Quieting a Maytag Washer Pump?

[lowefficiency]

For the older Maytag washing machines, the pump is always turning any time the motor is running. Pumping out during spin, or “pumping in” with air battling against the tub water while agitating.

Short of switching to an electric pump, has anyone ever used any mechanical means to successfully dampen this gurgling noise during wash?

I’ve been thinking of trying something simple like a spring-loaded flap that covers the end of the discharge hose, similar to the attachments that keep rain out of the exhaust pipes on tractors. I’ve also considered using a suds-saver valve as a more “firm” closure of the discharge pipe during wash, although at that point you might as well just switch to an electric pump....

 

[swestoyz]

The siphon break was meant to help cure the pump cavitation sound during wash on a Maytag. Originally installed from the factory on the early push button washers, it was always available as an add-on on the rest of the line, and by the 10 series all machines had the siphon break installed as part of the cabinet.

Is there one installed on yours?

Ben

 

[lowefficiency]

Thanks Ben. Our A209 does have the siphon break, but the A408 does not.
Interestingly, the A209 is the louder of the two machines.
Part of that is because the A408 empties into a standpipe, while the A209 empties into a laundry sink...

 

[yogitunes]

some machines like the filter flo used a 'loop' to reduce or eliminate the cavitation noise...

depending on drain setup, on maytags that had those long hoses, some people circled the drain hose, to take up slack, and reduce the cavitation noise...

 

[goatfarmer]

some of us like that noise.....

 

[swestoyz]

You haven't heard pump cavitation until you've heard an AMP running...

 

[goatfarmer]

amen, Ben...……..

 

[combo52]

Automatic washer pump noise

Some brands of washers like WCI used a rubber check valve in the drain fitting, this will completely stop the sucking noise, you could add one to most any washer if you like.

The Maytag siphon break really didn’t do much for the sucking noise.

You could also add insulation around the water pump itself to reduce the noise, Maytag made a dependable care washer where there was insulation around the motor under the base pan and around the water pump toward the end of the run it really quiet that machine down.

John

 

[washerlover]

Love that noise!!!

Oh yeah, reminds me of my Grandma’s 1962 Wards Signature machine. Music to my ears! I never heard one of those old ‘Tags sound like that. Thought it was an exclusive Norge/Wards sound...

 

[lowefficiency]

Thanks John. I did some searches, but rather blindly... is part number "3204375" the WCI check valve you were referring to?

I had heard of some washers being insulated on the cabinet walls to reduce noise, but I'd never heard about the pump being wrapped. Do you happen to have a photo, or a model I could look up to see how that looked?

Thanks again for the help!