(Warning: this blog is technical and boring, I barely enjoyed writing it, but felt it necessary to educate anyone with a broken Maytag poking around the internet).
On Friday afternoon Alan said the washing machine was acting weird. It smelled awful and we realized it wasn't draining water. We took out the half-clean diapers we were washing, bailed out the tub, and tilted it back to see what was going on. Turns out the belt that runs from the motor to the water pump had snapped off (the belts on a Maytag, for anyone out there having trouble, are located on the bottom of the machine; just tilt it up and have a look).
We noted the numbers on the broken belt and called up Lowe's, Home Depot... no luck, they don't sell replacement parts. We called it quits for the night and the three of us drove to Red Robin for a late dinner. Lucy had a great time eating grilled cheese and mooching chocolate shake off of me.
The next day I called around but no appliance stores were open. The young guy at Ace Hardware said they sold universal belts that should fit the Maytag. I measured the broken belt at 39", then thought better and looked up on a replacement parts site how long it was supposed to be (41"). I bought the belt at Ace for $8 compared to $16 for an official Maytag belt.
Got it home, put it on. Started the machine and the whole thing locked up! I was so mad and figured the belt was no good.
After sitting on it for a day I had a thought: maybe it wasn't the belt but the pulley attached to the pump. So I reached under and sure enough, the pump pulley wouldn't turn. We consulted our dads about the feasibility of fixing the pump ourselves. The consensus was that it is easy for coins and such to get stuck in the pump. If I had to replace it I'd have to take it off anyway so we went to it. (We removed it easily by detaching both hoses with a bucket handy, then unscrewing the pump from the bottom of the machine).
And there it was, a baby wipe stuck in the propeller. With a crochet hook and some ingenuity I dislodged it, we reattached the pump, hooked up the hoses, replaced the belt and tada! it worked!
So for $8 and 3 days of mental aggravation (and a hurt back from hauling the washing machine around) we fixed the Maytag. Anyone who is facing a problem with their washing machine, I encourage you to figure it out for yourself before calling a repair man. You really only need a screwdriver, wrench, and a little patience.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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4 comments:
I said it once, I'll write it now: Wow. I am so very impressed! :) You inspire me.
I am really impressed, too. I would have given up long before you did. When I first saw the title of your blog, at first glance I thought it said "Me and My Gang" which is the title of a Rascal Flatts song. But then I thought, no - it can't be. Sarah doesn't listen to Rascal Flatts. Anyway - great job on the washer and dryer! We missed you Saturday evening, but Alan said your back was hurting pretty bad. I had fun playing with Lucy and putting bowls on her had as a hat.
I don't know why I said good job on the dryer, too - hopefully it is not foreshadowing!
ok, in fairness - perhaps a little more is needed than those few things you mentioned. Sheer grit comes into play too doesn't it!? Maybe this blog and the most recent about your father are connected at a deep level. All those days riding around with Dad surely had something to do with feeling confident to replace a belt, then dismantle a pump!
Also impressed,
Ryan
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