Who knows about Maytag A608 drain pumps?

[wendy]

My A608 is now 45 years old. All I've ever had to do to it is replace a belt five years ago. Unbelievable! But now it's leaking out of the drain pump. The pump seems to be working. I can't tell just where the water is coming from, but the part of the pump that's above the washer floor seems OK--no leaks from the hose connections, etc. (Haven't yet turned the thing upside down to look more closely underneath. These things are a lot heavier than later models, aren't they?) I suppose there might be a collection of lint/hair/whatever interfering. The pump doesn't appear to come apart so I could clean the inside of the tank, or does it? I tried siphoning a little water out through the intake hole, but that did nothing. Maybe next I'll try snaking out the drain hose from the pump to the wall, in case there's a blockage that is keeping water from leaving as fast as the pump would like.

Any thoughts? IS there a way to clean out the tank if it has 45 years of gunk inside?

Thanks for your wisdom.

 

[goatfarmer]

If the pump is leaking, you should be able to find a replacement, maybe EBay. Is that what you're trying to clean?

35-6780 Washer Drain Pump Compatible With Whirlpool Washer | eBay

✅ Edgewater Parts 35-6780 Washer Drain Pump Compatible With Whirlpool Washer ✅ Used on Whirlpool, Maytag, Admiral And Amana Washers ✅ Replaces: LP128, 356780, 21002219, 21001873 ✅

www.ebay.com

 

[wendy]

Leaking, yes, but I'm not convinced it has to be replaced. I thought if there's a way I can get inside the pump tank, where I'm sure there is crud collected, perhaps just removal of said crud would do the trick. If not, yes, new pumps are available. Maybe snake out through one of the hose openings....

 

[combo52]

Leaking Maytag dependable care washer pump

If the pump is leaking, it normally should be replaced the most common place for it to leak is through the shaft seal, which is not replaceable on a pump that is heat welded together, you could possibly have a hole in the housing. I’ve never seen this on a tech pump that you could CO with some sort of sealant from the outside, I suppose.

A buildup of crud which I’ve never seen happen in a Maytag pump will not cause it to leak. It might cause it to jam up or not allow water to pass through it, but I’ve never seen it cause a pump to leak.

Take the front off the machine and examine the pump. It’s also easy to take the pump off the machine. It’s just two hoses and three little screws that hold it to the base of the washer then you can take the pump out and examine it more with more accuracy.

John

 

[wendy]

Thanks to John (Combo52) for this educated reply. Based on your info I think I'll have to go for replacing the pump, although first I'll try to inspect the bottom of it (it looks OK from the top), which will mean tilting the machine far enough to get to the underside. (A 1979 washer: heavy.) I'll have to do that anyway to replace the pump. If I see it leaking from anyplace other than the shaft seal I'll rethink. Thanks again.

 

[DADoES]

 
Wendy, pump tank refers the outer tub? 

 

[goatfarmer]

Have at it

 

 

[wendy]

John (Combo52) hit it just right. I pulled the pump. No hole in the housing. Must have been the shaft seal. Replaced the pump. (Nice that the OEM part is still available.) All systems go. Thanks again for letting me put your experience to good use.