Aqualtis Squeak - should I be worried?

[MrX]

This is a little odd, our 3 Week old Aqualtis has developed a slight squeak during certain speeds in the spin cycle.

I'm wondering if it's a major issue, or if it's just something that will resolve itself when it 'wears in'..

It only seems to squeak (slightly) at about 1200 RPM. There's no squeak at distribution speeds, during the wash or at full 1600 RPM spin.

I'm just hoping nothing's worked its way into the drum!! We've been extremely careful about pockets - coins etc. I'm just hoping it's not a collar stiffener.

Also, on my grandmother's advice, we ran a long 90C wash with plenty of Persil. This oddly enough seems to have done something, the squeak was not present this wash.

Do you guys think it's worth calling out hotpoint and getting them to replace/repair the machine asap? Or, just live with it and see if it's just something that will 'settle in"...

 

[MrX]

Also, I have turned the drum by hand, there is no weird noise / no resistance and absolutely no play up/down. So, I doubt it's bearing related. I suspect it could be a little bit of rubber on the door seal in contact with the drum.

It doesn't sound like a slipping belt either.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Call Hotpoint and ask about it, since it's a new machine they will provide all the necessary support if there's something that doesn't work as it should.

 

[samsungfl]

I Agree!

Hi mrx,

After settling with my Zanussi which had many little faults which I thought would "wear in" I wouldn't ever hesitate to call the manufacturer if something isnt quite right!, as in my experience they don't seem to wear in LOL, Or in my case just get worse and you end up ditching the machine!!

Hope its nothing to serious!

Richard

 

[MrX]

They're sending someone out to look at it within 3 working days. There's a no quibble replacement with a new machine if it has any faults.

It was all very reasonable and there was no argument when I said that I was not accepting a repair on a 3 week old machine.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Good service, at least for now, keep us informed! Ciaoo

 

[MrX]

It seems to be an issue with the door seal.

I opened the door and (with a few towels in) manually turned the drum fast enough to get up to distribution spin..

The door seal occasionally touched the edge of the drum making the squeak ! I'd say the door seal must be slightly deformed / have a bump on it.

I'd say it's going to need a new seal. However, I'm going to push for a new machine as it's ridiculous to need any kind of repair on a 3 week old unit!

 

[MrX]

That being said, we bought a Miele about 8 years ago (still going extremely well) and it too had a minor problem with the door seal and required a new one after a relatively short time. There was a "seam" on the seal where the moulding process clearly hadn't gone to plan...

Miele replaced it without any issue too and were also very apologetic..

In the Miele case the bump caused water to leak out of the machine down the front when it was at high water level as the seal was not tight against the glass!!

 

[chrisbsuk]

i had my aqualtis replaced after three days because of the door seal -it was catching on the drum as it turned. hotpoint were very good - didnt even look at the machine, just took the old one out and put the new one in

 

[MrX]

Well, I was told they're sending a guy out and he'll have a new one in the van. Once he's checked the machine's genuinely faulty, it's a straight swap.

 

[MrX]

We only noticed the problem with the Miele after about 6 months as we hadn't used any high-fill washes! I increased the rinse water level (programmable option). Walked back into the utility room to discover water pouring down the front of the machine!!!!

 

[MrX]

Chrisbuk

Were the symptoms on your machine similar?

Squeak ?

 

[chrisbsuk]

hey, yea it was a squeak which was iritating! only really before the machine began to spin to be honest - other symptoms were the door seal being very hot after a cycle, smell of rubber buring and grey flecks on the clothes

 

[MrX]

this one happens at about 800rpm then again as the machine slows to a stop after the spin there's a noise that sounds like something out of a horror movie door creaking

 

[newwave1]

My ultima does the same thing, when its out of balance when the spin starts up it does squeek briefly and again wen it slows down again. It's litterally a quick creek which i put down to the suspension bedding in. I'll keep my eye on it.

Darren

 

[MrX]

Well, it's brand new this shouldn't be happening. so, I'm not holding off on a service call!!!

 

[MrX]

Done!

I have to say I'm impressed with Hotpoint-Ariston service in Ireland anyway. A service engineer came out this morning, took a look at the machine. Opened it and tried to identify the source of the squeak.

It appeared to be coming from the motor / pulley area.

He removed the belt, checked the drum etc and all seemed OK but the noise was still present on certain speed spinning.

So, it's being replaced with a brand new one within 2 days. The replacement's authorised. Exactly as promised!

Interesting to see the insides of the Aqualtis though.

