top loader water levels

[fluffy]

(Quick comment - just found this board the other day and posted this morning on a lease problem I'm having...what a great resource this board is - so many experienced people posting here!).

To my new question: today I had my head inside the guts of one of my Speed Queen top loaders while it was running (was watching the motor and brakes run). I noticed water spilling out from the top (which I haven't seen before...but figured it might be because there were no clothes in it to absorb water). That got me thinking as to why the water level is that high anyhow...long story short, I noticed there was a three position lever behind the pressure/level sensor which you can adjust (the tech manual, of course, doesn't say what this lever does, but it seems to control the fill level). So, I changed all my level switches from position 1 to the middle position...has anyone else fiddled with their default water level fills?

It seems to take 1-2 inches off my fill...of course good for me, just wondering if customers will notice, etc.

[Outlaw]

Those are called 'owner adjustable water levels', SQ ships them set to the lowest level, so someone has turned them up on you at some point in the past. I always turn mine 'up' to the middle position because on the lowest setting customers do complain.

[Anonymous]

Speed Queen level controls often have a spot of paint on the adjustment screws that will indicate to you if they have been moved.M ake sure you don't have another problem like a bad drain situation ie,kinked hose,bad pump,clogs etc.Most top load levels are very high,maybe you tub lid has a bad seal.Check to see if it drains properly by jumping the lid switch and run it empty to see how and where its leaking.Good luck

[Outlaw]

ROB, these particular machines have a pressure switch that has a 3 postion cam that you can adjust to change the water level. They are similar to a domestic machines water level control but lack the shaft protruding though the front with a knob on it.

[pete f]

I assume you have newer SQ's, as mine all have the screw for adjustment.. If water is comming out of the tub down the side then you may need to replace the gasket between the white lint/sock plastic thing on top of the tub. The gasket is really a large thin round rubber o-ring. The plastic thing snaps off with a little prying, peel the old gasket out, put the new one in and pop it back in place. If the water is overflowing the top of the lint ring then it is a pressure switch problem. If you have no overflow with your new setting then not to worry... but do a load (over loaded) to check that the water does not splash and run out. I have replaced many of these gaskets over time.
I can give step by step if need to access the lint ring.

[PeterH]

In an SQ service school I attended recently, the SQ factory tech talked about "aggressive spin" and that water coming over the top of the tub can be caused by this. Aggressive spin is when there is not enough slip between the drive belt and the transmission, so the transmission spins the tub up to speed faster than it should (faster than the pump can drain) causing water to be throw over the top or forced thru the subtop. That stuck with me; how to remedy it did not.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the model,your belt has "cloth" on the sides.This material is to let the belt slip, working as a clutch.If you look at some belts they have rubber sides,this is a direct drive(no slip) design.All you may need is a new belt.

[BWJR]

I have one of my Maytag Tops that the water level is about 3" lower than the others. I bought them used about 3 years ago. Never had a problem with them. Can i adjust the level to bring it up?

BWJR

[Outlaw]

BWJR, inside the control panel behind the water temp selector is the pressure switch, with the tub empty turn the adjusting screw on the switch (the screw that is pushing against a spring loaded button) CLOCKWISE one complete revolution at a time, fill and compare, drain before adjusting further then fill again and compare. Clockwise to raise level, counter clockwise to lower.

[BWJR]

Thanks Outlaw, I'll try it tomorrow.

BWJR

[Outlaw]

No thanks needed but you're welcome, I only hope it helps.