Thread Number: 50595
Speed Queen Warranty on transmission is 15 years now
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Post# 728292   1/17/2014 at 10:25 (3,745 days old) by washman (o)        

per their Facebook page!

wOOt!





Post# 728293 , Reply# 1   1/17/2014 at 10:43 (3,745 days old) by kb0nes (Burnsville, MN)        
Marketing...

kb0nes's profile picture
...they always brag up the warranties on the parts that don't break.

How long is the warranty on the main seal? Most of these machines will be scrapped due to a seal failure well before the transmission warranty is up...


Post# 728296 , Reply# 2   1/17/2014 at 11:14 (3,745 days old) by washman (o)        
Longer than

any warranty by any other manufacturer for sure!

Post# 728298 , Reply# 3   1/17/2014 at 11:34 (3,745 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago)        
The 10 year warranty saved my butt

paulg's profile picture
Hey, I bought the Speed Queen largely because of the 10 year transmission warranty.
After about 8 years of good use the transmission locked. They changed the transmission and I only paid labor.
I would not discount that warranty especially if you give the unit hard use. It could make the difference between buying a new washer... or not.
Personally I think a 15 year transmission warranty has HUGE value, even if the part rarely fails. With a 15 year warranty you are almost guaranteed to keep the unit running for the 15 years as most other repairs are usually economically viable.


Post# 728317 , Reply# 4   1/17/2014 at 13:54 (3,745 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Well...Well...Well...

mrb627's profile picture
Me thinks this is just AWESOME!

Malcolm

Too bad you guys all bought yours when the warrantee was just 10 :P


Post# 728319 , Reply# 5   1/17/2014 at 14:06 (3,745 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

nmassman44's profile picture
Thats awesome! Now if they would only redesign the drive system not to eat belts and be easy to change out like a Maytag was I would be happy. I changed the belt out on my SQ washer yesterday and what a royal pain in the ass it is. The base of the washer was loaded with belt dust and the belt itself was worn down and splitting in a spot. New belt cost me $23 and it is what the doctor ordered to get the washer back in top performance. I had noticed on the base a yellowish substance that looks like oil but everything else looks ok.
So an hour later I had a new belt in place. With the Maytag...2 mins tops.


Post# 728341 , Reply# 6   1/17/2014 at 16:09 (3,745 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
Mike....why did it take so long to change the belt on your machine?....

if this were a Raytheon 2 belt, I could understand...

but on these, first the pump comes off and slid out of the way leaving the hoses intact....then wrap the new belt around the motor, and then the tranny, and pull back the tensioner and slip over that....it should have been rather easy, has something changed on these designs?


Post# 728350 , Reply# 7   1/17/2014 at 17:25 (3,745 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

nmassman44's profile picture
I thought that as well since the pump is attached using clips. The manual I have said to take 4 bolts attaching the motor bracket to the outer tub and "milkstool" and unclip the motor harness. Then I took the hoses off the pump, pulled the belt off the transmission pulley and moved the motor out. The clips I was hoping would have made my life easier but the way they are bent up into the pump housing I couldn't get my screw driver up in to unclip them. Anyways I got it taken care of. Now I need to open it up again and pull the tension spring the way I was told to get better clutching or replace the spring with another spring.
The new belt made a world of difference, agitation is back up to speed and spin doesn't take as long to get up to speed as well after the water is drained away.


Post# 728380 , Reply# 8   1/17/2014 at 19:49 (3,744 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
YAY For The longer Warranty, BUT

combo52's profile picture
Historly the products with the longest warrantys are usally among the most troblesome.

As I have discussed before the SQ TL Washer transmission is far from the most durable design I have seen, it has aluminum gears that wear into the aluminum housing and they have seal problems both top and bottom.

Belt changes on the current SQ TLers are more difficult than the earlier Raythron 2 belt system, while you don't have to remove the motor now it is probably easier to do so, overall I would rather change the belt of a full sized WP built BD washer.

