My 3-yr old Neptune has me pulling my hair out

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Moderator Post: > Maytag Answer to Most Posts - Class Action Settlement by Handyman on 11/29/2004

My neptune (purchased/installed April 2001) disintegrated a small bathroom rug three nights ago - first the rubber backing came off, releasing the fibers and this fibrous combination clogged the inlet side of the washers pump.

This was a bad thing - a rubber backed throw rug should never have been put in the neptune (actually one of the kids did it not knowing better).

But, when I e-mailed for advise, Maytag support recommended right away - "remove back panel, disconnect the pump and clean it out." So I've just completed this minor major repair job. What a pain.

Two other problems have surfaced as a result of the above corrective process. 1st after bailing all the remaining water out of the stainless tub - substantial water remains in the plastic housing drum the stainless drum spins in (you can hear it slosh around when you spin the empty steel drum around - substantial water, I would estimate a pint or more. We always leave our door open - always have - since noticing the water that remains within the washer door seal after the cycle. Our clothes, towels, etc. still come out smelling mildewy. And the smell is getting stronger. I'm going to try the web site recommended solution. Maybe disinfectant or bleach, with white loads?

A second significant problem in the design is the side detergent dispensor, where the inlet water flows in remains slightly moldy. But more significantly, that moistier gathers up under the underside of the top deck panel, along with any migrating detergents, bleach, etc. - the necessary ingredients for iron oxide to thrive. I noticed - what I thought was mold coming out around the sides of the automatic dispenser plastic cover, so while I was working on the machine, I decided to take the cover off and clean the "mold" (I'm color blind so I didn't realize) and discovered large flakes of rust around the underside of the dispenser opening.

I've cleaned it all and applied a automotive "rust converter" product to seal the rusted areas. That treatment has to sit 24 hours. Then I'll paint on an epoxy type sealant over the rusted areas and keep my fingers crossed. I only wish I knew how to raise the top deck to check/treat the rest of the rusting I'm concerned may be lurking further under there as well.

This is our second washer. Our first was a bottom-of-the-line Montgomery/Wards we bought in 86. In the fifteen years we owned it we never experienced anything like these problems. It's a shame (or sham?).