Thread Number: 44245
Big Bertha Back In Good Health (Miele W 1070)
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Post# 650196   12/31/2012 at 13:13 (4,104 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Our independant Miele service guy has just left after spending an our or so with Big Bertha.

One shock was totally gone, the other not nearly so but he replaced both, and what an effort it was. Am now that glad one didn't try to attempt the job as it was allot of work fitting the new shocks in but our hero got the job done. He also found the cause of the other "noise" from our machine and it wasn't due to the shocks.




This post was last edited 12/31/2012 at 15:06



Post# 650204 , Reply# 1   12/31/2012 at 13:30 (4,104 days old) by donprohel (I live in Munich - Germany, but I am Italian)        
I want to be the first...

...to congratulate you, Launderess: this is a a great way to start the new year!!!

Wish you the same success with anything else you will want to do in the new year


Post# 650210 , Reply# 2   12/31/2012 at 13:47 (4,104 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Thanks Luv!

launderess's profile picture
This repairman is such a treasure!

After replacing the shocks and starting the machine the "rattle" sound still continued and he went right to work at once to find out where the noise was coming from. Took the lad <5 minutes much of that time was spent opening up the front of the unit again to isolate the cause.

Whilst he was working (and in between moans and cursing about the shocks not going in easily as expected, *LOL*), we chatted about the new Miele models and he agreed one large problem is that customers fail to load them properly.

With the uber 48XX series so many problems with vibrations customers report can be traced back to underloading the machine. A washer designed to hold 18lbs of wash seems not to cope well with just several pounds, but that is common to many other *huge* machines as well.

Still have been put on notice Big Bertha won't last forever and should start considering my options. The only things left besides the electronics and timer that haven't been replaced are now the motor and rear drum bearings. Neither of which our lad recommends doing when the time comes.

Did question as to what the "problem" is with brush replacement for the 10XX series and to an extent the 700's as well and the reply went along the lines of design. Apparently Miele didn't think about how service persons would haul that huge cast iron motor out of machines in the field. Sadly to change the brushes that is just what must happen.

By the 19XX series Miele corrected this and those brushes can be swapped out easily from the front. The 11XX and 12XX model series have side panels that can be removed as well in order to service the machine.




This post was last edited 12/31/2012 at 16:45
Post# 650220 , Reply# 3   12/31/2012 at 14:54 (4,104 days old) by vsc (Chicago)        
Out of curiosity

What was the process of getting the shocks swapped out? Via the front or bottom of the machine?


Post# 650228 , Reply# 4   12/31/2012 at 15:58 (4,104 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Front

launderess's profile picture
But the openings are a tight squeeze and if one or more of the shocks do not play nice things can get interesting.

Much of the problem is that quite abit of the job at least as far as one could see involves working "blind". An experienced repair person can feel his way around but a newbie like myself would have been lost.

The bottom mountings aren't *that* bad to get at, it is the tub mountings that are problems. There is allot of 'stuff" in the way so a clear view isn't possible. You *can* remove parts such as hoses and pump to get at the things, but then you've got to put everything back.

Big Bertha wasn't giving the lad an easy time of things with the upper mounts for the shocks. She just refused to allow them to slot into place (hence the aformentioned swearing, etc... *LOL*), imagine trying to fit/force something into something when you cannot see what you're doing. Again it is possible to get a clearer view, and IIRC some of the cutouts in the front of the machine are for access and such, but again you've got to remove certain other things for a totally unobstructed view.

For a job Miele USA swore required two persons and removal of the machine to their workshops in New Jersey our lad did by himself in in hour or so.




This post was last edited 12/31/2012 at 16:49
Post# 650275 , Reply# 5   12/31/2012 at 19:41 (4,104 days old) by bosch2460 (Harrisonburg, VA)        
Yay!

bosch2460's profile picture
I am glad that Big Bertha will live on....for a while, at least. :)

Post# 650328 , Reply# 6   1/1/2013 at 05:11 (4,103 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
So glad to hear your Miele is up and running; what a great way to start the new year. Sounds like you've found a repairman who's a keeper. Here's to your Miele's continued good health. May the day you have to part ways with Big Bertha be far down the road. Your affection for her, despite the occasional fits that come with age (hers, dear, not yours) is obvious.

Aside: I'm surprised that the XXL Mieles have a difficult time with partial loads. I like having a very large capacity washer, as weekly loads of bath linens are huge in my house, and it's always nice to be able to wash queen-sized comforters without resorting to using one's foot to cram the thing into the machine.

