Brand new SQ TC5 with noise issue

[emmach]

Hmm, interesting. In the 2014 post I read that a couple of people were only having the issue with hot water. I am definitely hearing the noise even during a cool wash and on the rinse cycle, although it may be more frequent when using a higher temperature. I'm also not sure that I would describe the noise that I'm hearing to be metallic, certainly not screeching and not that horrendous.

 

[mtn1584]

No rime or reason

Water temp has nothing at all to do with the noise. Load size however does. If you have a heavy load of towels, most likely your tub WILL index, that is turn with the agitator. THIS IS NORMAL, in my case when I have a load in that DOES NOT make the tub index that is when the washers are more noisy and quite often rub together.
My assumption is the more weight in the tub, clothes plus water make the washers sit tight against one another. When the tub is lighter. The washers have slightly more play and then rotate with the stroke action thus causing that annoying metal on metal noise.
Again NOTHING mechanical BUT annoying nonetheless. Just as annoying as an old GE Filter Flo washer clutch clicking while in SLOW agitation mode.

 

[grebus]

Mike, one question on lubing the washers. Did you loosen the drive pulley bolt to get the pulley to drop down a little or did you just spray the white lithium grease with everything assembled? I'm thinking of doing this myself rather than having a tech called in. Thanks.

 

[mtn1584]

No my friend I did not loosen any bolt although if you had a tech come out I suppose you could. I just used the White Lithium Grease sparingly on the two bolts. If you use anymore you’ll most likely get overspray on the brakes and your tub will never stop indexing.
Mike

 

[emmach]

update

Hi,
Just wanted to give an update on my machine.
Last week, during the heavy duty cycle that I do on pretty warm water, the scraping noise was a little less often during the previous week’s same type of load (maybe 35 times during the wash and only 5 or so during the rinse.) Today though, doing a load on the same cycle , the noise happened more than it has ever done in the past, approx 75 times during the 9 minute cycle and about 20 times during the rinse, which in the past has been maybe 6 times. In addition, there were 10 times when the noise was prolonged sometimes for as long as 2 seconds. As usual, loads I do on bulky/sheets do not have this noise. So the level of agitation seems to be key here.
Needless to say I am not thrilled that things are getting worse not better. And not surprisingly, a rep at SQ did not respond when I asked if there was a possibility that my claim would be denied although, in just 3 days, she responded to the four emails I sent prior to that one.
Grebus: may I ask if there is any change to the frequency in which you are hearing this noise? Have you tried to repair it on your own?

 

[grebus]

I haven't attempted the washer grease fix yet, but still plan to do so. I have been using the bulky cycle exclusively since I was annoyed at hearing the sound. It has been working fine but I still hear the noise once in a blue moon (even on bulky).

The main reason I haven't tried the fix yet is that the machine is in an awkward space and sits in one of those plastic drain pans, and it will make getting the front panel off a bit challenging. Once I get to it, I will let you know of the results.

 

[emmach]

thanks, Grebus!

 

[grebus]

Here's my update. A few days ago I took the front cover off and attempted to spray the washers with white lithium grease. I could only get the can and short spray tube pointed at the washers from the front left side of the machine, so wasn't sure I was getting very much coverage. I was also trying to minimize the amount of overspray as much as possible. I didn't do a test after I was done.

Today I did four full loads of laundry on the normal/eco cycle with the heavy duty option on. I did not hear the sound even one time. I hope that is a pretty good indication of this being a solution to the issue. I would suggest buying a longer spray tube for the lithium grease as it would probably make the job easier and you could get better coverage (you can get them on Amazon).

On another note, I may be returning my TC5 for a number of reasons. Mostly I think I'm not as fond of it as I thought I would be, I think it uses way too much water, and it's washing ability has been so-so for me. If I do, I will buy the LG WM3900 from Costco, which was always my other choice when I was first looking a few months ago.

 

[combo52]

SQ TC-5 Using Too Much Water

I would agree, even though we have sold way over 1000 traditional SQ TL Washers I would never have one, the only way I use a full fill TL machine is if I can reuse the wash water.

