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Thread Number: 66926
/ Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Should I try to revive my poor Maytag Atlantis? |
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| Post# 896169 8/29/2016 at 12:58 (2,795 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
A while back I posted a thread showing photos of the Maytag Atlantis I have that has been at my father-in-law's house the past 2-3 years.
www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T... Remember when I said it was in still excellent condition, but that they weren't taking very good care of it? That was an understatement. A very HORRIBLE understatement. Long story short, because we haven't been going over there much in the past year or so (the mother in law, Brandy, has some starkly contrasting political and religious views that are beyond unbearable), I haven't been able to keep tabs on just how badly they were treating my washer. So, fast forward to now, they're moving into her mother's old house, who already had a fairly recent Whirlpool DD set ( nice one too, God help its soul with those sloppy people), and I had to make the choice whether they put it on the road, or I brought it home finally after all these years. And I'm heartbroken. I'll post pictures later when I can, but I've never seen a washing machine that filthy. I've already taken it apart down to the bare outer tub, and spend my entire Sunday scrubbing everything out in the driveway. I've never seen so much gunk buildup in my life, and I kid you not, no exaggeration at all, it smelled like a sewer. Like a storm drain that has gone stagnant, but ten times worse, with a hint of cheap dollar store detergent to make it worse. The worst of it though is that it's slinging amber colored grease from underneath. When they moved it, there was a square of goop under the machine, and the smell is unmistakable. The part that has me livid is that they noticed it a year into using it, but figured it was "nothing major since it still worked fine" so they didn't tell me anything about discovering it. I have no earthly idea how it has been running still this whole time. It agitates and spins perfectly, but since I've had it on the slab of our garage, you can see little droplets appear every second or so on the ground around the cabinet. Running it for a few minutes gave a nice little sprinkling. It's also caked around the inside of the undercarriage from the belt slinging it out. As far as I can tell, despite the disgusting shape it was in, everything else is fine. There are some fine white shavings around the suspension inside, but it doesn't squeak or squeal, and it still stops in a split second as always. I also don't know if maybe just the transmission seal needs to be changed, if that's even a thing that can be done. Like I said, it still operates perfectly. From what I can tell the agitation isn't slipping at all either. I can't find where the oil is leaking because inside the actual machine, there isn't a drop. It's only underneath. Today I may try taking the drive pulley off. I know that to most, it's silly to try and keep a 2002 washing machine, especially since transmissions are $250 at the lowest to buy brand new. But it does mean a lot to me. A quick history: back at the time, I was going into 6th grade, and our KitchenAid DD had just died. We didn't have much money back then, so we saved for a few months and I'm pretty sure my parents used saved income tax money, and we went to the actual Maytag Dealer store in Tuscumbia AL, and all agreed and picked out this machine. After that, a year or so later my dad had an accident at work, ruining his back, and for four or five years during the battle for disability and a lawsuit against Advance Auto Parts and workman's comp, my mom was the sole bread winner working two jobs. So, I was the "mom" of the house, and did all the laundry, dishes, yard work, everything. And mowed yards when I could for $20 or so and used that to help buy house supplies and help with utility bills and such. My dad and I also didn't get along much after everything happening. He changed alot. And despite how hard I worked and still kept my grades up in school, my parents didn't really treat me the best. This washer was part of my escape. I loved doing all the work of the house and actually asked my mom just to let me handle it all so she could rest when she was home from work. I was always so meticulous with everything, but I'd spend an hour every few weeks deep cleaning the machine. I kept that thing immaculate. So all these years later after my dad has passed away, and all the history of what has happened with my family over the years, this washing machine is one of the three items I have left from when I had a "semi-normal" life with my parents and brother as a family of my own, as sadly my mother doesn't speak to me, and my brother now spends most of his time getting mixed up in the wrong crowds, to say the least. So despite the possibility of this being a hassle and a money pit, I don't want to just throw those memories out on the road if I don't absolutely have to. | ||
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| Post# 896214 , Reply# 2 8/29/2016 at 15:16 (2,795 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada) | ||
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| Post# 896216 , Reply# 3 8/29/2016 at 15:25 (2,795 days old) by brucelucenta () | ||
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I have actually junked more than one of those that the transmission locked up on and had thrown grease all over the floor. | ||
Post# 896264 , Reply# 4 8/29/2016 at 18:11 (2,795 days old) by Yogitunes  (New Jersey) |
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hate to see any machine go beyond repair......