The real gem in the SQ laundry lineup are their Front Load Washers, of the core group of washer lovers [ here at AW ] and my appliance repair buddies we all have the SQ FL machines,and while we have sold almost two hundred SQ TL washers, I will certainly never have one in my home laundry room.


Post# 728448 , Reply# 9   1/18/2014 at 02:07 (3,744 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

arbilab's profile picture
If SQ eats belts and is harder to change than WP, that knocks it WAY off my list. The once I changed a WP belt cost me a month worth of expletives cursing the ass who designed it. And WPs DON'T eat belts, to speak of. MTs do but all you have to do is lean the thing on its back legs.

Of course none of this is apparent to yer average idjut who walks into an appliance store. Quoting a line from Airplane, "that's exactly what they'll be expecting us to do".

I dunno how pertinent this is, but the only recent industrial laundry I'm familiar with (hotel, last 4 years) had Unimac/Raytheon/Alliance and Wascomat machines. Guess which ones were always broken and which never was. IMO, Alliance is the new White Consolidated. Your laundrage may vary.


Post# 728452 , Reply# 10   1/18/2014 at 02:52 (3,744 days old) by dj-gabriele ()        
Guess which ones were always broken

I can only speak for the "commercial" European Speed Queen machines because they were evaluated as a replacement for the current machines my father has at his laundry, not only they're regarded as very poor performers but also the serviceability and durability scores very low compared to the other commercial/professional machines around. So after all this feedback he's more than happy to have excluded them from the possibile choices.

Post# 728462 , Reply# 11   1/18/2014 at 05:37 (3,744 days old) by washer111 ()        
Speed-Queen Poor Performance

Europeans may find that the SQ machines don't perform as well as their traditional machines as these machines are oriented for the US market, where Chlorine bleach is used for stain removal as opposed to enzyme-laden detergents with Oxygen bleach (which require longer cycle times). 

Thus, the performance suffers in EU conditions. 

 

As for reliability, I have not seen many members here commenting on the reliability of SQ machines in a negative manner. Especially the member who has made several videos of his machine over the last few years (Including a video of an SQ machine with a Westinghouse agitator). 

The FL machines are rated for about 30,000 cycles, double that of Miele's offering for home use and far exceeding any other home machines available today. Considering their simplicity, I fail to see where there could be reliability issues in those machines. 

 

I do understand there are weaknesses in the design of the Top-Loader machines, but I doubt it would be too much trouble to overcome some issues - especially the "Belt Shredding" that some complain about. Looser belt + wider belt tracks on the pulleys should "fix" the issue, I would think. 


Post# 728479 , Reply# 12   1/18/2014 at 07:08 (3,744 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
It's sad to see front-loading Speed Queen washers near the bottom of the ratings in Consumer Reports. This is due to the cleaning score, which is rated as only "Good," and the freedom from vibration score---which is even lower---at "Fair." Other scores (in energy/water efficiency) are much better.

True to its roots as a commercial washer, the choice of cycles and flexibility within them is very limited. It also lacks an internal water heater, which is a deal-breaker for me when it comes to front-loaders. A big load of my ridiculously stained kitchen whites wouldn't stand a chance of emerging completely clean in a SQ, with its relatively short 60-minute cycle.

Having said that, most other loads I wash are lightly-to-moderatly-soiled. The SQ would do just fine with them.

If SQ would offer a Sanitize cycle (not for sanitization purposes, but to provide a stain-removing long, profile wash for aforementioned loads of kitchen whites) I would get one in a heartbeat.

As for issues with vibration, my laundry room has a concrete/cement floor, so I doubt there would be problems in that area.




