Washing machines are just like any other durable good we buy for our home, eventually they will wear out and break down. Once this occurs we have three choices. 1. Replace the Washing Machine with new, 2. Call the repair man or 3. Just fix it yourself. According to an article I read in Consumer Reports once the machine hits 5 years you may consider tossing it for new, and at 10 years its a dead man walking. Mine had a leaky pump.
I currently have a Maytag MAV4755AWW that is around 15 years old, during a recent load of laundry water began leaking from the bottom of the machine. Was this the beginning of the end for my reliable Maytag washer? After a quick inspection it appeared that the leak was coming from the washer pump.
The big question is it worth while to replace the pump or simply replace the washing machine. In this case the pump is under $50 so well worth the time it takes to do this DIY repair!
Parts You May Need
I looked on Amazon and there are about 30 vendors selling this pump. Apparently it fits hundreds of washers. (Maytag, Whirlpool, Roper, Admiral,Hardwick, Jenn-Air, Estate, Magic Chef, Crosley, Inglis, Norge, Modern Maid, Amana, Kenmore, KitchenAid, Caloric & Ikea) Just to name a few.
The drain pump OEM part numbers 35-6780 or 21001906.
The replacement I went with on Amazon was only $28 and came with a 100% money back guarantee. CLICK HERE!
The other item I replaced while I was working on the pump was the washer drive belt. Since you need to remove the drive belt to remove the pump, it made sense to replace.
Again, a very inexpensive part selling for $7 at Amazon. It also fits hundreds of washers 21352320 WP21352320 21001478 AP6005822 PS11738882 WP21352320VP 35-2073 35-2320, It is made exactly fit for Maytag, Whirlpool, Magic Chef, Admiral, Amana, Crosley, Jenn-Air CLICK HERE!
There are a couple of other parts you may consider changing while your doing surgery on your washer, and that would be the TUB-to-PUMP hose and the main drain hose. My parts were in great condition so I just let them be.
If you need the parts here a couple links
Tub hose – $14 at Amazon
Drain (Washer Discharge) Hose – 285664 $29 at Amazon
How to change the pump
- Unplug the washer from the wall.
- Shut off & disconnect the water lines
- Tilt the washer up to gain access to the belt
The washer needs to be tilted up on its back to get to the underside of the machine. Here you will find the drive belt that can easily be slipped off the large pulley. (HINT – The washer motor acts as a belt tensioner and can be moved to help facilitate the belt removal. (See red arrow in image)
- On the back of the washer remove the 3 screws holding the access panel
- The pump will be directly behind the access panel
- Remove the two hoses connected to the pump
- Remove the three nuts mounting the pump to the washer frame.
In this image I had already removed the pump, but you can see the mounting holes, and the two hoses. Also, if your hose clamps are rusty it may be a good idea to replace them too!
- Install the new pump
- Install the hoses
Using the same hardware you took off the washer, reinstall the pump, the hoses and clamps.
- Reinstall the drive belt
- Fasten the access panel back on the washer
Tilt the washer up to gain access to the bottom and install the new drive belt. Remember the drive motor is also the belt tensioner. I looped the belt around the motor first, then the pump and finally around the large tub pulley.
At this point I would re-attach the water lines and give the system a test. Check for leaks or any odd noises. If you’re satisfied, reattach the access panel and you’re good to go.
Just a quick note. This part apparently has been redesigned numerous times. Don’t panic if your old and new pump don’t look quite the same.
Thanks again for reading my blog, and don’t forget to visit my Etsy Store!
www.geekgearstore.com
-Joe