and some are beyond re-building capabilities..... not to say, toss it out......but instead, two factors....save the whole machine, or parts (control panel-wiring, motor, solenoids, pump and hoses)... who knows, you may search and find another machine, with a good base, and transfer the control panel over to it.....what better than to have the one you remember so well... granted it wont be the actual born with body you started with......but that control panel alone will bring back great memories for you, and a working machine to enjoy for years to come... we have swapped panels for many machines....even to upgrade a lower unit.... keep us posted.... | ||
| Post# 896274 , Reply# 5 8/29/2016 at 19:19 (2,795 days old) by ilovewindex (Tualitan OR) | ||
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| Post# 896276 , Reply# 6 8/29/2016 at 19:25 (2,795 days old) by Sbond22 (Grove City, Fl. USA) | ||
The beautiful seal on the lid is still shiny as ever.  | ||
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Post# 896277 , Reply# 7 8/29/2016 at 19:25 (2,795 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
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Another example of no good deed goes unpunished! What a shame that your in-laws are so disrespectful of you and your property. My first thought after reading down to the part where your family scrimped and saved to purchase this Maytag was, by all means keep it and clean it up and make the neccesary repairs, since it has sentimental value for you. But after reading down through your entire post my heart just went out to you over the bad memories you also have about your own family relations. If it were me, even though I really do appreciate keeping older applainces in service, I'm afraid I'd let it go to charity, and let them clean it up.
And I sure as hell would never lend anything to those slobs again. When some people don't have to pony up the do- ra- me they just don't give a damn how they treat someone else's carefully maintained property. Let them buy their own damn washer! And I certainly hope this hasn't caused any strife between you and you spouse. Eddie This post was last edited 08/29/2016 at 23:30 | ||
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Post# 896297 , Reply# 8 8/29/2016 at 20:27 (2,795 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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| Post# 896341 , Reply# 9 8/29/2016 at 23:58 (2,795 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK) | ||
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| Post# 896408 , Reply# 10 8/30/2016 at 12:28 (2,794 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa) | ||
 The sewer smell is pretty common on a lot of machines, but seems more noticeable on Atlantis & Performa washers. It seems a lot of gack can get built up in the tub-to-pump hose & the drain hose. The tub tops seem to get really filthy as well. We sold a lot of these machines new & rehabbed & sold a lot of them used as well. At one time, we had over 125 of these sitting in the warehouse pushed to the back and we kept getting DD machines done to resell. Well, when that supply ran out and my contacts for these machines moved on, we decided to start getting the Herrin-built machines done. A lot of these machines stank. A good soaking and cleaning did the trick. You might want to do a snubber job as well. We do that to all of these we resale. Just beware of the heavy brake spring. It could hurt you if not done correctly. | ||
| Post# 896415 , Reply# 11 8/30/2016 at 13:37 (2,794 days old) by Johnb300m (Chicago) | ||
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| Post# 896420 , Reply# 12 8/30/2016 at 14:58 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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Thanks guys. The hubby and family that do know me well have said the same things. And this will be the first repair of any kind whatsoever on the machine, so I think that speaks volumes. In addition to it STILL RUNNING.
So, sorry for the delay. First, a Memorial Photo, when I first brought it to my apartment a few months after my dad passed away and my mom was having to move into her parents house (who had both passed away in the same year as my father), and she asked me if I wanted it since that was "my thing", lol. When I got it I disassembled it down to the outer tub and gave it a good washing, but it had minimal buildup, primarily around the tub ring. Nothing compared to what you're about to see. 
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| Post# 896422 , Reply# 13 8/30/2016 at 15:07 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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And now the before pics, direct from the Hell it was living in to my garage.
In person was much worse than pictures can show, plus the smell. I took a short video (using Snapchat and saved it but of course forgot to take an actual picture) of the agitation and spin, as well as the black mold and brown grease and fabric softener residue built up inside the agitator. I'd love if we could upload short video clips as part of the photo uploader on the site here. I may splice them together in a quick YouTube vid soon. I will have to get a new basket hub gasket, but as far as I can tell the seal and bearings are fine. The snubber has telltale shavings but there is no indication of it giving problems yet, so my main focus is just finding the transmission to start with. | ||
| Post# 896423 , Reply# 14 8/30/2016 at 15:10 (2,794 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago) | ||
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YAY!
IMO, the Atlantis series was the most gorgeously designed top loader ever created. It really stood out in a sea of utilitarian, white boxes.
It's run was sort of short, but thank goodness we had it. Even if some of the internals were not the best. This to me has that feeling of a very unique, 60s luxury car with personality. | ||
| Post# 896424 , Reply# 15 8/30/2016 at 15:11 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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Now after cleaning. Annoyingly, because my hands and arms were covered in water and soap for over three hours, I didn't take many after pictures, primarily of the outer tub and basket walls. Since I'll have to take it apart again I can grab some pics at that point. I did clean all the gunk from around the drive assembly and blew all the water out with the leaf blower before setting the tub back into place. Even without the hub gasket it seats fine for now. The agitator had black mold growing on the underside as well, but like the tub ring and basket, Bleach-White tire cleaner broke up the gunk quite nicely. Just with a ton of scrubbing and spraying with the hose.
