Maytag Washer Sounds Like a Jet Engine (10 Issues Fixed!)

A Maytag washing machine doesn’t make noise for no reason. It does so when something is wrong, and so you can expect a malfunction if your Maytag washer sounds like a jet engine.

In most cases, a Maytag washer produces the jet engine sound due to a laundry overload, fast-spin setting, loose items, excess suds, vent clogging, damaged belt, worn-out tub bearing, drain pump failure, broken motor coupling, or a defective drive pulley.    

So, you have to consider those ten issues if you want to troubleshoot your washer. You surely wouldn’t want to assume you have an airplane about to take off when your washer fails.

Even though I’ll discuss ten issues, it only takes one to make your washer sound like an airplane. So, you probably won’t have to go through all the checks.

Let’s get into it!

Maytag washer sounds like a jet engine

In a rush? Use the troubleshooting guide below to quickly fix your Maytag washer when it sounds like an aircraft ready to take off.

Maytag Washer Sounds Like a Jet Engine – Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Likely CauseApplicable Fix
1.Laundry OverloadRemove excess laundry – keep the drum ¾ full.
2.Fast-Spin SettingKeep the spin setting at 400 – 1800 rpm.
3.Loose ItemsRemove the drum’s bolts, screws, nuts, and other loose items.
4.Excess SudsUse HE detergent, and don’t overuse it.
5.Vent CloggingClean the vent
6.Damaged Washer BeltReplace the washer belt.
7.Worn-Out Tub BearingFirst, lubricate the tub bearing if dry but replace it if worn out.
8.Drain Pump FailureUnclog the drain pump if clogged and replace it if damaged.
9.Broken Motor CouplingReplace the motor coupling.
10.Defective Drive PulleyReplace the drive pulley.

Why Does My Maytag Washer Sound Like a Jet Engine?

There are different reasons why your Maytag washing machine may sound like an airplane ready for take-off. Here are the most likely 10:

1. Laundry Overload

Your Maytag washer shouldn’t hold more than ¾ its capacity. If it does, the chances are that the washer won’t spin, and if it does, then it’ll become noisy, sometimes sounding like a jet engine.

Also, note that an overload could be why your Maytag washer won’t spin dry clothes. Yes, the washer completes a cycle in such a case, but the clothes come out soaking wet.

Fix

Check the washer’s load and reduce it to ¾ the drum capacity if it’s excess. That means you must first stop the washer to inspect the laundry load.

2. Fast-Spin Setting

Your Maytag washer shouldn’t run on a high-speed spin cycle. The spin setting should ideally be about 400 – 1400 rpm, depending on the load you wash. If you exceed 1400 rpm, the washer will spin pretty fast and may make the jet engine sound as a result.   

Fix

Check the washer’s setting to ensure it’s set at 400 – 1400 rpm. If it’s not, adjust it within this spin range.

3. Loose Items

Sometimes it’s easy to forget loose bolts, nuts, and screws within the drum, and when we do, they may cause the washer to sound like an airplane about to take off during a spin cycle.

Perhaps it’s not that but broken zips, coins, or even keys. Such metal objects may also obstruct the drum and force the washer to make a jet engine-like sound during a spin cycle.

Fix

Inspect the drum for any loose clanging object and remove it. Again, that means stopping the washer and inspecting the drum thoroughly.

why does my Maytag washer sounds like a jet engine

4. Excess Suds

Is your washer forming many suds? Then it’s highly likely that’s why it sounds like a jet engine.

The problem with many suds is that they force the washer to work extra hard, and in the process, it’s likely to make some sound, sometimes a jet engine sound.

It could be that you are putting too much detergent, or perhaps it’s a case of using the wrong detergent. Concerning the latter, using a high-efficiency (HE) detergent is advisable, especially on a top-loader, as it’s less on suds.

Using a non-HE (non-high-efficiency) detergent may result in excess suds, which you wouldn’t want.

Fix

Don’t put too much detergent. Consider using a slightly smaller amount than what the manufacturer recommends. Meanwhile, switch to HE detergent if you are using non-HE options.

5. Vent Clogging

The washer’s vent pipe may clog up over time, and when it does, the washer may struggle to drain. In that case, it’s likely to make some noise, which may sometimes sound like a plane about to take off.

Fix

Check the vent pipe for clogging and clean it to unclog it.

6. Damaged Washer Belt

You can expect your Maytag washer to make a noise when the belt is damaged. The noise could range from screeching or squeaking to jet engine sound. For that reason, it’s worth checking out the washer belt, something you can visually do in minutes.

Fix

Check the washer belt for signs of damage and replace it if it looks damaged.

