We have a 34plus year old Speed Queen Marathon which has been fantastic. The machine still works well and was used once or twice a week without problems. Recently we notice black oil spots on items washed. We wonder if this machine is worth repairing or to purchase a new, although, cheaper machine as we would only require a trouble free period of about 10 to 12 years if we conform to the Australian death statistics. The V-drive belt was replaced once by myself, a former mechanical engineer, and I do believe that all this machine requires is a new shaft seal under the agitator which stubbornly refuses to come off. Any help would be appreciated

Gearbox will be full of water & top shaft & bush worn. Great machine to work on. Latest model very similar.

We have two speed queen washers in our park laundry and they are still going after 25years of constant use. . . What else can you say?

In response to the above post, I was wondering if the 34+ year old SQ washer is a solid tub machine. They used to have them in Laundromats, but I haven't seen them in domestic settings here in Oz. If it is a solid tub washer (without holes) it could be considered vintage. For anyone handy and with enough time this could be a worthwhile restoration project. There is an American website called Automaticwasher.org where one can ask all kinds of technical advice questions on washer self repairs, especially with older machines. The black spots left on washed laundry may just be gunk that's accumulated between the inner and outer drum. It would require disassembly of the agitator, drum and so forth to find the cause.