The Maytag Neptune is washing again!

[swestoyz]

Hey Gang -

A few weeks ago I brought home an MAH3000AWW Neptune washer with matching MDG3000AWW dryer (posted under thread 21763: "Mercy Save - Maytag Neptune set!"). Both were minty in appearance, but as I suspected the washer had a few hidden issues up it's sleeve.

Over the last few weeks I've slowly worked on the machines and finally buttoned it up last weekend. After running a half dozen loads through it I am actually pretty impressed with the Neptune. Great wash results, super fast wash cycles for a 'modern' front loader, and damn quiet during wash! Follow along for some pics of the resto*.

*Correction: you can't restore a washer that is only 11 years old. It would be considered a rebuild at this point.

 

[swestoyz]

Issue 1: nasty detergent dispenser. I decided to order a new bezel and door. Instead of cleaning the nasty, a brand new set-up would be in order.

 

[swestoyz]

Issue 2: the washer would not rotate the drum. The problem was a burnt out DC Motor Control board. You can't see it in this photo but the fuse is burnt out. A replacement AC motor and control board would be in order.

 

[swestoyz]

Issue 3: the original upgraded boot w/ drain was NASTY. Instead of cleaning it and having the mold come back, I decided just to order a new one.

 

[swestoyz]

Issue 4: the original red tipped wax motor was still in place! Eeek! I have no idea how it lasted 11 years.

 

[swestoyz]

Issue 5: soap dispenser was FILTHY as well. Removal and a run through the dishwasher is in order too!

 

[swestoyz]

First fix - replaced the wax motor (PN 12002535) with the black tipped unit. This was an easy fix and is considered preventative maintenance more than anything. Need to preserve the good Main Control Board!

 

[swestoyz]

Fix 2: replace the Motor Control board. I have never worked on a Neptune before but felt it to be extremely easy to work on. A few screws removed here, a few there, and bam - easy access. The components on the replacement AC Motor Control are BEEFY, an include an AC filter as well. This is what they should have started out with in the first place. The board is 1/2 of kit PN 12002039.

 

[swestoyz]

Fix 2.5: replace the motor and belt. The original motor doesn't even compare to the replacement. Both the motor conversion kit (PN 12002039) and the belt (PN 12001788) came with replacement motor mount isolators. I can't stress enough of how easy it was to change out the motor. Piece of cake!

(original on the left, replacement on the right)

 

[swestoyz]

After fix 1 and 2 I felt confident enough in the machine to perform the JP4 removal test, as well as a full blown 800 RPM spin test. I wanted to make sure that the bearings were still good in the machine. Thankfully it passed the test with flying colors!

Next up - remove the wash drum to clean, and install the new replacement boot.

 

[swestoyz]

I didn't have any issues removing the boot spring using a pair of vise grips. Thankfully things were totally gross but everything certainly needed a good cleaning. I removed the tub, removed the 6 baffles in the tub and scrubbed everything.

 

[swestoyz]

I was originally worried that the bearings would be bad or the spinner would be disintegrated - but everything checked out okay. Time to put it back together!

 

[swestoyz]

Post cleaning of the wash tub. Actually spent more time cleaning the tub than I did actually working on the machine. Everything was that easy! All 6 of the baffles and the detergent dispenser went through the dishwasher for a through cleaning.

 

[swestoyz]

Spin tub in place with all 6 baffles set.

 

[swestoyz]

Unfortunately I broke the tabs that held the coin guard to the front cover. I'm not sad though because the thing was just GROSS! Even though it was completely clean I'll just make sure to remove everything from pockets before washing jeans. Nice new boot installed (PN 12002533).

 

[swestoyz]

Look ma - no mold!

 

[swestoyz]

During reassembly this much needed repair manual came in handy. I think I downloaded a copy of the .pdf from Service Matters. Note the cleaned dispenser to the left.

 

[swestoyz]

Here we are - all complete!

 

[swestoyz]

Replacement dispenser door vs. original. I don't plan on using the fabric softener/bleach dispenser much at all so it will be set aside.

 

[swestoyz]

RCD was right - the replacement bezel has more meat under the mounting points. Good deal!

 

[mark_wpduet]

Im impressed. Looks great! I've always wanted one of these machines but never went for it. I like the paddles are bigger than in FL's now.

 

[swestoyz]

As I said before I'm pretty happy with the washer. A few adjustments to the cabinet are in order, but other than that - I really think that Maytag had a good washer, but left out some obvious quality issues that were addressed with the fixes I performed to the machine. The washer already had the door/vent/control board upgrade kit completed previously, so the only thing this machine hasn't had yet are new bearings installed.

Someone asked me why I brought this washer home. My folks bought an MAH4000 set when I was still in High School, and I always wondered what would have happened if I would have fixed her machine originally. Her wax motor burnt out the control board and wouldn't complete the final spin. With this being Maytag's last attempt of a new washer design, it finishes off the collection nicely.

Check out the YouTube video I shot with some wash and spin action!

Enjoy -

Ben

 

[pulsator]

But you are wrong Ben! This is not Maytag's last design, one could argue that the Neptune TL is the last Maytag design...

Beautiful machine btw! I love my Neptune!

