Servicing Woes
 

Well, my Husqvarna Viking Freesia was due it's first service (Stitch quality - and length - had begun to be a little variable, and I could see lint build up that I couldn't get to (I tried to get the housing off to have clean myself, but couldn't). Anyway, we're more than a little limited in my neck of the woods, so I ended up taking it in to the place where I'd had my daughter's machine sorted out (they appear to have done a good job for her, but it took about two months). Five weeks later I have my machine back - but something is not right! The machine seems really noisy now, and I'm also getting a clicking noise every time the needle goes up and down. I was also disconcerted to find oil in the bobbin area (the Freesia is self lubriating and - following the manual's instruction - I have assiduously not oiled. But perhaps when being serviced oil is added somewhere?). I don't know what to do! I was so relieved to finally have it back (I have been using my daughter's machine in the interim, but it is not the same - and I have a bag to make which her machine could not cope with). I know that the machines were sent off site this time around (last time I was told - repeatedly - that their engineer was unavailable, this time that they were waiting for a call to pick up the machines). Does it ever take a little time to 'bed' the machine in after a service? Does anyone know about the oiling issue?

Your machine should be purring like a kitten when newly serviced. If there was something they could not fix they should have informed you of it. It will be oiled when serviced so that is ok. Personally I think I would take it back and insist they either make it right or refund at least some of your money. (They did apparently clean it which is worth something.) Then I would find someone else to service it next time.

I have a new Dream machine and while embroidering recently I noticed some 'clicking' too; then I remember that on this machine I have to occasionally make sure to check that the bar that holds the foot and the needle screws are tightened up good. When I checked the needle it almost fell into my hand; I changed it anyway because I figured it'd gotten flattened on the end from the clicking - from hitting the plate. That might not be your issue but is worth a check. But yes it should be running like it was new. I too would find another place. At one time we had an individual who serviced and repaired machines in his home. He did a great job; unfortunately he's passed away so I do go to the quilt store where I bought it. They service them on-site. Good luck.

no - it should not take any time for your machine to break in after serviceing, unless they replaces some major mechanical components.

If it's clicking, then the timing is not right. Sounds like someone who did not know your particular machine messed with it and gave up when they had it "good enough".

I would definitely take it back & show them what it is doing & request it be re-checked by their TOP repair man without any extra charge. If they can't fix it I would request my money back & never use them again.

My manual for my Babylock Espire also says not to oil but when I took a class on machine maintenance we were told that we should put a drop of oil in the center of the bobbin case periodically despite what the manual says.

I agree with all the other suggestions about getting the repair shop to fix or refund your money.

Having trouble in our area getting quality service as well. Drove with my neighbor almost an hour to what had been a major Viking dealer. When I saw the shop had gotten smaller, I asked if the machine would be serviced on site. They said yes, but later found out it was shipped to a location in NJ which would have been about the same drive, but at least not sitting waiting for the once a week pickup. They had her machine for a month and her embroidery machine has never worked correctly since.

So sorry for your machine woes! I'm fortunate to have an awesome dealer/repair person in my area so have no worries. Your machine should be purring like a kitten when it comes back! Good luck resolving your issues.

Some machines have heft and right timing someone who does not know this can really mess up a machine it definitely needs to be corrected before it does more damage. It was obviously someone who does not know about machines that worked on it.

I never once oiled my bobbin case in the years I had my espire and the same for my dreamweaver. Why would they tell you to go against the manual. There are reasons the manual is written the way its written

You need to take the machine back immediately while the warranty on service is still in effect. Sometimes this is as little as 30 days. It sounds to me as if the machine was serviced incorrectly.

Your warranty work should be done by a Viking dealer/ service shop. If you had someone else do the work it may have cancelled your warranty and they may have damaged the machine. I've had my Viking for 13 years now, have always taken it to the dealer for service. It has never taken longer than 48 hours to have it back ( even when they had to order a part) and it is always like new for a few more years. I would Not take it back to the same people again and risk more damage- Vikings are too expensive to risk it.