7. Worn-Out Tub Bearing

The work of the tub bearing is to allow the washing machine to spin freely and smoothly. But for that to happen, they should be well lubricated and not worn out, as wearing or lacking lubrication could result in a jet engine-like sound.

Fix

Consider lubricating the tub bearing first if it appears dry. However, consider a Maytag washer bearing replacement if the bearing is worn out.

8. Drain Pump Failure

You definitely wouldn’t want the drain pump to fail. If it does, the washer will have difficulty pumping out wastewater, and in the process, it may make a jet engine sound.

The drain pump could fail due to excessive clogging or damage. You’ve to figure out which one it is.

Fix

Inspect the drain pump for clogging and clean it if that’s the case. Replace the pump, however, if it’s damaged.

Maytag washer bearing replacement

9. Broken Motor Coupling

The motor coupling is another washer component that could force your Maytag washing machine to sound like a plane about to take off. That happens if the motor coupling is damaged, something you can inspect.

Fix

Check the motor coupling for damage and replace it if that’s the case.

10.  Defective Drive Pulley

Lastly, check the drive pulley for fault. If worn out or damaged, the washer will struggle to run and may make a jet engine sound.

Overall, the drive pulley’s job is to rotate the drum. If it’s faulty, the drum will struggle to turn and may make some noise while at it.

Fix

Check the drive pulley for damage and replace it if that’s the case.

Maytag Bravos Washer Sounds Like a Jet Engine

Your Maytag Bravos washer sounds like an aircraft about to take off because of excess laundry or suds, loose clanging items in the drum, a clogged vent, or a failed drain pump.

If that’s not it, it could be due to a worn-out or damaged tub bearing, drive pulley, motor, or motor coupling. In such a case, you must replace the worn-out or broken component.

Maytag Centennial Washer Sounds Like a Jet Engine

A Maytag Centennial washer is no different from a Bravos washer. So the two may sound like a jet engine for the same reasons. In this case, watch out for these issues:

  • Possible drum overload
  • Too many suds
  • Loose obstructive items in the washer drum
  • Drain pump failure
  • Vent pipe clogging
  • Worn-out or damaged tub bearing, motor, drive pulley, or motor coupling

Maytag Washer Makes Loud Noise When Spinning

While you don’t expect your Maytag washer’s spin cycle to be completely silent, it shouldn’t be too loud to distract anyone. If it is, then it’s likely due to any of these issues:

  • Laundry overload or imbalance
  • Loose feet
  • Fast spin setting
  • Excess detergent – which you can tell from excess suds
  • Unstable surface
  • Loose items clanging in the drum
  • Objects rattling around the washer’s outside walls
  • Worn-out tub bearing, motor, clutch, drive pulley, motor coupling
why does my washing machine sound like a jet engine

Washing Machine Sounds Like Airplane When Spinning

It’s abnormal for the washing machine to sound like an airplane when spinning. It could be due to excess load (an overload), which you may have to reduce, or excess detergent, which is a product of overusing the detergent or using the wrong type.

It could also be due to loose objects like screws, bolts, and other clanking things, which you must remove. But if that’s not the case, it could be a damaged or worn-out tub bearing, motor coupling, clutch, motor, or drive pulley. If any of those components are defective, replace them.

People Also Ask

1. Why Is My Maytag Washer Making a Loud Noise?

Your Maytag washer will make different types of noises for various reasons. In most cases, however, here are the issues that contribute to a noisy Maytag washing machine:

  • Drum overload
  • Load imbalance
  • Loose feet or uneven surface
  • Loose metal objects in the drum
  • Rattling objects on the outside – due to lack of sufficient clearance around the washer
  • Worn-out components – especially the drum bearings, drive belt, motor coupling, and drive pulley

2. Why Does My Front Load Washer Sound Like a Jet Engine?

There are different reasons why your front load washer will sound like a jet engine. It could be that the laundry is excessive, or you are using excess detergent (which you can tell from excess suds formation). It could also be that the washer is spinning very fast, or perhaps it is filthy and thus struggling to run.

3. Why Does My Maytag Washer Roar When Sinning?

Your Maytag washing machine roars when spinning because of a failed component. It could be a worn-out tub bearing, broken motor coupling, faulty motor, damaged clutch, or a malfunctioning clutch. Also, check the drum bearings as they could be defective, thus needing a replacement.

Concluding Thoughts:

Above are the ten probable reasons your Maytag washer sounds like a jet engine and how you can silence it. Start by checking for excess laundry, speedy spin setting, unattached items in the drum, and many suds.

Once you rule out those issues, check for vent clogging or a defective belt, and if the two are okay, check the tub bearing, drain pump, motor coupling, and drive pulley for fault. You may need to replace one of these components.