Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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

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.
Often, a belt breaks because the machine is running over the edge of a rug or other thick items, perhaps even the vacuum cord. This causes “snagging.” When this happens, the belt becomes stuck and usually overheats. Unfortunately, this results in immediate breakage.
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 major types of vacuum belts are determined by their different shapes. As vacuum designs have improved over the years, new belt shapes have been developed to increase both their durability and their ability to transfer power from the vacuum`s motor.
Under no circumstances can you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. The serpentine belt drives the water pump, and without it, there is insufficient coolant flow to maintain the engine temperature.
If you don`t vacuum your carpet, the dirt will break down carpet fibers and create a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria. In addition, your home will begin to smell musty from the dirt, mites, and other organisms settling into the fibers.
Rough Roads and High Speeds

Every hit and bump a tire experiences contributes to its degradation. Continued abuse will weaken the belts to the point that they begin to fail. Avoid gravel roads and hitting potholes at high speeds as much as possible.

If your vacuum uses a rubber belt, we recommend changing it 3-4 times a year. If you wait for it to break, it`s already too late! Let`s look at why: Rubber belts, regardless of brand, are basically big rubber bands.
If the belt breaks while you are on the road, the car will break down immediately – and your engine can experience severe damage. You need to look out for signs and symptoms of a weakening timing belt so that you can take action before it is too late.
Can I Drive With A Worn Serpentine Belt? Yes, you can. But if you know you have a worn belt, it`s better to get a serpentine belt replacement. There`s no reason to knowingly risk your vehicle and your own safety driving with a bad 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.
There is no one-size-fits-all belt sizing formula. Belts fit differently depending on user sizes and gear combinations. For instance, gun belts measure different standards than a regular size guide due to the flexibility of various holsters. The intended use influences your choice of shapes and even material.
You`ll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.
It drives the alternator, the A/C compressor, the water pump, the alternator and the power steering pump, among other things, so your car can`t function without one. As you can imagine, with so much riding on one belt, it`s important for it to be in good working order.
Sweeping at night is bad luck

“In ancient times, when there was no electricity, brooming at night with minimal lighting might also sweep away expensive items like rings, earrings, and chains out of the house,” he says.

Vacuuming every day, or even a few times a day, is not going to create any long term problems. `But,` you might be thinking, `doesn`t the brushes spinning over the carpet on a beater bar wear it out? ` Sure, but a very small amount.
We would recommend vacuuming at least once or twice a week—and more often if we have pets—with the right tools to remove dust quickly and effectively,” Patel advises.
Without air in your lungs, blood will stop sending oxygen to your brain. You`ll pass out after about 15 seconds. 90 seconds after exposure, you`ll die from asphyxiation. It`s also very cold in space.
Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today`s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.
Today, most serpentine belts are expected to last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Some belts can last significantly longer than this, while others give out before 60,000 miles. Make sure to check your owner`s manual to find out the recommended belt replacement time frame.
For optimal performance, the belt should be changed out every 3 months. Although the belt might look in great condition, it might be putting a strain on your vacuum if it is loosing grip and causing the pulley stress. To find the belt part number compatible with your vacuum, please refer to your manufacturer manual.
A vacuum cleaner can run continuously for 30 – 60 min each time. The vacuum cleaner has no suction power. For example, a hair cannot be sucked up.
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.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

The original belt on my upright Kenmore Progressive broke and I replaced it with the spare that was in the vacuum. The vacuum and spare belt are about 10 years old. Then the spare broke after one vacuuming session and there was a burning smell coming from the vacuum. I ordered new belts and replaced it with the new belt. It seems to be working fine with no smell. I checked the belt after I vacuumed the family room and although it was in tact, the belt was very hot. Is that normal? Should t
ANSWER : The belt heats up due to the friction, as well as being in contact with the shaft of a hot motor. It is normal.

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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.

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My belt broke. I have a replacement. I dont know how to install the replacement belt.
ANSWER : There’s a plastic cover over the agitator. (the part that should spin, with tough bristles)
Unscrew it. Pull out the agitator. Put the new belt over the ‘spinner’ (the part that’s connected to the motor) and the special pafrt of the agitator. Snap the agitator back into place, making sure it’s secure on both sides.
Screw back on the plastic cover.
Wallah!

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Is there any way to repair or replace the belt GUIDE on the inside of the belt compartment of a ’97 Hoover Wind Tunnel (not self-propelled)? It became twisted when a belt broke and now the belt rubs against it and sounds really weird, and I’m sure new belts will continue to break.. This guide is a long piece of molded material (part of the compartent wall) to keep the belt from coming off the pulley. It also had a sort of metal clip on it. It was loose and I took it off because of the way the pa
ANSWER : Honestly you should take it to a vac.shop they can fix any vac.

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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!

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Hi my proheat bissell 7901 stopped pumping water to the floor, but it pumps water from the hand hose. I read the manual and followed how to check belt and the flat belt on right side of shampooer is fine and I turned on and it turns and so do the brushes at the bottom of the machine. I was reading online and I guess there’s two belts on this machine? where can I find the other belt to see if it needs replacing. I guess it’s a ribbed belt? that is the water pump belt?
ANSWER : Just taken ours apart with the same problem… found it was caused by the 2 halves of the main casing coming apart in the area where the upright pedal release is. I found this to be due to the upper casing having broken in 2 places – the bottom of the screw wells..This means that the water tank cannot exert sufficient pressure on the valve to release the water..Only solution is a new top cover assembly

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I have a Hoover Windtunnel U5472-940. The belt broke so I replaced it. Immediately the next one broke. The belt goes around the brush cylinder and a metal post. I think there is supposed to be something on the metal post to protect the belt but I can’t tell from the owner’s manual. I also can’t find out if this is a part that can be replaced. I’ve only had the vacuum about a year and a half.
Thanks
ANSWER : You may have something in your brush bearing that does not allow the brush to turn easily thus stretching the belt. Chris

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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.

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