Speed Queen Wringer - pump won't work - need some help

[ryanm]

I have a Speed Queen Wringer washer I purchased new, one of the last made here in the USA. This machine was only used a few times and has been stored in my home for over 10 years without any use (I did drain all water out of it when it was used). I went to run it and to my surprise the PUMP will not work. Everything else works fine. I had to gravity drain it. I don't even hear the pump kick in when I turn the switch to put the pump on, but not sure if it is a pump attached to motor or something else. I don't know much about this machine mechanically, but if anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated. Everything else works fine, and the unit is in brand new condition. Thanks!

 

[yogitunes]

have you tried turning the pump by hand, it may be stiff or froze up from sitting...

 

[e2l-arry]

Nice Speed Queen

One of the last made? What year would that have been. Maytag stopped in 1983 but I thought SQ went on a few more years. We have a 1948 and they really didn't change all that much.

I'd be surprised if the pump is electric. I can only speak for Maytag because that's what I have now but my pump works by making contact with the pulley. The on/off switch only moves the pump to make contact with the pulley (on) or remove contact (off) Do like Yoigtunes suggested and see if you can move it by hand. Then while looking underneath flip the pump switch and see if anything moves to make or break contact with the motor or pulley. Luckily, gravity drain is always an option so at least you can use the washer if you want to.

Keep us posted.

Larry

 

[stan]

Only way to find out, is to look under the skirt!

I wouldn't think it's electric, except that the switch for the pump seems kinda puiny for it to be all machnical ? ?
Look and see if there is any wires going to the switch to the pump motor!

Never looked under a Speed Queens skirt (maytag only) LOL

Let us know, and take a pic for us if you can.

Hi Larry!
How's Bessie Mae ?

 

[abcomatic]

Pump

Ryan, Try pouring a small amount of VERY HOT water into the drain hole at the bottom of the tub. Let it set for 15 min. or so and see if that may have softened any mineral deposits/soap scum etc. I bet it won't take much to get the pump to work. I have the same washer only with longer legs. Happy washing, Gary

 

[mickeyd]

It works like most: the switch moves the pump into the pulley, but the SQ pump, although slow, is a dream boat because it's held together with a no-tool-needed hand screw and a clamp.

Just your thumb and forefinger will release the screw, then slide the clamp off the rims and OPEN SESAME. You'll see at once whatever gunk is plugging up the works. The impeller is joined to the upper half of the pump case.

But first, before you take anything apart, make sure you've got contact between the pump and pulley. This is easy enough to see when you go down and under the grand old gal. And then do what Gary says. He 's got many wringers and lots of experience.

Thumbscrew as the last resort.

 

[ryanm]

Thank you to everyone that responded. Hopefully this coming weekend I will try the hints given here and hope that I can get her to work. I also have a Maytag which is much older, but when I started her up, everything including the pump worked like a charm. Someone is buying it from me tomorrow, hate to see it go. I purchased my Speed Queen somewhere in the early 1990's from a dealer who stocked up on them before production ended in United States. I still have the box it came in, but as I stated I only used it a few times, which is why I am so surprised that the pump would not work. I'll post here again once I try these hints. Thanks again!

 

[whirlcool]

Could be that any lubricants on the moving parts associated with the pump may have dried out and become too stiff to move from sitting too long. I've seen that happen before too. Just clean off the old lube and apply new to correct the problem.

BTW, that is a VERY nice looking washer.

 

[bradross]

Perhaps similar to my Kenmore

Had a similar problem with my 1948 Kenmore, which I acquired in February. When I took the pump apart, the rod connected to the impeller needed cleaning and lubing. It has seized from lack of use over the years.

 

[stan]

So it's

Machnical, like a Maytag! wringer!
No electrical components?

 

[e2l-arry]

All mechanical

No separate electric wringer motor or pump motor. It has a transmission/power unit like The Maytag only this used Speed Queens design. Pretty much the same though.