Couple of myths to nail:

1) The bearings do appear to be quite easily replaced! They didn't look too unusual.
2) The outer tank is in two parts. It looks like it can be unbolted and opened if absolutely necessary!

You can also see the drum rotate through the tank which I have never seen before, but then I haven't opened any new-fangled washers recently.

Apparently this makes removing any trapped items a lot easier as you can shine a torch through the tub and find them and then "encourage" them out through the sump.

The layout of the controls is quite interesting. There is a digital connection between the door panel mounted controls and a module at the back (low down bolted to the right hand side panel). This has a large heat sink on the top of it and contains all of the switching/control gear for the machine. There isn't a ribbon of cables running up to the front panel, it seems to be using a properly digital system.

The wiring is very sensibly routed and looks fairly robust.

Inside the layout is very clean, clear and simple.

There are also sound absorbing foam panels on the sides.

The motor's ENORMOUS too compared to what I've seen in "lesser" machines. Big brute of a thing! I can see why it has so much torque !!

It's unfortunate that this particular machine has some kind of a glitch in the motor/pulley system somewhere. But, overall it seems like a well built unit other than that and I'm impressed with the support service. I have no idea how this compares with their support in other countries, but at least their Irish operation seems to be very pleasant to deal with.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Good, I'm pleased for you! Hopefully your new machine will be home soon and I'm sure you'll be even more satisfied after this experience! Also good to know about the tub and bearings!

 

[MrX]

Can't fault the customer care!

As promised, Machine's being replaced. Not only that, it's being replaced with the 8kg silver model, AQGD169S at no extra cost!!

 

[2drumsallergy]

AQGD169S

Hi Mrx,
I'm glad your getting a replacement Aqualtis, the AQGD169S is essentially the same machine as you had except for an 8KG capacity (62 Litre drum) and a halogen drum light. The graphics on the AQGD169S are slightly different and look better.
Do check for discolored paintwork where the warranty sticker is attached, I had two AQGD169S machines both returned for discolored paintwork.

David

 

[MrX]

I donno what they were thinking with those stickers!!

They should peel off. It seems like vandalism by the marketing department!!

 

[2drumsallergy]

Hi Mrx,
I don't know what they were thinking either as the warranty information is already in the enclosed literature pack. Apparently there were 1000's of machines effected by the discoloration issue to a greater or lesser degree.

David

 

[MrX]

what is the triangular bit on the door seal all about?

I've seen it on a few newer machines, including aqualtis

 

[2drumsallergy]

Clothes Deflector

Hi Mrx,
The triangular part on the door seal is a clothes deflector.
With the large loads in modern front loaders stuffed into drums with wider openings the clothes deflector is necessary to prevent items from dragging around the door seal at the start of the spin cycle. This is also the main reason for the tilted drum as the tilt keeps the load towards the rear of the drum.

David

 

[MrX]

Ah right, our older miele tends to get socks stuck on the door a lot!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Discoloured Paintwork

Where was the sticker on your machine that discoloured the paintwork?? was it on the door or on the bottom rhs front of the cabinet??

 

[2drumsallergy]

Discoloured Paintwork

Hi Mike,
Yes it was on the bottom right hand corner. You cant really see it in the photo but it was very clear to the naked eye and rather unsightly. It wouldn't have caused a problem if it had been on the door as I doubt it would have discoloured the plastic of the door. Either way the sticker is totally unnecessary in the first place as the information is already provided twice in the literature pack.

I'm told by a local Electrical Store manager that 1000's of machines were effected, only the silver models though. Can you imagine the cost of all those defaced machines to the company?

David

 

[MrX]

Installed!

The new machine was delivered and is now installed.

They appear to have replaced the label they were using with a new type. It pealed off really easily in one go and did not do any damage to the paintwork.

Also, it's substantially quieter than its predecessor.. and its predecessor was impressively silent.

Our Bosch (new) dishwasher completely drowns it out!!

 

[2drumsallergy]

Hotpoint-Ariston Aqualtis AQGD169S

Hi Mrx,
I'm glad your sorted now. I did not say anything to see if you commented on the 8Kg model being quieter. They are definitely quieter and feature improved sound insulation; now badged Ultra Silent as opposed to Super Silent for their 7.5Kg stablemates.

I'm glad they have resolved the sticker issue, I shudder to think how much that blunder cost them.

I'm just wondering are they badged Hotpoint or Hotpoint-Ariston in Ireland?

Happy washing.

David

 

[MrX]

Still badged Hotpoint.

I don't think their re-brand's hit the UK and Ireland yet.