I'm sorry you're having problems. I can't speak to the other stuff, but I wouldn't worry about the oil. My Viking Sapphire gets oiled when serviced, even though the manual says not to oil it. They build them so that the oiling points are inaccessible, so that you have to take it in for service periodically.

All machines gets oiled when serviced by a tech. Knowing where and how much is the key. The manual says no oil so if oiled while under warranty will void the warranty. The manual will always say have machine serviced by a properly trained technician.

So sorry for your machine problems. I would only go to a service person that works on Vikings. The one that works on them in our area is a ways away but he knows everything about Vikings. Could you call a Viking dealer in your state and find out who they recommend? Hope you can get this resolved. As for the drop of oil, the manager of the Viking dealership told me I could put one drop below the bobbin. I did this one time and then wiped it off. I have had Vikings for for over 40 years. Never oiled them, not starting now!!

I had a horrid experience with my Janome but a CERTIFIED dealer. He had it 2 months and still could not fix it. I finally called the dealer who I bought it from (out of state). I sent it to them and they had it fixed in less than a week. They also said it was an easy fix. Fortunately I had not given this jerk any money. And he was horribly rude when I went to pick up the machine. I told him I would call the police if he did not give it back to me and pulled out my phone.

I called Janome and was VERY unhappy with them. They stood up for this dealer and his horrible customer service. I know live in Phoenix and have a great dealer here.

It was explained to me by a repairman that the no oil machines have oil embedded in the metal but after a time, a very small drop of oil is a good thing, especially if you use your machine frequently. I use a pinpoint oiler and place a very small drop on the race hook about once a month. You don't want to gum it up, either.

Embedded silicone in no oil machines last a long time but still need lubrication on some moving parts that only a tech can get to without voiding the warranty. Oil made for sewing machines evaporate. Using the wrong oil will collect dust and turn to gunk.

I can't believe that it took two months to get your machine back and in worse shape than when you brought it in. I would report them to the Better Business Bureau. I've never had a machine in for service taking more than a few days, not months.

I have to drive about an hour now to get my Bernina serviced. To me, its worth the drive because they are a good dealer who services all their own machines and stands behind their work.

If the machine isn't right, it should go back ASAP. If the needle is hitting, the timing may be off, or the needle is bent or isn't pushed all the way up. Put a new needle in and see what that does. In that particular machine, oil goes in the center hole, under the bobbin case and on the feed dog linkage -- both of which are under the needle plate. It's a machine, it needs oil. There's really no such thing as a self-oiling machine. What they mean is that they don't want the consumer to oil it themselves, they want you to pay them to do it. You don't want to take the cover off that machine yourself, they're pretty tricky. 5 weeks to 2 months is a crazy wait time! We can usually get machines serviced in less than 2 weeks. But then we usually only have about 10 to 20 at a time.

We have a very good dealer in our area that services the machines they sell plus others. They never take long to service or fix them

I have always wondered about the 'you don't have to oil'. My first Bernina was the vintage 830 and it needed to be oiled..no problem. My second Bernina was an 1130 and I was told it didn't need oiling. Never understood this as the machine is suppose to me made with more metal. After pondering this a long time, I just wonder if when the sales people tell you it doesn't need oiling is because they are expecting you to get it serviced at least once a year....as is not a bad idea if you use it alot. These are just my thoughts about the oiling issue....personally I think finding a 'good' servicer is the challenge!

Thank you to everyone that replied - I was reassured that I wasn't being unreasonable, and my machine is back at the shop. Alas that I live in the middle of nowhere, my options are pretty limited (using Husqvarna's website to locate a store brings up the place I took my machine to, and second the place that that store shipped my machine to). I am very fortunate that I have the use of another machine (although it's not like mine, sob!), and I am crossing my fingers that things are properly sorted as soon as possible...