How long does my washer realistically have left?

Well, I figured issues would start to crop up eventually, just could not have imagined it would be this soon...

My helical drive Maytag washer has trouble starting the agitation cycle, and also makes a strange noise on the drain cycle, kind of a grinding/scraping, like something is loose or rubbing in there. It's really hard to explain so I'll try to get some audio up next time I'm using it. The same sound can be heard when the motor starts after fill, when the machine starts agitating. It does eventually start to agitate, I'd say after about 10 seconds or so it gets fully going, and the noise also is basically a non-issue after that until the drain cycle. Then the weird sound comes back again once the motor starts up to drain the machine, but goes away once the washer ramps up to full spin. So basically, it sounds like the weird noise only happens when the washer is stationary, i.e., not agitating or spinning.

Coupled together, I imagine this machine doesn't have long, which is what I figured when it was brought to me a few weeks ago. Because of my mobility concerns, I cannot fix it myself, which is a shame, so all I'm wanting to know is how long it can realistically hang on working like this until it completely dies. I can't get a new washer for a couple months yet due to other obligations, so I'm hoping to get at least that long out of it.

Seriously, what bummer news.

Ryne


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Post# 1148401 5/10/2022 at 10:26 (715 days old) by ryner1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes Well, I figured issues would start to crop up eventually, just could not have imagined it would be this soon... My helical drive Maytag washer has trouble starting the agitation cycle, and also makes a strange noise on the drain cycle, kind of a grinding/scraping, like something is loose or rubbing in there. It's really hard to explain so I'll try to get some audio up next time I'm using it. The same sound can be heard when the motor starts after fill, when the machine starts agitating. It does eventually start to agitate, I'd say after about 10 seconds or so it gets fully going, and the noise also is basically a non-issue after that until the drain cycle. Then the weird sound comes back again once the motor starts up to drain the machine, but goes away once the washer ramps up to full spin. So basically, it sounds like the weird noise only happens when the washer is stationary, i.e., not agitating or spinning. Coupled together, I imagine this machine doesn't have long, which is what I figured when it was brought to me a few weeks ago. Because of my mobility concerns, I cannot fix it myself, which is a shame, so all I'm wanting to know is how long it can realistically hang on working like this until it completely dies. I can't get a new washer for a couple months yet due to other obligations, so I'm hoping to get at least that long out of it. Seriously, what bummer news. Ryne

Post# 1148407 , Reply# 1 5/10/2022 at 13:15 (715 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *check the pulley* motor pulley getting loose and slipping at the hub is a known occurrence with some Maytags-pulley can be repaired or replaced,easy fix either way.

Post# 1148422 , Reply# 2 5/10/2022 at 17:40 (715 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Funny Noises From A MT Washer* Hi Ryne, since you can not easily repair this yourself and it sounds like you may replace this washer in the next year do nothing and keep using it. The noise you are describing does not sound fatal, it may be something like the pump belt scraping on the belt guard that might have gotten bent when the washer was moved. John L.

Post# 1148430 , Reply# 3 5/10/2022 at 19:13 (715 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes 1 You can't call for service? It would be a shame to run it to death when it could be fixed.

Post# 1148434 , Reply# 4 5/10/2022 at 20:01 (715 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Sounds like it�s a very simple issue that can easily be corrected. I definitely would look into getting it fixed or you�ll have to have repair personnel on speed dial if you get a modern Samsung washer.

Post# 1148438 , Reply# 5 5/10/2022 at 20:13 (715 days old) by ryner1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes *"You can't call for service?"* Are there still washer repair technicians out there who willingly work on appliances this old? I believe my machine is from the late 80's.

Post# 1148439 , Reply# 6 5/10/2022 at 20:15 (715 days old) by ryner1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes But yes, this was the issue I was referring to when I wrote the post about possibly getting the Samsung.

Post# 1148443 , Reply# 7 5/10/2022 at 21:13 (715 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Yes there still are repair people who will gladly work on these machines but you will have to weed them out over the phone. Typically these are older techs who have worked on appliances for many years. When talking to a shop on the phone tell them that you have an eighties Maytag washer. Their response will tell you whether to book a call or dial the next number. Hope you can find someone willing to help.

Post# 1148455 , Reply# 8 5/10/2022 at 22:40 (715 days old) by ryner1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes *Was finally able to get the model number for this machine...* If this helps identify the potential problem, model number is LA112.