Restoring my Maytag 124 Automatic Washer

brianl · Nov 19, 2009

In the beginning of this week, I became the proud owner of a 1961 Maytag Model 124 Washer. Apparently it was in use from that time of purchase up until last year when the owner past. Her son gave me the washer and dryer combo she had. It seems to cycle correctly, but unfortunately the valves do not close properly and let the hot and cold through. Even the mixing valve does not seem to seat properly as the same thing happened on the warm setting. All 3 solenoids work though. I tried doing what I thought was a thorough cleaning on the cold, hot, & mixing valves, but only managed to slow the cold flow down, although significantly. The cold solenoid was missing a spring, so I borrowed it from the hot for testing, but still am a spring short. Basically I would like to get replacement solenoids, springs, valves, etc. If someone is really good at refurbishing these, I would be open to that too. I would really like to get it working properly and eventually get to the cosmetic part of restoration. Unfortunately no pics taken yet.

Thanks!!

Unimatic1140 · Nov 19, 2009

Order Gemline GVW-1000 water valve repair kit from you appliance part store. You will need two of them since your valve has three solenoids. Page 35 in their catalog...

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brianl · Nov 19, 2009

Thank you for the info!!

You wouldn't know by any chance what the part GEM part number is as I might just want to replace those as well for good measure since they have rust on 2 of them?

Unimatic1140 · Nov 19, 2009

GVW-1000 is the part number of the kit you need which has the plungers, springs, seats and stems all in the kit. As I said you will need two kits for a 3 solenoid valve.

brianl · Nov 19, 2009

, I missed putting the word "solenoid" in there. Those are what could stand to use a replacement too.

Thanks!

bobbyderegis · Nov 19, 2009

There you go Brian. Ask and you shall receive. Any comments on why Maytag thermostatic mixing valves crap out fairly often? The warm setting of 100 degrees usually fails, leaving only cold water to come out. Any remedy for this?
Bobby in Boston

qsd-dan · Nov 19, 2009

Rebuild, or.....

buy a completely new one

Pardon Our Interruption...

brianl · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks for the find!!

Just curious how you can see that is for mine. I cannot tell too good from the pic and obviously it is different from the original one I have. I trust your judgment though!

Hey Unimatic1140,

I was able to order the valve repair kit from Gemline today along with some other parts I needed. Thanks for your help as well!

Brian

swestoyz · Nov 20, 2009

Strange - IIRC the 124 came with a standard two solenoid valve. Are there three seperate wires to power all three solenoids? Maybe you have a 142.... chance we could get a photo of the machine?

Irregardless - you certainly can rebuild the valves.

Ben

brianl · Nov 20, 2009

You're right!

That was my fault, it is a Maytag Model 142, not 124. For some reason, I keep wanting to switch the numbers around. There are 3 separate wires all with a common. For the hot, it is orange & yellow. For the cold, it is white & yellow. For warm, it is blue & yellow. It seems odd that the cold has white & the warm blue. I did test it though, and the white and yellow engage the solenoid if I do cold, and the blue & yellow engage only when I do the warm setting. All 3 solenoids work although they are getting a bit noisy. I am not sure if that is due to the calcium buildup on them, but nonetheless, they do all work and have a magnetic pull.

Does anyone have a parts book or anything on it, as I only have the User's manual that originally came with the machine and a basic generic service manual. While helpful I would like to know part numbers and perhaps some type of detailed service manual so I don't screw anything up. E-mail version would be fine or if someone has a hard copy, I would pay for the shipping. I will try to take and post some pics this evening before I leave for my trip to Boston tonight. I also have the "matching" dryer; model DE606.

Thanks,
Brian