 

[mayfan69]

Great job Ben

Hey Ben,

Well done! You make it look so easy!
I have to admit, i've always had a soft spot for this Neptune in particular and always watch out for 2nd hand ones on Aussie Ebay from time to time.

At least if i do end up getting one as a play machine, i'll know what to look for. Going to save this thread as a favourite for future reference!!

Cheers
Leon

 

[maytagbear]

Awesome, Ben-

just awesome.

I am glad you were able to bring this machine back to life.

I thought about getting this pair, but I am glad I went with the Dependable Cares.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Ben, the Neptune slayer!

Nice job! I'm the lead Neptune tech here at the shop and watching you put up the pictures of the wonderful work you did makes me happy! My daily driver is a MAH4000AWW set and I've never regretted it. You'll find the clothes come out cleaner and less beat up. A couple of things:

1) I agree that the coin brushes can get really nasty and some of that mildew you had in the boot is a direct result of those brushes not getting clean. Most Neptune owners don't remember to check them. If you want, I will look up the part number of the newer tub cover that the later model MAH55's had which removed the brushes and replaced them with a molded lip. BIG improvement and the cover will cross to the older Neptunes.

2) I saw that your machine has had the PHA rework done on it so that will help also. The machine control board that came with that has routines worked into the programming that will help it keep itself cleaner too.

3) You don't plan to use the bleach dispenser much, huh? Well, you will need to run some chlorine bleach thru the machine every so often which will help sanitize the machine and keep the mold/mildew at bay. The easiest way to do that is to just run a hot washed, bleachy load of whites, sheets or towels. It will help. Making sure you use a HE soap will also help. Powder is usually preferred to liquid as liquids tend to have animal fats and perfumes in them.

4) Did we use a new belt? The older belts were sourced by Dayco and could be problem children. The new Hutchinson mfd belts are an improvement.

You really made that Neptune shine and I hope you enjoy years of happy washing. The out of balance compensation routines in the Newton built Neptunes is, in my honored opinion, a far cry better than whats out on the market today. Enjoy!

RCD

 

[neptunebob]

Ben, when you cleaned the detergent dispenser, did you remove the cover where the water enters? It can get disgusting in there and will need to be cleaned with bleach, otherwise, the mold inside will spread again.

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the Neptune being easy to service - sharp metal edges, have to remove the front to lift up the top, clips that you can easily lose - I hope I never have to work on ours again.

As for the "brushes" around the opening that are supposed to keep coins out, when ours got disgusting I just removed it. So far, I have never had problems with coins getting jammed in the Neptune washer, they just tend to stay in the back of the drum. The dryer and coins is a different story.

 

[gadgetgary]

Ben

That was awesome. Thank you so much for that detailed explaination and video.

I have the original Neptunes(purchased new in 1997) paired with my recent 806 in Harvest Gold.
Yes, I had that control board problem where the washer would not spin. It was a $350 repair(happened after the lawsuit ended)

Love all the Maytags.

 

[swestoyz]

This is not Maytag's last design, one could argue that the Neptune TL is the last Maytag design...

Good argument Jamie! I've always felt that the early patent of Smith's 'other AMP' from 1948 is what drove the later Neptune TL, therefore the design work of the Neptune FL in the 90's would be Maytag's last gasp of design. I did want to say thanks to you for mentioning a few years back that you could open the door on the Neptune and watch it wash. I would have been afraid that water would have spilled all over the place!

...and always watch out for 2nd hand ones on Aussie Ebay from time to time.
Leon, I guess I never knew that Maytag sold these down there! Were they pretty much the same machine, or were there any differences?

I thought about getting this pair, but I am glad I went with the Dependable Cares.
Lawrence, I don't blame you ;-)

...sharp metal edges, have to remove the front to lift up the top, clips that you can easily lose
Bob - sounds like any washing machine, let alone a Neptune! Taking the necessary precautions and being aware of the physical environment is something of habit when you've cut your hands working on cars for years. I did take the top cover off the detergent dispenser and took care of the nastiness hiding underneath. Amazing what happens over time!

Andrew - thanks for the kind words! I was thinking about you while working on the machine and I'm glad you enjoy the photos. The belt was indeed a Hutchinson belt. I'm sure you can imagine the sigh of relief when I saw that. I didn't realize that the PHA rework boards had a different program to keep the container clean - good to know. For those few occasions when I need to use bleach I'll throw the secondary dispenser in the machine. I wanted to leave it out for everyday use to keep as much air exposed in the main dispenser as possible. This machine will never see a drop of liquid detergent, and always a low sudsing powder or HE equivalent. I think back 10 years to the full cups of All my family poured into the MAH4000. Surprised the machine lasted as long as it did! Of the handful of loads I ran I recall a fairly bulky load and the machine going through a re-distribution to get it to spin on balance. Certainly before it's time.

Ben

 

[mayfan69]

Defintely Sold Here

Hey Ben,

These were definitely sold here and in pretty decent numbers as well.

They are almost exactly the same as the models that you have including the later full electronic versions. I actually remember going to a home show here in Brisbane when they were about to be released and they did cause quite a stir.

They were pretty expensive when they were introduced. If memory serves, the Washer itself was close to AU$3000.00 (US$2100 approx on current exchange rates)brand new, not sure how much the dryer was.

They pop up on ebay every now and then and in most cases, in decent condition. Not sure of the parts availability here though.

Leon