Speed Queens

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M

mulls

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2004
Messages
226
Here is my SQ experience.Age of units is 6 I think.Normal use no overloading.Never moved since set in place.Tile on slab floor.First floor.Washer is the second unit,first replaced very soon after purchase due to very excessive vibration during spin.This unit worked OK,door became loose over time and bangs now during pulse and regular spins.Water heating feature quit working about a year ago.Dryer drum split at seam 2 years ago,my repairman replaced it with a white one out of an old Amana or SQ.We think the dryer drum was defective from the start,as the machine had a slight thump from the beginning.Today the dryer element went out.Anyone wanna buy a good used set of SQs?Ha!
Tom
 
Surprised to hear you've had so many issues with your set.

Can you take videos of the washer doing pulse spins and regular spins? Maybe the bolts holding the hinge in place just need to be tightened up.

Very surprised to hear about the dryer drum splitting, that certainly is unusual. Maybe it was made on a Friday...

Replacing the heating element on the washer couldn't be an expensive repair. Keep us updated, I'm curious to know what it is.
 
I'm also surprised with your troubles. Hope the dryer element is a simple fix. The dryer drum has a lifetime warranty. The repairman should not have replaced it with a used drum from something else.

From Speed Queen's website:

Dryer Warranty

3-year warranty on parts and labor for the entire machine
5-year limited warranty on the cabinet
Lifetime warranty for the interior cylinder

The washers have a 5 year warranty on the cabinet, I wonder if the door is included in this?

http://www.speedqueen.com/home/en-us/support/warranty-information.aspx
 
true

58 limited,The drum warranty is true,but my normally easy going wife wouldnt let the SQ warranty guy come back,apparently he was very obnoxious when the first washer was replaced,hurt her feelings.Unlike many women,she is a good launderer,and took offense at his implication that she didnt know how to use the machine properly.In fact it walked terribly and made a hell of a racket.She tried to hold it in place once which was quite amusing,with the machine st 265 pounds and wife weighing in at 110.Im 250,and it was hard for me!The guy who replaced the drum didnt charge me for the drum,only a service call.Long time buddy with a huge boneyard.I have no idea why it wont heat the water now,just one day it didnt.That feature was sparingly used.
Tom
 
Again...........................

If these are Alliance built machines, like I tell everone on this site.....Call Alliance, and they will help you!
Mike
 
Complain

Not much for complaning after 6 yrs,they have been used regularly all this time,Im sure they are as good as anything else available these days.The indy retailer I bought from back then is out of business.Probably have my friend who fixed the dryer sell them for me at his shop and get something else eventually,but that just opens up a new can of worms!If I had any sense I would have an older set of TLs rebuilt and get away from modern machines completely,but my wife really likes front loaders.She absolutely loved the Frigidaire FLs we had before-so did I.They were the old style FridGEmores everyone makes fun of,but in fact they ran 6 years-the same amount of time I have had the SQs-with NO repairs,and with more laundry being done,and were still perfect when sold to make way for the SQs.
Tom
 
Mike,

I went to the SQ website on Monday, looking for a way to contact the manufacturer, and all I found was an opportunity to send an email via their "Contact Us" tab.  I composed a lengthy email, explaining my still-unresolved issue with my new SQ gas dryer, filled out the form, and sent.  My last statement was "I would like for one of your Customer Service representatives to contact me either through telephone or email about this situation".  It is now Wednesday evening, and I've heard nothing, nada, zip, zilch from SQ.

 

Lawrence
 
What is the issue with the new gas dryer? Just curious as we now have gas in our neighborhood and are preparing to convert, which would mean a new dryer and I am considering the Speed Queen. At over $600 I would kind of hope there wouldn't be problems from the get go...
 
I would like to know too.. I'm spending close to $400 to have a gas line put in for the replacement dryer. I'd like to know that I'm making a decision I won't regret.

Other members on the list have had really good experiences with gas dryers, so now you've piqued my interest. I would love to know what your issue is.

I don't have to worry about getting rude or non-existent service here, fortunately. The motto of the place I'm buying my dryer from is, "We service what we sell." .. Damn right. :)
 
We have a Gas dryer, i just wanted to remind folks that if its natural  (city gas) its cheaper to use.  If you are using propane gas, in most area's its cheaper to stay with an electric dryer.  When my folks built their last home in 1968 LP gas was 13 cents per gallon.
 
