Black Greasy Gunk Coming out of Brother Sewing Machine
 

My Husband bought me a Brother sewing machine, the $200 one with 100 stitches from Walmart back in October that is supposed to be geared for quilters. I read through the manual and it is one of those machines that you don't oil. But I have this black greasy gunk somehow coming down the needle bar - I think it's being carried on my thread - and getting this gunk on my quilts. Just little spots - it looks as if someone marked it with a black pen on accident. What's the deal with this? Has anyone else experienced this? I'm going to open it up and clean it today, but I've done a ton of quilting on my other machines and never had this. I'm annoyed to say the least. :(

I would return it to the store. Seems like the oil that was applied is melting and running out through the needle case. That shouldn't happen. but a machine that doesn't need oiling has oil applied at the factory sometime along the line.
Sue

I had that very recently with a Brother walking foot! I nearly died as it put a huge glob on an important quilt.

I cleaned the quilt per the fast instructions of the ladies on the board and cleaned the inside of the walking foot with alcohol. It seems fine now.

I've never had it coming from the needle bar area, but maybe the alcohol swabs would work there, too.

I would return it because I have had 4 brothers, and one currently from walmart and have not had any of them do that

I have a brother and did experience that when I first got it and it was a really small couple drops. It doesn't do it anymore at all.

It's excess lubricant, the machines may sit in a warehouse storage in all types of weather for months. If the machine is sewing fine just wipe the excess off the shaft.

BellaBoo is right. Use a cotton ball and a bit of alcohol to wipe it off. It is black because the lube is picking up the oxidation from the metal needle bar. Totally harmless and normal.

Thanks guys I will clean it up. Still very frustrating!! Grrr! ;) Thanks for the tips and help!!

The brother machines come apart very easily, with just a few screws holding the housing together...I would take it apart and look for the source, and wipe off any excess grease. I have 2 new brothers and never had this happen...that's just awful...

This just happened to me, too. Did you say you cleaned the walking foot with alcohol? What about the quilt? I see a bit of this black goo over some of the fabric. How did you clean that?

You can use a bit of alcohol, it won't harm your fabrics, just dab it until the spot is removed.