Having said that, I regularly wash loads ranging from 2-8 pounds and the Frigidaire doesn't seem to mind being underloaded. Just yesterday I washed a small load of one pair of heavy sweat pants, one pair of gym shorts, and one short-sleeve flannel shirt. The balancing protocol took a little longer than usual due to the single heavy item in the tiny load, but it ramped up to 1300 rpm in the final spin without any issues. If my $900 hunk of white plastic can handle such loads, you'd expect no less from a Miele.




This post was last edited 01/01/2013 at 05:30
Post# 650333 , Reply# 7   1/1/2013 at 06:30 (4,103 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Wonderful! I hope Big Bertha will give you lots of happy washing in the future. YAY for handy repairmen that who know their stuff!

Post# 650339 , Reply# 8   1/1/2013 at 07:09 (4,103 days old) by mikeKLondon (London)        
Big Bertha

Long may she live, and I wish you and Bertha well for the new year

Post# 650357 , Reply# 9   1/1/2013 at 09:01 (4,103 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
Oh Dear

I was told in my youth that if it don't fit, don't force it.

Post# 650368 , Reply# 10   1/1/2013 at 10:37 (4,103 days old) by foxchapel ()        

I'm so glad Big Bertha is back in good health and ready for work. A wonderful start for the new year! Kudos to the tech for getting the job done, too. :-)

Our W4842 doesn't mind less-than-full loads of similar weight items. It generally complains if there is one heavy towel in the mix, which might even throw off the balance of an old-fashioned TL washer, too.


Post# 650404 , Reply# 11   1/1/2013 at 14:11 (4,103 days old) by jerrod6 (Southeastern Pennsylvania)        

Glad to hear your machine was able to be fixed.  I started worrying when I heard that you might not find a fix for it.

I know things change but seems that there are compromises to be made with the new machines.  Even my washer a W1986 is not as flexible in settings as older models, but does employee a different type spin routine so it usually can get to the desired spin on the first or second try and if it doesn't it will add an additional rinse.  Still I am happy with it and plan to repair it until it cannot be fixed anymore.

 

I do have the larger 98XX gas dryer.  It works OK but performs most consistent when it is confronted with a load that fully matches it's capacity.  Any less and when using the normal setting some items will not get fully dried and require a few more minutes.  Using the Extra dry setting corrects this problem but to me I should not have to use extra dry and end up baking some items so everything gets dry.

 

If you are thinking of a newer machine and want to remain Miele might consider the little giant.  I would love to have that machine right now......I don't love that price though.  Beyond that I  would  pick the 30xx series but even that is only 120V and there are posts around that suggest that it won't get to the desired temp unless you use the extended(long euro type time) option.

 

My hope is that in time Miele will provide options for the 30XX size machines so that we can choose a 120V or 220/240V model when buying.  The thing is using 220 inside by means of a transformer so just skip that part  and let me connect it to my 220 connection.  Also found out from my service man that my Miele Dw also has a transformer and is  220V+ inside too. My laundry is set up for 220V+ and I would have to run new electric  for a  120V washer connection.  I guess kind of the opposite of most.  Might help if we began  sending Miele DB some emails suggesting the 220V option for the USA.

 

Hope you get long continued use of your 1070 Miele.


Post# 650410 , Reply# 12   1/1/2013 at 14:49 (4,103 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
loading large drums to capacity

I could put as much stuff in my Duet as I could in my KA KAWE860. The machine could balance the load for a spin, BUT the machine could not handle the water spun out of the load so it tripped the flood switch which stopped the spin while the pump caught up with the water. Then it would take several attempts to distribute the load again to enable a spin and this would happen after each drain period in the cycle. The SQ fl maintains a distribution speed between the surge spins and shuts off the pump during the surge spins to prevent the pump from airlocking and the machine from having to redistribute the load. So, while a large load might be a secret to balancing, the machine has to be able to handle the water extracted from a large load or it has to be able to gradually increase the spin speed so that the amount of water spun out does not overwhelm the pump which is the way that my Miele W1986 approaches the problem.

Post# 650429 , Reply# 13   1/1/2013 at 16:35 (4,103 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Thanks All For The Well Wishes!

launderess's profile picture
Yes, am that happy was able to get my old Miele repairman to come and attend Big Bertha. Normally he does not like working on "older" units but...

