[lenz]

I have an Amana washing machine (I think it may be made by Maytag based on the model #) with a leaky tank. I have it mostly apart but cannot figure how to remove the agitator. I have taken off the detergent basket etc., but there is no nut or bolt holding in the agitator; just what looks like a plastic "sprew" coming up from the center. And no matter how hard I pull, the agitator will not come up.
Anyone seen one of these and know how to remove?

[lenz]

I finally got the agitator off, but thought it would be worthwhile to tell others why it's difficult to get off and how to do it. There are several "hooking" tabs under the agitator core. You cannot get at them, and it wouldn't do you any good anyway. The agitator is pressed on and the tabs snap into place. Unless you're incredibly strong, you cannot pull it off by hand. Use the rope and 2x4 method. I found that it's better to run the rope under the fins, but on top of the base. (There's a narrow slot between them.) The fins hold the rope in place. It slips out if you put it under the base of the agitator. Tie a loop on one end of the rope and slide it over the end of the 2x4 (which should be slightly longer than the width of the washer). The rope then goes under the fins on one side, then back up over the 2x 4, down to the other pair of fins, and back to the 2x4. If you just wrap the rope around the 2x4 a few times, it will hold; no need to tie it off. Pull up by using the 2x4 (on edge) for leverage, and the edge of the washer as a fulcrum. The rope will stretch, but eventually the tabs will pop off.
By the way, if you're trying to get at the seal, remove the bolt on top, then the next parts unscrew. You may need to use a hammer and flat screwdriver to knock the casting loose. There are notches in the casting for locating the screwdriver.
Hope this helps. Good luck.