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

[DreamKeeper]

So I received my new washer but have a few observations and questions for you guys.

1. As the delivery guys were installing the washer I started looking over the installation manual and I realized that they may not have done a few things correctly. First the washer did not have the bottom shipping plug. So they moved the washer up a flight of stairs without the shipping plug installed. I questioned them about the bottom plug and they said that they took it out right before they put the washer on the dolly and brought it in the house. That once they unpackaged the washer on the truck that the shipping plug just falls out and there's no way to put it back in without taping it to the washer. They assured me that as long as the shipping brace was in place in the tub that the shipping plug was not really needed. Well I wish I had read the user manual first because it actually goes into more detail about the shipping plug than the installation manual. It clearly says that you should NOT move the washer without the plug installed and that it can be reinstalled and snaps into place. I'm not sure if these guys just didn't know what the hell they were talking about or were lying to me for some reason.

2. In the installation manual it says that you need to add water to the tub before using the machine. It has an illustration of adding water to the machine with a bucket. I asked them about this and they said that you don't need to add the water manually, that you just need to make sure that the washer is filled with water before it starts it's initial agitation. Is this true or should they have added water manually?

3. During agitation the washer is making a noise that doesn't sound right to me. The noise is sort of like a rattle. It only makes the noise when I run a cycle with clothes, if I run a cycle with just water there is no noise. I took the front panel off to see if anything looked abnormal and I found a black powdery substance under the belt in the front. I'm assuming the black powder came from the belt. Is it normal for a new washer to have this black powder? I'm attaching some pics I took. I did notice in the user manual that it says some new washers that have set in storage for a while may make a knocking sound for the first 4 or 5 washes because the belt settles. So I'm going to try doing a few more loads to see if the noise goes away, but it actually sounds more like rattle to me than a knock.

Thanks for your help...

 

[washman]

Should be fine

The tub will index like crazy until the brake pads seat in.

It will squeak a tad bit also.

My shipping plug was removed before they dollied it 25 feet from the truck to my basement, no issues.

I did put the water in first before starting the machine.

Can you upload a vid with sound so we can hear it?

 

[DreamKeeper]

Video

Thanks for the info washman, that makes me feel better about the shipping plug. I did do a quick video so you can hear the noise I'm talking about. This is during the second full wash that I've done with clothes. Is this the noise that's caused by the tub indexing or is this something else? The spin cycle sounds fine, it's just during agitation that I get the noise and only if clothes are in the tub.



Thanks...

 

[washman]

Yup

Mine does that too. Has since day one it is a bit louder on heavy loads. From what I have read, not a big deal. The indexing will settle down over time.

 

[henene4]

It almost sounds like the agitator haveing that tiny amount of play in its seat that allows it to "scrape" along the metal surface it rests on. Just my humble opinion...

 

[mrb627]

Noise

Is it the idler pulley against the belt causing that noise?
Perhaps the spring is vibrating?

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

something ain't right.....

that noise is either the idler pulley doesn't have any lube.....

or the belt has a flat/wide spot in it......

at 1:05 you can see the idler arm shaking, which could be part of the rattle.....mine doesn't jiggle like that once the machine starts going and tension pulls the belt taught....

if you don't feel right about it...call for service, that's why their there...

as for the other stuff, like that shipping plug, did you keep it should you ever have to move the machine?.....I transported them on their side and back in a car and never had an off track issue....I do have the plastic tub support that goes in top....but no big deal if I didn't have it......besides, they always uncrate and pull all shipping braces and parts before bringing into your house....most likely would not fit through your doors while in the box, or crate attached to the bottom...

I just had a buddy pay movers to empty his house, and they carried a TL washer completely upside down from the basement.....shocked the heck out of me for that one, but it works fine...

the only issue of adding water is to lubricate the pump, and not run dry.....as long as the machine had water added before the motor started, again, your fine....

don't over analyze, concentrate on any real issues......yours most likely isn't the first one they ever installed....

 

[Chetlaham]

As long as water is added somehow before the motor starts that's ok. The water is just to moisten the pump seal so it doesn't overheat and crack.

But, piece of advice, always install machines yourself. I always ask them to be dropped off in an unopened box. If the box comes opened or the machine taken out I refuse to take it.

A lot of places out source delivery, so you get a mixed bag of people. Some do it right others have no clue. My guess in terms of the plug is that they just don't know. They have a hundred different washers to worry about and chances are they don't read the manual for everyone one. They should at least be told take everything out at the spot of installation. But again, you get a mixed bag of results.

