Ready or Not Help Requested - Maytag Washer LA412 & Dryer DE412

[buschhome]

Refer to Thread 50912 - - My Maytag A606 sn#312227MY required a transmission overhaul (have a matching Dryer DE407 sn#838328- which still runs great) but I figured a transmission overhaul might be beyond my skill level of "Call the Maytag Man". After reading this discussion group for awhile - I knew the favored brands were either a vintage Maytag or new Speed Queen. I'd been using the SQ at the laundry-mat but they seemed to become unbalanced often plus they did not seem to have the same tub capacity nor come equipped with a filter. So - I went onto Craig's List and found a matched washer and dryer for sale. The washer is a LA412 Series 02; sn#308203 and the Dryer is a LDE412 Sn#210024PG.

I checked the washer to make sure there were no oil leaks inside the cabinet or from underneath - it was clean. The gal said she had not used the washer in three years but she had been using the dryer on a regular basis - from the looks of the vents I don't think she cleaned much. So I paid her $150 for the pair, got them home and hooked up the washer. I only put a small amount of water in the machine and it ran really rough - I was used to the swoosh swoosh my machine made but this one had some clanking going on and when it drained it wasn't smooth either. When I pulled the filter it was gunked up with brown greasy residue and the inside of the agitator looked like it was a combination of downy and soap that had setup in place. I've cleaned this out for now - but that got me thinking.

So here are my questions - What initial steps would you do to bring this machine on line? If the inner basket is full of gunk - should I be worried - is there any easy way to check? Should I put some type of cleaner in the basket with hot hot water and let it sit. Change out the belts - same with the drain line?

Can any of the parts on my old machines be used for the new???

Are there past posts which you would refer me to?

 

[DigAPony]

Sounds like you got a problem machine, that is probably why it hadn't been run in three years. Some, but not all, parts will interchange with the A606, but wouldn't waste time on it. There are better machines out there.

Here is a top of the line Maytag A712 set in your area: I'd offer $150 assuming everything checks out and you can see them run.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/app/4344139220.html

 

[buschhome]

Hmm - so the A606 parts won't work on the 412?

Most of the time the washers and dryers are not hooked up so you can't check operation until you bring it home. I called on the machines and the guy had only had them two months and was looking to get rid of them. In the picture they are on line but said he had just moved them to the garage.

 

[mrb627]

412

Before you give up on the machine you just brought home, have you tipped it up and had a look at the belts? Can you determine the source of the clanking noise? Were that machines frozen cold when you hooked them up to run them?

Malcolm

 

[DigAPony]

Hmm - so the A606 parts won't work on the 412?

If the A412 is a helical drive transmission then most parts should interchange.

On another note, all it takes to test a washer is a garden hose hooked up to the water inlet and somewhere to plug it in. That can be done right in the driveway.

 

[buschhome]

When I picked up the pair - both were in the house so hopefully they were not frozen up. I'm going to swap out the belts per suggestions from Malcolm and Bruce. It's still winter here - so I'll be testing indoors as much as possible. I'll let you all know a little later how this goes. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[mrb627]

Water Pump

Sometimes unexpected noises can come from something in the water pump. You may want to pull the hose off the pump pulley and check the pulley for resistance. Or operate without the pump belt and see if the noise is gone. Pump may have something wound around the impeller or perhaps it need a shot of oil.

Malcolm

 

[DigAPony]

I picked up the pair -

Good score, (I assume we're talking about the A712 set?). The A412 is a basic machine, one speed, no bleach dispenser, no warm rinse option, etc.

The A712 was the top of the line and very expensive at the time, around $1200 in today dollars.

By the way, if you want to remove the agitator for cleaning just back off the set screw on the lower barrel area and pull straight up.

 

[buschhome]

Ready or Not - Help Requested - Update

On the pair that I picked up, the washer is a 412 - basic model - but it will suffice for my needs. It is running now fairly smoothly but not a nice as the A606. I switched out the belts and that seem to have smoothed things out - although the belts I took off did not look worn, cracked or have flat spots. It may just have been that the machine had sat for awhile and needed to be used a bit to warm up. The glides are squeaking - so may take the motor off and lub those next if it continues. I cleaned the agitator and filter which were gunked up from overdoses of fabric softener and from the looks of it never cleaned. Both look new again.

On the Dryer DE407 - it too had not been cleaned for quite some time. Removed the front panel, lint trap, and the accumulation of lint all around. Should see a few loads soon.

My Maytag A606 needs transmission overhaul so I may use for parts and or sell - I have a matching Halo of Hear Dryer DE406 which may be available soon.

 

[buschhome]

Ready or Not - Help Requested - Update

Most importantly - I wanted to thank everyone especially Malcolm and Bruce for their suggestions and encouragement to keep on trying a few things before throwing in the towel. I feel fairly certain that I will be able to get some good use out of this pair. While they are not "collector" quality - they are "functional" Have a great day everyone!