Sluggish Agitation

[autowasherfreak]

I've noticed lately that my Maytag is a little sluggish when it first starts to agitate, it has new belts so I don't think that is the problem.

Our temperatures here in Iowa have dropped and the washer is in the basement which is kind of cool right now. Could that be causing the sluggish agitation? I never gets below freezing down there. I would guess the temperatures to be in the lower 60's.

 

[gyrafoam]

When that tranny oil gets old and becomes a sludge it can really be slow when it is cold. Especially if it sits for long times between loads. I have seen them take five minutes or so to get up to speed sometimes.

My old Highlander is very sensitive to the cold, so I just take it out of service over the winter months when my basement temperature can get as low as 58-60F.

If used regularly during the summer months she is not slow at all except for the first few strokes.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Mine does that when it's cold in the basement.

If you have a 2 speed machine, let it agitate the first minute or two on gentle speed then switch to regular speed. It should take right off.

I believe the transmission oil gets a little gummy with age.

Ken D.

 

[mixfinder]

Springy

The roller, spring and slide system need to be in properly cleaned and lubricated. Slow beginnings, unrelated to cold temperatures, can be caused by the spring and roller tensioning.

 

[whirlaway]

Slow

Im usually a little slow my first couple strokes too!

 

[gyrafoam]

Naughty boy.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Im usually a little slow my first couple strokes too.

Aren't we all, LOL. The springs and glides were all replaced earlier this summer and relubed. She's usually up to full speed within a minute or so.

How hard is it to replace the oil?

PS: I like dirty minds ;-)

 

[swestoyz]

How hard is it to replace the oil?

You'd be looking at a complete disassembly to change out the transmission fluid. While not a difficult job, it can be daunting if it is your first expirence performing a major service opperation on a Maytag.

I'd use it as it is, after all, most of us are sluggish when things get cold outside, regardless of our age ;-)

Ben

 

[whirlaway]

Grade

What grade of oil is usually used in most machines 30w?

 

[qsd-dan]

What grade of oil is usually used in most machines 30w?

Much thicker, like 80-90 gear oil consistency.

Purchase genuine Maytag trans oil. It's still available........for now. Y056080

 

[kinnakeettom]

Fill the tub with hot water, let it stand 10 mins. then check the speed.

 

[oldwasherguy]

I put an extra spring on the slide and that got rid of all the sluggishness. It`s been 4 years since I did that and all is well. Don

 

[gadgetgary]

An appliance store

Told me to pull one of the springs and attatch it to the frame.

That worked well for one of my sluggish 'Tags'.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I have three springs on it. I think it must be the temperature change. It was fine until this last week when the temperatures dropped.

If I was in that basement I would be pretty sluggish too.

 

[abcomatic]

Autowasherfreak

I live one hour from you and my Maytag auto. is doing the same thing! Maybe tons of those pesky lady bud/beetles have found their way into our machines? Gary

 

[autowasherfreak]

Lady Bugs

Those things are a PITA! I sucked a whole bunch of them up in the vacuum cleaner the other day. The house I used to live always had thousands of box elder bugs on the south side of the house