The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

[unhappy]

Maytag Washer Ensigna Model No. MAV6458AWW Purchased at Sears on 8/31/05

Soon after purchasing our Maytag washer, we noticed that our clothes and towels were fraying. We isolated the problem to the washer by looking at clothes and towels before and after washing. It was clear that the washer is the problem. A Sears repair rep visited and told us that there was no problem with the washer and that we must be overloading. We have never overloaded and have never experienced this problem with our previous Kenmore washer. Over the last month, we have been very careful about using 1/4 to 1/2 loads to see if the problem continued. The outcome is that we now have more damaged clothes and towels. Today, this lemon started leaking water and it damaged the ceiling in my basement. The Sears rep is coming out again next Friday (timely customer service!). I need the help of an expert who can tell me what is the problem. Any help that you can provide would be very much appreciated.

[Virtual Repairman]

Maytag does not have any inherent problems with your Atlantis machine. Your main problem is that you are using SEARS to look at the problem. Sears does not like Maytag because we are not Kenmore, so they deliberately skew the facts about Maytag products. They are also poorly trained on these machines, and should never be allowed to appraise them. I know this because I was once a Sears service man. Leave the Kenmore stuff to Sears and call Maytag out there immediately!

800-462-9824

I am sure that a factory technician (such as myself) will figure out what is happening with your machine very quickly. A remote help forum can not, unfortunately, as there are too many variables to consider regarding the fraying & the leaking issues.

One thing that I can point out regarding fraying is to always use the highest water level when washing loads, even small loads. On lower water levels, the load is forced to rub against the base of the agitator, causing fabric wear and strain on the agitator itself. With a higher water level, even smaller loads will float gently in the water and not be subjected to the grinding agitator. Be sure the water is staying in the machine during the cycle! If it's on a second floor, and the drain hose was placed too far into the pipe, the tub can siphon out the wash water during the wash cycle.