Return-Path: <@cs.cmu.edu:rnk%SEI.CMU.EDU@ew.sei.cmu.edu> Received: from cs.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id ab18247; 10 Apr 91 13:41:09 EDT Received: from ew.sei.cmu.edu by CS.CMU.EDU id aa10972; 10 Apr 91 13:39:55 EDT Received: from localhost by ew.sei.cmu.edu (5.64/2.5) id AA00666; Wed, 10 Apr 91 13:39:21 -0400 Message-Id: <9104101739.AA00666@ew.sei.cmu.edu> To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu Subject: washer repair Date: Wed, 10 Apr 91 13:39:20 EDT From: Rick Kazman Harry, here are some suggestions which I garnered in response to my query about fixing washers. After initial doubts, I decided to take a look at the problem myself, and it turns out that washers (at least Maytags--I can't speak for any other brand since this is the first one I've tried to disassemble) are remarkably simple: just a timing mechanism, a vacuum gauge, a few hoses, a pump, a big drum with a transmission, and a couple of belts. I put on my debugging hat and decided that the problem was a blocked hose or valve. I started disconnecting things around the pump and, voila, one of my son's plastic diaper pants appeared in the end of a hose. After that the washer worked just fine. I'm not sure how the plastic pants worked their way over the top of the washer drum and into the outer basin, but I suspect that it was due to the spin cycle of an over-full load. rick ______________________________________________________________________ From: Garrett.Pelton@NATASHA.MACH.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: washer repair? Rick, I just had a similar problem. I fixed it myself by tightening the belt. It took about half an hour. I took the back off the washer and then did the obvious thing (I don't remember even what it was but it was obvious that the belt would be tighter.). Now replacing a belt is quite a job tightening it turned out to be easy. Gary ______________________________________________________________________ From: Dave.McKeown@MAPS.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Perla's Rick, I dealt with Perla's last Christmas to have a new dishwasher and garbage disposal delivered and installed. I found them to be pretty good. In talking with their repairman/installer it appears that they do a lot of warranty maintenance for places like Appliance Store, Sun, as well as Dormont Appliance. I also liked the fact that they were a pop and son operation in Swissvale. Their prices were competitive. So good things so far. No matter who you call for a Maytag, you may still end up with a Perla's repairman. I'd cut out the middleman. -Dave ps. ask for Rocky Sr. or Jr. ______________________________________________________________________ From: Hank Walker Subject: Re: washer repair? We had similar symptoms on our Whirlpool. I called A Better Appliance Company. They came about when they said they would, gave me the options of "this will probably fix it" or "this will definitely fix it but costs more", worked at a reasonable pace, and weren't too bogusly expensive. ______________________________________________________________________ From: Cam Miller Subject: washer Your washer problem may be as simple as a loose belt -- I know that it would make sense that a problem with the pump would cause water to remain in the tub, but I've had that happen because of a worn/loose belt. At any rate, although I have no personal experience with them, I am told (by several of my neighbors) that Ross Appliance in Monroeville is excellent for appliance repair. I just bought a house out that way a few months ago and bought a GE washer from him (he also sells Maytags). There was just something about the guy that I liked -- he seemed honest and knowledgable. I also tend to gravitate to small business owners because they have a vested interest in doing right by their customers -- or they don't stay in business long. ______________________________________________________________________ From: Clark McDonald Subject: washer repair? Rick-- Maytags really never break. Really. Sounds as if the only thing wrong with yours is that you need a new V-belt. You can check and replace this item yourself (I have on mine -- incidentally, it's the only part or repair the thing has ever needed. We bought it in '72 used!) The belt is located under the very bottom of the things. All you gotta do is tilt the machine back so that it leans agains the wall at about a 45 degree angle or so and get on yer knees and look underneath. The belt is tensioned by a spring arrangement in mine, which means no tools are even needed to remove/replace it. You can get a new belt at the best price from All Appliance Parts. they are located in various places around town, check your phone book. All lyou need to pick up a new belt is the model number of your unit which is located somewhere on the back on the ID plate. From this number they can tell which belt you use. Replacement is literally the opposite of removal in this case, so it's not too bad. The belt runs the pump. When the belt slips, the pump loses efficiency. that's all there is to it. I have never seen a bad pump in a Maytag washer. Only bad belts. A visual inspection of the belt may or may not show that it is slipping, due to the spring tension design. The only real way to tell if the belt has stretched is to try a new one. Good Luck, --mack ______________________________________________________________________ From: Alex.Rudnicky@CREAKY.SPEECH.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: washer repair? If the tub spins and any water at all is coming out, then your pump is probably ok. If the tub more or less empties of water but the clothes are soggy then you probably need to re-tension (or replace) the belt connecting the motor to the transmission & pump. (The tub never gets up enough speed to centrifuge the water out of the clothes.) Alex.