Originally Posted by ghostrider
When the foot is down, the tension discs are engaged and you are putting undue stress on the thread and the discs when you pull it to thread the needle. This is true for any sewing machine. I think your repair guy's explanation is right on and you should listen to him. I never thread machines with the foot down...it's like pushing a car with the brakes on. :D
This is exactly what I have been told. I was also told years and years ago (machines were not digitized then) that to adequately change your tension on the machine the presser foot must be in the DOWN position. Have not read that on any NEWER machines, but I always to it that way.