Speed Queen top loader review / Consumer Reports.org

[mtn1584]

Adjusting the water level

Dan,
On the back panel of the washer there are three screws. One on the right, the left, and the middle. Unscrew these, you may need to use a tiny wrench to do so. Once unscrewed tilt the control panel foward and look for the water level switch.
There is a screw on this switch. Turn it clockise 1/4 to raise the water level. Check the water level. If it is not to your liking drain the machine, and turn the screw another 1/4 turn until the height is to your preference. Unplug the machine while doing this adjustment. If I can do this, and I am semi-mechanically inclined, anyone can do it. I think it was Jeff G who orginally posted the manual. Good luck.

 

[danmantn]

Awesome! I'll give that adjustment a try next week if the water level isn't up to what I want. Thanks for the info!

 

[rp2813]

CR's top-rating of the Raytheon-made Amana TL washer back in 1997 was the biggest bum steer I ever got, and I let my subscription lapse as a result. That Amana ate belts on a regular basis and did a lousy job of rinsing. Yet, when discussing that machine with another AW member recently we both agreed that behind the front panel, the guts looked so promisingly Maytag-esque. If only they had been. Just changing the belt was a major undertaking.

From what I've read here, it seems SQ is the way to go for a new TL machine. May you enjoy many satisfying years of performance from yours.

 

[jeffg]

> Dan,
On the back panel of the washer there are three screws. One on the right, the left, and the middle. Unscrew these, you may need to use a tiny wrench to do so. Once unscrewed tilt the control panel foward and look for the water level switch.
There is a screw on this switch. Turn it clockise 1/4 to raise the water level. Check the water level. If it is not to your liking drain the machine, and turn the screw another 1/4 turn until the height is to your preference. Unplug the machine while doing this adjustment. If I can do this, and I am semi-mechanically inclined, anyone can do it. I think it was Jeff G who orginally posted the manual. Good luck. <

A 1/4 clockwise turn equals an increase of one full inch of water height, so adjust carefully.

There's a few ways to bypass the lid switch. You can either remove the top of the washer and it'll be obvious where the switch is and how to bypass it, or, if you don't want to take the top off, just hook one end of a long (30-32") bungee cord on the steel lever that leads to the switch (it's under the top edge, in back), and hook the other end to the bottom of the washer. There should be gentle downward pressure on the lever, enough to trip the switch but not enough to bend or damage the lever.

The service manual (or probably older versions of it, but the basic washer design hasn't changed since) can be found here:

http://www.servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/RS3100005R3.pdf
or here:

http://www.servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/RS3100004R1.pdf

 

[jeffg]

One other note: when tilting the control panel forward, the ends of another three screws will be exposed, and these ends can easily scratch the front of the control panel (you'll see what I'm talking about when you tilt the panel). Be careful.

 

[danmantn]

Dryer - Left Vent Option

Well, I thought the venting to the left side of the dryer was a simple thing. Turns out SQ recommends that the "bulk head" aka drum is removed in order to ease installation, and that special precaution be observed when reinstalling the bulk head and alignment to the silicon pads or else I will see a noisy drum in the months to come. Great...not something that I can do myself as I originally thought. The part was delayed and will not be here until Thursday. Concerned that the "installer" guys would screw it up, the dealer is going to outsource that to the repair shop--hope they do it right. Wish me luck, feels weird to know that the dryer will have been disassembled and put back together before I even get them. :- I'll keep ya posted--wish me luck!

 

[rayjay]

Spped Queen Customer Service

I am looking at the front loader by Speed Queen. I have found that their customer service department is excellent. I alwyas get a prompt email back from them. They answered all my questions. The front loaders use 4.63 gallons per fill. Now I do not know if this is good or bad. A total of 14 or more gallons with one wash and two rinses, and extra rinse adds another 4.63 gallons. Now this 4.63 is just average. What I am asking........Is this a little more water per fill than other front loaders?

Thanks.

 

[yogitunes]

My question would be....Can you open it up and adjust the water level via the pressure switch or is it permanent set like in the frigidaires?

