Removing turquoise agitator on 1982 Maytag?

[charbee]

Hi again, we posted back in June, when we found our Maytag A510 (and the sorta-matching dryer). Many things have conspired to cause a delay in us actually getting to use it yet, but our laundry nook is getting closer to becoming a reality, and we've been cleaning up the washer. After pulling out the center "lint filter" we found a bunch of crusty stuff on the inside of the agitator, along with a thick crust of really obnoxiously scented laundry soap. We want to pull the agitator out completely and scrub it clean before we use it, but we can't see any way to do it. All the "appliance repair tip" sites we've found all talk about a 1/4-inch screw on the side, but there isn't one. There is a tiny, tiny round hole in the flared bottom of the agitator, but it's way too small for any screwdriver to go through. There isn't any nut/bolt on the top center that we can see, either, so how does it come out? Any enlightenment will be appreciated!

Also, anyone who can clue us in on how the "lint filter" works, please do. (can't really envision how the lint filter might work, actually...where does the lint collect?)

We're going to try to clean out all that heavily-scented soap crust, but would also appreciate any de-odorizing tips anyone could offer...we are sensitive to artificial "scents" and use scent-free laundry soap. Thanks!

 

[pulsator]

If yoyr certain that there is no screw holding the agitator in, then this agitator is the kind held in by a rubber washer of sorts. It may be hard to do, but you simply have to pull up on the agitator. I'd recommend pouring some very hot water down the center of the agitator to help loosen things up a bit. When you pull up, I wouldn't pull on the base of the agitator, pull on the center column of the agitator. As for the lint filter, when you pulled it out, you should notice the sides of the filter are a plastic screen, that's where the lint collects. On the side of the agitator itself, you'll notice 4 columns of 3-4 holes. When the agitator is washing/ rinsing, it creates currents that turn over in the drum. kinda like if you twisted a doughnuts center to the outside. Anyway, the water coming up to the top on the outisde then moves in toward the agitator and back down, this action provides a flow of water through the holes on the side of the agitator, the water then flows through the lint screen and then comes out by the base of the agitator. This is a modern agitator however, it explains the turning over action of the water with the arrows.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

The one on my A606 was really stuck. I ran a bunch of clothesline rope up and down inside the center part of the agitator, and attached the web of rope to a slidehammer. It came off, it had no choice.

Now I remove the agitator once a month to clean so it won't get stuck again.

Ken

 

[bajaespuma]

I feel like Lisa Douglas asking this question:

What's a slidehammer? I did exactly what you did with the rope, looping it under all 4 fins. Attached the rope to a metal pole and tried levering the whole thing up but only succeeded in lifting the entire *&^$$&@&!! washer and wrenching my back. Kept feeling like the Coyote in the roadrunner cartoon; expecting any minute to either explode or fall down a cliff.

 

[charbee]

Stuck like glue it is...

Tried pulling, and it is totally stuck on. When trying to pull it off, slight amount of up and down play in the metal shaft it sits on, it felt like, but not much. So there's no problem with pulling with a lot of pressure, I mean no seals to worry about breaking, bearings that could be harmed, etc.? If not, then I'll try the rope idea, and if that fails, rent a slide-hammer.

Pulsator: thanks for the info on the currents and how the water flows into the filter. Our first thought about it was that the lint would get stuck down in the agitator itself, or squeeze back out those side holes in the agitator when it got pulled up.

Ken: Thanks also for the tip on removing it regularly. We will, once we can get the thing off.

 

[charbee]

Got it!

Many thanks, y'all. Took a length of nylon rope and put it through the center of the agitator, looping into two opposite bottom holes, brought it up, tied it off and then gave it a good hard yank, and it popped off. Was greeted by a layer of "crust" as big as the agitator on the bottom of the tub, but expected that. Overall, tub is in great shape, no rust, no dings. The only rust I see on the whole machine is on the bottom lip of the lid, in a few spots. The crust on the bottom of the tub should be easy enough to remove, and we can keep it clean now. Very cool design on the fins of the agitator, now that I see it out of the machine...looks like rocket fins! Now to get it clean, and try to get that heavy perfume smell out.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Charbee,
Congrats on your victory!

bajaespuma,
I didn't put the rope around the fins, I ran it up and down inside where the lint filter goes.
A slide hammer is a tool, often used for pulling dents in fenders or pulling automotive axles. See link below.

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/rearwheelbearings/slidehammer.jpg