Got my new Speed Queen AWN542 but have some questions/issues...

[DreamKeeper]

@rp2813 - I actually meant getting a replacement from the dealer I bought it from. They say they have a 60 day return policy and will stand behind the products they sell so I'm under the impression they would be willing to take it back and give me a new one.

I realize that the issue may end up not being that big of a deal to fix, but I just hate the thought of spending so much money on something that is brand new and it having issues from the first day I use it. I bought a new car one time that had an issue the day after I drove it off the lot. That car ended up being a lemon and for the next few years until I was able to buy a different car I had nothing but problems with it.

I guess I'm just a little weary of this washer being like that car where I constantly need to have it serviced. If I wanted a washer like that I could have bought a GE top loader with the extended warranty for half of what I paid for the SQ.

But, I'm going to keep using the washer for a few more days and see how it does. if I can convince myself that having the washer serviced will fix this and that there isn't something more serious wrong with it that will cause more issues in the future l would be willing to keep it.

Thanks again for all your input guys...

 

[rp2813]

I doubt you have a lemon.  It seems like the noise isn't all that uncommon.  Ben (washman) has had his SQ for a while and it seems applying some grease to the trouble spot helped, and he hasn't had any other problems.

 

But -- I agree with you 100% that if you buy something new and pay a premium price for a quality item, it shouldn't sound like a bucket of bolts.  If the same thing happened to me, and if the dealer offered a 60-day return policy, I'd be placing a request for a service call regarding the noise.   I'm a stickler for annoying rattles.

 

I honestly think a minor adjustment is all that's needed.  As with many mechanical items, there's a break-in period as components mesh into place.  Your machine's issue could be a combination of both.   My mom's 2000 GE made a weird rhythmic sound during agitation when it was new.  I inquired about it and the service rep asked if it was a "sawing" sound, and she nailed it with that description.  She said it would go away, and after about a week or two, it did.

 

 

[washman]

I think you'll be ok

One thing I hate besides eco-machines is learning a new member of the SQ family is upset or concerned with his purchase.

To that end, I want to alleviate your concerns.

You can rest assured that you have a machine that is that last of the old school TL machines that are among the best, if not the most water miserly, at cleaning laundry.

Backed by a company that is still independent and in business since 1908.

Made from good old fashioned strong steel and metal, not plastic.

Backed by the industry's best warranty.

Built in USA of US and globally sourced components.

I've had the same noise as yours for a while now. I have not noticed any degradation in performance. It has not gotten worse but slightly better when I greased up the nib on the idler assembly.

Black belt dust is same on mine. Due to fact the belt gets used on both sides (due to reversing motor), I expect this. And it is not a big deal to change it out.

By all means KEEP this machine! You'd be foolish to part ways with it after such a short time! Give it a chance! In the fullness of time, you will only grow more fond of the reasurring wooo wooo wooo as the patented 210 degree agitator stroke moves your clothes through the water with ease, powered by a mighty made in Mexico motor.

Stick with it. Don't give up so easily. I'm here for you and any other SQ owner. We are a unique group. Read again what the other senior members posted. They give good advice without all the BS.

 

[murando531]

Dealing with a similar issue myself, I know exactly how you feel about your new machine. I'm a bit of a perfectionist myself, and it doesn't help that I've had a lifelong fascination with all machines, primarily washers and dishwashers, and with that I've analyzed all kinds of machines and become attuned to their various behaviors and sounds. I just bought a new Maytag Bravos XL in November, and in the time I've had it, I've been annoyed by various rattles and knocks and rackets that it's made. Some of them are to be expected, but some just don't sit well with me because of what I've been used to on previous washers before it. Still, I've learned to overlook certain things while still keeping close watch so that I can call for support at the first sign of trouble.

My advice would be what the others here have already given: should the noise your SQ is making feel completely wrong, call customer support. That's what your warranty is there for, and honestly I'd feel more trusting of their tech support than I do for Whirlpool's (ten years ago I wouldn't have believed that to be the case, about WP that is). If I were you, I'd give the machine at least a couple of months to work the newness out before I'd abandon it. That's what I'm doing for the Maytag. That belt dust is completely normal; even cars have that, except that the dust is blown away whereas that has nowhere to go. The rattle may alleviate itself as the belt settles in.

 

[mtn1584]

AWN542

that machine is a WORK HORSE, I have one, bought one for my mother, both machines are going on six years old, and I talked my brother into buying one when their Kenmore Oasis crapped out for the last time.
I have changed the belt once. Black dust is normal on a new belt. This machine WILL make various noises, and you make think it sounds a bit odd, but remember the noises a General Electric Filter Flo Washer made? They too were also built like tanks!!!
Keep it, work with it, don't baby it, if it needs service you have a FIVE YEAR WARRANTY and this washer will last 5x that!! Remember these washers are used in a Commercial setting all the time.
LISTEN TO BEN, HE IS RIGHT!
Call Alliance, they are GREAT!!!!!!!
Mike

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen Doubts

Some of the older members here may recall that I had some doubts about my Speed Queen purchase after the fact when my dryer stopped dead mid cycle. Well, a tech came out and ended up ordering a new motor and timer for it. Once those components were replaced, it was still dead. The tech and I began stepping through the schematic with a meter and determined there was a broken wire in a harness. Wire replaced. Dryer has been operating fine ever since.

