Rebuilding old tub/lip seals on rare/vintage machines

[maytagneptune]

I wanted to order a second tub seal for my Maytag Neptune TL and recently the part has gone NLA! The machine is less than 20 years old and I don't think that many seals were sold in 2.5 years from between when I got the machine and when the part was discontinued. I really hope there are seals as old stock somewhere and they weren't disposed of when Whirlpool stopped manufacturing the component. If I have another bearing problem, do I have no other choice but to pack the clutch bearings with waterproof grease, install waterproof bearings from SKF, Nachi or Timken and apply gasket maker to the worn seal to try to keep most of the water in the tub? If anyone has another seal, Please contact me. The Part Number is WP25001090. I have seen other members repair seals on their antique washers from the 40s and 50's. I couldn't find any aftermarket alternatives since the OEM is discontinued.

 

[slowspin66]

Can you post a picture.

Hello there can you possibly post a picture of the seal you’re looking for . I
May have an idea . Regards

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>... and I don't think that many seals were sold in 2.5 years from between when I got the machine and when the part was discontinued.</blockquote> Neptune TLs were probably weren't produced past early 2006 and low-quantity sellers.  WP bought Maytag at end of Mar 2006.  I imagine they quickly stopped production if it hadn't already ended.  The service manual I have is dated Dec 2003.  A sales brochure is dated Jan 2004.  A Service Flash Sept 2004 related to clutch/pulley revision.  A Service Flash dated Jul 2006 related to frequent off-balance references "a new clutch introduced in production in Mar 2005."  The serial number of mine is Dec 2005, I bought it NIB in May 2008 on close-out for $239 + $86 shipping from NJ to TX.

The brochure touts warranty coverage:

  - Lifetime:  Free parts on replacement of stainless steel inner wash basket.

  - 10 Years:  Free parts on replacement of washer motor, outer tub, sealed transmission, and exterior cabinet, top and lid against rust-through.  Free parts on replacment of dryer exterior cabinet, including the door, DuraCushion™ tumbler, and tumbler front and back, against rust-through.

  - 5 Years:  Free parts on replacement of LCD and LED controls.

  - 2 Years:  Free parts.

  - 1 Year:  Free parts and labor.

All those coverage points are long expired from expected/reasonable sales dates except the Lifetime item, and that depends on who/what determines "lifetime."

TV ad referencing "now available at Lowes and free delivery through March 20, 2004."

 

[maytagneptune]

Reply #2

When I was referencing "and I don't think that many seals were sold in 2.5 years from between when I got the machine and when the part was discontinued" I acquired the machine in 2020 just before the plandemic and had to replace both bearings and the tub seal. I wanted to order another so I would have it on hand to replace the seal a second time if I had to do it again in the future and now I can't acquire a replacement, I am not sure what to do to make it not leak if I have another bearing failure. The Neppy TL is completely dependent on that lip seal to even function. If it leaks at all and water gets into the clutch, that'll kill everything. There is the option to repack with marine grease but that's not the ideal solution, the machine would be very loud when spinning and if the leak gets worse and it leaks out everywhere, we would be talking hundreds of dollars in damage. I want to be able to enjoy this machine for many more years and not have it leak or the bearings/clutch fail and have to put the machine in the corner as a paperweight until it's 40+ years old to be displayed in some sort of appliance museum.

 

[combo52]

Main seal for a Neptune top load washer

I only ever saw about two of these fails. This is not the biggest problem you'll have with this machine, the water seal is a critical part on any washing machine no washing machine will work with water leaking into the bearings very long nothing special about that.

If you did the job, well you probably don't have much to worry about, the plastic transmission, and the gear driven impellers that are underwater are far more prone to fail than the main seal, probably your best bet is to grab a couple extra machines and save all the critical parts if you want to keep this running for 30 years starting with control boards, lid locks and inlet valves. They were all much more of a problem as well as a motor board.

John