Maytag Wringer issues-- HELP!!

To test a few memories, one may remember the story of my 1977 Maytag Wringer that I inherited from my great aunt. It wound up in my Grandmothers shed for about 6 years and was partially flooded by Hurricane Isabelle in 2003 (along with my 1946 Stromberg Carlson radio console). Anyways, I moved both of them to my house a few months back.

As mentioned on another thread, my friend Dave is coming down in a week and a half. Among other projects, we both would like to work on the wringer and get it operational. I did plug it up briefly in 2005 or 2006 and it did agitate, but turned it off within a minute just in case the transmission fluid was contaminated with water.

Long story short (too late), I have a thousand questions. How do I check to see if the transmission oil has water in it? How do I go about draining the oil? What kind of new oil should I get? How much should I put in it? How much should I pay? Should I get a new safety switch? The old one fell appart. OR what kind of size/type of bolt should I get to bypass it? Any idea where I could find new wheels? The old ones are pretty well shot. Anyone have any (or could make any) PDF scans of repair manuals that might be of assistance?

P.S. This is not my washer, though mine does have a little rust on it, it's never been stored outside. I include it just for a visual of the same model that I found online. Thanks fellas!


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Post# 302603 9/9/2008 at 21:09 (5,701 days old) by classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes To test a few memories, one may remember the story of my 1977 Maytag Wringer that I inherited from my great aunt. It wound up in my Grandmothers shed for about 6 years and was partially flooded by Hurricane Isabelle in 2003 (along with my 1946 Stromberg Carlson radio console). Anyways, I moved both of them to my house a few months back. As mentioned on another thread, my friend Dave is coming down in a week and a half. Among other projects, we both would like to work on the wringer and get it operational. I did plug it up briefly in 2005 or 2006 and it did agitate, but turned it off within a minute just in case the transmission fluid was contaminated with water. Long story short (too late), I have a thousand questions. How do I check to see if the transmission oil has water in it? How do I go about draining the oil? What kind of new oil should I get? How much should I put in it? How much should I pay? Should I get a new safety switch? The old one fell appart. OR what kind of size/type of bolt should I get to bypass it? Any idea where I could find new wheels? The old ones are pretty well shot. Anyone have any (or could make any) PDF scans of repair manuals that might be of assistance? P.S. This is not my washer, though mine does have a little rust on it, it's never been stored outside. I include it just for a visual of the same model that I found online. Thanks fellas!

Post# 302605 , Reply# 1 9/9/2008 at 21:30 (5,701 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *Not quite Will.* The picture you found is of a washer lacking a pump. I thought yours had a pump? Just being a friendly pain in the neck, Dave

Post# 302609 , Reply# 2 9/9/2008 at 21:33 (5,701 days old) by classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes yes it does, and yes you are a pain somewhere... but it's not the neck. :P your pal, Will

Post# 302611 , Reply# 3 9/9/2008 at 21:38 (5,701 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *Between friends...* What's a good friend without constant ribbing? Dave

Post# 302688 , Reply# 4 9/10/2008 at 08:55 (5,700 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Will ... Hopefully, the following will help you. How do I check to see if the transmission oil has water in it? Well � try this. Remove the wringer head and lay the machine on its front (where the �Maytag� decal is). If there is any significant amount of water, it should come out of the breather hole in the right-angled drive (the drive from the power unit to the wringer post). How do I go about draining the oil? What kind of new oil should I get? How much should I put in it? You can�t really �drain� the oil in these machines without dismantling the entire machine and removing the center plate. You can still get the transmission oil from Maytag; it comes in 12 ounce bottles (enough for one fill on a wringer transmission). See the link where Don Shier redid his Maytag 142S this past weekend; those were 12 ounce bottles of Maytag transmission fluid. How much should I pay? We paid $9.95 for 12 ounces; those were 1999 prices. The bottles were still in stock at the Maytag dealer since 1999! Should I get a new safety switch? The old one fell appart. OR what kind of size/type of bolt should I get to bypass it? No; you can�t get a new safety switch. Make sure the machine is unplugged and if you have it tipped over already, just reach up where the safety pedal connects to the wringer post. Unscrew it and bring the whole thing in to your hardware store. Tell the clerk you need a machine bolt to match that size (should be a �� bolt). Screw the bolt in partially and then set the machine up and plug it in. Turn the wringer on and see if the wringer rolls will turn and if they don�t, screw the bolt in a little more/ Any idea where I could find new wheels? The old ones are pretty well shot. You might want to watch eBay for those; sometimes you can find casters for them. Have you taken them off and cleaned them up yet? You�d be surprised what a little 3-in-1 oil does for casters. Anyone have any (or could make any) PDF scans of repair manuals that might be of assistance? Dave�s Appliance Repair on the net has those that you can download and keep on your computer; they are a great reference and are reasonably priced. See the link below. Good luck with your endeavor; these old Maytag wringers are wonderful to have! :-) CLICK HERE TO GO TO geoffdelp's LINK

Post# 302877 , Reply# 5 9/10/2008 at 21:31 (5,700 days old) by classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks Geoff, You are of great help! Dave's computer is down, but if we'll post here if we have more questions! Thanks again!

Post# 302904 , Reply# 6 9/10/2008 at 21:57 (5,700 days old) by whirlaway (Hampton Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes *Wheels* Hi! I found a perfect set of wheels for my Easy at Loews in Hampton.You might want to try cashwells formally Evans on Jefferson Av for oil.They really helped me with my 1955 Kenmore automatic.Bobby