Maytag washer burns drive belt

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[krylon]

I have an older Maytag washer with two belts underneath. 

I just put new belts on thinking that was the problem but without success.

When the washer has no clothes, it spins and drains just fine.   When it is loaded with clothes it burns the belt connected to the main drive and transmission.

Is this a tension problem?   The pump is positioned as far away from the motor wheel already.

[JWWebster]

how does it do with the pump belt removed?

[krylon]

Spins without the pump belt installed

[krylon]

Spins without the pump belt installed

To clarify, this is without water or clothes in the tank.   The drum spins up to speed just fine.   

When I first noticed it was burning a belt, I think the washer was trying to agitate which isn't working.     However when I set it to spin, the drum slowly ramped up to speed and the pump came on and emptied the drum.

[JWWebster]

That pump got anythang in it?

[theoldstoveguy]

If it doeasn't aggitate at all, you may have a bad bearing in the transmission. Since the motor reverses (1 way aggitate & reverse to spin)  which does it burn the belt?

[krylon]

That pump got anythang in it?

Hey JW I'm not sure I am understanding.  The pump seems to wok fine as it empties out water during the spin cycle.

[krylon]

If it doeasn't aggitate at all, you may have a bad bearing in the transmission. Since the motor reverses (1 way aggitate & reverse to spin)  which does it burn the belt?

Before I took it out of service, the agitation was a hit or miss whether or not it would work.  Sometimes I would have to "help" it get going by twisting the agitator back and forth to jump start it.  When the agitator didn't work, the rubber smell would begin.  Now the washer doesn't seem to agitate but it does spin on the spin cycle.

[theoldstoveguy]

Transmission trouble, sounds like the bearing in the transmission is seizing up. May have to say bye-bye to that one as they used to be reasonable to get a kit to repair. Since Whirlpool took over the parts are sold separately and are very costly.

[JWWebster]

Yeah the innards of the tranny are going bad, might be out of oil. Have you removed the inspection cover on the tranny? Maybe that dude needs some oil.

[theoldstoveguy]

Once it has seized you're done, it won't break loose & last. I HAVE TRIED!

[krylon]

How can I be sure it is the tranny?

If I was to order a new transmission, what part do I need?

[JWWebster]

Does it burn the belt on spin or wash?

[theoldstoveguy]

Unplug machine and tip it back. Remove the belts, turn the transmission pulley counterclockwise. Have someone watch the agitator. The agitator should move back & forth. Turn the pulley clockwise & it will release the brake and the tub will spin. If you can not get the agitator to move the upper bearing in the transmission has seized,most likely from a seal slowly letting water down on top of the transmission. There used to be a kit that was reasonable to replace the transmission. Now everything is sold separately and more expensive.

[20 Years of Experience]

John Pahl - Milbank, SD 57252 20 Years of Experience

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