If your Speed Queen washer emits a strong smell this could be a sign of a serious problem and should be handled immediately. There are many reasons why this could happen, including worn-out bearings, malfunctioning belts, or motor malfunctions. This article will outline the most common causes of burning smells in a Speed Queen washer and will provide step by step instructions on how to resolve them. We’ve got you covered regardless of whether you’re dealing with a minor problem or a major issue. If you follow the correct approach, you can fix an issue with a Speed Queen washer that has the smell of burning and get back to doing your laundry with ease.
Spin Belt
Top loading Speed Queen washers have a belt which drives the transmission. It could be the belt that is the issue if your Speed Queen washer ceases to agitate. How to tell the condition of your Speed Queen washing machines drive belt is in need of being repaired:
- Disconnect your appliance’s power source prior to you begin.
- It is necessary to remove off the clamps that hold the drive belt. The belt that drives the drive motor can be attached to the motor that drives it. It is necessary to take off the cabinet or the panel in the back in order to get it.
- After you’ve removed it take a look at the belt to find evidence of fraying, burning, cracks, or any other damage.
- If you have any issues on your belt, you require a Speed Queen replacement drive belt.
Pump Belt
Some top-load Speed Queen washers employ a belt to operate the drain pump. It is usually an ordinary V-shaped belt which connects the drive motor to a pulley on the drain pump. There may also be an idler pulley assembly to help tension the belt. If you notice a burning smell of rubber from your Speed Queen washer, it is recommended to examine the belt of the pump. What can you do to determine if the pump belt in a Speed Queen washing machine needs replacement:
- Disconnect your Speed Queen washer from its power source and open the cabinet in your washer.
- Find and remove the belt from the pump in order to inspect it. It will be connected to the drive motor pulley for removal, and in order to get it out you’ll have to unclip the clamps that secure it in place.
- Check your pump’s visual appearance for indications of wear, burn, fraying, and damage.
- If your belt is showing any of these symptoms it is time to get a Speed Queen replacement pump belt.
Motor Pulley
The drive motor makes use of an incline to turn the drive or pump belts. Motor pulleys are composed of synthetic or metal materials to provide maximum contact with belts. The pulley is susceptible to wear or rusted, which can cause excessive friction, overheating, or damage to the belt. It could cause an unpleasant burning smell. How to examine the Speed Queen washing-machine motor pulley:
- Unplug your Speed Queen washing machine before starting the inspection.
- Locate and remove the motor pulley to examine it closely. It will be necessary to take out the cabinet for this as well as taking off any belts connected to the motor pulley.
- Examine your motor pulley to see if there are any deposits of dirt, grease, or other materials, as well as for indications of wear and tear, or burning.
- If you notice that your pulley is worn or damaged, you’ll need a Speed Queen replacement pulley.
Drain Pump
The drain pump is utilized on a Speed Queen washing-machine to drain the water from the tub before and following the spin cycle. The pump can be belt driven, motor driven or come with its own electric motor. The burning smell emanating from the Speed Queen washing machine during or after the spin cycle may indicate that the drain pump is stuck, which prevents it from rotating. The smell of burning is typically caused by the movement of the belt across the pulley of the pump in belt-driven models. Models with an electrical drain pump are more likely to smell like an electrical motor. How to inspect drain pump the in the Speed Queen washing machine
- Disconnect the source of power from your appliance and then take off the front panel or cabinet.
- Once you have identified the pump, start by inspecting the connections and hoses coming off the pump in order to identify if it is the source for the leak. Replace the connector or hose in case there is any issue.
- If the leak is coming from the pump, then you’ll have to replace it with a Speed Queen replacement Pump.
Idler Pulley wheel & Idler Pulley Arm
Top load Speed Queen washers employ an idler pulley that is used to tighten the pump or drive belt. If the idler pulley is locked or the idler arm is unable to pivot freely, then proper tension for the belt will not be obtained and friction or belt slippage could occur and cause the belt to heat up and produce an unpleasant smell. How to check the condition of the Speed Queen washer’s idler arm and wheel:
- Verify that you have removed the Speed Queen washer from its electricity source prior to starting the washing, and then open the cabinet in your washer.
- Examine your idler pulley wheel and arm. Look for indications of wear, damage cracks, burns or cracks. The drive belt will be attached to the pulley and you will need to disconnect it in order to check the pulley. To take off the belt, rotate your idler pulley in the direction of the drum to lessen the tension. Then, allow the belt to slide it off.