My dryer issue in a nutshell - I bought a new one in January, they delivered the wrong model, and now I'm having difficulty getting the correct model.  I called Alliance Laundry Systems today and got a person to talk to, but that went no where.  He explained that while the situation was crappy, he (i.e., the manufacturer) has no control over the distribution and sales (IMHO a BIG mistake).  He gave me the name of the distributor for here and the name of the sales manager, I will call tomorrow and see what kind of results I get there.

 

Lawrence
 
Manufacturer/Distributor relationship

thats the problem, i had the same problem with Macy's over a leather sofa, they kept delivering the wrong color for 6 MONTHS! Once the truck driver suggested it looked good, I looked right back with a look that said I'm not taking decorating advice from the delivery guy for my house!

But back on point I've had a SQ FL in my tenants unit for 12 years with not a problem. As for the vibration, the SQ cabinet has a quirk. There are two little nylon pins that mount up from the bottom panel to the main front panel. The early machines- they used a bad grade of nylon that wore and SQ will replace those for free. IF they wear then the machine will really jump around. But once you put the new pins on the bottom kick plate the machine solidifies right up and works great. That might be your problem with the washer.
 
SQ

Jet the first machine delivered to us-the one that walked-had an older style door boot.According to them that was the problem.They wanted to replace the boot,but I asked for, and got, a new machine.The boot in it is a different color,and in fact it does not walk.Neither does it always balance well.It doesnt fool around trying to balance forever like many FLers,I guess due to its commercial heritage.Sometimes it goes into final spin not well balanced.Again,not bad enough to walk but between the thumping sound caused by this and the loose door banging its quite a symphony!I forgot to mention in my initial post another problem it had when delivered-the second one not the first.The indicator lights that tell you where you are in the cycle dont indicate the right thing.When it is rinsing it tells you its in the final spin,etc.
Tom
 
Trust me, they WILL contact you, the only other thing that I can suggest is calling information with the address of Alliance in Ripon and seeing if you can get an actual phone number. But trust me, thye will contact you, either by e-mail or phone.
Mike
 
Speed Queen Telephone Number

920 748 3121, press 0 for switchboard assistance - they'll direct you accordingly.
 
Speed Queens gas dryer etc.

Hi guys
Here is my take on the SQ gas dryer thing. I replaced an aging Westinghouse front load stacked unit with gas dryer.
The door boot on the washer rotted and was leaking on the floor for a long time. Caused the floor to give out etc.
I am very happy with the SQ units. I did alot of research and had to special order them from an out of state dealer.
No one in CT had such a beast.
My concern with the dryer is the constant on and off of the igniter and flame. Both the gas company and authorized service say its normal. I can't stand it. The Westinghouse never acted this way and probably was not energy efficient.
It goes on and off constantly. Only fires up for a brief period. Everything from the vent to the machine itself was checked.Cost me several hundred $$. It does dry everything ok.
Its all most as bad as the annoying constant on and off of our HATED Maytag refrigerator.
Just my 2 cents. Steve in CT
 
Gas Dryers

I thought most all gas dryers behaved in the same manner. On when cool, off when hot. Perhaps the btu capacity is higher on your SQ dryer than on the Westinghouse.

Malcolm
 
@steve

Did you get your SQ at Atlantic Appliance in Mt. Kisco, or Yorktown? Did you get a front loader or a Top Load washer?
Mike
 
The on/off is normal......just panic when you don't hear it, then its time for service...

it should be only a click or two, and then the flare up of the flame, and then click off....same solenoids as a washers inlet valve....how loud can that really be?

not like someone's tossing in a grenade each time it fires up is it?...
 
Gas dryer burner cycling

If you put a large load in this or any gas dryer that will take say 45- 60 minutes to dry, the flame should come on and STAY on for at least 20-40 minutes before it even thinks about cycling off. If it starts cycling on and off before the clothing is mostly dry there IS something wrong. The same thing is true on electric dryers but you may not be aware of the heater cycling on and off. If the heat source starts cycling any sooner than this the dryer will be very slow when drying large or heavy loads and is NOT operating as designed.

 

This type of behavior indicates that the heat source is cycling on the safety thermostat and the dryer is not performing properly and safely.
 
