Old Maytags

Congratulations, you have a pair of some of the very best laundry machines ever made. They are very effective, pretty gentile on clothes, reliable, and easy to work on. Changing the belts on the washer doesn't even require tools and takes less than 10 minutes. Maytag kept the same design of guts for decades so parts are easy to get and not too pricey. If you have a mechanical problem, it is definitely worth fixing. These old Maytags will outlast any new replacement by many years.

You may not be familiar with using such old machines but here's a tip. The agitator contains both a fabric softener dispenser and a lint filter.

The fabric softener dispenser is the removable cup on top. You put a measured dose of liquid fabric softener into the cup and then fill it up to just below the slots with water. The fabric softener will automatically be dispensed into the rinse cycle. Periodically you should remove the cup and clean out the accumulated wax/grease (a major component of fabric softener). You should also periodically clean the inside of the lint filter to remove fabric softener wax/grease. The inside of the agitator may also need to be periodically cleaned. If you notice grease streaks on your clothes, this is the likely problem.

The lint filter is often missed by people who aren't familiar with the machine. Just grab the top of the agitator where the fabric softener dispenser is (grab between the top and the top of the 4 vertical vane extensions). Pull straight up. A little twisting may be necessary if it hasn't been removed in eons. The part that comes up is the lint filter. You should clean the lint filter after each and every load you wash. Examine the lint filter carefully and see if the holes in are clogged. If they are, soak the lint filter in very hot water to soften the lint. I cleaned mine by poking each hole with a sewing pin (it took forever but darn it, it works!).

Be thankful for having a lint filter in the washer. Most washers now don't have them, and those that do are often of negligible effectiveness. Just clean it after each use (usually about a quarter-sized glob of lint) and it will remain clean and render your laundry cleaner than any competition.

Great machines,
Dave


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Post# 269843 3/15/2008 at 19:37 (5,882 days old) by schtik ()
Checkrate/Likes I inherited a Maytag washer and dryer and have been using them regularly. I think they were built in the 60's but I'm not sure. I (o.k., my wife) has decided she wants to buy a new set but I am reluctant to just let them take these away to the scrap yard. If there are any takers, post a msg. The model I can find on the Washer is A640. It is a matching set and they still work perfectly.

Post# 269935 , Reply# 1 3/16/2008 at 10:03 (5,881 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes Can you post pictures of these, including shots of interiors?

Post# 270026 , Reply# 2 3/16/2008 at 15:27 (5,881 days old) by schtik ()
Checkrate/Likes *Maytag* I found the model numbers for both and am posting pics of both.The washer is an A606 and the dryer is its match de 307.

Post# 270027 , Reply# 3 3/16/2008 at 15:29 (5,881 days old) by schtik ()
Checkrate/Likes *maytag* 1 more

Post# 270028 , Reply# 4 3/16/2008 at 15:29 (5,881 days old) by schtik ()
Checkrate/Likes *maytag* and another...

Post# 270029 , Reply# 5 3/16/2008 at 15:30 (5,881 days old) by schtik ()
Checkrate/Likes *maytag* the last one...

Post# 270231 , Reply# 6 3/16/2008 at 23:53 (5,881 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *They are KEEPERS!* Congratulations, you have a pair of some of the very best laundry machines ever made. They are very effective, pretty gentile on clothes, reliable, and easy to work on. Changing the belts on the washer doesn't even require tools and takes less than 10 minutes. Maytag kept the same design of guts for decades so parts are easy to get and not too pricey. If you have a mechanical problem, it is definitely worth fixing. These old Maytags will outlast any new replacement by many years. You may not be familiar with using such old machines but here's a tip. The agitator contains both a fabric softener dispenser and a lint filter. The fabric softener dispenser is the removable cup on top. You put a measured dose of liquid fabric softener into the cup and then fill it up to just below the slots with water. The fabric softener will automatically be dispensed into the rinse cycle. Periodically you should remove the cup and clean out the accumulated wax/grease (a major component of fabric softener). You should also periodically clean the inside of the lint filter to remove fabric softener wax/grease. The inside of the agitator may also need to be periodically cleaned. If you notice grease streaks on your clothes, this is the likely problem. The lint filter is often missed by people who aren't familiar with the machine. Just grab the top of the agitator where the fabric softener dispenser is (grab between the top and the top of the 4 vertical vane extensions). Pull straight up. A little twisting may be necessary if it hasn't been removed in eons. The part that comes up is the lint filter. You should clean the lint filter after each and every load you wash. Examine the lint filter carefully and see if the holes in are clogged. If they are, soak the lint filter in very hot water to soften the lint. I cleaned mine by poking each hole with a sewing pin (it took forever but darn it, it works!). Be thankful for having a lint filter in the washer. Most washers now don't have them, and those that do are often of negligible effectiveness. Just clean it after each use (usually about a quarter-sized glob of lint) and it will remain clean and render your laundry cleaner than any competition. Great machines, Dave

Post# 270251 , Reply# 7 3/17/2008 at 05:52 (5,880 days old) by hilovane (Columbus OH)
Checkrate/Likes My mom and grandmother had the "606" models-my mom had hers for 20 years; my grandmother's was almost 22 years old at the time when she sold it with her house 14 years ago. The A606 model was reputedly one of the best-selling Maytag machines of all time.