- Inspect the pulley wheel to make sure it is turning smoothly , with little resistance, and doesn’t wobble.
- If you find any issues in the tests above then you’ll need a Speed Queen replacement idler wheel or arm.
Direct Drive Motor Coupling
Some top load washers from Speed Queen use a direct drive motor coupling, instead of a belt, to transfer the power of the motor to the. The drive coupling joins the motor to the transmission and consists of two plastic drive forks and a rubber coupling between them. The drive shaft is linked to one of the forks, while the second one is connected the shaft that is used for transmission input. As the motor shaft turns the coupling made of rubber between the drive forks absorbs force to stop the forks from breaking. The coupling will wear out over time. In the end, the drive forks may slide and release a burning odor. How to examine the direct drive motor coupling of a Speed Queen washing machine’s direct drive motor coupling:
- Like other inspections, you should ensure that the Speed Queen has been disconnected from the electricity source.
- It is necessary to remove the coupling from your Speed Queen washer in order to observe it with a keen eye. To access it you will have to take off all or part of your washer’s cabinet and depending on the model you have, you might have to also remove the drain pump and/or the motor.
- Visually inspect your motor coupling for cracking, damage or wear. You may also notice burning.
- If you have any issues with your motor coupling you’ll require an Speed Queen replacement direct drive motor coupling.
Clutch Assembly
Some top-load Speed Queen washers include a clutch assembly that powers the basket to spin during the spin cycle. A burning smell in your Speed Queen washing machine may be an indication of a worn clutch, and your machine is likely to be making a loud scraping noise during the spin cycle. A worn clutch could also be evident by the presence of shavings and brake dust in the Speed Queen washing machines. How to check the clutch inside the Speed Queen washer
- Once the appliance is disconnected from its power source, you can look inside the cabinet of your Speed Queen washer to locate the clutch unit.
- To be sure to inspect the clutch assembly, you should take it off the Speed Queen appliance. It will usually be found beneath the tub’s outer surface and is attached to the drive assembly for the basket. You may need to take the transmission and drive motor off depending on your model.
- Verify the condition of your clutch assembly to find signs of burns, wear, fraying or any other issue. If you find any of these indicators you’ll require a new Speed Queen clutch assembly.
Glide and Spring
Some models of Speed Queen washing machines feature an arrangement of a spring and glide on the drive motor to aid in tensioning the belt. The drive motor will have a pivot mount to the base frame , and springs to supply the tension. A nylon or plastic glide is attached to base of the motor to permit it to slide across the Speed Queen washer base frame. This will allow the belts of the pump and drive belts to move slightly as the motor is turned on. It functions as a clutch. The belts may get too hot and emit burns when they aren’t able to slide freely. How to test the spring and glide onSpeed Queen washing machine.
- Unplug your Speed Queen washing machine before beginning.
- Remove or remove the front panel of the washer to locate the spring(s) or glide(s). The drive motor spring and glides by removing the front panels.
- Make sure that the motor is positioned properly, and that the springs have not been stretched and there isn’t any dirt or rust on the surface.
- Check the glide(s) for signs of wear, burning or damage, lubricating them when needed.
- If you find any issues or broken parts while performing these checks, you could require Speed Queen replacement springs and glides.
Drive motor
The main drive motor of most Speed Queen washers serves to regulate mechanical functions like spin, tumble, and agitation. It also serves for the operation of the drain pump. An issue with one of the motor’s components can cause it to get hot and create a smell of burning. If the issue is serious, the motor may become overheated and fail. A damaged drive motor may be characterized by the sound of a ringing or loud noise as it begins. Here’s how to check the drive motor in a Speed Queen washer:
- After you’ve confirmed that your washer is unplugged, take out the cabinet from your Speed Queen appliance.
- To test the drive motor to test the drive motor, remove it. Multiple wires will be attached to the drive motor. Make sure you pull the metal connectors but not the wires.
- You will test the connection to ground as well as the continuity of the motor. The multimeter should be set to Rx1 for both tests.
- To check for continuity, place the probes on the motor’s terminals. This should give a reading of nearly or exactly zero. To determine the connection to ground, place one probe in the terminal and touch the other to the bare housing made of metal. You should not receive any reading from this test.
- If the readings from your multimeter are not in accordance with the previous, you’ll need to replace the Speed Queen drive motor.