Speed Queen AWN552

Very solid, well built washing machine – The Speed Queen AWN55 is a consumer model of a commercial machine, there are no electronic controls on it although I understand the new models do have some electronics. The star ratings for water and energy efficiency are fairly low but after 15 years of family use it still looks like a new machine and performs like one too. We purchased this machine because we didn't want to have to buy another one in a couple of years. Our bore water is quite corrosive and our remote area power has voltage fluctuations and spikes that disagree with modern electronics. It was more expensive than the normal models but worth the extra money.

Recently I left a piece of wire in my pants pocket when they went to the wash, it ended up down at the water pump and jammed the impeller. That meant when the machine progressed to the spin cycle it was still full of water because the pump couldn't empty the tub. Well there was a fair bit of belt squawking and a burnt rubber smell because it isn't easy to spin a full tub of water and washing but nothing broke or fused.

I removed the pump expecting to replace it with a new one but looked inside it, found the wire, removed it and found the motor spun freely. I was then surprised and happy to find that it operated normally so I put everything back together and now no one would know that there was ever a problem.

Considering the abnormal loads that the machine was subjected to during this event I would suggest that the manufacturer deserves credit for making a washing machine that can handle almost anything life throws at it and we expect to be using it for many years yet.

Good but not great! – I purchased a Speed Queen washing machine 3 months ago after deciding against purchasing a front loader. Whilst I Have no issues about the way the machine washes, I find it is very basic in its functions, you cannot turn the dial mid cycle if you wish to "move" the cycle along a bIt, the spin is way too fast even on the delicate cycle and the clothes generally are quite crushed, even towels are the same. I always stop the machine before the end of the spin cycle for this reason. I now never start the machine and leave the house for this reason. My machine also has a humming sound coming from the control panel, when I spoke to someone at the supplier's, Costello's about this his solution was to turn the machine off when not in use, he couldn't offer any explanation regarding the humming noise, and frankly was not all that interested. Very poor attitude for a machine which cost $1800 and at the time was only a few weeks old. Whilst the Speed Queen is good it is not in the same league as my previous Maytag!

Spin cycles crease the clothes too much.

Speed Queen AWN552 Dissapointing! – After careful consideration and debate our family of four children decided to purchase a speed queen and for a period of time we were delighted in what I thought was a robust machine. Months later the machine stayed full of water after completing a normal wash cycle. I contacted the supplier who indicated to give it another turn on the same cycle. I did and the same thing happened. The pump was failing to empty out all the water. I opened the front of the machine up and found the pump almost seized. I had to spin it by hand to get the pump to work. Another two months went by and then the selector switch has failed to work. It spins freely and will not turn the dial to the position I want and on top of this the pump has failed again. While inspecting the pump this time I also noticed fine rubber sitting in the bottom of the machine. This has come from the belt that goes from the motor to the drum and spins the washing machine. There has been an alignment problem at some point and the belt has worn.

I have contacted the provider asking for an exchange as this machine is riddled with faults one year into its service! I have had no answer after 5 days so will call tomorrow.

Very disappointing considering the price of these machines. An overvalued product.