Help! New FL Speed Queen is misbehaving!

[danmantn]

Hello everyone,

I anxiously awaited my new Speed Queen, but she's thumping during the ramp up period. Wash cycles are silent, full spins (when she does decide to do one) are relatively smooth. Please review the thumping in this video and offer advice. Speed Queen wants to send a tech, I want to exchange. Looking to the experts.

Note how the front panel is pushing in and out on the left hand corner. Sorry for the miserable basement lighting. This "thumping/banging" happens regardless of load and even when the washer is empty (just not as bad, but always happens during ramp up)

Thanks,
Dan

http://https//youtu.be/-6ZGniHORv8

 

[a440]

How terrible!  I would be very angry and would want a new machine also.

If it is level left to right and front to back I would guess that it is either a bad shock or a shock that is not connected.  Can't understand however what would be causing it to jump around like that empty unless the entire tub is out of round. 

Wonder if it was damaged during shipping? 

Can't think that Speed Queen would have let that machine leave the factory with these issues.

Has it been doing this since the first run?

 

 

[mr_b]

Could be the internal shipping bracket was not removed during installation. This bracket is found behind the front panel below the door. When my SQ FL was installed the installer forgot to remove it. To gain access to it you need to remove the panel held in place with two screws. It has a nice yellow sticker on it saying to remove before use. Also be sure you washer is level. Finally, there are two shipping bolts in the back of the machine that need to be removed before use.

 

[mrb627]

Kick Plate

I would remove the kick plate and verify all the shipping supports have been removed. Before attempting to use it further....

Malcolm

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Like they said..plus the rubber feet need to be installed or it will slide around durning spin.
So in other words read and follow the manual.
Ours is running happily right now, yours will be too, soon enough.[this post was last edited: 1/13/2016-14:16]

 

[danmantn]

That's the irony about the whole situation. I declined installation since I wanted to make sure that it was installed correctly--by me.

The machine is perfectly balanced in all directions--I was obsessed with making sure this was correct.
The locknuts correctly retightened on all legs after level adjustments (most forget this step)
The front shipping bracket removed
The rear shipping bolts removed (and recapped)
The rubber feet installed as well.

All done before the machine was ever plugged in. I guess I assumed everyone does this, so i did not include in my original post.

I've requested a new machine--wanted to verify it with the gang here in case there is just something that I was missing. I did watch the shock absorbers as well, all firing and doing the best they can to keep the thing from banging around.

It's a special order machine (front load, rear control), so the next one will be here in about 3 weeks. Abt.com has been great about the situation so far, and the last guy I spoke with at Speed Queen said if it's doing that with an empty load, something is wrong.

Let's hope for the best.

 

[vacbear58]

Floor

Just another idea seeing that the vibration seems to be just during the ramp up period, is it on a solid or suspended wooden floor?

If suspended floor it may mean you need to put a piece of wood (screwed to the floor) underneath the machine to help distribute the load of the machine - the ramp up period is always the point of most vibration

Hope this helps and good luck on getting your new machine sorted out

Al

 

[yogitunes]

seems more like the spring along the top left hand side is not connected properly....

or a balance weight is missing......

as well as the balance ring may not be working properly.....

you know something is wrong when it does it on an empty tub.....

keep us posted....

 

[danmantn]

It's on a concrete floor. I'll poke around the upper springs if I can. Yes, it's done it from the initial test load. It's two days old.

 

[combo52]

New SQ FL Washer Noise

I would diffidently have a service tech look at the machine before asking for an exchange, It might be as simple as a loose panel Etc, Our company would never take back a product without first examining the machine, anymore than a car dealer will take back a new car without trying to correct a problem with the first car.

 

It is just plain wasteful and a waste of everyone's time and money to exchange an appliance that might be very easy to fix.

 

There are no springs in a SQ FL Washer, only four shocks.

 

[mielefan]

Danmantn,

I'm sorry to hear about this. I've followed your posts and video's for a long time. Which model did you get? I'm considering the front-loading # AFN50RSP113TW01 with the mechanical timer. My wife is losing her patience as I search for a replacement for my Miele W1903 which I love.

 

[mrb627]

Front Loader...

It does appear in the video that the upper screw on the front of the machine is loose or missing. Would be worth popping the top to have a look.

There are no Speed Queen front loaders with mechanical timers anymore. The machine with the knobs is electronic with a cycle selector switch.

Malcolm

 

[jetcone]

Mine makes this noise

sometimes not all the time. Too me it sounds like a wiring harness bumping up against the tub. I really didn't consider it a defect. Yours sounds similar. It will be interesting to see what the new machine brings. Keep us updated.