 

[strongenough78]

A couple questions about Speed Queen.....do they have the longer, slower agitation stroke, how fast are the spin speeds, (normal, gentle) and are they sold in stores? I don't think I've ever seen them, and until I joined this site, I thought they were only made for laundromats lol.

 

[strongenough78]

Hey I found my answers lol

I found Speed Queens website, they still have the long, slower agitation stroke, and the spin speed is 710 RPM! I'm wondering if they were always that fast, since my apartments used to use Speed Queens. I liked them, but I'll admit when they brought in Direct Drive Whirlpools. I love the deep tubs, but now I miss the Queens. I may use a laundromat close by that uses Speed Queens for old times sake lol. And if I ever get out of this apartment and into a house with W/D hook ups, I may look into getting a new set of Queens. Although I REALLY want an older Maytag 806 set! Decisions, decisions lol.

 

[danmantn]

The 210º and 710 RPMs have been around for a VERY long time...not sure how long though. The stroke can be visible on every SQ that I've ever seen (including wringers--where's that darn protractor). It's so nice to just hear a whrrrring noise of the machine vs. the crazy thumping of my prev Whirlpools short stroke. The spin is A M A Z I N G. Absolutely NO vibration that is visible or audible, and no louder than the wash cycle while doing so. Also clothes don't seem nearly as compress (aka pact up against the tub wall) as I'm use to...I'm hoping that translates into less wrinkles.

I was concerned about the tubs as well coming from Whirlpool, but I think most laundromat versions are 2.8 cu feet vs. 3.3. I see no issues with mine once I got it installed last night (FINALLY!). The agitator is much smaller the Whirlpool corkscrew and make for even more room. It gently moves the clothes around the tub with that long stroke--even on large loads. Also the tub will index on large loads--moving clothes around even more. I am going to have to increase the water level switch as mentioned in this thread as it fills to what I would consider a "large" load, not superlarge--at least there is an option for that (although you have to work for it a little).

Will post pics once the inserts come in and I'm all tweaked out.

 

[jeffg]

Dan, for most loads (dress and casual shirts, cotton and denim pants etc) we use the SQ's slower spin speed. Drying time only takes an extra 10-15 minutes and the clothes come out of the dryer wrinkle free and ready to wear.

 

[nmassman44]

I love my Speed Queen washer as well. I did have to raise the water level since like others have found that its too low for a full washload.
CU has really gone downhill and what they recommend sometimes doesnt last. Look at how they rated the Maytag Neptune TL a few years ago. They said it raised the standard by which all other machine are judged against for washability. So people went out about this POS machine and many were returned. We bought the Maytag Samsung built Neptunes...washer is history after almost 4 years. I take what CU says with a grain of salt lately. I ended up cancelling my subscription to it since they were not showing all the products that they are rating. Their "Select Ratings" sucks. And on top of that if you want to see all the ratings you have to subscribe to CU online. Nah I will pass.
I will say one thing about my SQ washer is that it cleans well. But the agitator vanes need to clear the base a bit more so t doesnt trap lint in the flex vanes. The 710 spin does OK but the spin could be a tad longer and the spray rinse should be moved so it doesnt dump clean water into the wash water draining away. If I am at the machine I will let it drain and come up to speed then reset it at the "spray" and it will spray for a good long 2 minutes.I still double deep rinse every load.
Now I am looking forward to getting the dryer.

 

[jeffg]

> the spray rinse should be moved so it doesnt dump clean water into the wash water draining away. <

The only time I've seen this happen with our SQ is when we've put too much detergent in, and the tub is close to sudslock. It's never actually locked, but with a lot of suds it takes longer to ramp up to full spin speed, and that's when the spray rinse kicks in before it's up to speed.

 

[nmassman44]

Never had the washer sudslock on me at all. When I choose the Ex Large water level the washer does drain fast but for some oddball reason once the water level switch is reset them the water will spray in. Doesnt last long maybe 30 seconds but thats the spray rinse. With smaller loads the washer does get up to full speed then it will spray.

 

[ras55]

I also agree that CU is biased against Top Loaders.

