Thread Number: 21763
Mercy Save - Maytag Neptune set!
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Post# 342360   4/14/2009 at 21:02 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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So, I cleaned out the garage on Saturday and while pulling out junk and house demolition trash I told myself - this is no excuse to drag home more washers.

Well, nice to see that lasted 2 days.

Today was a beautiful day and I needed some quick items from Menards. Before I walked to the used goodies I had a feeling I would find something today. Maybe an AMP Maytag, maybe another Frigidaire Unimatic.

NOPE!





Post# 342362 , Reply# 1   4/14/2009 at 21:06 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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I couldn't believe how clean the washer and dryer were. I had been toying with the idea of saving a Neptune if I ever ran across one that was clean enough. Gave the tub a good spin and I didn't hear any bearing noise. Crossed my fingers that the washer wouldn't be up to the usual Neptune antics and gladly paid 18 dollars for the set.

10 years ago, my parents bought the exact same set for 1800 dollars. Interesting to see how times have changed.


Post# 342363 , Reply# 2   4/14/2009 at 21:07 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Glam shot - 1

Post# 342364 , Reply# 3   4/14/2009 at 21:09 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Glam shot 2.

Not a nick, scratch, dent, or label scraping anywhere in the machines. Some house wife in Waterloo took very good care of her Maytags.

And they're white too!


Post# 342366 , Reply# 4   4/14/2009 at 21:10 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Tub shots!

Yes Greg, it's gas - your favorite!


Post# 342367 , Reply# 5   4/14/2009 at 21:11 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Washer drum shot.

Appears to have the boot with the drain installed, but it still is a bit moldy.


Post# 342368 , Reply# 6   4/14/2009 at 21:13 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Model number. Rolled out of Newton in December of 1998. Dryer was born in the same month too.

Question for the experts - in the service lit it mentions something about a pre 17 series and post 17 series change to these machines. Where is this identified?


Post# 342369 , Reply# 7   4/14/2009 at 21:15 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Surprised to see the dispenser is still in one piece. Most I've seen behind the stores, and on my parents MAH3000 - the dispenser breaks around the mounting screws.

Post# 342375 , Reply# 8   4/14/2009 at 21:19 (5,462 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        
Magazine Ad Shot

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So I plugged the washer in and quickly discovered why this pristine set was behind Menards. The motor just hums and hums. After about a minute of humming the machine will turn itself off. The door will lock with the light lit up and the machine does properly turn on. I suspect the wax motor and control board are still in decent shape, but the motor and motor control board are dead.

I haven't decided if I'll try to find a motor/motor board kit on the cheep, or part it out. Once my parents finally get a new washer and dryer, I'd grab her dryer and put the nice panels from this gassy one to clean hers up.

RCD - does the symptom point correctly to my prognosis?

Thanks!

Ben


Post# 342383 , Reply# 9   4/14/2009 at 21:54 (5,462 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()        

ooooh Ben!

Hey guys, when did Maytag stop putting little access doors in the front of gas dryers?


Post# 342386 , Reply# 10   4/14/2009 at 21:59 (5,462 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Wow Ben, they sure look to be in nice shape. The mold could just be do to the fact that the door has been closed for a while now. Keep us posted on what you decide to do with them.

Post# 342394 , Reply# 11   4/14/2009 at 23:14 (5,462 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()        

I may have a motor and motor control board if you need them. I did happen to get a neptune that needed bearings and I parted it out. I personally am not a big fan of them.


Post# 342427 , Reply# 12   4/15/2009 at 02:09 (5,462 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Thats my pair

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and still going strong!
Very nice find for $18!!


Post# 342448 , Reply# 13   4/15/2009 at 07:12 (5,462 days old) by mr_jms ()        
Maytag Neptunes

Wasn't this particular model the first Neptunes produced in 1997? I purchased the second model Neptunes in May of 1999 which has the "auto temp control" feature.

Post# 342454 , Reply# 14   4/15/2009 at 07:42 (5,462 days old) by dblrinz ()        
Neptune!

NICE!!! I have MAH4000's...LOVE 'EM! They are still going strong with NO mold smell. Though as can be assertained by my screen name I rinse my clothes A LOT so there is plently of water flushing through the machine. I have had several Mother Board's replaced and finally the latch, but I will say that Maytag when it was still MAYTAG covered everything including labor.