This post was last edited 01/18/2014 at 07:27
Post# 728488 , Reply# 13   1/18/2014 at 07:36 (3,744 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Kitchen Whites

mrb627's profile picture

I don't have a problem getting kitchen toweling white with the speed queen front loader.  I use the hot flush method of getting the machine started with as hot an internal temperature as possible.  Then I time the wash portion and at 15 minutes, I turn the cycle selector to off.  Then wait another 15 minutes to soak.  Finally, I return the machine to the regular cycle.  This gives the machine 54 minutes of wash water exposure.  I generally only use a 1/4 cup of bleach if I have been preparing poultry in the kitchen to kill bacteria and it is introduced in the first rinse.  No fabric softener in the kitchen toweling as it leaves a film on dishes and glassware when drying up.

 

Malcolm


Post# 728505 , Reply# 14   1/18/2014 at 08:58 (3,744 days old) by washman (o)        
Actually in my experience

products with the shortest warranty prove to be the most troublesome.

Post# 728545 , Reply# 15   1/18/2014 at 13:10 (3,744 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

nmassman44's profile picture
Martin its a thing called procrastination...I just kept putting it off and putting it off until I could not stand it anymore! Extraction got so bad that I was double spinning the load and helping the washbasket get going...it was that bad.
I know some love their SQ washers and I do like mine...to a point. Would I buy it again? Nope. In my machine I have a feeling the yellow oil in the base is the washer is from the transmission. I am going to let it run its course and when the transmission goes, or the bearings, which I hear is a nightmare to replace, then the machine will go make a KIA. Then I will replace this washer with a front loader since we are taking it in the shorts with the water bills with the SQ washer. And our water bill is going to go up again. Its not so much the water coming into the house, its the city charging double the amount for sewage costs. My last water bill was a nice plump $280 for 3 months. Before the SQ washer with the evil Maytag Samsung Neppy we were averaging $115 every 3 months. That back in 2009, we got the water bill after having the SQ washer for a bit and I just about had sticker shock.


Post# 728546 , Reply# 16   1/18/2014 at 13:24 (3,744 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
Holy Cow Mike....thats one heck of a bill....I had that sewer charge when we lived in Princeton, you paid sewer based on what came in, the killer was watering the lawn, or washing the car, that water didn't go into the sewer, and yet charged for it....I used to stick the washer drain out the window to water the lawn, and would wash the car on the lawn as well, although stuff like this was not allowed, you just did it at night time...

I won't tell you what I pay now, you would fall over backwards in your chair....were not monitored here for sewer, its a flat rate, and water is also based on 13,000 gallons(anything over that is 1.50 per 1000 more), which I barely touch.....


Post# 728588 , Reply# 17   1/18/2014 at 18:08 (3,744 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Admirable......but....

mayfan69's profile picture

It's admirable that SQ are offering a 15 year warranty on the transmission, but it's mostly always the seals and bearings which WILL fail first. It is a sad fact that the average consumer whose bought one of these machines will most likely NOT get the repair done once they've been told how much the repair's going to be.

 

I'm sure a lot of members (including myself) who've bought one will get the repair done. I'm lucky in the fact that I've been shown by a SQ repairer how to do it and the step be step process involved, but that was seals only, luckily the bearings didn't need to be replaced, which is another harder process again.

 

And like it or not....SQ did delete a certain part built into the outer tub (for cost reasons obviously) which used to protect the bearing from getting water in it....a 'deflector/water flicker' which was in machines built up to 15+ years ago. Now that's gone, once the seals go, the bearing needs replacing as well. How do I know this?....the machine I fixed still had the deflector in it.

 

What we're seeing here in Australia, is SQ's that need the seal and bearing replaced are being junked by both consumers and repairers due to the cost of repair.

 

Leon


Post# 728606 , Reply# 18   1/18/2014 at 19:34 (3,743 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Unfortunately...

mrb627's profile picture

 

 

 

SQ's that need the seal and bearing replaced are being junked by both consumers and repairers due to the cost of repair.