So stick with it.

My question is, can you stop the noise by applying a little pressure with a finger to keep the lever away from the nub? If so, perhaps a spring washer would solve the problem once and for all?

Malcolm

 

[DigAPony]

Black belt dust

The belt dust is normal and also due to break-in. Speed Queen TL's are known to be hard on drive belts but it will be years before replacement is necessary and its an inexpensive repair.

As for the noise I would call customer service.

 

[DreamKeeper]

Thanks for all the feedback guys... I am definitely going to keep the machine for a while and see how it does. I actually do really like the machine. It cleans very well and aside from that one annoying rattle noise it is actually pretty quiet.

I did contact Alliance and they watched the video I shot. He confirmed what everyone in this thread has said that just from listening to the video he thinks that the noise is coming from the idler lever. He didn't want to go any further with a diagnosis without being able to physically see the machine but told me if the noise persists to go ahead and get it checked out.

Anyway, thanks for listening to my rants and for calming my over analytical mind...

 

[esty]

Hi, curious if you had someone out to check your machine. I had the exact noise problem on my brand new awn 542. I also sent a video link of the sound to the technical support at speed queen. They new exactly what the problem was. It is the idler pully and the washers next to it. They have a fix for it with instructions. They sent it to a service provider in my area and they were here last week to fix it. They replaced the pully and added a washer and replaced another. Supposedly a fiberglass washer was added. So if you havent had it fixed yet, request the repair kit from them. All is quiet now except now I have some rattling in the spin cycle after my tub was leveled. My repair man noticed that the tub wasn't centered during agitation, so he centered it even though the outer box is no longer level. Now I have this rattling in the spin cycle. They are coming back out in two days to check it out.
Also I can't seem to get the suds to stay down from my standpipe even with the adapter on some keep coming out. Anyone have any solutions for me other than to keep a towel wrapped around the top of the standpipe? I do not overdose on soap at all.
Thank you.

 

[rp2813]

Suds

My step-daughter has reported standpipe suds with her AWN412.  Her husband sawed off some of it when they had their previous (10 year-old Kenmore) machines and there was no problem.  I gave them a section of pvc pipe to extend it again with a rubber sleeve, but haven't heard yet whether that helped.

 

Interesting that SQ has a kit to fix the noise.  Why don't they just assemble the machines with those components in the first place?

 

After hearing some of the things people go through with their SQ washers, I have to wonder if they're a bit of a sloppy bunch over there at Alliance.

 

[combo52]

Minor Issues With A New SQ TL Washer

As a dealer that has sold over 400 of these washers I will say again that they are a little crude, they do get the job done however, but if you are looking for perfection you may be disappointed. This why I have said in the past that this is not the best machine for us folks whom are obsessed with washers and I will never have one in my personal laundry room. [ If you want perfection in a traditional TL washer get and restore a 10-15 YO WP built DD washer ]

 

SQ has some issues with idlers, belts , motor and main drive pulleys, this is made much worse because of their insistence of sticking with the inferior spin-drain operation of these washers. Even Frigidaire abandoned SD over 15 years ago as they could never get their idler-pulley, belt and suds-locking under control.  SQ does build neutral-drain washers for markets like Australia where consumers demand better performance. The suds backing up the drain standpipe is also made worse by the SD system.

 

[brucelucenta]

Solution is simple. Get a front load machine. They are efficient, quiet and do a better job washing and rinsing with virtually NO linting or redeposition at all along with superior water extraction. Personally, being obsessed with top load automatic washers for as far back as I can remember, a front load washer has little or no appeal to me as far as watching it do it's job. But it does do a much better job of what it is intended to do. Just the plain & simple truth of the matter.

 

[esty]

Combo52, since you deal with these machines all the time, how does the speed queen compare to the hotpoint 3.7 and the GE 3.9? I don't know their model numbers off hand, but they are the ones without a locking lid and supposedly an old school washer. I have read mixed reviews. The speed queen that I have now is actually my second one. I had one for three years that needed a lot of repairs, bearings replaced and more. Probably a lemon. When three years were almost up I finally got it replaced. I did have to pay some for the new one. The new one had already one repair for the rattling and now the spin is making a noise. My laundry room is right off my kitchen, so I hear all the sounds the washer makes. I am so upset that I got rid of my old whirlpool. The tub was rusting, so I got the speed queen. I am happy at least I found this forum, so I know I am not the only one with washing machine issues. Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[combo52]

Best New Top Load Washers

Hi Ellen, GE-HP TL washers have not held up well since at least 1995, I am quite sure that current SQ TL washers will out last most newer GE built top loaders are least 2 to 1 before you have major problems. Probably about the only other new TL washer I would recommend would be a Direct Drive Maytag or Whirlpool machine.