This is only anecdotal but it is the result of asking everyone I know with a front loader whether they are happy and it seems anyone with one two years old has had to deal with a lot of repairs.

I am kicking and cussing at my GE top loader because after 6 years the motor is hinking out (only works on fast) because my last top loader lasted 12 years with zero problems.

Consumer reports wasn't testing for the very serious issue of vibration on front loaders for years. American front loaders are huge and vibration is a serious issue and even more serious for anyone with an install not on a concrete slab.

 

[yogitunes]

Mike.........

What's the end of your drain hose look like?.....

if its has the corrugated hose with the "funnel" at the end...and depending on your drain pipe (should be 1 1/2inch minimum)....cut this end off, and keep the hose as short as possible, ether by ctting it short or shoving it into the drain pipe....you would be suprised how much faster the water pump out and ramps up to speed quicker....

I did this on my Mother in Laws SQ TL.....it allowed more water to be pumped at a faster rate rather than be restricted by that funneled end.....just a thought

 

[nmassman44]

Already did that Yogi....The washer does pump out faster yet it spray rinses too early. I have to get a video made so you guys can see what I mean.

 

[rp2813]

Yeah, the '97 Amantheon we had did the same thing most of the time. It started the spray rinse before the tub was even up to speed. I really wanted to like that machine but it fought me every step of the way.

 

[angus]

I don't think that the spray rinse should be starting that soon. My SQ comes up to full spin speed well before the spray rinse starts. Now mine is almost 4 years old, so the cycle timing may have changed somewhat...

 

[jeffg]

Mike, does the same thing happen on all cycles, or just the Normal cycle?

 

[mrb627]

Cycle Diagram

Is there a cycle diagram chart folded up in the console that might indicate whether this is normal behavior or a malfunction?

Malcolm

 

[nmassman44]

Its all cycles and I think it was designed that way. Its not a biggie.

 

[strongenough78]

I got to use some Speed Queens!

I went to a laundromat nearby that has Speed Queens. As happy as I was to use them, I was also a little disappointed for a while. I need to tell the caretaker to have the water levels adjusted. A few of them were too low, and for a while I was worried I'd have to run them through another cycle to get them properly rinsed. However, by the end of the rinse cycle, the suds had cut down a lot and my clothes didn't feel soapy at all. I was afraid I'd end up with clumps of soap on them, or that icky soapy feel when they were done, but, they came out fine! I'm still going to mention it to someone though, so the next time I go there, I won't have to worry.
And for those of you wondering, I didn't overload or oversoap them lol. But there were a lot of suds since the water levels were so low, especially in the washer I washed my denim work pants in. And everything came out clean!

 

[alr2903]

my brand new neutral drain frigidaire, started the spray when the timer clicked on the spin, but it sprayed appox 30 seconds.. The frigidaires should not really be criticized for what they cost (for the t/l) they are a steal. They are an average performer at best. alr2903

 

[danmantn]

I had to adjust my new Speed Queen by 1.5" of water! They are set that low due to EPA regulations. Also the hot water is "restricted flow" and it fills slower than cold or warm (according to SQ), again EPA. HOW that helps environmental issues, who knows. Speed Queen laundromats helped me evaluate my SQ purchase. The machines are very "duty-driven", meaning that it does what it needs to in 30 minutes...while you think that's not enough time, it certain is in a SQ. The three minute rinse seems extremely quick to me, but the spin/rinse is always perfect...go figure. I love how dutiful and unassuming the machines are--thrilled so far, on day 5!

 

[mtn1584]

Pictures?

Can u post some pictures soon?

 

[danmantn]

Oh yeah, going to post several as soon as I can...and some YouTube's as well.

 

[djmjlcst]

Spray Rinse Feature

I had a thought on this. Do you suppose the spray rinse happens soon on the newer SQ's during the spin because the water level was initially set at the factory at a lower level. This might result in the tub draining quicker, then the spray rinse would be right where it should be. It's just a thought. Our SQ is the 2007 model, and it ramps up to spin speed for a good couple minutes before the spray rinse starts (or so it seems). Mike L.

 

[danmantn]

My 2009 model does the same...spray after ramp up.