I may never return the tub to it's pearly white color, but at least it's not as yellowed as before. | ||
| Post# 896426 , Reply# 16 8/30/2016 at 15:12 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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| Post# 896428 , Reply# 17 8/30/2016 at 15:13 (2,794 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago) | ||
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:-0 | ||
| Post# 896430 , Reply# 18 8/30/2016 at 15:21 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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Now for the actual nightmare. This is as of about an hour ago.
Do not ask me how this washer has been running, agitating and spinning as though nothing is wrong for almost THREE YEARS, because I have absolutely no idea. On the concrete floor where it has sat for three days and in the few minute runs I've put it through, there's now a concentric circle pattern of oil splatter. At the rate it has been losing oil I don't understand how it didn't go dry ages ago, especially considering how badly it was treated and how often it was overloaded. When I tipped it forward, oil began oozing from the trans pulley and dust cap that had been filled. I grabbed some rubber gloves and a paper towel roll and some plastic bags and began wiping/sopping up as much as possible. So far I've removed the pulley and washers and cleaned as much as possible, and the pulley and belt are soaking in a bucket of a sh*t ton of Dawn dish soap, just to try and break up the grease. I suppose the one positive thing about the absolute layering of oil is that the metals and belt are all preserved in good shape. Very little rust in just a few spots, but otherwise most of it should shine up nicely. The rubber feet are sheared nearly off, so I'll have to figure out a replacement for those if everything else is a success. | ||
| Post# 896431 , Reply# 19 8/30/2016 at 15:32 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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I bulk uploaded all the clips and just piled them into a YouTube playlist link. I just didn't have time to do fancy splicing and editing haha. They should autoplay in order when the play button is clicked.
The one thing I didn't snap a picture of was the inside of the softener cap. I kid you not there had to be at least an inch thick caking of greenish blue fabric softener gunk in the thing. I guess the "Fill with water to max line" writing that is stamped on the top wasn't clear enough. >_> | ||
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Post# 896435 , Reply# 20 8/30/2016 at 15:59 (2,794 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
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Wow Andrew, you really worked hard on the clean up of this machine, and other than the oil leak it seems to be in very good cond. I was wrong in my original advice to donate it to charity. You obviously have a very strong attachment to this Maytag, and after all your hard work you can't do anything else but keep it, use it and love it. I'm sure someone on AW.org can give you some suggestions on getting the oil leak repaired. I bet if you look up the parts list for the model number you can find replacement rubber covers for the feet. Your tenacity is impressive!!! Now whatever you do, don't let your MIL near it again!
Eddie | ||
| Post# 896439 , Reply# 21 8/30/2016 at 16:18 (2,794 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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Thanks ea56. :)
So I've found two used transmissions on eBay that fit the model number listed on all the parts service websites, 35-6615. The model number of the washer is MAV6300AWW. I'm thinking the one listed "Amana" is the newer style because of the crimped top plate. The second link for the "Performa" is the older style mine has, with the blue goop-sealed top. Otherwise they look the same. There looks to be a little rust on the lower end of the Amana version but that may be harmless (and could be just that particular pictured unit, as evidently this seller has numerous of the same trans), but the Performa is only listed $50 bucks, and they're including the spin hub and gasket and even the frame if I needed it. I suppose I'd just use the best condition from all the parts I'd have at my use. Should I chance it? Near as I can tell, everything else seems in fine condition, i.e. the brake assembly and bearings and such. At least with the transmission fixed it won't be seeping oil onto the floor and will be useable. If the other components need replacement soon, it'll be more affordable and less trouble, so I'll wait about any of that for now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maytag-Amana-Was... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maytag-Performa-... And here is the link for the reference part number by looking up the exact model numbers: www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlp... | ||
| Post# 896544 , Reply# 22 8/31/2016 at 09:07 (2,794 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa) | ||
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| Post# 896561 , Reply# 24 8/31/2016 at 10:58 (2,793 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan) | ||
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I didn't know the Atlantis didn't have the genuine Maytag orbital gear case. My dad said they never repaired the noregetag transmission, only replaced them. Cheaper to do. So if ever one gets condemded, it's slanted top design matches a condemned housing estate in Naples Italy. Send it to Vele Scampia, it'll fit right in. | ||
| Post# 896761 , Reply# 25 9/1/2016 at 14:59 (2,792 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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I finally bit the bullet and ordered the one for $50. If my intent was to use it as a daily driver, I'd pay for the brand new one, but my goal is to get it back to normal working order just to the point that one day when I have an extra utility room or something, it can be connected and used every couple of weeks for a load now and then just to be able to use it like all those years ago.