To be clear the man didn't state there were "problems" purely with the design of the larger Miele 48XX series. Just that in hindsight and probably from his experience running around the area on service calls, some of them are user related.

Things such as mould growing inside (leaving door closed after laundry day), vibrations (usually but not always related to type of flooring, load size and consist,) and activation of the "WaterProof System" (can be so by over sudsing caused by improper detergent use), all have roles. Mind you there are legitimate gripes with those units, but the man did say many he has come in contact with love them. Indeed dealers in certain areas of my region are wailing and moaning over Miele's decision to discontinue the 48XX line, and are banging the trees to find them for customers.

Changing the shock absorbers on a front loading washing machine is bound to happen to them all sooner or later, and some are more easily dealt with than others.

Am still going to get Bertha a playmate to take some of the work load off her. My deepest worry is her rear tub bearings going. If or when that happens she's toast as even my Miele repairman won't touch that job for love nor money.


Post# 650529 , Reply# 14   1/2/2013 at 00:48 (4,103 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Hmmm, did I miss it?  What was the cause of the rattle?


Post# 650534 , Reply# 15   1/2/2013 at 01:14 (4,103 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Count Me in With Matt

Is the rattle the beginning of bearing noise?
May I be so bold to inquire the source of excessive amounts of laundry requiring pressing and expect one would share? Maybe one operates an Inn, do one take in laundry or is one perhaps Martha Stewart lurking among our group? One is intrigued and one ponders the veil of allure and mystery surrouding ones presence here. Respectfully submitted.
Kelly


Post# 650537 , Reply# 16   1/2/2013 at 02:02 (4,103 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Source of Rattle

launderess's profile picture
Was a plastic plate just behind the service door. Cannot remember what the thing is offically called but it is supposed act as some sort of protection to other parts of the machine should the door seal leak/rupture.

From the start one reported to Miele that after their service man came to change the motor brushes (which he did not/would not do), my washer developed at once this rattle sound. Told Miele also that the sound was coming from the front of the washer and sounded like something was "loose". Their response was to send yet another equally clueless repairman who despite not having opened the machine to investigate (forgot his tools) declared the shocks were bad and hence the noise.

While it tis true one of the shocks was bad and it's mate not far behind that did *NOT* solve the rattle. Again we repairman turned on Bertha after he finished (I threw in some towels) to test the spin we both heard the rattle still. First going to the back and then coming to the front our better repairman like a physican placed his hands there and there to source the cause of the rattle. He found at once the cause and addressed the matter.

It is apparent that during the furtive attempt to "find" where the motor brushes were the first Miele tech moved and or loosened the aforementioned object and failed to correct this. Everytime that man left the machine was missing odd screws to the service plates, which showed his lack of quality service and haste. Our Miele man pulled out his "box of tricks" and fitted back all the missing screws by the way.

Torrrow when MieleUSA opens one is going to make such a noise that it will make the settlements from using forced WWII labour seem like a holiday. Am quite fed up to the back teeth of MieleUSA's high handed treatment of me and they will have to answer for it. All along one has told them causes and suspicions as to what the problem is with my machine only to be ignored. Worse one's complaints are slighted as coming from a neurotic and hysterical nut case.

When we told our Miele repairman about the "brittle wiring" statement from MieleUSA's tech he almost disgraced himself from laughing. We wanted to know what was such a thing and had he seen it before. The response was "who said that? Upon relating the story and it's source were assured the wiring is no more deficient than could be found inside of any other machine of the same vintage.


Post# 650569 , Reply# 17   1/2/2013 at 05:03 (4,102 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I'm glad you've decided to pull out the big guns on MieleUSA. There's no reason a high-end company like that should treat the owner of one of their products in such a dismissive and shabby manner. Should I feel a slight tremor underfoot out here on the prairie I'll know you're on the phone with them.

: )


Post# 650572 , Reply# 18   1/2/2013 at 06:17 (4,102 days old) by donprohel (I live in Munich - Germany, but I am Italian)        
Please, keep us informed, Launderess

I am very curious to know about your "contacts" with Miele USA!

Post# 650840 , Reply# 19   1/3/2013 at 19:04 (4,101 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Have No "Contacts" At Miele

launderess's profile picture
Just know how to go up the food chain when complaining. Something of a right of passage for residents of certain parts of Manhattan and other areas of NY. It starts with learning how to say "what is the name of your manager?" or "is there someone else I can speak to...?". *LOL*

Another interesting tidbit from our Miele service lad. Apparently patent rights have expired on many designs leaving others free to copy. Had wondered about this ever since seeing the top silverware rack on other non-Miele dishwashers starting a few years ago.


