New Speed Queen FL set

[mieletag]

Well, I finally made the plunge and bought a new SQ front loader set. They are great! This replaced a 24 year old Maytag matching near TOL DC set. Still have them, but wanted to get the front load before they quit making them, wanted the older style control panel too. These were display models from the same dealer that I bought two AWN542 washers, a SQ dryer, and a AFN51 washer, all of which are in storage new in box, lol.

The only problem I am having is the door seal on the washer will drip a drop every now and then. Door is aligned, glass is clean, seal is clean and has no imperfections. I removed and re-positioned the spring wire retainer, helped some, but still will occasionally drip. I am leaving the door ajar and the drawer open on the off cycle. Thinking the seal may be a bit compressed from sitting closed in the showroom.

The dealer really did give me a deal on this set, they told me they almost exclusively sell the top loaders only from SQ, they also sell GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, Kitchenaid, Amana, and Frigidaire.

Excuse the dated laminate wood paneling and tile floor, house was built in '69.

 

[imperial70]

Very nice looking laundry pair. Very attractive. Could it be a pinhole or a hairline slice in the boot? I've seen stranger things from bellows type seals.

 

[rp2813]

"they almost exclusively sell the TLs only from SQ"

Well, that won't be happening for much longer.

 

Nice set.  I think you're right about the seal having been compressed by the door being closed for such (a) long period(s).

[this post was last edited: 1/13/2018-19:09]

 

[jcturbot]

mieletag,
Congrats, nice looking set. I agree about the older control panel looking better as well.
Keep us informed how they are performing.

Jeff

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Congrats! You've made a very good choice.

I have the same set and they are WONDERFUL! Everything gets clean the first time, it uses enough water that the load is saturated and a hot fill is actually hot (except on the Normal/Eco cycle). Due to being Commercial machines these are easily the best built washers ever sold for home use. There is a very good chance they will last for the rest of your life and you won't need another set. Smart buying!
WK78

 

[easyspindry]

Congratulations!!!

I LOVE my SQ FL washer. You've made a good choice.

Mine leaked a couple of drops of water from the door when I first got it. I made sure the seal was clean, and the leaked stopped with use. It was a couple drops a couple times and that's all.

I'd like to know about your dryer. Is it gas or electric? I'm going to need to get a dryer before long. Mine is gas fired. I keep hearing that the SQ dryers get too hot. I'd like to get your take on this.

Thanks and good luck.

Jerry Gay

 

[potatochips]

Congrats! Work has a pair of the MOL machines, they clean and dry very well. The door also leaked a bit on ours as well. If you looked at the right angle on the cabinet, you could see the very small trail of water/suds that ran down from the bottom of the door.

 

[mieletag]

Thank you all for your kind words!

Unfortunately, I am sad to report that last night, while doing a medium load of whites, being about the 11th or 12th load total, I heard a peculiar knocking noise when the drum was rotating clockwise. I know what sound the balancing balls make, but this was much louder and deeper, almost like an engine with rod knock.

When it went into spin, it is much worse at high speed than when it is ramping through its resonant frequency speed.

After the load finished, I removed the front access door and did an empty medium speed spin. The noise was definitely from the rear of the machine. Now, if I spin the tub by hand, it will clunk/knock once and then all I hear is the balancing balls. The tub does not seem to have any play in any direction. I took the back off to see if the basket pulley bolts were loose, but they are not. While the back was off, I ran it in rinse/spin just to see if I could localize the sound, and it is assuredly from the back, I fear from either the trunnion or the rear balancing ring, hopefully not the bearing or water seal. Also, there was no loose objects or support wire bras washed in this unit. I am very meticulous about removing things, as I didn't want the porcelain chipped/scratched on the Maytag.

As far as if it is balanced, yes it definitely is. It took me two hours to use a carpenter's level to get it as level as humanely possible, and then I put the rubber pads on the feet and made small adjustments after. And both the front shipping brace and rear basket stabilizers were removed before leveling.

Thanks again,

Chris

I will be transporting the washer back to the dealer 30 miles north of here this week as I don't want them to rush fixing this thing.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
And so your SQ FL washer saga begins.
My SQ FL has been working for many months consecutively, something I am grateful for because
it certainly was not ever thus. Meaning, I had a bear of a time getting my machine's defects sorted out, and I am still hesitant to even talk about here least I jinx my recent record run without major incident with our SQ.
Calling SQ is not recommended, it may upset you that you have given them the amount of money you did. The upset will stem from their general attitude of dedicated blame-shifting-unhelpfulness.
Hopefully you got a good dealer who will make things workout for you.
Most importantly, almost no one gets a replacement machine from SQ. Do not entertain ANY thoughts in that direction it will only cause pain. But they do throw part-after-ever-loving-part at the thing until the warranty runs out.
My guess is they have iffy suppliers, and there are some shoddy goods in the parts pipeline cause my SQ is on it's 3rd or 4th computer board...no foolin'.
You may fair better, many do. But there are many others like me who have had trouble with the recent (last 3 years design) SQ FL machines.

