Speed Queen "burp" noise during agitation (easy fix)

[roger]

We use our washer a lot (about 2 loads a day) and our Queen preformed flawlessly for just under 3 years. Let's say the issue developed around the 2000 wash mark.

Just a few months before the 3 year warranty was about to expire, the washer developed a plastic/metallic "burp" during the agitation cycle. It started with one burp in a blue moon but within a month it was practically constant.

This occurred only during the agitation cycle, and the agitator continued to act as it was supposed to(no skipping). The washer continued to work fine, but the noise sounded like it could be very bad.

When the repairman came, he knew exactly what it was and showed me the easy fix.

Please refer to the picture below.
Do this at your own risk. If you don't have the mechanical aptitude, don't even try. I'm just sharing what the repairman did to solve our problem.

1)first DO NOT remove the bottom bolt(or the whole assembly will fall)...you just loosen it about the thickness of a washer

2)right above the pulley are washers, with the space created in step one, you can gently separate them with a screwdriver tip and smear grease between them...do both sides...(he used a red, high temperature grease made by GE)

3)Re-tighten the bolt..and that is it!

Our washer has been working fine ever-since (several months).

 

[rp2813]

Easy fix!  Is that the original belt?

 

[roger]

Yep, it is still the original belt.

 

[rp2813]

That's good to know.  I've heard that late model SQ washers still go through belts like their Raytheon predecessors. 

 

[mtn1584]

I had the same issue

and my AWN542 is just under four years old. A 25 cent washer making that noise, but it is an easy fix, and thanks for the pictures.&#92
Mike

 

[mtn1584]

Alliance built washers DO NOT eat belts.................

they are designed differently than their Raytheon counterparts. I think Malcolm can explain if he sees this thread.
BTW I had my belt and drive pulley unnecessarily replaced when my machine started to make this noise. That is why I like this forum so much, because I have learned a lot from people like yourself Roger.
Mike

 

[roger]

Mike:

The thanks belong to the repairman because he could have really taken advantage of the situation.

I found nothing on the web about this situation, so naturally believed it was a bearing or transmission job. Boy was I relieved that it was nothing.

Just decided to pass the information along for the folks who might be out of warranty and imagine that the situation worst than it actually is.

 

[mrb627]

Build Difference

The older machines that reportedly eat belts have the motor assembly mounted to the base plate of the machine.  So, when the machine would encounter an out of balance spin condition that wasn't severe enough to trip the sensor on the lid switch, the motor pulley would remain stationary while the pulley on the transmission would pivot or nutate around causing belt strain and wear.

 

The current machines have the motor assembly mounted to the tub support which maintains the same alignment between the motor pulley and transmission pulley regardless of the out of balance condition.  The motor pivots with the wash tub.  This is a better design, for sure.

 

Malcolm

 

[coldspot66]

In my experience, the Amana washers that ate belts the most were the newer style motor mounted to the tub. The older style did not seem to eat belts as readily.
Also Amana washers do tend to pump suds once water is emptied. I think it has to do with the direct drive pump.