Thread Number: 84434  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Maytag Atlantis Restoration Project.
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Post# 1088235   9/7/2020 at 07:04 (1,319 days old) by oldschool88 (NJ)        

In need of a project for the 3-day weekend, I scored a Maytag Atlantis for $50. Model # MAV6548AWW, plastic inner tub, serial # suffix CN showing 2003 vintage, no auto temp control or Energy Star sticker. It was a close call whether to fix or scrap for parts, as shown in the pics below...the prior owners had been putting their detergent into the bleach dispenser for years. The drain holes were clogged, it was flung all over the interior and pooled along the base, lots of rust but no perforations.

Pics below show the teardown, de-rusting of the base with POR-15 Metal Prep and wire brush, then reassembly. I used Krylon Appliance Epoxy spray paint, with Rustoleum rust converter primer. Didn't bother trying to match the base and motor baseplate original colors, just masked off the snubber ring seat and made the rest of the base white.

The snubber ring was lightly worn and I put it in the spares bin, other than that it was all cleanup and painting. I wanted to remove the inner tub but 3 of the 4 bolts were seized...would have been a drill job. No leaks or noises to compel more disassembly, so I cleaned the tubs in place with a pressure wand and air hose. Applied a fresh coat of tub seal grease to the upper seal, shaft o-ring, and splines while the paint was curing.

First test run was good with no leaks and the motor, transmission, and drain pump are quiet. Fill level switch and water temp selector worked fine. I'll load it up w/ stuff and test it a few times at different agitation & spin speeds, then gets a new belt and finds a new home.


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Post# 1088237 , Reply# 1   9/7/2020 at 07:10 (1,319 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

Looking sharp!


Post# 1088308 , Reply# 2   9/7/2020 at 14:14 (1,319 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
not tryin to make you feel bad...

twintubdexter's profile picture

I took the front off my Maytag Atlantis just to see what condition it was in. I replaced the pump about 8 years ago. It and the matching TOL gas dryer were purchased by me almost 20 years ago. The washer still looks clean inside but of course they're inside in my laundry room. By the way, they're soon to be freebies. I was stupid to buy replacements. I'll list them in Shopper's Square when I get the Speed Queens in the house.


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Post# 1088330 , Reply# 3   9/7/2020 at 15:47 (1,319 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture

Thanks for sharing!  I look forward to seeing its progress!


Post# 1088367 , Reply# 4   9/7/2020 at 20:18 (1,318 days old) by oldschool88 (NJ)        
You mean when you don't misuse them, they last longer...

@twintubdexter is yours still on the factory snubber ring, or has it been replaced? And what Speed Queen model are you getting?

Here's my semi-matching set bought in 2005, interior of the washer is also free of rust and is sporting a new "high torque" replacement transmission & seal kit.

Up next: Speed Queen AWN412 with a worn belt and wobbly/noisy idler pulley. This one will be going to a homeless shelter where I volunteer, as their Whirlpool SAV model has sprung a leak at the tub seal and trashed the spin bearing. It was the original plan for the Atlantis until the Speed Queen popped up with a cheap asking price. Kit # 959P2 is at my local Trible's awaiting pickup in the morning before work, includes the entire idler arm, pulley, belt, spring, and hardware. Seeing the inner workings of this, I completely understand your decision to make the change!


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Post# 1088485 , Reply# 5   9/8/2020 at 14:51 (1,318 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        

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What is the factory snubber ring? At any rate, the only things that have been done to this washer since I took it out of he box is replacing the pump (the old one squealed like a pig stuck in a fence) and a new belt that really didn't need replacing. I did these minor repairs myself. 

 

The new stuff are these models. As Lisa Douglas would have said, the washing machine has a "transmixer". When members on here started commenting on the new SQ's and said "if you want a decent traditional top loader you'd better act fast before the good ones are all gone" impulse-buyer me (those are people that buy anything on the shelf at eye-level) sprung into action. I had to get the washer at one place and the gas dryer at another. I didn't want the newer model washer. They've been in the garage for over a year under an old blanket. Pretty stupid huh? 


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This post was last edited 09/08/2020 at 17:30
Post# 1088488 , Reply# 6   9/8/2020 at 15:18 (1,318 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@twintubdexter

The day you want to get rid ot the Atlantis, please remember I exist. I'll be more than glad to adopt them and give them a good home where they will be loved and cared.

Post# 1088535 , Reply# 7   9/8/2020 at 21:25 (1,317 days old) by Oldschool88 (NJ)        

Snubber ring is the “cartilage” between the washer cabinet base and the transmission stool, big white Delrin ring shown in the pic below of mine at 14 years of hard use. When they wear out, the washer becomes prone to violent imbalance and walks across the floor during spin. $9 part but major disassembly to replace it.

This project Atlantis was used by an elderly couple since purchase in 2003, and the snubber was only moderately worn.

Our 2005 Atlantis has had a tough life and lived up to the Maytag reputation until the transmission failed two months ago. I’d have bought a Speed Queen AWN432 without hesitation if they were still made, or even the LWN432 and hacked in a water level adjustment...none to be had at the time. So I replaced the transmission and brought it back to life.


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Post# 1088540 , Reply# 8   9/8/2020 at 22:04 (1,317 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        

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The Atlantis always stays in place when spinning. Replacing the snubber is way beyond any repair I could manage today. I've never had any problems although I've had some out of balance instances when washing bulky things like comforters. I think the snubber's had an easy life since most of my loads consist of things like satin pajamas and whispy lingerie. Just kidding, it's been a very dependable washer. Funny I remember my mom's Norge Timeline always moving around the laundry room and her dropping whatever she was doing in the kitchen to rush and turn it off.

 


Post# 1088589 , Reply# 9   9/9/2020 at 08:56 (1,317 days old) by Oldschool88 (NJ)        
Level your washers folks.

Honestly I‘m sure it not being properly leveled during installation in 2005 had a lot to do with my snubber failure...big box store crew just hooked it up and ran a cycle to test it, saying it was self leveling. I only checked and adjusted the level when it started going off balance, and found it tilted low at the front. This placed more weight on the front of the tub. The wear marks on the cabinet floor corresponding to the snubber damage are both on the front sides. It’s on a concrete slab so unlikely the floor level changed, and both front legs were screwed fully in. The rear legs are self leveling side to side only.

Post# 1088769 , Reply# 10   9/10/2020 at 09:57 (1,316 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Atlantis

LOVE the way these machines and the Neptunes look! Beautiful!
I am glad you were able to save one of theses machines from the crusher!! Keep us posted.


Post# 1097919 , Reply# 11   11/22/2020 at 03:22 (1,243 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@twintubdexter

I don't want to push you but im curious to know if I can adopt them.


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