There is a program wherein SQ will have any warranty part needed in your dealer hands ASAP.
There is a phone number I was given, that your dealer MAY NOT BE AWARE OF, the two dealers I worked withe weren't. My machine was last fixed with parts direct from SQ and I think that helped.
No bogus counterfeit, rebuilt, or wrong part that works, "good enough". As a matter of fact SQ went over my repair invoices and found the wrong pump had been used on one of my many repair visits and scheduled a return visit so that that working but incorrect pump could be swapped out.

[this post was last edited: 1/14/2018-16:31]

 

[mieletag]

Well, if anyone knows what this sound is, it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry about the poor camera work.

http://https//youtu.be/ki-RJH2BwYg

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Hmm:

Sounds like a pulley or belt issue. But I'll wait for the experts as mine has not made that noise.
WK78

 

[speedqueen]

Another question is why is an empty machine shaking so much?

We need you, John!

 

[askolover]

My thoughts exactly.  My Miele spins perfectly smooth when empty as does the Asko.

 

[jcturbot]

Watching your video and seeing all the movement with a empty wash drum...could a shock absorber possibly be loose or blown?

Jeff

 

[ea56]

Chris

you said in an earlier post that you were going to drive your machine 30 miles to the dealer for repair. You better be sure to CORRECTLY, reinstall all the shipping braces, especially if this may be related to the shocks. Because with the things I've been reading about SQ recently on this website it wouldn’t surprise me if they were to maintain that YOU voided your warranty by transporting the machine without first properly securing the tub. They may even try to say that YOU caused the problem in the first place,

I know that there is a large SQ following here, many that have just become disenchanted with the Alliance Company due to their treatment of honest Eugene, from Lorianefurniture. Personally, if it were I dealing with this from a washer that is less than 1 mo old, and I’m sure the pair cost at least three grand, I would want the dealer to take back BOTH machines in exchange for another pair and brand. If SQ is ceasing the sale of their FL’s, then in the near future there may also be a lack of support for this and other issues that may arise.

Be prepared for some push back on this, but stand firm. Alliance seems to have recently shown its true colors, in my opinion they no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt.

And furthermore, this website has gone along way over the years in promoting SQ and helping to spread the word about their quality. To see and hear about the way they have treated their dealers that are members of AW and have revealed the truth about their new TL’s tells me a whole lot about the loyalty of Alliance to the very voices that have championed their products and helped them immeasurably with goodwill. I say dump them. Just my two cents.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 1/15/2018-12:47]

 

[helicaldrive]

Might be OK

I have two SQ FLs. Both began making that sound after some time when new, though not quite as much, and it went away after awhile. It’s one of the balancing balls. Try using it on high speed spin rather than low.

And the swaying,even with an empty tub, is a normal part of its balancing routine. It will sway back and forth, then slow down and then faster up and down, then slow again and side to side. It is balancing the balls when doing that. Even when empty. But the end result is an extremely smooth spin. Very different from other brands but it produces an extremely quiet and smooth spin after that routine.

Keep using it. I think the sound will go away as the balancing balls break in and distribute.

Also, a single hair can make the seal leak. It must be perfectly clean and lint free. Clean it with a wet cloth.

Hope all turns out fine for you. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I love mine.

 

[helicaldrive]

Short answer

Is bear with it. I think it’s just breaking in. The balancing balls,that is. That’s not a major mechanical sound/problem. Both of mine did that for awhile.

 

[combo52]

Noisey New SQ FL washer

Keep using the machine for at least 10 or 20 more loads and you will get a feel for weather there is really any problem.

Also check with the dealer before attempting to return it for service, this machine is designed for in-home-service, transporting it back to the dealer is generally ill advised as you may cause other problems.

It is ridiculous to consider returning the washer at this point and neither SQ nor the dealer is under any obligation to take back the dryer as well, they are completely separate appliances, even in the worst of cases the washer could be replaced.

John L.

 

[Chetlaham]

Its not just Loraine, but a member named out of all things; speedqueen. That and the fact they are deleting negative reviews where they can. Thats 3 strikes for me.