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Should I keep my old Maytag or replace it?

6 years ago

I have a 16 year old Maytag that has given me no problems until now. It’s leaking from the bottom. I had the repairman out yesterday and it needs a new transmission - $1200-$1300. He said that my machine is the only one that he would recommend fixing even though it’s expensive. He claims it was just a great model (LAV3600AWW) which I believe because of it’s age and since I’ve had no issues with it. He also said that if I decide to replace it, the only brand I should consider is Speed Queen. What are your thoughts on having it repaired? Is he just telling me that because that’s his business? Have the Speed Queen improved at all since they got bad reviews with their 2018 changes?

Comments (13)

  • 6 years ago

    Leaking is caused by a failed tub seal/boot and bearing, not by the transmission ... although the upper housing of the transmission that fits into the bearing can be affected by water damage if the leak has been occurring for a long period.

    The items are P/N 6-2095720 and 6-2040130.

    This is a large job that requires almost complete disassembly of the machine.

    I did this repair on a friends machine (not the same model but the
    same mechanical design) probably 6 to 8 years ago, the transmission did
    not need replacement.

  • 6 years ago

    no way I would be spending that money on a 16 yo machine.

  • 6 years ago

    I would not spend that kind of money to repair a 16 year old machine unless you truly love the washer and spending that amount does not cause a hardship for your budget. Like all washers, there is a learning curve for the Speed Queen but after almost 3 years I am very satisfied with my SQ set.

  • 6 years ago

    this would also be the time to look at remodeling your laundry area. Stacked units can free up space for other things laundry related

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    A 16yo Maytag of that design is well-worth repairing. It's more robust than any new machine on the market today, including SQ.

    I looked up the aforementioned friend's info in my records. The serial number (manufacture date) is Sept 1998. The repair was done in Feb of 2013, which makes it 14-1/2yo at the time. It's now 22yo. There has no been no further trouble with it at this point or I would have heard. So was their repair worth doing?

    A pic of the leaking. The tub boot seal was torn, leaking started within seconds of the machine filling. The transmission was not affected (other than clean-up during the repair). For a DIYer who can handle it, the two mentioned parts/kits are $42.13 and $27.25 from an online source that I often use. A hired servicer will of course involve a mark-up on the parts and service/labor costs.

    It's the OP's decision, of course, whether to trust the servicer's diagnosis that the transmission does need replacement, seek the opinion of another servicer, attempt DIY, or throw-in-the-towel.

  • 6 years ago

    I gave up my 40 plus year old Maytag washer and dryer. Yes, you read that correctly. Why? Because my dog developed anxiety attacks when he heard the machines running. (Don’t even ask...). They were made of metal. And worked perfectly. They were just noisy. Fast forward to June, 2020. Bought a $$$$ Whirlpool front loading washer (supposedly quieter) and dryer. Did so despite my desire for a SpeedQueen TOP loader because it was noisier. (I cried when they hauled away the old Maytags.). Guess what? The dog still has anxiety attacks when I do laundry. Moral of the story...keep your 16 year old Maytag! Repair it!

  • 6 years ago

    I cannot imagine spending that much on a 16 year old machine. What happens when something else goes wrong, or if this is the only thing not wrong with it, or when the repair either fails or takes longer and is more expensive than anticipated. An old school Maytag (was it actually made by Maytag or was it post acquisition? If post acquisition then I would not even consider for one second) is worth something, but it is still a top loader with all that entails.


    if you are a do-it-yourselfer, and want to try fixing yourself, that’s a very different scenario.

  • 6 years ago

    Dadoes, few people here have your skill and my hunch is the OP is not going to attempt a DIY repair. His Maytag is probably similar to the one my folks replaced two years ago which was a wonderful machine and served them well for over 15 years. Still, $1200 is a lot to pay to replace one malfunctioning part when within a few years it will probably need additional work.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Just read the post from ptreckel. I would trade my SQ in for a 40+ year old Maytag in a heartbeat! (if it was in sublime condition of course)...

  • 6 years ago

    CJ, the OP's machine is an "old-school" Maytag per the cited model number.

    Part of my point is that the transmission is unlikely to need replacement. Assuming that's true and the machine isn't otherwise cratered, I'd do the job for the OP at no charge other than the parts ... because good old-style Maytag. Too bad he/she (presumably) isn't a neighbor. My friend's machine we did in one afternoon, and that was the first time I'd done one.

  • 6 years ago

    Dadoes- I do understand what you are saying and my parents STILL use their 40-year old Maytag dependable care washer, with my father fixing it as necessary.


    But if the repairman says it needs a transmission and will charge the OP for it, whether it needs it or not, that’s a lot of money to shell out for a repair for an old machine.


    Too bad Maytag doesn’t exist anymore, except in name.

  • 6 years ago

    I would not spend that much to repair an old machine -- while it may still have years of life in it, you can get a machine now that is effective, more efficient and quieter. Personally, I recommend front loading washers in general, and LG in particular (for front loaders only - I would not get an LG top loader but, then again, I'll never buy a top loading washer again).

  • 6 years ago

    No input on repairing the Maytag but I needed a new washer dryer a few months ago. Both the repairman of my broken front loader and the appliance manager at Ferguson recommended Speed Queen. I did some research and made the purchase. It came with an amazing 10 year warranty and I’m pleased with how they work.