 

This is happening with all manufacturers across the board, not just Speed Queen.  Still, increasing the warranty from 10 to 15 years is quite an impressive gesture.  And while the vast majority of SQ TL machine owners will not take advantage of years 10 - 15 simply due to the amount of labor involved in replacement, there is still a percentage of owner's who will use the warranty and be grateful that they have it.

 

Malcolm


Post# 728610 , Reply# 19   1/18/2014 at 19:56 (3,743 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

All I can say, is that the old one direction rotation, solenoid activated machines were terrific!!! They lasted forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever .......................


Post# 728614 , Reply# 20   1/18/2014 at 20:08 (3,743 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Older SQ Solenoid Washers

combo52's profile picture
These were rugerd machines and the amazing thing was that they would last almost TEN years in commercial use, BUT I my experience they only lasted about TEN years in residential use due to all the pot-metal parts, I NEVER saw a single dual solenoid single direction motor SQ last into the 80s in either commercial OR home use. They certainly did not generally last as long as MT, WP, KM, and even GE in most cases.

Post# 728649 , Reply# 21   1/18/2014 at 22:56 (3,743 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)        
To all those bad mouthing Alliance / Speed Queen........

How many of YOUR front load teaspoon of water using, aluminum spider made front load washers have a fifteen year warranty on any part? Name ONE brand that has a fifteen year warranty on any part, you can't because these new machines will be in the scrap pile long before a seal goes on a SQ top load washer guaranteed! While the only choice for a Top Load Washer today is Speed Queen, I think they offer a fantastic warranty even though they do not have to...they are the last traditional top loader on the market today. So stop looking into your "know it all" crystal balls and bad mouthing Alliance, I don't work for them, but alot of other appliance manufacturers, including Obama-Electric, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, LG, Samsung, etc..could learn a thing or two about build quality from Alliance Laundry......and Mike, just go buy your front loader already, your Speed Queen has been trouble (NOT) since the day you installed it...weren't you complaining about your tenant using your machine? Most likely the cause of your belt needing replacement!
Mike


Post# 728711 , Reply# 22   1/19/2014 at 09:29 (3,743 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I think Alliance's reputation can survive a few critical observations, Mike. All of us appreciate their build quality.

Post# 728714 , Reply# 23   1/19/2014 at 09:45 (3,743 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Agreed!

mayfan69's profile picture
Agreed Eugene. VERY nicely said!

Post# 728739 , Reply# 24   1/19/2014 at 11:14 (3,743 days old) by washman (o)        
Build quality is almost always a subjective

definition.

For most, the issue is not how long it will last before needing major repair, but rather "how cheap can I get____" (fill in the blank).

Trust me, I've been taken to task at work for spending what I did on the SQ. How could I, they chastised. Did you know you can get _____ at a BIG BOX for _____?

Other time worn utterances are/were "oh I could never afford that" all the while dumping lots of $$ into the latest and greatest Iphone or Moto Droid Razor Maxx and then bragging about the 200/month mobile bill. Oddly, I cannot discern a mobile call from a $600 Iphone vis a vis a 30 buck throwaway unit.

Or the misguided soul that "flips" their vehicle every 2-3 years because they are "bored" and need, for reasons that baffle me, a rig that has DVD player, bluetooth, nav screen, GPS (remember they have a GPS phone)backkup warning, AWD and the like.

Finally there's the crowd that has a cable/satellite bill that rivals a mortgage payment. You know them I'm sure. The all sports package, every HBO, Starz, Cinemax option.

I listen to all these lame reasons and laugh my ass off because in all honesty, it is pure stupidity to blow money on these things thinking they are absolutely essential to a quality life. Not to mention that despite this so-called recession, families seem to find the extra cash to eat out quite frequently.

The end result is a cadre of dolts who have no idea of the concept of value. After all, cheaper is certainly just as good only better because it's cheaper, right?