Very NICE score! Enjoy!


Post# 342491 , Reply# 15   4/15/2009 at 12:00 (5,461 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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Ben, Nice set. I can see it already had the PHA kit installed (upgraded venting on the door liner, drained boot/tub cover and upgraded machine control board!). The series is found in the first two numbers in the serial number. Yours is a series 34. Born in Newton, Iowa in Dec, 1998 but you knew that already...

The dispenser bezel does break out at the screws but there is a new one that replaces that with a bezel with more 'meat' where the screw eyelets are.

Were the water lines hooked up? You may have heard the buzzing of the water valves BUT the machine shutting off after about a minute does worry me about the motor control board. I'll bet if you pull the front panel to look at the motor board you'll see a blown fuse which means an internal short in the control and even more likely you'll find some crunchied ic's or resistors on it. That was the problem. That board was designed to take ac power, convert it to dc power and then feed it to 3 windings. The board just couldn't take it. The replacement kit changes both the motor and control to a system that just uses ac, no dc. It also comes with a line filter to protect the control and they really beefed up the electronics! I converted my MAH4000AWW and it is SO quiet now. Part number is 12002039 and it isn't cheap but it is worth it if that set is a keeper! Find your best price on the net. Just changing the board with another old one from a donor is a gamble if the motor was at fault. Bye-bye donor board! If there is no obvious signs of damage to the board, test the drive system. To test the board, simply pull the JP4 connector (4 white wires) off the board and set the timer to delay wash and turn it on. The motor should start a 50 rpm tumble in one direction if the motor and board are good.

While you are changing the motor and control, CHANGE THE BELT! You will probably have the old Dayco sourced belt and will want to goto the new Hutchinson sourced belt.

As far as the mold, I'd check the tub brushes. They are attached to the tub cover and form a half circle along the bottom of the spinner. They are supposed to keep coins from going in between the cover and the spinner and jam the pump. They collect lint and other nasty stuff and need to be cleaned every so often. I'll bet they weren't. The new boots come with a anti-microbial property but they are also not cheap. Just kill the mold/mildew and deal with the stains.

Check the wax motor in the door latch. Rule of thumb: If the plunger is the same color as the rest of the wax motor, CHANGE IT! If it's black tipped, OK.

Any other questions, let me know here or email.

RCD


Post# 342495 , Reply# 16   4/15/2009 at 12:26 (5,461 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Wow, really nice pair Ben!!!

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So Ben, (to use one of Lucy's lines) Who do you think you are.... ME?? LOL

You are bringing home machines like I am! Were do you keep them all, or do you play with then for a while and then sell them?

And OMG, both for JUST 18 dollars!!! Awesome find, CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

Kevin


Post# 342612 , Reply# 17   4/15/2009 at 23:22 (5,461 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Hey Gang -

Thanks for the kind messages! In secret, I am actually very excited about this find. I know it is far from vintage, but 20 years down the road it will be very vintage!

Today I took a crack at finding the root cause to the no spin. I felt horrible realizing how easy it was to take the front panel off the Neptune. It really is sad now, that after a few hours of research, it is clear to me of what was wrong with my mom's Neptune back on '04. If I only knew then what I know now (to quote Bob Seger). I suspect there was something wrong with her wax motor. I threw the Neptune out and replaced it with a beat up A806 - series 2 (which is also long gone).

Trust me, the WO-65 is NOT happy about having Neptune parts strewn atop it! The Duomatic is saying - hey, I'm a front loader too!


Post# 342613 , Reply# 18   4/15/2009 at 23:24 (5,461 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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So here is the original DC motor board, with the original clear plastic shield removed. Looks oksy, doesn't it (minus the JP-4 connector, disconnected)?

Post# 342614 , Reply# 19   4/15/2009 at 23:25 (5,461 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Ah rats - a blown fuse! Looks like I'm in for a motor conversion kit. Thankfully there are a few reasonable kits out there.

Post# 342615 , Reply# 20   4/15/2009 at 23:26 (5,461 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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With the front cover off, I'd better check the wax motor...

