Help.....washing machine clogged

chim · Jun 17, 2005

Wifey decided to wash a small rug in our Maytag Neptune washer. The rug proceeded to shed a bunch of short pieces of yarn, and the machine won't pump out. Is there a filter I can clean? Thanks..............chim

jinman · Jun 17, 2005

Chim, I have no direct knowledge of the Maytag Neptune, but in general washers do not have filters on the drain line. If they did, you'd have to clean them everytime you do a load just like the lint filter on a dryer. Most likely the material from the rug has either clogged the pump or is interfering with the impeller.

Many years ago I used to work on commercial Speed Queen washers. I've seen bleach bottle caps block the tank drain and many, many baby socks stuck in pumps. I suspect that's the case with your rug material. I doubt that it clogged the hole in the tank where the hose attaches like a bottle cap would, but it probably made it to the pump and then stopped up the works. If you have a sharp bend or crimp in the drain hose, that restricted area could also clog easily.

ByronBob · Jun 17, 2005

Is this under warranty? Is so call them. If not you need to tip the unit up, access the bottom and see where the hose comes from the tub and where the pump is. Grab some channel locks and remove the hoses to access the pump. Should be able to do something with it to free it up.

mathey · Jun 17, 2005

On my Whirlpool, the pump is in the lower right front corner. Pop the top up and remove the front panel...

Alot of the online parts vendors have exploded parts diagrams that will come in handy...

jinman · Jun 17, 2005

I think the Maytag Neptune is a front loader, so that makes it a different "beast" from most. Not sure though. . .

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Jun 17, 2005

This should do it ! I know it's how they solve those tough laundry problems in Iraq !

chim · Jun 17, 2005

Thanks to all who posted. It's fixed. Access is through a panel in the back of the machine. There are two small pumps there. An "L"-shaped rubber boot hooks the two pumps to the tub.

The tub has about a 3" outlet stub the boot clamps onto. The boot then makes a 90 degree turn and reduces in size, and has a pair of 1" "spouts" that clamp over the suction sides of the pumps.

One pump is for recirculating the water for washing/rinsing, and the other pumps the water out at the end of the cycle. The latter had the intake totally plugged with blue yarn from the rug. The impeller seemed to be bound up with the yarn.

I was pleased to discover that the pump hadn't bit the big one. All is well, and we saved the $97 (fro the first 20 minutes) service call. Thanks again................chim

frank_f15 · Jun 17, 2005

( I was pleased to discover that the pump hadn't bit the big one. All is well, and we saved the $97 (fro the first 20 minutes) service call. Thanks again................ )

YEH! but wait till u get the bill from all the guys that helped /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Glad you got it fixed . Job well done.

frank_f15 · Jun 17, 2005

BTW forgot to ask is that a front loader? and if so how do you like it?

chim · Jun 17, 2005

( BTW forgot to ask is that a front loader? and if so how do you like it? )

Yes, it is a front loader. We love it, although this particular model has a tendency to develop mold at the door gasket. There's a class action suit right now concerning that. Our water usage dropped to 1/3 of what it was when we had the old machine.

It is easier on the clothes, and yet does a better job of getting them clean.

We were able to tap the town water line that runs by our place, so we get meter readings (the 1/3 is a real number)..................chim