Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :

Because vacuum manufacturers do not share a standardized naming system for vacuum belts, using your vacuum`s model number is the best way to ensure an accurate belt order.
Next to the motor, the belt on your vacuum is just about the most important part of your vacuum. Without the belt to spin the brushroll, most vacuums won`t pick up on carpeting at all! If your vacuum uses a rubber belt, check it once a month for cracks, melting, and especially, slippage.
Put on a pair of pants that fits well and stand in a relaxed position. Then wrap a soft tape measure through the belt loops so the tape is snug but not too tight. This measurement is your belt size. You may need to round up to the nearest even-numbered inch.
First two digits indicate top width in sixteenths of an inch. Next two digits designate sheave angle, in degrees, that the belt is designed to fit. Last three or four digits indicate pitch length to the nearest tenth of an inch. Part numbers are derived from industry standard number.
You should replace the belts on your vacuum at least every three to six months if the vacuum is regularly used. This is very important for proper cleaning.
Vacuum cleaners are fairly simple machines. They need power to be transmitted to the vacuum to create a suction force that lifts debris. So, the usual areas that cause suction loss include the wrong height setting, stuck rollers, a faulty gasket, a broken vacuum belt, a filled bag, or a clogged hose.
A typical price for Vacuum Belts is $6 but can range from approximately $4.99 to $26.
It is often beneficial to change the drive belts in your car approximately every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. By undergoing annual car inspections, you can have your drive belts evaluated. If any signs of damage or severe wear and tear are identified, the belts can be replaced.
If an accidental jam or improper height adjustment momentarily causes the revolving brush to stop, a burn spot or a heat blister in the belt may result, causing a burnt rubber odor. In these instances, the belt is most often rendered irreversibly damaged and should be replaced immediately.
V-belt cross sections can be identified by their top width and depth dimensions. For example, a v-belt with a top width of 21/32” and a depth of 7/16” is a “B” belt. You can also use our Browning Belt Rule that includes a gauge to help easily identify belt type.
One of the easiest ways to increase vacuum cleaner suction is to empty the dust bag or container. Dust containers need to have enough space for airflow, otherwise, they could get clogged and have less suction power. Regularly check your dust compartment and empty or change it when it`s already 70-80% full.
To preserve their shape and effectiveness, handle them gently—no wringing or twisting. Then let the filters air dry for 24 hours before inserting them back into the filter holder. If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, it probably can`t be washed in water.
Over time and extended use, a very fine layer of particles will start to line the inside of a vacuum bag, remaining in place even after the bag is emptied. This means that the bag will lose the proper airflow required to let the incoming air escape. As the airflow is restricted, the suction dies down too.
Have you ever broken a belt on your vaccuum and didn`t have a chance to buy a new one? You can make your own out of duct tape for a TEMPORARY fix. This belt is for TEMPORARY USE ONLY, you might damage your vaccuum if you overuse this belt.
The most common cause of loss of suction is that the filters have become blocked. They may require cleaning or replacing. Another cause could be that the vacuum cleaner hose is blocked.
Difference between V-Belt and Flat Belt Drives

Flat belts are employed for transmitting power to a long centre distance (even up to 15m). The V-belt drive is suitable for short-centre distance power transmission (below 1m). Flat belt drives are commonly used with open type or crossed type.