Belt drive Kenmores were famous for this if you didn't secure the wiring harness after servicing.

 

 

 

[danmantn]

The loose panel was the first issue I dealt with (after the 3" dent/scratch on the side was identified). I opened the door to get the hoses out and the noticed the gap. I too thought of a screw. I didn't freak out over it, but called SQ and he sent me instructions. SUPRISE, there are no screws. Just pegs and holes that the panel slides into and secured at the bottom with two screws (like the access panel, but reversed and more pegs). Either the peg is too small or the hole is too big causing about a 1/8" gap that isn't present in the other pegs--causing the flexing. The vibration of the tub makes it more apparent.

I did notice the sound in your final spin videos Malcolm, but it only bangs around for a couple of seconds. Mine goes a long time--and I've never seen spin (burst) speeds like you're getting in the Imperials.

I did notice that one of the shipping bolts on the back was askew slightly--didn't think much about it, but it was on the same side as the dent (not a deep dent mind you).

Banging noise in Malcolms video below is about the :35 second mark...and only for a brief second or two....and the machine isn't bulging/flexing like mine.

http://https//youtu.be/lBq0sCwXUAI?list=PLeW2DYrwEYWnNrFlphqdlkZODyqrO--yF

 

[danmantn]

Model

Hi MieleFan,

I got the AFNE9RSP113TW01 - front load, digital, rear controls. It matches my existing SQ TL and dryer style.

One of the BEST things I love about the new washer IS the digital controls. Nearly endless combinations of cycles--worth every penny to me! Plus they look nice, guaranteed, and love the countdown timer. I trust Speed Queen for a quality electronic panel.
I like the touch panel SO much, I wish my TL had one. The DELAY feature is pretty awesome--no more clothes sitting in the washer over night.

One of the best cycles is the quick 24 min (total) Quick Wash. I don't have dirty clothes much, just clothes that need to be refreshed from daily wearing. This is a quick cycle and doesn't beat them to death.

I've been happy with the amount of water in all the cycles (except ECO of course). Clothes are nice and sloshy and if the clothes soak up the water, the washer will add more, which is nice.

I'm anxious to get this problem behind me and give a full review. My Speed Queen top loader still remains the Queen and will continue to be my recommendation to friends and family unless they just HAVE to have a front loader, then this may be my new recommendation (after the fix of course).

I am having trouble with the fabric softener dispenser--most concentrated formulas are too thick to fully dispense. The hole needs to be bigger. Cold water (especially this time of year) makes the softener congeal. I'll include that in my full review.

Hope this helps,
Dan

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote> Clothes are nice and sloshy and if the clothes soak up the water, the washer will add more, which is nice.</blockquote> I've seen at least one report from an owner of the new SQ FL complaining of insufficient water, insisting that their machine does not add more water after the initial fill if a heavy/large load needs more after saturation/absorption.  The claim is that there's no visible puddle of water in the drum.  Maybe the loads aren't large enough to do that, not unusual that people unload their washers.

 

[danmantn]

Hi DADofES,

I saw that posting as well, and did check the literature from Speed Queen which says that it does keep the water level through all cycles. As I washed various loads I was beginning to call BS on it and believe the posting. Then I put in a couple of heavy quilts - like handmade quilts (because we have to wash EVERYTHING in the house when we get a new machine, right? lol). Anyway, about 3 mins into the cycle, sure enough it did add more water--quite a bit, I would say almost as much as it put in originally.

Now by sloshy, I mean the clothes are glistening wet, not floating in an aquarium by any means. The Eco setting produced the same 'damp' laundromat results I got a few years ago from the Horizon models at the laundromat and was not impressed. The big "scoops" in the tumbler do a good job of drenching the clothes. I was impressed and a good bit relieved as that was my biggest fear. I will video an empty load soon. On an empty load the water comes up about 2 inches in the drum--the same height as the 'fin' in the machine.

Hope this helps,
Dan

 

[mrb627]

Machine Top

Is it possible that the machine top is too far forward allowing play in the front panel? Is the top securely anchored to the sidewalls of the cabinet? (should be similar, if not identical to the top loader, I suspect)

A lot of the noise on my machine comes from the suspension point in which the rubber grommet on each shock absorber meets the baseplate of the machine. I have often thought that coating each grommet with corn starch or a similar dry powder would soften or stop the squeak.

Malcolm

 

[frigidareu]

This guy should not have to diagnose and "fix" his newly delivered expensive SQ FL himself. This shameful. And taking it apart himself could void the warranty.
Call the dealer that you got it from and either have them fix it or demand a replacement. Don't accept shoddy workmanship or service from any company, and then let them take your hard earned money.