 

[yogitunes]

installing a new appliance by yourself is "half the fun" of buying a new machine....

there are times when they install a new dryer, that they will disconnect the old hose, fully clogged, and hook it onto the new dryer......not their problem, or their job to check and clean this stuff....

this is all the more reason to 'do it yourself'.....remove the old, clean the area, flush the pipes, clean or replace venting, and use new hoses and cords....IF you want it done right.....OR, take your chances!....

many wont hook up a GAS dryer or dishwasher, you must contract a plumber for these things......

 

[combo52]

Noise During Agitation On A New SQ TL Washer

It doesn't sound too unusual to me, I would run it at least a year before calling for service unless it gets MUCH louder and if it stays the same ignore it.

These are good rugged washers, but no one ever said they were silent, you could install the sound insulation package that I used to silence a NOISY Frigidaire 1-18, doing what I did to the FD would make your new SQ almost silent.

I will post pictures of the sound reduction techniques used on the 1-18 when I get a chance.

 

[mrb627]

post pictures of the sound reduction

Please do!

Malcolm

 

[cleanguy]

idler braket

my guess,,,, idler wheel bracket is touching motor shaft.
Thats why idler is moving !!! This is caused by belt being adjusted a little loose.
YOU should examine idler bracket where it gets real close to motor shaft,, i think it show in the video, but hard to see.
I once had this problem on a old SQ raytheon.

 

[cleanguy]

idler LEVER

correction,,,, correct part name might be idler "lever"
(sorry,, would not let me edit my previous post ???)

 

[DreamKeeper]

Noise

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm going to contact Speed Queen and see what they have to say about the noise. I've now ran 9 loads of clothes and the noise is still there and may have actually increases just a bit.

I did look again and I think you guys who are saying that it may be the idler pulley/lever may be correct. There is a slot in the bracket that the motor sets on and the idler arm has a little finger that sticks up and fits into that slot. From what I can see it looks like that little finger is setting right up against the far right end of the slot and when it moves back and forth it's hitting the end of that metal slot and that may be what's making the noise. When it goes into a spin cycle that lever gets popped out to the middle of the slot and that's why there is no noise during spin.

I wouldn't think that lever should be sitting right up against the end of the slot. I guess my question is why is it then? The belt doesn't feel loose to me but of course I'm not sure how tight it should be. There is no way to adjust the belt tension on this machine right? I think it's auto adjusting. I wonder if something is out of alignment internally with this machine?

Thanks...

 

[cleanguy]

exactly ,, idler lever touching shaft !!!!
If you want, it is easy to slightly tighten belt. The motor mounting bracket slides in and out slightly to adjust belt tension. It will get worse as belt stretches over time. Needs to be adjusted by you or repairman.
Glad i could help,, i know i have been helped here tooooo.

 

[washman]

here's some pix of mine

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?56486

I put a tad bit of grease on the nib that sticks up in the slot. the noise is from that nib "bouncing" against the stop.

 

[DreamKeeper]

@cleanguy - thanks for the info. I did just go and look again but I don't see any way to slide the mounting bracket. It looks like it is solidly bolted into place. I just don't see any bolts that when loosened would allow the bracket to slide. Also, the motor is already very close to the front panel of the machine so I don't know it could even be slid out enough. Maybe I'm missing something though. I would probably have a service guy do it anyway just so I don't void the warranty.

@washman - thanks for the thread link. That looks like it's exactly what is happening on my machine, even the black dust from the belt that's talked about in that thread. It looks like others started having this issue over a period of time. What worries me is that mine is already exhibiting these issues from day one. I already had the black dust from the belt on the first day I got the machine. I'm wondering if I should try to get the dealer to swap this machine for another one. If this is already happening on this machine I worry about long term issues. Maybe I got a lemon?

Thanks...

 

[imperial70]

You might do better just trying to sell it as fast as possible to someone that loves this design.

 

[rp2813]

I doubt SQ will take the machine back and give you a new one.  I think this problem can be easily fixed, although I haven't read anything above that indicates if it's just an annoyance or a sign of trouble down the line. 

 

You've got a good warranty, so go ahead and take advantage of it.  If a repair tech comes out, you might want to show him the clip from "washman" so he knows the source of the noise in case he's not familiar with this issue.