My everyday car (Mazda 626, 2000cc, turbodiesel, 400 000 km) gave rhythmic, strange engine-sound. I disassembled the cylinder head. One camshaft-pin and one rocker arm lifter were seriously pitted (see picture). All of another surface were perfect. I've change the rocker arm and the camshaft. The engine sound is fine again.
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Maybe that Mazda engine always needs to be filled with engine oil to the max? It seems to have seized due to insufficient lubrication. I drove an Alfa Romeo Mito 2 cilinder a while ago that was known for the same. When the oil level in these is not in the vicinity of maximum level they lack enough lubrication (in corners) and start to have engine damage causing them to consume engine oil.
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Thanks for your opinions! The oil level was at max. But the rocker arm with roller can survive the poor lubrication, because there isn't essential friction (opposite as flat tappet cam follower it is). I suspect the hardening problem or metal particle pollution.
The "skyactiv" Diesels show enormous camshaft-pin erosion after 2014. At video, this seems worn, because the metal is too soft (at the pitting too hard).
The rollers tolerate the low viscosity (for a minimal lower consumtion) and low ZDDP content (low SAPS due to DPF lifetime) engine oils. When I was young, the engines ran with SAE 40-50 warm side viscosity class oil, with a lot of ZDDP, sometimes (a bit later) with molybdenum (MoDTC). The camshaft and flat tappet follower ran forever without worn out...
Yeah, metallurgy can catch out engine makers. I remember Mitsubishi had problems with their piston rings wearing prematurely and for a few years you'd see quite a few Mitsubishis blowing smoke. Hyundai seemed to inherit the issue as they used Mitsubishi derived engines for a while, and they too used to smoke more than you'd expect.
Following up on an old post since I can now speak to the long term reliability. The transmission in the Speed Queen has locked solid. You can hear and smell the motor trying to spin the drum but it won't budge. So 3 years and it is dead and it's just not worth repairing. We still have the LG dryer and it is going on over 12 years with the bearing now starting to go bad. Just placed an order for a new LG front loader washer. Really disappointed after all the hype of the Speed Queen. All around the worst washer we have ever owned.
Our last pair of LG front loaders went ~ 15 years. Yup, bearings and the wheels that the dryer drum runs on were SHOT. I tore it apart and kept the drum for a possible raku kiln build.
My wife really wanted an expensive GE set as a replacement. I'm hoping they last as long
My wife really wanted an expensive GE set as a replacement. I'm hoping they last as long
Here in India, Samsung front loaders are said to be better built than LG and others, according to a friendly repairman.
He says some machines have gearbox and leakage issues, apparently the solenoids leak on to circuit boards.
And direct drive has its own issues.
Just my free advice, no ties to any names above.
He says some machines have gearbox and leakage issues, apparently the solenoids leak on to circuit boards.
And direct drive has its own issues.
Just my free advice, no ties to any names above.
I repaired my Hoover tumble dryer. It had a pulley on the motor that located via a D-shaped hole, but another washer had not been fitted, so it rattled and eventually turned the D into an O, so the drum stopped going round. I machined some new parts and fixed it. That was in 1989. Tumble dryer still works.
We got our house patio door and front door replaced a couple of years ago with no thought to the existing alarm wiring that was present (entry sensors).
Don't use the alarm too often so never thought about it much. Then couldn't set the alarm one day...
Had to fish some wires and source new switches.
Would not want to fish wires for a living!
Don't use the alarm too often so never thought about it much. Then couldn't set the alarm one day...
Had to fish some wires and source new switches.
Would not want to fish wires for a living!
It gets better after a few hundred and way better after a few thousand. I've apparently hit my limit though because it's become increasingly tedious and I'd be happy if I never had to fish another wire.
Oh, what? You want a wire fished behind this hand-painted, irreplaceabe silk wallpaper?
Oh, what? You want a wire fished behind this hand-painted, irreplaceabe silk wallpaper?
Speed Queen is US made so best & loud marketing (“proven performer” 😉), insane prices and not at all comparable to Miele or even moderately priced Bosch/Neff/Siemens, Samsung etc. The latter are way cheaper and live longer.
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I live a few blocks from "Speed Queen BBQ" in Milwaukee. I'm pretty sure it used to be a laundromat that was converted and they saved some money on a sign by keeping the Speed Queen signage.
I‘ve had a fairly recent GE washer and GE microwave, both of which turned out to very poor quality. The top load washer started having problems in the second year when the counter weight (made from concrete) came loose and was rubbing on the tub shaft which created abrasive powder that destroyed the tub and motor bearings. The weight was only secured with two thin sheet metal screws that just tore loose. Fortunately I had the extended warranty as the motor, main shaft, and seals were replaced twice in the next two years. The entire tub was also replaced once due to leaks. Got rid of it after the warranty expired since it required repairs every year or so.
The microwave was of similar low quality that had problems with seemingly simple mechanical things like the door latch and handle, etc.
I’ve repaired lots of appliances in the last 40+ years for myself and friends and GE is now on my list of brands to avoid, as are LG and Samsung.
Just my experience FWIW, and yours may vary.