(notice what Maytag artifact is holding the top panel up)


Post# 342616 , Reply# 21   4/15/2009 at 23:28 (5,461 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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CRAP! It still has the original red plunger wax motor! Looks like I'm due for a:

Motor Conversion Kit w/ updated belt (as per Andrew)
Updated Wax Motor w/ black plunger


Post# 342617 , Reply# 22   4/15/2009 at 23:34 (5,461 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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There was also a small amount of rust around the detergent dispenser. I'm not surprised as it is pretty clear that the previous owner used liquid green detergent in the machine. I also doubt that it was a low suds detergent. The boot also has a nice layer of mildew or mold. I may just order a new door boot and seal kit. Then I can remove the whole tub, clean everything up, and have a brand spanking new Neptune in the house!

So - I'll get some parts on order. Look for an update in the next few weeks!

(Thanks again RCD - I tried the Delay test and did not get a response from the motor. Per the blown fuse, I'm sure we now know what the problem is).


Post# 342836 , Reply# 23   4/16/2009 at 20:16 (5,460 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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Wait until you see the new motor control. You might think you have the wrong part. The difference in motors is pretty cool, too. Say good bye to most of the 'whine' the older motors made. Sometimes I have to open the dispenser cup and listen for the liquid in the balance ring to make noise so I can tell if the new motor is turning the drum...

In the picture you took with the latch exposed, you can see the scrunge that those tub brushes can collect. Believe it or not, those brushes should be a light grey like the tub cover. All MAH3,4,55,65,7500 owners need to check theirs.

The rust on the top around the dispenser is to be expected. They didn't coat the top as well around the opening as they should have and a combination of water, additive and bleach splash did it's work. The later tops as well as replacement tops came with some color matched tape covering that edge. You can also see that the housefrau didn't clean the dispenser as well as she should have, either. That blackish stuff is old, degraded fabric softener (which can ALSO help the mold/mildew problem occur...).

When it comes time to do the boot, let me know. I have a trick to putting the boot cable and spring on that works suprisingly well and it will only cost you a coat hanger...

RCD


Post# 342852 , Reply# 24   4/16/2009 at 21:00 (5,460 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Ben if you take the tub out check the condition of the

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spider bolts that hold the basket. They rust and break releasing the basket at high spin.

I would definitely get a whole new gasket for that baby, or you'll never get rid of the former owners body mold!


Post# 342875 , Reply# 25   4/16/2009 at 22:40 (5,460 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Thanks Andrew and Jon. I've got the motor conversion kit on the way, as well as a replacement wax motor and new dispenser cover and bezel.

Just to make sure I'm getting the right parts - are the revised PN's for the following parts correct? I'll get those on order as well too.

Boot boot: 12002533
Seal Kit: 12002022
Belt Kit: 12001788

Jon - I didn't see that the bolts were available as a separate item on the parts list breakdowns. Hopefully the bolts will be removable, and also that I can find SS replacements at the local Ace. Wish me luck!

Andrew - I know exactly what you mean about the whine from the DC motor. It will be quite strange to hear a Neptune washing without the 'vvvvrrrrr' sound. I'll hit you up on your clamp trick here in the next week or two.

Ben


Post# 342910 , Reply# 26   4/16/2009 at 23:55 (5,460 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
Seal kit?

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Why are you ordering a lipseal kit (12002022)? If it's not leaking from the spin bearings, my advice is don't fool with it. The gasket Jon was referring to was the boot, I think. The number for the boot and belt are correct.

The bolts on the spinner support are NOT removeable. I usually will pull the baffles covering the three nuts holding the spinner on to the support and just check that they are still snug. I can't remember the last washer I saw that snapped a bolt but yes it does happen. In my experience, I've only seen 4 or so do it.

RCD


Post# 342979 , Reply# 27   4/17/2009 at 07:24 (5,460 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Gotcha. I'll leave the lip seal alone. I was thinking of pulling the tub to inspect and clean out the junk that I'm sure is hiding in the outer tub, and figured I'd throw a new seal in while everything was apart.

Ben


Post# 343024 , Reply# 28   4/17/2009 at 11:18 (5,459 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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Go for it! You can pull the spin tub by removing the three nuts that hold it onto the spider (spinner support). It's when you pull the spider out of the outer tub that you disturb the seal. Pull the tub, clean the inside of the outer tub and look the spider bolts over with no problems...

RCD



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