Post# 270454 , Reply# 8 3/18/2008 at 05:27 (5,879 days old) by keithelong ()
Checkrate/Likes *Old Maytags* Maytag Dependable Care washers used the same pump and drive and pump belts from 1956 until the plant closed in Newton, Iowa last fall. The pump was metal until 1962 when they changed it to a "space age" plastic. Actually that was a good application of plastic as they were much more resistant to chemicals that caused leaks and bearing corrosion. Maytag led the way for that technology. I only ever changed one metal pump, my guess is that was one of the first things to fail from hard use and I started repairing Maytags in 1977. I had worked on GEs since 1972.

Post# 270458 , Reply# 9 3/18/2008 at 06:02 (5,879 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes You will never find a washer or dryer as dependable as these anymore.The washer has the Hellical drive transmission that works only during agitation.During spin the gears stay still while the entire transmission revolves abot 660 rpms.Two belts at the very bottom of the machine run the trans as well as the Polly Pump.The inner AND outer tubs are porcelain on steel and the top and lid are porcelain on steel. The dryer is a "Halo-of-Heat" model that has a porcelain on steel drum and top.It has a tripple belt assembly and the heating element wraps around the back of the drum.The arms in this dryer each have metal bars that sense the dampness or dryness of the load and will go to a 10 minute cool down period automaticaly once the load is dry.It has a chime instead of a buzzer once the clothes are dry.I wish I lived closer,I'd be interested in saving them from harm.

Post# 270466 , Reply# 10 3/18/2008 at 08:36 (5,879 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.)
Checkrate/Likes *The DE 307 IS NOT an electronic control dryer* Laundromat only D606, 806, & 906 models had the electronic dry control, all the rest of the Maytag dryers had timed control except a lttle later on when the 409 (is that the right model # guys?) came out with Maytags first thermostat auto control called auto dry. Also I thought I read somewhere that the Halo Of Heat heating element was in the front of the dryer and that is why the front of the cabinet got so nice and toasty warm....is that true or am I mistaken? PAT COFFEY

Post# 270495 , Reply# 11 3/18/2008 at 13:02 (5,879 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes You're probably right.Even though I see automatic dry settings on the timer,I don't seev the metal bars on the one exposed arm,Sorry I ain't perfect.

Post# 270590 , Reply# 14 3/18/2008 at 22:29 (5,879 days old) by rickr (.)
Checkrate/Likes *poly pump on same machine* Replacement poly pump just before front of machine was attached. Also note the small springs on the early suspention system. (1958)

Post# 270581 , Reply# 12 3/18/2008 at 21:43 (5,879 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)
Checkrate/Likes *The pump was metal until 1962 when they changed it to a &quo* Never saw that. Anyone have any pics of the metal pump?

Post# 270588 , Reply# 13 3/18/2008 at 22:24 (5,879 days old) by rickr (.)
Checkrate/Likes *metal pump pixs* Here is a pixs of the 1958 Maytag washer I restored a few years back. You can see the metal pump on the top left area. The machine had sat for 20+ years in a basement and the pump had to be updated to the poly pump.

Post# 271274 , Reply# 15 3/21/2008 at 18:01 (5,876 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes *schtik:* You would do very well to keep those machines- they are of much higher quality and much better-engineered design than anything available today, including the most expensive imports. They are extremely simple in design, and very easy to repair yourself. Parts are readily available, and reasonably priced. If you were to buy new machines today, and give those Maytags to a neighbour, you'd be kicking yourself in a few years, when your new machines were broken beyond economical repair, and the Maytags were still doing just fine at your neighbour's house. Dave (volvoguy87) is absolutely correct about the lint filter and the softener dispenser in the washer- you will need to clean them both. The softener cup just lifts out, and can be scrubbed easily. The lint filter lifts out of the top of the agitator, and may need scrubbing with an old toothbrush if it has been neglected. In extreme cases, the lint filter may need its holes poked clean with a toothpick or pin. Once you have it clean, it's easy to clean each time you use the machine- you will find a little wad of lint on it about the size of a quarter. Just pick it off the filter with your fingers- very easy. You would also do well to open up the dryer and vacuum out any lint you find inside it. Do this with the dryer completely disconnected from the electricity, and be very careful not to knock the vacuum's tools against any exposed wires you find inside, to avoid breaking any connections. You understand, the only reason I'm telling you all this is that Ottawa is too far away for me to come and get those beauties! :-)