Maytag Atlantis washing machine

Sears Canada, Halifax, NS

FYI Maytag Atlantis washer owners re: spin cycle problems. I wasted a lot of time trying to find out what was wrong with my washing machine with phone calls, internet searches and service calls. I was getting debris in the machine and soap on the clothes which were coming out wet from the machine which was smelly and moldy. The belt underneath was slipping and the repair man who came out and replaced the belt didn’t know what else to do. Frustrated with the lack of quality service from Maytag, I took it upon myself to open the machine (which is a fairly simple task), I found this site with directions http://www.applianceaid.com/atlantis.html .

Lo and behold the electric motor is mounted on a crappy sliding assembly which moves left or right depending on which cycle is running, only the flimsy track and tiny nylon bushing was full of crud preventing the motor sliding all the way and tightening the tension on the belt for the spin cycle. I then cleaned out the track and put in a healthy amount of lubricating oil in it, slid the motor back and forth manually for a bit and reassembled the housing. It has been 2 years or more since then and I have no more problems with the running of the machine, the smell has gone away with a little help from some bleach plus leaving the top up when not in use and there is no more detergent residue on the clothes.

It amazes me that nobody has found this easy fix before. I guess the old adage is true that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

Mark

Halifax, NS, Canada

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You guys nailed it!!!! I had both problems. The motor's sliding assembly is truly inferior. The sliding plate was rusting and the paint was bubbling preventing free sliding motion of the polyethylene bushings. Also, the ground cable screw was completely corroded and rusted preventing a secure connection on the bottom pan. I bought the stainless tub model, but what's the sense in that if the rest of the machine will rust away?!?!?! There's no water leaking. What's causing this thing to rust???

There are two small innovative changes would have made this a great washer. A stainless motor tray and a stainless bottom pan. Planned obsolescence is crushing America. Learn from Chevrolet!

From Marks advice, and the other unnamed gentleman regarding electromagnetic connection rpoblem, I was able to resurrect my washer. I used a wire-wheel to remove rust away from the bottom pan and the motor plate. I used Loc-Tite Extends rust inhibitor to treat the rusted areas. I later primed with a fast drying automotive primer. I repainted with and epoxy appliance paint. Finally, I used a stainless ground screw and lubricated the floating motor assembly with silicone lubricant. Works like new!!! Thank you

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Thank you so much for this post. My Maytag Atlantis has not been completing its rinse and spin cycles unless I manually reset it at "Spin". Yesterday it went one step further and ceased dumping the sudsy water, thereby leaving me with spun but soapy clothes. I was fortunate to find this article and 30 minutes later my washer is completing its cycle just like when it was new. I found some "crud" in the motor tray; the motor took some effort to move so I lubricated it generously with STP silicon spray.

Thanks again - I know you saved me at least a repairman's bill.

Bob in Ohio

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I have found that the most common problem is not the sliding assembly but instead check if you can tug on and break the green ground wires. If the green grounding wires are corrodded they make a poor electrical connection. The sliding unit relies on electromagnetic force to slide the motor unit back and forth from one side to the other. Make a good connection, problem with spin cycle solved.

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Good job Mark ... teach the children the way to freedom, the way to have clean clothes.