Post# 728878 , Reply# 25   1/19/2014 at 19:23 (3,742 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
SQ Top Load Washers

combo52's profile picture
We sell the AWN412 every day for $739 including delivery and installation, I dare say the average person walking into a big box store spends MUCH more than this on a new washer and considering it has a real 3 year warranty without paying $119 for a three year service contract [ which really only gives you two more years and lousy service ] the TL SQs are a very good buy.

Now one can make the case that the FLers and the FL stacks are a little expensive, but again when you compare these to the premium priced laundry pairs from Sears, WP, GE and Electroux these still compare very well.


Post# 728882 , Reply# 26   1/19/2014 at 19:36 (3,742 days old) by washman (o)        
What baffles me even more combo52

is the average dolt who goes to the BIG BOX, opens up a line of credit to buy the latest "fad" laden machine then goes about paying 18-21 percent interest for oh, god knows how long (or until they get their tax refund). Then they tell everyone what a great deal they got.

Your price for the SQ is a very good price indeed considering what is included with the purchase.

A co-worker just this past Friday came back from Sams (pardon me while I wretch) and got himself a Visio flat screen for 447 bucks or something like that. Mind you he's replaced one Samsung and one LG in the last 6 or so years (both flat screens, don't ask me if they were LED LCD Plasma or cotton candy because I do not know). Oh he was pleased as punch and got on my ass, again, about why oh why do I STILL have a 15 year old 27 inch tube Toshiba (assem. in Lebanon TN)when I need to "get with the times" and get one of the gee whiz flat screens that appear to do everything but..................last beyond the warranty.

I consider most of television programming today to be garbage. Buying a new flat screen with its eco approved 20 watts of energy usage and all the pixels in the world won't change lousy programming.


Post# 728918 , Reply# 27   1/19/2014 at 21:25 (3,742 days old) by washer111 ()        

Over here, the SQ machines in the TL format are equivalent to the commercial Maytags at about $1800. Buying from family stores or places other than Big-Box or Alliance might rope a better deal, but not by much,  I would imagine. 

 

The FL format of machine is somewhere over $2000. When I was window-shopping the (Gas) stacked units online, I saw a price of around $3000, with the FL costing about $2000 on its own.

Dare I say it, but the MOL Miele we got was about $400 cheaper and included quite a bit more for the lower price (Additional Cycles, Modifiers {Pre-Wash/Water Plus/Short-Wash/Extra-Quiet}, 2.2kW Water Heater) we paid in 2012.

HOWEVER, I believe the Miele only has a 2 year warranty - not the long warranty offered by SQ. It also is not built to the same commercial quality as SQ, but for home use is perfectly fine, provided you use it correctly (Not washing "Silly" loads with high spin-speeds). 

 

And Washman, I sympathise with you on your TV! Everyone urges you to get the latest and greatest all the time. The government reckons its more environmentally friendly for us to replace perfectly working older appliances with ones that are more energy efficient. Trouble is, even the savings from trading up the worst energy hogs still won't pay off the replacement for many years: Exactly the reason why we haven't replaced our 20+ year old A/C system. The replacement options are expensive, and will still take 10+ years to pay off in terms of savings. And by then, those replacement systems will be outdated and "inefficient.")

Then there are the other comments on phone technology. I get asked all the time why I don't have a new iPhone. Excuse me, but my 3GS does EXACTLY what I need it to do (and I bought it 2nd hand for a great price). I don't use Facebook, Google + or Twitter (I wish there was an AW.org App though), and the phone works fine for texting, browsing, phoning and e-mailing as it is. WHY upgrade? Especially for the price you pay!


Post# 728963 , Reply# 28   1/20/2014 at 03:34 (3,742 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

I have to admit, I admire a company that stands behind their products like this. It shows me that they're confident in the longevity of their products. (Or at least that part anyway.)

Now, in saying that, I honestly hope that this doesn't seriously hurt the bottom line of the company if a lot of people take them to task. (Like a very determined auto mechanic.)



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