Brand new SQ TC5 with noise issue

[grebus]

Hi, former lurker here. Got my new TC5 delivered and it is making a scraping/grinding sound during agitation only. I have read here that sometimes there are unusual noises with these until they are broken-in, but wanted to get some feedback on this particular sound. I also sent the video to SQ tech and am waiting on their opinion. I appreciate any comments as I am trying to decide whether to try and get the dealer to take it back. Thanks!

 

[grebus]

I forgot to say that I have had the washer since 1/21/21 and have done 5-6 loads of laundry using various cycles and water levels. Each time the same noise is there during agitation.

 

[rp2813]

A.B. Normal?

Sounds creepy and suspenseful.  

 

[nmassman44]

That would be your idler pulley settling in. It will make that sound from time to time. My AWN 311 made that sound early on and then it went away, but on occasion , depending on what you are washing, it will make that same sound. At first I thought that something got into the pump, but that wasn't the case. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[grebus]

OK, thanks for your reply. Do you have a memory of how long it was before the sound became less frequent in your washer? Just trying to get an idea of what I might expect with mine.

 

[gusherb]

I've heard many different noises from my SQ but not that one. I did have a resonance/vibration issue during spin drain early on and it turned out to be a plastic shroud around the capacitor resonating against the motor bracket.

 

[emmach]

I have been experiencing the same issue with my new TC5 and posted a similar question this morning (Thread Number: 86072) and was directed to this thread. Could someone possibly tell me what it means for an idler pulley to settle in? Thanks!

 

[grebus]

Hi, I'm the one with the noise issue similar to yours. I did another 3 loads of laundry 2 days ago and the noise is happening less frequently now. By the 3rd load I only heard it a couple times. I am still waiting for a response from SQ tech on the video I sent them, and will update this thread once I hear back. I can see how it is possibly the idler pulley as it does sound somewhat like a wheel spinning on it's shaft. Watch Eugene's video on changing the belt on a similar machine and you can see what the idler pulley looks like.

 

[emmach]

Thanks, Grebus. What is strange for me is that for the first 5 laundry days with my machine (I do my laundries on Thursdays, so this was for the first 5 weeks) I never heard this sound. For the past three weeks, I have heard it, some loads more than others as opposed to it getting less frequent as time goes on. I never would have thought this was due to a wheel (it still doesn't make sense to me) But it makes less sense why some people would have the problem and not others. I couldn't find anyone else on this site posting about it.

 

[grebus]

You should probably send your videos to SQ customer service/tech and see what answer you get. I think we are likely dealing with the same (hopefully minor) issue and it would help to have them be aware of it (if they aren't already). The customer service link is below. I think you need to register your washer with them first if you haven't done it yet.

Contact Us for Home based Washers and Dryers - Speed Queen

Do you have questions about the performance or operation of your Speed Queen equipment? Contact us via form or call at 800.552.5475

speedqueen.com

 

[grebus]

Here is the reply I received from SQ tech today.

"Our techs have listened to the video and believe the noise is washer flutter. The service tech will need to add a plastic washer between the drive pulley and brake assembly and put a thin layer of grease on all of the washers and sandwich them together and put them back between the drive pulley and brake assembly."

I have read this solution being used for other SQ noise issues, but didn't think they sounded similar to what I've been hearing. I think I am going to leave mine alone for now and see what happens.

 

[grebus]

Here is one of the videos I previously watched that had a somewhat similar issue and solution. If you read the comments you will see that a number of people fixed their issue by following username 7732528's solution.

 

[emmach]

Thanks for posting the response you received. I wonder what they mean by "washer flutter" and if the repair needs to be done to prevent damage. Are you planning on writing back to SQ for clarification? I listened to the video posted by samlol23 and the noise doesn't really seem to be the same to me, especially as it is not intermittent.

 

[grebus]

No, I'm fairly sure if I ask any further they will just advise me to have a service person out to examine the issue. It took some convincing to get the customer service person to have a tech view my video (the initial response was just to have service come out). If you want to contact SQ and send them your video you might be able to get some clarification if you need it. At this point I am going to wait and see if the noise continues to taper off more or disappear.

 

[emmach]

Earlier today I sent SQ a description of my issue and the audio I took. I wonder if I'll get the same response as you.
Good luck with your washer!

 

[emmach]

update on my washer noise

I, too, was initially told by SQ to contact my dealer for service. When I pressed further, my issue was passed along to the technicians who responded that they
"believe the slight rattle noise is within normal range. When these washers operate they do have some vibration which causes rattle outside of the machine."
I don't know if they just couldn't hear the scraping sounds (don't know how that could be) or they were just focused on something else, so I sent a 15 second video that I had posted here which has the sound one time.
Just now I sent an updated email saying that during 1 of the 3 loads I did today, I heard the noise much more often than I had ever heard it before, and in addition, a couple of times the noise was prolonged for a few seconds and sounded like a car skidding (the noise was not high pitched, though.) Also during the bulky/sheets cycle, I didn't hear it at all. The only other time I did a bulky sheets cycle in the last few weeks, (I usually use the heavy duty cycle) I also did not hear the scraping noise. So it seems that the noise does not happen when the machine uses low agitation.
I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to call for service and have things get worse (new problems) or have an issue with the warranty not being honored for whatever reason. I also don't want to make the problem worse or have the machine die at an inopportune time. (When is it ever opportune!)

 

[ea56]

Reading this thread makes me so glad I purchased my inexpensive Roper RTW4516 19 months ago for $499.  

 

In all this time it has yet to make any strange noises.  It just does what its supposed to do every time I press start. I wash 5 loads a week with no problems.

 

And contrary to what was posted on another thread about this machine it doesn’t tangle the clothes.  The lid does lock, but it remains unlocked during the fill portion of the wash cycle so I can add an extra article if needed.  For the rest of the cycle the lid lock hasn’t been a problem at all.

 

If I paid $1000 for a new washer I’d be really PO’d if I was given the brush off by the manufacturer.  

 

Eddie

 

[grebus]

Emmach, if you are that concerned about the noise I would think it's time to call for service. If it was me, I would call the dealer first to see who they use that is Speed Queen service-authorized. That way you know you are covered as far as the warranty.

When they come out, you can share what the Speed Queen techs recommended and maybe also that someone suggested it could be the idler pulley. I was also told by Speed Queen customer service that the service person can contact them by phone directly when they are at the customer's home to get specific help. Let us know what you decide, thanks.

 

[emmach]

Hi Grebus,
SQ just emailed me and said that I should have someone come out to inspect and diagnose the machine. She didn't mention whether or not a tech actually listened to my audio or was told the additional info I sent. She didn't state - yes, your machine has a problem. I'm just not happy that I heard more noise today than I had in the past. Not a sign that things are settling in. I was wondering if you had done any more laundries since the ones you mentioned where there was less noise and if you remember if the last load you did that day (when you heard very little noise) was done using a low agitation cycle (delicates or bulky.)
I don't like the fact that SQ says, "Alliance Laundry Systems is not responsible for labor charges that result from a service call where a unit is found to function as designed." Since the machine is filling, agitating, draining and spinning, the tech can claim that nothing is wrong and I would be responsible for the service call. Also, there is always the concern that something else will be broken in the process of trying to fix this issue. I would hope that these things wouldn't happen, but I don't have high expectations from people.