 

If you had seal and bearing failures on your last SQ it could have been a fluke, but more likely was related to your usage of the washer and if related to your usage you may repeat the same failure in a few years.

 

Be very sure you are using PLENTY of good detergent and water temperatures for washing of at least 70 dregrees at all times, and avoid extra rinses on a regular basis. Most of all if you see any signs of mineral build up around the top of the wash basket you really need to take these suggestions to heart.

 

Good Luck with your new washer, and I would not worry about little noises that these washers make.

 

John L.

 

[esty]

Thank you John for responding. Please explain what you mean by plenty of good detergent, and avoid extra rinses.if I use a lot of detergent, then I will need extra rinses. I only use till line one on a full load. If I use more I get too much suds which leads to more rinses. I leave the second rinse switch on, on my machine because most of my family has sensitive skin and my doctor recommended second rinsing things. I use arm and hammer unscented on most loads or regular tide on my husband's things. In the other speed queen that I had the bearings started screaming after about four months after I got it. Is this machine so sensitive that I should be afraid to use it? I have four kids at home and I do laundry often. Thanks so much for taking your time to answer me.
Also, my technician is coming today. Something is hitting in the spin cycle on some cycles. The outer box is not level, because he tried to keep the center tub centered during agitation and that's what he felt he had to do to keep the tub centered. One front leg is higher than the other.
Thanks again,
Ellen

 

[esty]

Sorry, one more question. Is it safe to use vinegar in a speed queen washer? I read that its a good way to remove excess detergent and good for helping retain colors. Will vinegar corrode the washer and components?
Ellen

 

[esty]

Well, my repair man was here today. Spent a half hour and couldn't figure out what is causing the rattling in the spin cycle. It seems to mainly happen when the load goes a little off balance. Otherwise it is fairly quiet. very odd. I guess I have to bear with it. Somewhat annoying.

 

[washman]

Not at all ellen

You see, SQ alone offers the best warranty in the business along with quality components. the SS inner tub and porcelain enamel outer tub will outlast the machine itself.

Having said that, I use vinegar in my rise especially when I do towels. I also used it my plastic fantastic GE for 14 years with nary a problem.

The SQ is a very well constructed machine. I would not be worried at all about using it.

For the record, my father and I have the same AWN 542. He does more laundry than I do as he washes curtains whereas I have blinds instead. Neither of us have had any issues whatsoever.

You made a wise choice in selecting a Speed Queen for your laundry needs.

 

[spinmon]

esty,my 2 1/2 year old SQ AWN 542 used to rattle the side side cabinet at times. Pretty big noise and irritating. I'd stuff a Q-Tip between the top and cabinet,which seemed to help.

Noticed about a year ago the Q-Tip had fallen out,but the rattle hasn't returned.

My wife (who is usually very careful with cars,machines),recently turned the water level reset knob too hard(''resetting''),cracking the plastic under the knob AND over-riding the stop detent on the pressure valve! I opened the console and re-positioned the half-moon properly. Put tape on the knob insert till I can get a new part. LIGHT pressure on the ''Reset''Recommended!

My tub leans forward with the machine level and water level even in tub. Oh,well.

Finally,make sure you're not overloading. I've seen vids with a load of 11 pair jeans. Stupid. Load sensibly,enjoy one of the last gutsy washing machines we'll probably see. And I DO like the SQ's classic sounds.

 

[esty]

Thank you, spinmon for answering. I really don't understand where you are explaining where you put the q tip. I realized that the rattling in the spin cycle is coming from the plastic white drain hose. When it shakes in the spin if the load gets slightly uneven in the tub (mainly on small loads) it makes that sound.I was hearing it also when the water stopped after agitation and realized it was coming from the hose moving against the back panel where the hose is attached. In the spin cycle it is coming from the part that I can't get to on the inside of the machine. I am wondering if when my technician tilted the washer way back to replace the pully and washers he loosened the hose to cause it to shake and create this rattling sound. My washer is in a very tight space so he couldn't movevthe machine over to repair it. So he leaned it over backwards. I duck taped the hose in place on the back panel and that seemed to help the rattling after agitation stops. I still have it in the spin cycle though. Any advice is appreciated.
Also my tub stopped indexing. Do you know if that is normal? I am very careful about not overloading my washer. I know that its not good for the washer, and the clothes don't get clean that way either.
Thank you.