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.