I still have the sneaking feeling that if I just replaced the seal and could refill the oil, the transmission as a whole is fine. It still agitates strongly with no grinding or clunking, and hops right into the spin as though nothing is wrong. But maybe I can keep the old transmission and attempt a rebuild project in a few years. I'm going to also order the snubber ring to get that done at the same time, since that's the only other thing that seems questionable. As enraging as the whole thing is, I'd be less angry if the machine had just been let to get so nasty. It's the dents and gouges and the consistent overloading they put on it, plus their negligence when they noticed oil, that infuriates me. That it still works properly is a blessing on its own, and shows how well built it really is. I'd say I wish I could make them pay for the transmission since I let them abuse a good washer for over three years for free, but I'd rather just wash my hands of them entirely. I'll sit at the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners but they better not dare ask me to so much as check their rinse aid dispenser for them (not that they have ever checked on in their life anyway). | ||
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Post# 896780 , Reply# 26 9/1/2016 at 16:15 (2,792 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
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This post has been removed by the member who posted it. This post was last edited 09/01/2016 at 17:16 | ||
| Post# 897540 , Reply# 27 9/6/2016 at 20:18 (2,787 days old) by Murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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The new transmission is here two days early! And surprisingly it also has the brake assembly and everything intact in what seems to be excellent condition.
So, the question is...how the **** do I get this basket hub off?? I've seen a video of someone using a pipe wrench, but can't find that particular video anymore. The rest of the videos are seen using the hub tool but I can't find it available anywhere to buy. The problem isn't so much getting it off to remove the old assembly, but to get it off the "new" one so the tub and gaskets will line up properly. Any thoughts? | ||
| Post# 897567 , Reply# 28 9/7/2016 at 00:54 (2,787 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US) | ||
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Well, a few updates before bed.
Since the entire assembly came intact, I originally decided it would be a simpler task because there would be no need to remove the brake assembly and could instead set the entire thing down into the base, reconnect the springs, then align and lower the outer tub onto the assembly and be good to go. But, that's not how things worked out. First, I couldn't get the basket hub block off to save my life, even with locking a pipe wrench and pinging it with a hammer. Then, since I'm not intending for this to be a super strict "by the books" repair because I'm not needing it to be a daily driver, I figured if I could at least turn the basket hub enough that it lines with the conveniently shaped grooves in the outer tub opening, I could lower the tub down into place and as long as the machine works fine, it doesn't matter if the hub is removed and replaced. Normally, up until this point, I could always grab the basket and turn it by hand and even with the brake engaged it would "slide" a bit. So having no luck turning just the hub and shaft on their own, I temporarily slid the basket down, bolted it hand tight, and tried to turn clockwise. Not a budge. Instead of the shaft turning as it should, the entire trans assembly moved so much that I had to readjust one of the springs at it had almost popped loose. It's like the brake and transmission are cemented in place. So then I thought, maybe if I reassemble the thrust bearings and pulley, slip the belt on, and turn the motor on for spin just briefly enough to disengage the brake, I can then turn the hub more easily to line it up. Easy right? No. The basket hub and shaft won't spin at all. At all. Turning the pulley by hand is stiff and the brake won't budge. But it was a relief that I used a medicine syringe to put enough pressure in the water level tube for the machine to start agitating, and it agitates perfectly, and doesn't even have that "wahwahwah" sound the other one did while dry agitating. So I don't think this "new" transmission is to blame. Just for kicks, I took the transmission pulley and thrust bearing assembly back off, and put it in the same order onto the old trans assembly sitting over against the wall, and viola! Turning counterclockwise by hand gracefully releases the brake and the transmission begins to turn, while clockwise starts to oscillate the shaft (because as I may have said before, the old transmission seems perfectly fine from an operational standpoint, but with slinging oil for 3-4+ years there's no telling what damage to the gear system was done). So while I would adore any advice and anyone who has an explanation for this predicament, my theory so far is this: -the original brake assembly from the old trans is in perfect shape, probably because everything soaked in the gearcase oil has been "preserved" in a sense. -since I'm using the thrust bearing assembly from a different machine, it isn't "calibrated" to this new brake assembly, thus, it may have needed a second washer on the pulley for the cam to be able to push the brake free on its original machine that I just don't have here. -while this assembly came completely intact, even with gaskets in great condition, the seller may have just kept everything together despite a problem with the brake because the frame acted as a shield for storing/transporting the transmission itself. I only paid for a good transmission, so maybe they figured anyone buying it would know how to either adjust the existing brake or would just trash it anyway because of already having a functional one. So despite thinking I might not have to tear down the brake at all, tomorrow's project is to remove my original brake rotor and stator, clean them, use the new snubber ring I bought today because why not, and transplant it to the new transmission, since I know the thrust bearing assembly I have now is perfectly fine. I even bought the self-drilling 1-1/2 inch screws for removing the brake and spring today, so I should be all set. After that, hopefully getting the tub, basket, and agitator back together will be cake, and I'll be able to do a few trial runs before the night is over. | ||
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