 

If you can return it I would get the SQ Front Load machine, I bought a new SS version last November and the only problem with it is I can't find enough laundry to use it very often, it does huge loads fairly fast and very well,

 

I know the LG will do a good job and may last a while but as a American I cannot justify buying Chinese stuff when we build a much better washer here.

 

John L.

 

[panasonicvac]

We have an LG WM8100 similar to the WM3900. It's been nice so far, I quite like it actually. But if I were to buy a front load washer and dryer again today, I would get the Speed Queen this time.

 

[emmach]

update

Grebus: Thank you so much for posting the results of using the spray. Whatever I choose to do, this information will come in handy.

 

[grebus]

Emmach, you are welcome and good luck with your machine.

John L. and panasonicvac, I think my reluctance with the Speed Queen front loader is mostly the significantly higher price and somewhat smaller capacity. The availability of these also seems to be an issue right now. I agree with buying American-made products when possible--my understanding is that the LG is at least assembled in Tennessee and is providing some decent local employment there.

 

[panasonicvac]

Either way, both the LG and the Speed Queen front loader have bigger tub capacity rates than the TC5. You can still fit in a king size comforter with the SQ or even two queen size comforters. At least that's what this one person did with their SQ.


Yeah I do agree that the SQ is on the more expensive side but I think Lorain Furniture made a point here about the price when he did a review on the SQ front loader, you basically get what you pay for. It's a washer that could possibly be the last washer you would ever buy in your lifetime, that's one of the reasons why I would buy a SQ over an LG today. Another thing is I wasn't impressed with LG when we had them fix our stove that we have, that's another reason why I would be leaning towards on getting the SQ this time. And lastly here is I also agree with John, I prefer buying American. I think only the LG washers are assembled here but not the dryers, and I think both my washer and dryer was made overseas. Other than that, I still wouldn't hesitate anyone to look into LG. The only slight issue we have with our washer by far is sometimes water would leak out from the bottom of the door once in a while during the cycles but I think that's because we didn't had our door shut completely.

 

[combo52]

Speed Queen FL Washer Review

Good review But I Will add a few points as we have far more experience with these washers than Lorain Furniture.

 

Using this SQ SXS with the LG and other popular FL machines the SQ out cleans all others if you compare total cycle time, or in other words if you compare SQs one hour cycle to the one hour cycle on the LG etc the SQ will win in performance.

 

Yes on the LGs and other FL washers if you use the 2-3 hour cycles the results can be better [ of course clothing wear may be worse ] but if using the SQ with soak, pre-wash + up to five rinses is not enough I guess you could always run the machine twice if something is that dirty, LOL

 

Note : SQ did not stop building FL washers in 2018, they just stopped selling the residential model because of demand on the commercial side for about 9 months, durning this time they continued to sell the stack model and they still make the all SS pair [ we have sold several pairs in the last year ] and the price came down on the SS pair as well, Yay.

 

I guess the thing I like best about these washers is how easy they are to access and repair, you just take out two screws and have complete access to the drain pump, loosen two clamps and remove two more screws and the drain pump is in your hands [ a child can do it ] no other FL washer on the market comes close to the ease of service on these washers, You can change the door boot in about 10 minutes without struggling to get it installed to the outer tub, and you can remove the front tub cover in about 15 minutes and reinstall it without replacing any gaskets etc.

 

I just love it when I actually get to work on a SQ FL washer every month so.

 

John L.

 

[grebus]

Thought I would update that I did return my TC5--I had to pay a restocking fee as well as a charge to have them pick it up, but felt it was worth it to move on.

I bought the LG WM3900 from Costco for $1079 with 4 years of warranty by using the Costco Visa. There was no delivery/installation charge and I also qualify for a $50 rebate from my electric utility for buying a HE washer. The installation process wasn't great, but that's another story.

I've had it for just over a week and have done about 5 loads so far. It seems to be working well and I am happy with the performance--still experimenting with the various cycles to see which is best. Thanks to everyone for their input and advice, and I will probably go back to lurking now.