New Appliances
Well, I recently purchased a new Maytag Neptune washer and dryer. I had used Neptune front-loading washers when I was in school, and I thought they were pretty nice. Now that I have my own house, and I am a bit energy conscious (I have to keep all my computers running while still keeping the utility bill low), I thought that a nice washer and dryer that I could stuff clothes into, and use less water at the same time.
Master Installer
The appliances were delivered to my house while we were still working on the floor, so the laundry area was not ready to receive them and parked them in the garage until we were done with the floor. I have setup a washer and dryer before I am am a bit technically minded so I figured I could set them up myself without any issues. Needless to say, the first time we used the washer, my wife came running out to me while I was mowing the lawn and exclaimed that the washer was making loud noises. I go check it out, and the thing has walked across the floor and is up against the wall. No biggie I say. I must not have gotten it completely level. So, I level the machine again, and for the first time I really see and hear the vibration. WOW. I knew these things spun up fast, but this was ridiculous. When it really spun up, it literally sounded like someone was pounding on the door. I leveled it out enough where it wouldn’t walk (at least not too noticeably) and finished the load even with the terrible vibration.
The Bucking Bronco
Something has to be wrong. Maybe this is defective? I looked up some info (Google is your friend), and someone had mentioned online that these machines have to be on a very firm level surface. We have a crawlspace under the laundry room, and thought maybe this was the issue. I started planning how I could stregnthen the floor, or maybe reverse the washer’s water and drain access so that I could put the washer on the concrete floor in the garage. Well, I still need to do laundry, and this time I am going to watch the thing, and maybe get an idea. When the vibrating started, I sat on top of it which seemed to help it a bit, but it still vibrated way too much. I looked down the back of the washer, and on the spin cycle it was almost as if the back of the washer was moving in and out very rapidly and I noticed the bolts.
Read the Directions, You Idiot
This thing had some bolts in the back, with little yellow clamps under them, holding the power cord. I figure that’s all they were for, and I had loosened them enough to get the cord out, and then tightened them back. Maybe they should have come all the way off… I get out the manual really quick and notice a nice in the “installation checklist” that the shipping bolts should be removed. I immediately slap my forehead while exclaiming, “Doh!” and get to work removing the bolts. There were four. I removed them and looked inside the remaining holes. These bolts apparently are to hold the innards in place during shipping, because the drum is normally suspended inside with some shock-absorber looking devices. It makes so much sense now. I ran the washer for the first time yesterday in peace and quiet.
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Hi i was googling my Maytag neptune and came upon your site. We had the same discovery with our washer when we set it up.
You wrote this approximately 2 years ago. Can you tell me if you have had any problems with mold and odor with your washing machine now that you have had it for 2 years, if you still do?
Nope. It is still running great.