SQ Top Load Washer Gunk Build-Up

[mtn1584]

I was shocked when I removed the fabric softener dispenser of my one year old AWN-542 SQ T/L washer to find an enormous amount of gunk build-up inside the agitator. It took three tea kettles of boiling water to get rid of it all, and then I ran a hot water wash with bleach to clean the machine. I also took apart the dispenser and washed that with hot water in the kitchen sink...I can't believe how little time it took for that to build up, I can only imagine how people let it go for years how much gunk there must be. Any way my advice is to clean your top-load dispensers regularly if you use fabric softener like me.
Mike

 

[nmassman44]

I never use my dispenser since all the gunk that builds up in it and down the barrel. One tid bit is that when it goes into the rinse not enough water moves thru the barrel. You will find carry over of softener into the next wash cycle..its a vicious cycle and thats how all the gunk gets built up..it will react with your detergent and thats not a good thing. Our tenant uses the dispenser and after he is thru with it I have to wash out the dispenser and flush out the barrel of the agitator. I am amazed at how much is in it. I flush it out with hot water and then spin out the water. Then I put the washer into the first spin at the spray and let the washer spin spray the tub to get rid of residue. The tenant uses Gain softener and that stinky gawd awful Lavendar Downy..both scents are way over the top for me and he doesnt use the cap to measure he pours it right into the dispenser without diluting it. So you can smell him a mile away. PU. I flush it out since I dont want any carry over onto our clothes...and he wonders why our clothes come out so clean and his doesnt...

 

[danmantn]

I noticed this too and am thankful that the design allows you to 'break down' the assembly to be able to clean it! Most say not to use fab softener in the dryer, which only leaves the washer. Danged if you do...

I clean it about once every 3 months--secret weapon for the barrel? A big Fuller JAR brush, works like a charm!

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[nmassman44]

Well my secret weapon is a 2nd rinse. I double rinse every load since the washer doesnt exactly rinse residue away. Certainly not like a Maytag. They need to add more holes to the washbasket. I always add the softener manually. That way it goes into the rinse water correctly and does a better job..I think.

 

[filterflo58]

speed queen water level

I have some gunk build up from the last 3 or 4 holes of the tub..its like soap scum since the water level doenst go up far enough.i just wipe it down periodically, does anyone know why on extra large the water level in the awn speed queen dosent go all the way up the tube? Thanks.

 

[laundramatt]

Cleaning the softener dispenser

How do you take the dispenser apart? I'm afraid I'll break it. I put it in the dishwasher once, but that didn't clean it. Please help.

 

[pierreandreply4]

and the best way to avoid gunk from building up in the dispenser is to dilute the fabric sofner with water sorry if i am off subject here but in my 1993 inglis washer when i use the fabirc softner dispenser i always dilute the liquid fabiric softner and at least once a month i would start the machine on a full cycle with no clothe put hot water in the fabric sofner dispenser and let the washer run a full cycle with no clothe.

 

[jeffg]

Matt, the softener assembly just pops right off. It's three pieces. We had an issue with sharp edges on the dispenser and SQ sent us another cap. It's much better but still I asked them if we could just leave the entire assembly off the agitator. They said that was fine and won't cause any problems. No more rough edges and getting clothes out of the washer is a much faster/nicer experience. Not only that but we discovered the open well in the agitator (which has a few small holes) makes a perfect slow distribution point for washing additives.

Filterflo58: water level adjustments are via a screw in back of the pressure (water level) switch. See sections 5 and 6 here for taking off the control panel and adjusting the switch. This service manual dates from 1998 but the design hasn't substantially changed since then. Turn the pressure switch screw clockwise 1/4 turn for every extra inch of water you want. Do this gradually, and check maximum water levels each time you adjust.[this post was last edited: 9/26/2010-15:45]

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

 

[laundramatt]

Its three pieces that can be taken apart? I've already taken the dispenser off the agitator and run it through the dishwasher. But you can actually take the 3 pieces apart to clean it?

 

[jeffg]

Matt, I think so. We have the AWS series which was right before the AWN's. According to SQ they share the same dispenser.

FilterFlo58, if you decide to make the water level adjustment be careful when tipping the control panel forward. Because of the design, three sharp screw ends will be sticking up from under the top and the graphic panel can easily be scratched on them. You'll see what I'm talking about when you do it.[this post was last edited: 9/30/2010-17:13]

 

[nmassman44]

for the dispenser it will come off very easily. Take your have and put it near the base of the dispenser and pull at an angle. It should come right off. Then take both hands and squeeze midway between the dispenser and it should come apart. There is the base, cup and cover. Clean in hot water and to reassemble just put the cup into the cover and snap the base with the semi circle inward and the press down onto the agitator.
When I had my Amana washer it came with a cap that if you didnt use the dispenser one could take it off and use the cap. Loved that they did that.

 

[danmantn]

Yeah, the ones at the laundromat still use the 'cap'. Might be something to find on Flea-bay if you don't use the dispenser that much--save on cleanings.

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[jeffg]

We asked about that last year, Alliance claimed the caps on their commercial models don't fit their residential washers. If this is wrong info I hope someone corrects it.

 

[yogitunes]

I have 2 Commercial machines....took the cap off and put on the dispenser.....these are interchangeable....don't let them kid you.......

they also say you can't adjust the water level, YEAH, right!

my factory set water levels just touch the tub's plastic ring for an ex-large load......but my models are from 2005.....

but the hot water seems dubbed down...it doesn't flow as fast as the cold water does....and its a sealed water valve, I can't open it and inspect or make changes......may just have to take one off a maytag or whirlpool for even pressure flow....

 

[yogitunes]

I might be able to get you a few caps......odd theres no part numbers in the ones I have, but no matter, their NLA anyway, even though their still put on the commercial machines....

question: I have seen in a few models for parts online...and it looks like the agitators are like the powerfin, the bottom of the fins are not connected to the base, mine are one solid piece....is this the new way SQ is making them?

also, I don't understand how the inside of the agitator gets so gunked up, it has holes top and bottom to flush water thru like a powerfin, it should be self cleaning, take the cap/dispenser off and you can see water flowing thru and down as it agitates.....but yet it does....

 

[jeffg]

Martin, the agitator well would get more water flow if it had more holes in the bottom. But it's a great slow distribution point for powdered laundry additives, and keeping the well open makes it effortless to flush it out with a few capfuls of water every 10-15 loads.

I'm not sure about the fins. I originally thought ours were connected on the bottom but they're not.

 

[nmassman44]

The thing thats missing with the agitator is openings at the very bottom/ If you look closely the bottom of the barrel has a cup shape to it so it holds the softener. To me they should have added more openings like a Maytag agitator so it would flush out completely. Also too look to see if there is any flash in the openings. Mine had 3 out of the 4 openings blocked when we got the washer and that was the bottom holes. They need to change the interior shape from the bowl shape to one that sends the softener to the edges and out the holes.

 

[yogitunes]

what would happen if we were to drill, say, 4 large holes in the bottom of this well, the water would then flow thru and over the top of the hub.....my main concern would be gunk build up under the agitator from the softner, or would this work like Maytags powerfin, and force more water currents under the agitator and around the tub....