 

 

 

 

With newer dryers, the heating at the beginning is usually the longest but with the new sensor technology,

the cycle becomes frequent because to prevent clothes damage from over heating and in theory less energy used to dry a load.

It's easier in the garment to heat to the recommended setting then let cool and do the process over again, for each time it cycle, less gas is used. 

The older dryers would heat and heat and heat before it recognized that the temp been reached causing over drying and deemed energy deficient! 

If you noticed that dryers are not HE rated because the technology is the same over the last 40 years with minor changes with no major break through except dual sensor temps.

It helps keeping garments looking their best but still not much of a change in drying a load of clothes.....
 
Heating style of newer dryers

Hi Larry some of what you are explaining is true about new computerized dryers. Some electric models have duel heating elements and most have thermistors to sense exhaust temperatures more accurately. But I am not aware of any that allow the temperature to go up and way down during the heating phase of the cycle [ the thermistors actually keep a much steadier temperature than the simple disk thermostats did ] as this not only wastes time but would be harder on the clothing, new dryers are not slower than older machines. Maximum drying temperatures on newer dryers are differently reduced from older machines and many dryers offer a low temperature that is often getting down below 130 degrees.

 

But all that said the new Speed Queen in question has no computer, no thermistor and no dual level heating system. As soon as the heat cuts off on the auto dry cycle the timer motor stars advancing and if the heat is cutting off too soon with a heavy load the machine will stop before the load is dried. Remember this is basically a commercial dryer designed to quickly dry big loads of clothing out of plain old style top loading washers. I cannot tell if anything is wrong with dryer or not from the owners description as I don't know a lot of the possible variables such as load size, room temperature, load temperature and how fast is the dryer completing the drying process.
 
Burner Adjustment

Wondering if the burner can be adjusted to a lower flame to reduce cycling. Maybe the incorrect orifice has been used. Isn't there a different size depending upon the fuel source?

Malcolm
 
Hi guys,
Gee! Thanks to everyone who answered, being a newbie here I appreciate all your replies. To Mike: in NE I bought my SQ Fl from Atlantic in MT Kisco why???????????????
You know them??????? I may have sent you a pm on another issue.
I have had very good luck with these folks. I hope I did good?? They came highly recommended. I bought my Hotpoint gas stove and DW from them too. Can't wait until the Maytag fridge craps out after 2 relay problems. No fire thank goodness. LOL
Anyway the SQ gas drier seems to be drying ok. Even when new (only 4 yrs old now) 6 large bath towels does take a full cycle to dry. It seems to cycle on and off very frequently. Almost like it ignites only every other time the glow plug comes on.
Oh and on to the washer>>>>>>The detergent drawer bleach and softner compartments are always full of water at the end of the wash. I took the drawer out and cleaned everything really good with a toothbrush and it did not help. Not that it was dirty or gunked up. I do 4 loads a week med. to large size. These are the supposed commercial machines. What a beast it was to get in as they are bolted together and not side by side.
Thanks guys!!!!!
I want my Maytag wringer back!!!!!!!!!
 
THERE could be your problem!......the glow tube should not cycle on and off without igniting the flame.....if the glow tube is comming on, it's because the dryer is telling it that it requires more heat......once it gets red hot the gas valve is opened and the flame starts.....again, the igniter does not just cycle for the heck of it.......

I had this with a Maytag Neptune gas dryer......the glow tube would come on, but the valve would not always open.......using a screwdriver, once the glow tube got red, at the time the valve should have opened, I pushed on the solenoid, and it fired up....once I let go, the fire went out........replacing the solenoids fixed the issue......for a load of towels, it used to take up to 90 minutes to dry, now were back down to about 40 minutes......
 
Fast Cycling SQ gas dryer

It sounds like the hi-limit thermostat is detecting too much heat and causing fast cycling of the gas burner. When the hi-limit does this it will often cycle back on before the gas burners flame sensor has cooled and reset which causes a click but no ignition. Bottom line something is wrong, most likely a vent problem, you should disconnect the vent completely and see if the dryer still behaves this way as you dry 4 or 5 loads. As I said before when you put a large load of clothing in a dryer Gas or Electric the heat source should not cycle off at all for 20-40 minutes for a one hour drying cycle. Question which cycle are you using? timed or auto dry, you should be using auto dry and if you do and the dryer cuts off before the clothes are dry this also indicates a problem.
 

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