Janome 6125QC Machine Problem

I use a Janome 6125QC machine which works fine although I have
recently had a problem that I would like to share and ask whether
anyone has had a similar problem and how to overcome.
The problem related to top tension or rather a lack of top tension
which was eventually diagnosed as thread caught behind the top tension
pressure plates. As we all know the top tension pressure plates are
now 'buried within the machine casing on many, likely most, of new
machines and are not readily accessible, at least not on my machine.
Older machines had them on the outside as do some new industrial
machines.
The pressure plates on the 6125QC can be viewed by sighting from the
top and in this case appeared to be 'clean' and running a piece of
fabric through them did not solve the problem ( loose threads on the
underside of the sewn fabric). As it was not apparent how to access
the pressure plates I had to take the machine to a dealer (machine one
month out of warranty) who removed the case, found the problem, and
all is now well.
In my case the dealer was an hours drive away and the cost to remove a
piece of thread amounted to about $100 (£50 plus). Janome UK will not
sell me a service manual or provide any assistance in how to remove
the machine covers to clean the pressure plates as "it is against the
company's policy to prevent the customer damaging their machine". I
find this outrageous but not unusual, so I understand, within the UK
sewing machine industry.
Two questions:
1. Does anyone know if a service manual for the Janome 6125QC is
available in the US and how to obtain a copy?
2. Can anyone tell me how to access the top tension pressure
plates on this machine. I think it is a simple matter of removing the
screws on the top of the machine and the top cover plate should lift
off. I know I could try this but I'd like to be sure that the screws
don't hold a component that might drop inside the machine before I
release them.

Well, Edward, what's the worst that could happen? You take the top casing off and something awful happens that you can't put back? If you're already out of warranty and have to make another trip to a dealer, it will be a lesson you are going to need to learn sooner or later. I have two Bernina 155s. One of them (quite accidentally, I imagine) arrived with a cute little L-shaped tool that has a sort of star indentation on each end. DH and I got very brave. We gingerly took the top off of the 155s and gave them a very sneaky, stealthy cleaning and a little bit of oil. The only caution in reassembly was that the lever that holds the bobbin winder 'in' had to be pushed to 'wind' before removing and replacing the top. The Berninas are very happy and we are quite proud of ourselves. This answer is too long but I just must add that - just a couple of weeks ago, we made a long trip to a dealer to have a teensey spring replaced in the needle uptake area. When we opened the top, we discovered that the dealer had NOT cleaned that area and there was a loose thread just waiting to cause trouble one day. The SMs run quietly now instead of chattering. You yourself will have to decide whether you are skilled enough to go 'where you are forbidden' to go. Do be wary of anything that could be damaged by anything magnetic (?) and don't sit in a bubble bath while the SM is plugged in. I just asked DH if he would want to add anything to this and he says: a screwdriver sometimes becomes 'magnetic' so don't venture close to the computer things inside. Good luck and report back. Polly

It's true about the screwdrivers becoming magnetic -all mine are! How does that happen? Or is it just one of the unexplained mysteries of the universe?
I agree with Polly -if the warranty is already expired, you have nothing to lose. Roberta in D
"Polly Esther" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com...

It seems to be a metallic feature: many scissors get magnetic enough to pick up pins. Most of mine are. . In message , Roberta Zollner writes >It's true about the screwdrivers becoming magnetic -all mine are! How does >that happen? Or is it just one of the unexplained mysteries of the universe? > >I agree with Polly -if the warranty is already expired, you have nothing to >lose. >Roberta in D

They do claim that - and I never did on my two that I had for years! . In message , Polly Esther writes >And just one more thing. Some SMs (and I think it is Viking) claim to never >need oil. It seems to me that our Kate D oils hers anyway. It surely did >make the Berninas quiet. Polly

Hi Polly, Open up a Berninia...you should be proud of yourselves! I'm impressed; you have a bit of the mechanic in you :)
-Irene
-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20 --Mae West=20 --------------

Actually, I need adult supervision to operate complicated mechanical things like the toaster. The maniac in me that wants to keep the Berninas clean overruled the coward. Nevermind that, please give us an update on your new big baby. Does it take a few weeks to settle in or has she already decided the accommodations are acceptable? Polly
"IMS" wrote > Hi Polly, Open up a Berninia...you should be proud of yourselves! I'm impressed; you have a bit of the mechanic in you :)
-Irene

Oh Polly, we have had an absolutely WONDERFUL day and a half with our new baby. She is such a sweetheart She has gone from being tramatized (I know she misses her 'mom' very much) to willingly being handled and kissing all of us. I am right now getting some pics on Webshots and will post them to the ng in about two minutes. What a loving baby she is. We have been truly blessed to have been able to find another wonderful Blue and Gold Macaw so soon after losing our dear Sunshine. -Irene
-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20 --Mae West=20 --------------

Thanks for response and you are quite right of course, what do I have to lose, if I can't fix it myself I still have to take it to a dealer. However, I would have liked to have a service manual or at least an 'exploded diagram' before taking the machine appart to have some idea what I am doing.
What is annoying is the apparent refusal for machine manufacturers to provide/sell to the 'great unwashed' their service manuals. I guess the dealers are very pleased with this policy.

So how close is "around"? My screwdrivers live in a metal tool chest, and the nearest magnet is my pin grabber 2 rooms away. The Pfaff says to oil the bobbin case now and then, but don't touch under the hood. Now I'm tempted to buy a new screwdriver and see what's under there, but I'll wait until a couple of the more urgent projects are finished. Roberta in D
"Polly Esther" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com...