Post# 655171 , Reply# 20   1/22/2013 at 15:04 (4,082 days old) by hhsuds (Canada)        
New Shocks for Bertha

Good day, curious to know if the replacement shocks were Miele OEM or a generic brand, and what the actual part number might be.
Miele Canada wants $212 for replacemnets for my W1926 part# 4828874

Thanks!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO hhsuds's LINK on eBay


Post# 655195 , Reply# 21   1/22/2013 at 17:23 (4,082 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Miele OEM

launderess's profile picture
Didn't have time to wait for ordering "generic" or otherwise from Europe.

Also Miele warranties their parts for (90 days?) or such which sealed the deal on our end. Having watched that poor serviceman swap out the shocks on our washer am in no mood to have it done again anytime soon.

Being as this may from doing research on the matter many DIY persons in the EU and elsewhere seem to have on balance good experiences with "generic" shocks for many brand of washers, and that included Miele.

Genunie OEM Miele shocks *can* be cheaper if sourced from EU/UK, but much depends upon the exchange rate and shipping charges. Cheapest we found at the time was only about $50USD (more or less) cheaper than getting them from MieleUSA. Generics were cheaper but again you pays your money there and takes your chances.


Post# 655197 , Reply# 22   1/22/2013 at 17:58 (4,082 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Launderess--- Does this photo look like the controls of a Miele w1070? Do you know the year yours was manufactured?

Post# 655199 , Reply# 23   1/22/2013 at 18:02 (4,082 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Yes, it tis our "Big Bertha" and have no idea of the exact year of her "birth".

There has been some considerable "lively" debate on how long the 10XX series was manufactured and sold for the USA market within the group. MieleUSA tells us that the models were replaced by the 19XX series starting around the early to mid 1990's, but who knows.



Post# 655436 , Reply# 24   1/23/2013 at 20:06 (4,081 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
@hsuds

launderess's profile picture
About those Miele shocks shown in link above; it is very important you match replacement shocks to what your model of machine. IIRC the shocks listed in your link are for the "Little Giant" model washers.

What I did was to contact Miele's parts department to obtain the proper part number for the shocks, then hunted around the Interent to see what there was.

Usually shocks for Miele washers will cover a series of models but what is important is which way they fit and matching the hole openings where the tub and bolts match up.

Oh and even though Miele sends new bolts/nuts with the shocks you may simply wish to reuse the one's you have and keep the new as spares. This is what our man did but don't know what one will do with the spare "nuts and bolts". *LOL*


Post# 655469 , Reply# 25   1/23/2013 at 22:59 (4,081 days old) by hhsuds (Canada)        
Giant Shocks

Yes indeed the W1926 is a "Little Giant" albeit one of the earlier versions.
It weighs in at 227 lbs which is 15 lbs more than the recent PW5065.

I think it is a very close cousin of the WS5426 model which seems to be very hard to find on this side of the pond.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO hhsuds's LINK


Post# 655476 , Reply# 26   1/23/2013 at 23:34 (4,081 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
IIRC All The 19XX Series

launderess's profile picture
Came in at about 227lbs. Just passed up at W1926 with matching dryer located just one state over. It was down by the Jersey Shore and with TS Irene just having hit that area wanted to go personally and examine the thing to see what one would be getting. Waited too long and the things are now gone. Story of my life! *LOL*

IIRC the W1926 and it's later cousin the W1986 were 6kg models based on the "Little Giant" Miele series. Recall also that the 12XX series was as well but later versions.


Post# 655480 , Reply# 27   1/23/2013 at 23:58 (4,081 days old) by hhsuds (Canada)        
Correction

The W1926 really weighs in at 250lbs/114kg....this info is from both the owners and service manual. The new link I attached corrects it but reverses the washer and dryer weights. It is a monster to move!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO hhsuds's LINK


Post# 655481 , Reply# 28   1/24/2013 at 00:05 (4,081 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Wetcleaning

launderess's profile picture
Can be done with most Miele washers from the 19XX series on, you just have to know what you're doing if the proper cycles aren't already in place.

IIRC the W1930 weighs 103kg which is about 227lbs.



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