Maytag LAT3600 Doesn’t Clean Clothes

Always dilute your fabric softner and DO NOT use the detergents that claim to have fabric softner in them.This was a serious problem which began when Rainbarral was introduced back in the 70's.What can happen is in the agitators center,the fab soft'r that wasn't diluted builds up and becomes real gummy looking like tar then as it loosens up,it creates a residue that gets deposited on your clothes.The same thing happens in the wall of the outer tubs in top loaders more than front loaders.But,as a whole, people just have no clue as to what goes on inside their washers and assume that the transmission is leaking oil and go and buy a whole new washer.Months later,the same thing happens and they finaly realise that their old model had nothing wrong with it.It's happened to customers I had at the retailers I worked for more so than not.All the customers I shared that info with came back and some brought their center filters from their Maytags full of lint and "tar"just to show me I was right and thank me for letting them save a bundle.I am not saying the problem you're having is the same but it sounds so familiar and I hope that is what's wrong.If that's what it is,either stop using the detergentw/softner in it or remove the stem in the agitator and soak it in hot water over night.Once it's clean,always dilute the fab soft'r when placing it in the dispenser AND,when the washload you're doing needs no soft'r,just put warm water in it.That helps to keep it clean.Good luck!


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Post# 266589 2/25/2008 at 18:43 (5,902 days old) by adams135 ()
Checkrate/Likes My wife says our washer leaves what she calls detergent spots all over the clothes. It looks to me like it may be the agitator but not sure. The top 2/3s of agitator comes right off when I pull it. It also turns counterclockwise very easily. Suggestions? Any and all help/guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Post# 266594 , Reply# 1 2/25/2008 at 18:50 (5,902 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass)
Checkrate/Likes Is it a "corkscrew" agitator? The top should not come off, it is held on by a bolt on one side at the bottom skirt near the fins. That's prolly your problem. The agitator is not moving the clothing around to wash well.

Post# 266642 , Reply# 2 2/25/2008 at 21:12 (5,902 days old) by adams135 ()
Checkrate/Likes It is a two piece corkscrew. The top 2/3s just pulls straight up while the bottom has a screw going in the side at the bottom. The two piece are obviously meant to come apart …. I just don’t think they should separate that easily. If this is the problem then any recommendations on what I should do?

Post# 266700 , Reply# 3 2/26/2008 at 08:22 (5,901 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass)
Checkrate/Likes Replace the agitator.

Post# 266702 , Reply# 4 2/26/2008 at 08:59 (5,901 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes Always dilute your fabric softner and DO NOT use the detergents that claim to have fabric softner in them.This was a serious problem which began when Rainbarral was introduced back in the 70's.What can happen is in the agitators center,the fab soft'r that wasn't diluted builds up and becomes real gummy looking like tar then as it loosens up,it creates a residue that gets deposited on your clothes.The same thing happens in the wall of the outer tubs in top loaders more than front loaders.But,as a whole, people just have no clue as to what goes on inside their washers and assume that the transmission is leaking oil and go and buy a whole new washer.Months later,the same thing happens and they finaly realise that their old model had nothing wrong with it.It's happened to customers I had at the retailers I worked for more so than not.All the customers I shared that info with came back and some brought their center filters from their Maytags full of lint and "tar"just to show me I was right and thank me for letting them save a bundle.I am not saying the problem you're having is the same but it sounds so familiar and I hope that is what's wrong.If that's what it is,either stop using the detergentw/softner in it or remove the stem in the agitator and soak it in hot water over night.Once it's clean,always dilute the fab soft'r when placing it in the dispenser AND,when the washload you're doing needs no soft'r,just put warm water in it.That helps to keep it clean.Good luck!

Post# 266761 , Reply# 5 2/26/2008 at 17:44 (5,901 days old) by adams135 ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for the advice/suggestions. I do know when pulled the top part of the agitator it looked terrible. Had gunk all over so I thought this was the problem. I cleaned it (had to soak in vinegar) and put back on the bottom agitator. Still have problem. Nice to know what the gunk buildup was from. I will definitely tell my DW. I guess I will have to replace the agitator .. anyone have suggestions where I can get one (or part number). Would be nice if I could find a parts drawing. Sears may be way too high on parts but it is nice being able to see the parts drawing on line. BTW .. My Model is LAT3600AAQ I had heard this was supposed to be a good model. This was why I bought it instead of one of the new models. Thanks again.

Post# 266763 , Reply# 6 2/26/2008 at 17:57 (5,901 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes Of the three parts sources I use, RepairClinic.com is lowest on your agitator. PartsTap.com is a couple dollars higher (they don't match LAT3600AAQ but there is LAT3500AAQ). Sears is considerably higher. I didn't check which has lowest shipping.

Post# 266797 , Reply# 7 2/26/2008 at 21:43 (5,901 days old) by adams135 ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks.. I ordered one fromParts.com as suggested. Saved about $38 over Sears. Hope this is the problem .. :-)

Post# 267211 , Reply# 8 2/29/2008 at 09:03 (5,898 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes What you should try first and foremost is getting some muratic acid at Home Depot or any pool supply place and run 1 gallon with a hot wash and a warm rinse.Set the water level on high.Put nothing in but water and acid and let it go through the entire cycle,wash,rinse,spin off.This will thoroughly clean out the entire washer.The pump,the inner/outer tubs and the agitator.Then when you use fabric softner,either get a Downy ball or dilute what goes into the agitator dispenser.

Post# 267214 , Reply# 9 2/29/2008 at 09:09 (5,898 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes Be sure you wear rubber gloves and a mask in case there is some steam from the mixing with the interior and try to stay away untill it shuts off.Meuratic acid is carosive but has no damaging effect on washers.It just gets rid of any and all impurities between and inside the tubs and pumps.I used it all the time when I would get old machines to rebuild for resale.It even gets out any rust stains that may have built up in the machine.Good luck!