Agitator fins keep breaking on Speedqueen top loader.

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Broken flex fins on top load agitator washer agitators

This is a problem that is seen occasionally on many different top loaders I have seen turquoise Maytag power fin agitators with a broken fin or two as well.

The best solution is just not to have a top load washer, however, occasionally some of the cheaper front load washers will break a baffle out of the drum as well.

John L
 
Oh, a hint.....
If washing anything with a zipper, like jeans, jackets, etc., zip them closed before loading them, particularly if the load contains other articles.
Those open zippers can catch on fabrics and cause issues or tears during washing.
Yep, it's happened to me until I learned.
 
I never bother, closing zippers, etc. and have never had a problem with something getting damaged.

I suppose if I used a Maytag washer with a power fan agitator I might as it’s the most aggressive agitator and most likely to cause clothing damage about any washer ever built in the last 40 years or so.

I gave a 1985 extra large capacity Maytag fabric Matic washer to my neighbor and we hardly ever gets used, but we have had so many things destroyed in that washer even the towels that we use there is an unbelievable amount of lint from those every time we wash them and never anything in the filter.

The machine isn’t very good, mechanical shape even the damper still fine. It will get recycled for partswhen he moves into the house full-time and we put in a front load washer.

John L
 
After flawless service for over 10 years the 4 fins on the agitator in our Speedqueen heavy duty washing machine broke off, one after the other. We replaced them and, in less than a month, all four were gone again. Cheap replacement we thought and got another. The fins are bent and almost broken after less than a week. Has anyone had this problem and does anyone have any idea what is causing it? Any thoughts gratefully received. (note: the image shows the bent fins and the break line.

View attachment 72661
A different issue, since many repairmen on this site state issue with detergent or softener buildup, I was trying to remove my agitator and check. How do you remove it. I just tried to pull it off
 
Cleaning under a top load washer agitator

If you’re using proper washing techniques, it’s unlikely there’s anything under the agitator. Yes, we’ve all seen horribly abused misused washers that had gunk under them.

Keep in mind there is no such thing as detergent. Buildup detergent will dissolve as easily as a teaspoon of sugar in a hot cup tea. What people often refer to as detergent buildup is mineral deposits from lack of detergent and hard water.

It’s also possible to get some buildup of fabric softener residue again from poor washing procedures if you’re using Fabric softener, it’s imperative to use plenty of detergent and warmer or hot water. The next time clothing is washed. We find you cannot use fabric softener if you’re doing all cold water washing and not have a problem eventually, both with the buildup in the machine and your clothing itself becomes skanky..

John L
 
Cleaning under a top load washer agitator

If you’re using proper washing techniques, it’s unlikely there’s anything under the agitator. Yes, we’ve all seen horribly abused misused washers that had gunk under them.

Keep in mind there is no such thing as detergent. Buildup detergent will dissolve as easily as a teaspoon of sugar in a hot cup tea. What people often refer to as detergent buildup is mineral deposits from lack of detergent and hard water.

It’s also possible to get some buildup of fabric softener residue again from poor washing procedures if you’re using Fabric softener, it’s imperative to use plenty of detergent and warmer or hot water. The next time clothing is washed. We find you cannot use fabric softener if you’re doing all cold water washing and not have a problem eventually, both with the buildup in the machine and your clothing itself becomes skanky..

John L
This is exactly why I recently modified my Maytag to provide a warm spray and rinse!
I've noticed a difference in my clothes.
 
Well Chet, my shirts seem softer, and less "clingy" if I sweat.
My towels are more absorbent.
I havn't done jeans yet, but I can imagine.


Warm rinsing relaxes the fibers and gets more detergent out.

I've noticed that too, towels come out of the dryer softer when rinsed in warm.

All the washers I imagine rinse with warm water on the Heavy duty, Towels, Whites, Normal, knits and woolens cycle.
 
I think the 74 Kenmore is not so great a rinser. Unfortunately I believe it's because of that self cleaning filter aerating the water.Towels are the worst even with a 2nd rinse. The water will look clear at the beginning of agitation but about a minute in you see all the foam starting to come up once the load has rolled over a couple of times. Even the 85 belt drive Whirlpool had cleaner rinsing, but that had the self cleaning passive type filter. Surprisingly, I find the vmw agitator types have cleaner rinsing than any of the older machines I had/have. Then again the newer machines have faster spinning, so that must be what's contributing.
 
I think the 74 Kenmore is not so great a rinser. Unfortunately I believe it's because of that self cleaning filter aerating the water.Towels are the worst even with a 2nd rinse. The water will look clear at the beginning of agitation but about a minute in you see all the foam starting to come up once the load has rolled over a couple of times. Even the 85 belt drive Whirlpool had cleaner rinsing, but that had the self cleaning passive type filter. Surprisingly, I find the vmw agitator types have cleaner rinsing than any of the older machines I had/have. Then again the newer machines have faster spinning, so that must be what's contributing.


Reason time isn't enough. On most belt drives the rinse agitation is only 2 minutes. They need at least 4 minutes; 5 or 6 would be ideal.


Cold water rinsing keeps fibers contracted so there is less of it coming out into the rinse water. With less coming out into the water there are fewer suds creating the misconception that rinsing in cold is better when it is actually worse.
 
Reason time isn't enough. On most belt drives the rinse agitation is only 2 minutes. They need at least 4 minutes; 5 or 6 would be ideal.


Cold water rinsing keeps fibers contracted so there is less of it coming out into the rinse water. With less coming out into the water there are fewer suds creating the misconception that rinsing in cold is better when it is actually worse.
When I now select my "Warm" rinse, I noticed less sudsing, almost none, and the water pumping out is clearer than before when I was forced to use the cold water.
 
When I now select my "Warm" rinse, I noticed less sudsing, almost none, and the water pumping out is clearer than before when I was forced to use the cold water.

Is the spray rinse warm too?

Warm water increases the GPM out of the mixing valve to approximately double. So where your machine previously had a 60 second cold spray rinse; on warm it is now the equivalent of 120 seconds of cold spray rinsing plus the advantage of relaxed fibers on top of that. By the time the machine stops to fill for a deep rinse the clothes are essentially rinsed out completely.

It is for these reasons I feel that top load washers can just skip deep rinsing altogether in lieu of a few sprays. With warm water both complimenting and maximizing the detergent extraction process great water saving can be realized.
 
Is the spray rinse warm too?

Warm water increases the GPM out of the mixing valve to approximately double. So where your machine previously had a 60 second cold spray rinse; on warm it is now the equivalent of 120 seconds of cold spray rinsing plus the advantage of relaxed fibers on top of that. By the time the machine stops to fill for a deep rinse the clothes are essentially rinsed out completely.

It is for these reasons I feel that top load washers can just skip deep rinsing altogether in lieu of a few sprays. With warm water both complimenting and maximizing the detergent extraction process great water saving can be realized.
Yes, I mentioned in another thread that my machine now, when the Warm Rinse button is pushed, it gives a warm spray rinse, along with the deep fill warm rinse.
 
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