My Father in Law wanted me to help him work on his old (30+ year) Maytag A207. So here I am on Christmas day working on this old beast. I took the front cover off, no prob. But he says "wait, look under the washer", so we tilt it up, and the floor (he has it on carpet) is covered in oily greasy stuff. I took the rubber cup off the bottom of the center spindle, and it was kind of full of oil. There's no evidence of a leak when looking into the cabinet, only from below.

Anyone have any Ideas on what seal is bad, and is it fixable by a fairly determined guy. I know my F.I.L. would like to keep this washer.

Thanks
DavidC

Hello and welcome.

Do we have a potential candidate to attend a wash-in "get together" in Tucson in March?

Come on down, but why wait till March?

hey david welcome to maytag class ha ha.. there is an o ring seal inside the trans in the lower end of the case that is letting oil seep down the shaft and out the bottom just did mine in fall its a tiny seal very cheap but the trans has to come out of the machine and apart its not a bad job just takes time..

Christfr, thanks for the quick reply.
Is there a manual you'd recommend (or on-line diagrams)if I wanted to tackle this? I'd rather not start it unless I have some idea what I'm up against.


(I think I can, I think I can)

Keep an eye out for a Maytag Repair Master book - like the one linked on Ebay. Don't pay this ridiculous price though, they can be had for several dollars constantly on Ebay and possibly Amazon. This seller just happens to be a blithering idiot.

RepairClinic.com is a good place to find many parts.

I purchased this book and it seems to cover most early 2-belt models.

yes you can yes you can.. you can do it...im still after patrick to do his tag ha ha..

Ok, My FIL went to Home Depot, and looked at new units. His better half may decide that she just wants something newer than a 35 year old washer. So he has two questions for all the folks on this board. Assuming its the little 0-ring mentioned in christfr's post
1.) Am I going to be able to get a replacement part?
2.) Any idea on how long this will take to fix.

I found the repair master for about 10 bucks somewhere on line.
If they go the new washer route, what should he do with the old one? He'd probably send it to the dump if I can't convince him otherwise. Anyone interested in an old washer?(if it get's to that)

I'm saving that rebuild for one of our "fun" activities when you come to visit!

Patrick

Sound's like you guy's are "drifting" a little on me here!

David,
Yes, the seal is available. The only part likely to fail in this washer which is not easily found is the timer motor.
At least not in Northern Colorado. Took me two days to track one down.
So I would go for it.
As to your second question, there are lots of folks who collect Maytags of that vintage. Lots of us live around where you're at.
If it goes out the door, try a thread on the Imperial forum offering it.
Me? I'd fix it. Those Maytags were and are some of the best US stuff available. Modern US machines are pretty much repairs waiting to happen.
We drift on this site, don't worry about it. The most knowledgeable mechanics on the site are usually also the worst at going in and off topic.
If you do get to fix it, take lots of photos and post them with any questions. Maytags are not my specialty, but some of the folks here can rebuild that tranny blind.
Oh-and do be sure to dispose of the old oil properly. It's done its job, new oil won't break the bank.
Good luck!

I have had great success at G & N Appliance Parts. There is one in South Tucson on 4th, between (I think) 29th and 36th on the east side of the street. Also one on Oracle north of Prince a little ways also on the east side of the street. I walked in there carrying a 25 year old pump from a GE washer, and the guy had the new one out before I reached the counter.

Yea, I don't mind a little drift, as long as we "keep it clean" :)
I'm trying to keep this washer from ending up in the dump somewhere. I've been to G&N in Tucson lots of times, I've kept my appliances alive with their help, they're good guys.
So... If the part is available, the question remains: Is this a 2 hour job, or 6 or 10, or what? I'm pretty patient, but can only work on it on the weekend, and my FIL has told me he can't go a week without a washer. Oh yea, another BIG question: Will I need any special tools??
You all have been lots of help, and I have this forum bookmarked now. Wish I had found it years ago. Thanks for all the help and input.
David

If you replace that washer, you'll replace it every 6 years for ever after.

Ken D.

Yea, I know. The thing is if I can't get a handle on what it will take (special tool wise, and time guestimate) he'll probably end up with a shiny new home depot special. I was going to buy the repair master book, but would rather not if he's going to junk it anyway. (I suppose the book can be sold with the washer as an "extra")

I hope to hear from "someone who knows"

thanks

I am not a specialist for vintage Maytags, as I said. Last tranny pull and fix was many moons ago - took me a whole afternoon.
Did it at a friend's house, he had all the tools we needed. I don't recall needing anything 'special', but then he was fully equipped.
(Toggle, don't you dare, I get the feeling David & Co. are straight.)
But why don't you just go all out and renew this beautiful old machine? New belts, new wheels and springs (if needed) on the motor sled, clean out the water level hose...she should run another 30 years with the tranny seal fixed and new oil.
All of that should still not take more than a long afternoon.
Where o where are all the Maytag know-it-alls when we need them?

There is a special wrench needed to take off the tub nut. But some folks have success with a hammer and chisel. I've not done this repair,if you need to remove the brake assembly,another special wrench is needed.

kennyGF

check to see if your agitator has a screw on it

this is from my 308s


if it does u need to use a nutdriver on it to turn that screw then u can take the agitator off

this is the screw


check to see if there is a indicator line on the agitator that will tell u if u have a screw on the agitator