Another Speed Queen Repair?

[angus]

OK - so this evening I started the first load in my 7 year old SQ top loader. I was only 15 feet away in the kitchen doing some chores and noticed nothing amiss. I had two piles of other clothes on the floor in front of the machine waiting their turn. Well, wash finished and I went to remove clothes and what did I find? All the clothes on the floor were soaked and there was water under the machine and dryer. The machine drains into a sink and there was no evidence of overflow and it was completely dry there.

So what can this be? I have to say I am getting a little frustrated - this is another repair within the past two years not counting the belt replacement after the 5th year. The timer was replaced two years ago and now this. I guess we will have to see what the repair person says. The big issue is the time it takes for repairs between the first visit to diagnose, then wait for the part, then another appointment to actually do the repair. So another two weeks or so with no washer during a time when I am putting in 14 hour days 6 days per week and literally can't afford any disruption in the routine.

Oh, well... not a lot of choices, but it does make the case for a second washer.

 

[cfz2882]

have a look

pop the front panel off and look for leak evidence-could be as major as a main seal or simple as a leak at the pressure switch fitting.

 

[jeffg]

I've heard a few reports over the years that SQ TLs are prone to seal failures. No sign of one yet on our AWS76 (about the same age). Could you let us know what this problem turns out to be?

Also, do you routinely run large or oversized loads in the machine?

 

[angus]

I will let everyone know what the problem is. The earliest service appointment I could get is this coming Thursday afternoon. To answer the question, I run normal size loads that may at times be full loads, but if the question is whether I overload the machine, the answer is a definite no. I may do more laundry than the average single person, probably 5 - 7 loads per week - result of careful sorting.

I was surprised that at a picnic yesterday evening, we got on this topic and many thought that after 7 years I "should just buy a new washer". I guess that is how most view everything these days. But unless there is a serious expensive repair, I don't plan to replace a washer I paid over $700 for only 7 years ago. Call me crazy, but...Besides, mine is one of the last ones with a warm rinse option and a maximum water level that comes to the top of the tub. We will have to see...

 

[pulsator]

Worst comes to worst, you could get a new Speed Queen and put the control panel from your old machine on it. I doubt they would have made any changes to the wiring harnesses or anything.

 

[mtn1584]

Have you taken the front off of it yet?

I have used Jeff's Appliance service in Shelton, and found them to be quite knowledgeable on SQ, it is the only washer they sell. They are on FB, and have a website. If you take the front off, the two screws on the bottom, you can at least get an idea of where the leak is coming from, and what you are looking at, a cracked drain hose? But if the inside of the machine isn't wet, then it is a plumbing problem, and if it is then at least the repairman will know what to expect. I dunno, I don't think I would buy another or different brand of washer. This one can continually be worked on which is good, but I get your frustration, and maybe a second SQ T/L may not be a bad idea. Let me know how you make out.
Mike

 

[mtn1584]

Another stupid question,

have you checked or changed the inlet hoses, and their connections?
Mike

 

[mrb627]

Make sure...

I would make sure the water issue is coming from the washing machine itself and not a plumbing problem before scheduling a service appointment.

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

well, first I would check it out myself, and most likely fix it........

but for the most part, I would still investigate, to let the repair man know when and how the water is getting on the floor....

a certain cycle or water temp/level setting...a particular load that was being done...when exactly did the water show up.....

Repairmen usually charge by the hour....he can run every single cycle trying to find the issue.....or you can help him along and get right to the possible cause....

work with him.....not against him.....

offer him a bottle of chilled water or snack as well....it will go a long way!

watch it be a small 5.00 part you could have replaced yourself......

 

[mrb627]

Or...

Sudsy water backing up in the stand pipe...

Malcolm

 

[angus]

Thanks, all. I am actually using Jeff's Appliance in Shelton. One of their guys, Steve, was the guy who replaced the belt after Ted's Appliance (Huntington, CT) told me there was nothing wrong but managed to spray WD-40 all over the belt and idler pulley. And when Steve from Jeff's came, he also cleaned up all the WD 40 that was all over the innards. Two years later he replaced the timer. I have always found Jeff's to be very good with service - reliable, courteous and most of all knowledgable. And I always offer some refreshments - regardless what they charge, they are providing me a service.

I checked the inlet hoses (braided stainless steel) and I also know it isn't a standpipe since the machine empties into a sink. I do plan to take off the front panel sometime this week. Just haven't had the time to do it yet.

More to come...

 

[mtn1584]

Another thought....................................

Could the leak be coming from under the sink?? You did have the clothes on the floor....Cracked PVC drain pipe, loosed connection, leaking valves, cracked sink if plastic??? Check this thoroughly before you have Jeff's come out. just a suggestion.
Mike

 

[angus]

Sink checks out no drain pipe leak - but as I mentioned the only place that was dry was under the sink. Not sure how the water didn't make it there... Oh, well....

 

[alr2903]

Oh NO, Anthony.  I know we both suffered the Amana leaking center seal syndrome.  I hope it is an inexpensive repair.  Arthur

 

[angus]

Well, at least if it is the main tub seal, it happened this time after 7 years instead of 2 years with the Amana.

 

[mtn1584]

What happened???

Don't forget to let us know.
Mike

 

[angus]

Friday afternoon is the scheduled service appointment. We will see...

 

[angus]

Ok - so Steve from Jeff's Appliance Sales and Service was here. Again, he couldn't have been better - they really are a first rate operation!! The problem folks was a split drain hose just at the point where the hose exits the machine. Since it was a horizontal split inside one of the grooves, i couldn't find it and I didn't want to risk an uncontrolled flood by running the machine. So the new drain hose assembly is ordered and will be here next week. On the SQ, much like my old GE filter flo, the hose assembly is a long, one piece affair that goes from the pump outlet inside the machine and travels through to the outside. A reasonably simple repair so I am glad of that. He said other than that, the machine is in really good shape, no evidence of center seal leaks. I forgot to ask him how the belt looks since we are going on 3.5 years for this one and the original one went after 4 years. So I will have to ask him when he comes back. I was unfortunately distracted by one of my neighbors who walked right in and interrupted him to ask him to come over to look at her refrigerator door gasket. Now I have a level of sympathy for her since her husband is terminally ill and relatively young at 45. However, she could have at least asked me if I minded...

On to the Amana dryer - it looks like the roller bearings are going, hence the heavy squeaking when it starts up. But at $275 - $300 to fix, and considering I will be converting the dryer to gas in the next few months, I decided it wasn't worth the fix. Even Steve said I had a good 6 - 8 months left and he didn't recommend the investment.

So there you have it folks. All in all this will be OK. And the neighbor will have to call her own service person since Jeff's doesn't service Samsung!!! Oh, well!!

 

[mtn1584]

I called it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A cracked drain hose!! Hooray, but seriously, I am glad it's not a major repair, and all Speed Queen owners can breath a collective sigh of relief!
MIKE