Quick oil question -- do I or don't I??

[Renata L.]

I read in the post somewhere about oiling machines, and if my machine has a little wick below the bobbin holder, apply one drop of oil there. I bought oil in a little dropper from my machine dealer where I bought my machine, came home, am all set to oil her up. Pull out the manual to be sure I'm doing it right ---- the manual, in the cleaning section, does NOT say to oil the machine at all. It doesn't say NOT to, but nor does it say I need to.

There IS a small little dot of what could be a wick below the bobbin case. But wouldn't my manual say "apply a drop of oil here when cleaning" if I need to????

Going to wait for the moment, but what do you guys say??? It's a Janome 7318, and I can't find anything about oiling or not on the Janome website, though I've not emailed them....maybe I should?

I've done all the other steps listed in how to clean my machine, per the manual, and she's running fine, though was a little noisy (improved greatly when I cleaned the lint from the bobbin area finally). Anyway -- help?!

[wendy w.]

Could the wick be a dust bunny? My machine instructions don't say about oiling but after I added a few drops to the cog wheels behind the bobbin holder bit it purred.

You'd be best taking advice of Janome owners or the company. What did the dealer say? They should know their machines :?

[wendy w.]

Could the wick be a dust bunny? My machine instructions don't say about oiling but after I added a few drops to the cog wheels behind the bobbin holder bit it purred.

You'd be best taking advice of Janome owners or the company. What did the dealer say? They should know their machines :?

the wick thing seems to be a wick; it is how it was described here "a little thing that looks like a bit of fluff but doesn't budge when you try to take it out" and is perfectly round, though small, and in the right spot, etc.

I didn't think to ask the dealer, just said "I need oil for my machine" and bought a little oiler tube thingy.....hmmm....maybe I can shoot them an email.

[Rita C.]

Heather, you would be wise to check the manual, or Janome online, to see if you are supposed to oil your machine. I have a Janome Horizon and it is not supposed to be oiled. The wick thingy is definitely a wick and not a dust bunny.

[Rita C.]

Heather, you would be wise to check the manual, or Janome online, to see if you are supposed to oil your machine. I have a Janome Horizon and it is not supposed to be oiled. The wick thingy is definitely a wick and not a dust bunny.

Rita -- a question. My manual doesn't say TO oil, but also doesn't say NOT to oil. Does yours, not meant to be oiled, say anywhere "do not oil" or does it just leave out "add oil here"???

I'll not put any oil until I hear from a Janome person, either the website or my dealer back home, but just curious.

[Rita C.]

Heather, I just had a look at the manual and it doesn't say not to oil, but it doesn't say to oil either. I did check with my dealer/maintenance guy and he said not to oil it. Definitely worth checking before you do it. Hope that helps.

[Kathryn S.]

Heather, I have a Janome, that is the place to put a drop of oil. If you oil every couple of bobbin changes, the machine will keep on purring. I live about 3/4 mile from my Janome dealer, I'm in there all the time (just to visit). He says to oil there. Whatever you do, don't pull the wick out.

Kathy

[Rita C.]

Kathy, do you have a Horizon? Do you oil it too? If you do then I will too.

[Rita C.]

Heather, I have a Janome, that is the place to put a drop of oil. If you oil every couple of bobbin changes, the machine will keep on purring. I live about 3/4 mile from my Janome dealer, I'm in there all the time (just to visit). He says to oil there. Whatever you do, don't pull the wick out.

Kathy

thanks, Kathy! I believe it was you who told me that was the wick the first time I think I'll put a drop, since it clearly has the space for it, and see what happens and I bought the oil from my dealer, who didn't say not to use it......

[ANNE E.]

I have a Janome 6600 and have never oiled it in the 5 years that I have had it and I was told that it never needs oiling. The little wick that you see has the oil in it.
I think whether you oil it or not is a matter of preference. I clean the machine regularly but never use oil.
There is nothing in my manual to say to oil or not to oil
I've looked in my manual but there isn't a number you could call. If you Google Janome you should be able to find a helpline number for your country.
Hope this helps
Anne

[Lois B.]

Heather, you would be wise to check the manual, or Janome online, to see if you are supposed to oil your machine. I have a Janome Horizon and it is not supposed to be oiled. The wick thingy is definitely a wick and not a dust bunny.

Rita, I have the same machine as you and my dealer told me the technican who does the maintenance on her machines recomends putting just a drop of oil on the wick whenever you clean the machine. I do add the oil most times.

[Rita C.]

That's good to know Lois, thanks.

[Kathryn S.]

Kathy, do you have a Horizon? Do you oil it too? If you do then I will too.

Rita, I have a 6600, not the Horizon.

If I don't oil my machine after every second bobbin, it starts sounding different. When I oil it, it sounds much better!

I'm not sure why Janome doesn't mention oiling the wick in their manuals. If they didn't need to put an oiling spot in the machines, they certainly would not have paid the extra money to do. I think that most machines need to be oiled in the bobbin area.

I take mine in for maintenance once in a while, and they open it up and lubricate inner parts with some special machine grease. Not something I would ever think of trying! Beyond my expertise for sure.
Kathy

[karen f.]

I have a Janome Horizon also. The manual did not say to oil or not to oil so I checked with the dealer and they told me the same as they told Rita. Do not oil. It sure would be easier if they were just clear about it in the manual. I still have doubts especially hearing from you guys who are oiling yours at that wick.

[Anne B.]

Yes, you do.

EVERY machine needs to be oiled. For a time, some manufacturers sealed their machines and told us not to oil them, but all this meant was that our technicians had to unseal and oil them when we took them for yearly servicing. There is no such thing as a sewing machine that's never supposed to be oiled.