl

 

[qsd-dan]

Is this the oil?

Yes

 

[spiderjames]

I have my seals and some oil to do some maintenance on the Blue Bell. I am having trouble getting the agitator off. From what I read in an online manual it is a friction fit and is supposed to slide off with upward pressure. I can't get it to budge, and I am afraid of damaging it. Any tips or suggestions?

 

[ea56]

Other members have had success with removing stuck on Maytag Wringer washer agitators by filling the tub with the hottest water possible and allowing it to sit for a while and then trying to coax the agitator off of the post. It may take a few tries to make this happen.

To avoid future stuck on agitator problems ALWAYS remove the agitator from the post after each use. Also, put a light coating of Vaseline on the agitator post, and renew this coating periodically. This was advised by Maytag in their wringer washer owners manuals and it is a very good practice to maintain.

Good luck in getting you agitator off the post.

Eddie