Thinking to get used Maytag Neptune FL

[DigAPony]

I'm thinking about picking up an inexpensive used Neptune FL on Craigslist.

Which are the better models/series and what should I watch for regarding condition and trouble spots? I'd rather not have to do a full rebuild right now.

-Thanks

 

[yogitunes]

well if its a electro-mechanical model, go with the 4000 series......

but preference goes for a digital model, starting with the 5500, 6500 w/heater, 7500 w/Touchscreen StainBrain....

the only main issues I have come across is bearings and seals....

if its the Amana version with front controls.....RUN!

 

[DigAPony]

Well, I picked up a 5500 Neptune serial # 88xxx on CL for $35. The seller was trying to tell me it was less than a year old and in excellent condition, he must've been having eyesight problems...

Needs a good cleaning and it looks like the drum was making contact with the lower inner door leaving brownish grooves in the plastic?

What should be done to put it into daily driver use?

 

[yogitunes]

well what is it doing during a cycle?....first put it into spin, it will take a few minutes to reach top speed, is it smooth and quiet, or a loud roar....

noises of any type?.....

maybe needing a good cleanout?.....

pull out the tech sheet and put it into service mode, and run some of the test...

you may have lucked out with a great machine, but from experience, with that low of a price tag, theres usually something wrong....

note:you do have to hook up both water lines, to hot and cold, otherwise it will throw a code at you....

 

[DigAPony]

what is it doing during a cycle?

I haven't run it yet, perhaps tomorrow.

What do you think caused the damage to the inner door?

 

[combo52]

Inner Door Damage

Could have been caused by many things, such as washing to big a load of jeans, washing shoes, a screwdriver left in a pocket, LOL.

This type of damage is very common on Neptune washers, this is why most companies had enough sense to use something other than plastic for the inner door panel, gee maybe they should have used a glass window, but if you listened to Maytag when they introduced the Neptune FL washers they would have you believe that they invented Front Loading washers, LOL.

 

[arbilab]

Without knowing all the bugs which would soon surface, I rejected Neptune simply on the basis of not having a glass door and bought an ElectroFrigiWhite which gave good performance (EXCELLENT rinsing) and no trouble at all for 15 years. I still 'own' it but it's in storage as this retirement ghetto prohibits privately owned appliances bigger than microwaves. (Don't tell them I bought a Panda twintub in April.)

They have a coinop Neptune which has been out of service nearly 2 months with 4 successive breakdowns. And even when it does 'work' it has a nasty growl in spin. How fitting for a government retirement home where everything and everyone is within a rock toss of the landfill or the morgue.