They`re usually good for 10 years or 150,000 miles. Even so, don`t neglect your car belt maintenance. It`s still a good idea to have a mechanic check the belt from time to time. Usually they`ll do this as a courtesy if you`re in for an oil change or other servicing.
As these belts wear out, they can begin to squeak or squeal. They make noise because there is not enough tension on the belt, or because the pulleys are misaligned or weak. Often, simply changing the belt will make it stop squealing. The noise isn`t usually a danger, though it does sound alarming.
Since you`ll likely only replace your serpentine belt once during the life of your car, it`s generally recommended to take your car to a professional mechanic. You can do a lot of damage to your vehicle if you drive on the road with an improperly installed serpentine belt.
Some equipment has multiple V belts. So when one of them becomes worn or breaks, it`s understandably tempting to replace just that one. But it`s important to replace all of them at once. A machine that uses multiple belts is, by definition, a complex piece of machinery.
To break in a belt, use low gear (if available) while varying speeds and avoiding wide open throttle for 5 to 10 miles. If no low gear is available, vary at moderate speeds while avoiding wide open throttle for 50 miles. Breaking in a belt is about more than a set number of miles and avoiding high engine RPM.
Clear the brush roll of any hair and debris and inspect by placing it on its end and spin. The brush should spin freely. If it doesn`t spin; it may be time to replace.
If all you hear from the vacuum unit is a click at the when you try to start the vacuum motor from inside the house, then the motor in the unit is dead and has to be replaced. A strong odor from the shellac, which coats the copper coil windings, is an indicator that the motor is about to or has burnt out.
Misalignment is one of the main causes of timing belt drive failure. Excessive or uneven tooth wear, belt tracking and tensile failure can all be attributed to misalignment. By checking and aligning your shafts and timing pulleys you can increase the life of your timing belts and save yourself lots of downtime.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I have a Eureka 4870GZ. It turns on, but the brush roller doesn’t move. The belt looks fine. I do have an extra belt and would try replacing the old belt, but I can’t get the old one off the motor shaft or the new one on. I called Eureka customer service. The lady said there’s supposed to be a small space between the motor shaft and the outside edge of the vacuum where I can slip the old belt off and the new one on. I don’t see it. It looks like the motor shaft goes into a recessed place in the
ANSWER : Remove the top cover so that you can access to belt, You’ll find 2 rows of 4 decorative holes on the top cover, In two of the holes you’ll find the screws, Please use a flash light to see in that., Once the screws are removed, you’ll be able to take out the top cover. Pull the belt so that it should rotate the shaft and look for small space in between from where you can take off the old belt and new belt on. remove the agitator from its drive shaft, put new belt in, put the agitator back into place.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Hoover WindTunnel Self-Propelled V Belt
ANSWER : I had this same problem with the V belt on my Hoover Vaccuum..
.There are three (3) basic things that will cause the brush roll not to spin..
.1. When handle is upright, brush roll is OFF..2. When switch is set for HARD surface, brush roll is OFF..3. Broken/worn FLAT belt or V Belt, brush roll will not spin.
.
.I noticed that the brush roll was not spinning when my vacuum was set for CARPET. After removing the cover I noticed that the V belt was loose, I thought the belt was worn so I purchased a correct replacement belt and installed it, but the new belt was also loose and when I turned the large flat belt pulley it did not turn the V belt pulley at the same time..
.I double checked the surface setting and I had the vacuum switch set for carpet, but still when I released the handle out of the upright position the brush roll would still not spin..
.My aggravation finally led me to this posting on FixYa’s website..
.The first thing I did was checked the screw to the left of the V belt as suggested by ejmjr5 and this did nothing to solve the problem or create more tension on the V belt, even when the upright handle was not in the upright position..
.After playing around with the surface setting control switch/nob I notice that when I moved the switch out of the HARD surface setting and over to CARPET, I had thought that the switch was set for CARPET as it visually appeared, but I was not pushing the switch over hard enough to click it into the CARPET setting mode..
.VOILA, the brush roll now spins correctly even though the V belt seams to be too loose for the pulley..
.You really have to force the switch into the CARPET setting. Be sure that you hear the switch/nob click into place..
.Now you can effectively clean up after that hangover of a party!.
.Burp!

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

The brush roller stops turning and I can smell the belt burning, then it will catch and start working normal. I looked under the plate to check the belts and they looked okay and no hang ups of string or anything. The only thing that seemed weird was that the smaller belt that actually attaches and turns the roller is a bit loose. The larger belt is tight but looks like its the one that is burning and causing the smell.
ANSWER : Better to replace both belts the smaller one is stretched out thats whyits slipping ,be sure to clean the old rubber off the motor shaft before replacing the belts.it will cause the new belts to run unevevly and go bad before their time

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

I’m using (or WAS using) a Eureka ”the boss” model 8803. The belt broke, no biggie, so I replaced it with a Eureka model U belt, the problem is when I put the new belt on and turn on the vaccuum, the belt breaks again. I am also having trouble getting the brush roller to fit right when the belt is in place. I can’t find any sharp edges that would cut the belt,nor can I find where any small bits may have broken. Anyone have a solution for me?
ANSWER : First, make sure you have the right belt, second, i am thinking that you are not lineing the roller up right, it will only fit one way. look at the ends of the roller and the grooves where it slides in, you should be able to see clearly how it goes.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Hello,

I am looking for a wiring diagram to install a touch/dimmer switch by “Comfort” mdl # RH-934B – Darjung Ind Ltd.
It has a standard lampcord (two wires) coming from it as well as one white, one black and one yellow wire.
The original touch/dimmer switch (no identification on it) had one white, one black, one red and one yellow – no lampcord.

Thank you very much for your help!

ANSWER : The black and the white will go to the lamp ,eg,output.The yellow is the sensor wire which should be firmly attached to the metal base of the lamp

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Windtunnel belt I have a new Hoover Windtunnel canister. The belt keeps coming off. It happened a couple weeks ago (several times after putting the belt back on) so I assumed I might need a new belt as it might have dried out at the store. I ordered new belts and today I used it for about an hour and the belt came off again, twice. There doesn’t seem to be anything to hold the belt on the stem as it seems to slip off. I have tried it centered, to the left and to the right….can you help. I am v
ANSWER : I’ve successfully used a compatible belt – Royal 104425001 .It’s still new, but for the time being at least – it works.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Have the empower upright cleaner. belt broke. can not find part #36528-040belt. can find a lot of hoover belts but not this #.Is there another hoover belt that will work on this vac?
ANSWER : No. if the wrong belt you will have problems. This is a common belt for Hoover, it used to be 36528027, but the number changed to the 36528040, also 40201190 is the newest number for this belt. Most repair vacuum repair shops should have this belt. You order it online at http://vacuumsuperstore.com/hoover_belts.html

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

I am looking for a Hoover belt chart. Does you know where I can find one?
ANSWER : Www.hoover.com/parts/?category=belts this site should get you everything you need for your vacuum

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums