How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :
Q: It smells like the belt is burning. What is wrong? A:It is likely the belt isn`t turning freely on the brush roll. Flip out the belt lifter handle and turn it clockwise until the green arrows line up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirby Belts. Why Do I Keep Burning Belts? It is likely the belt isn`t turning freely on the brush roll.
In many cases, the smoke you see is actually mechanical pump oil vapor. Many people tend to think that whenever there is smoke emitting from the pump, it means there is something wrong with the machine. But, oil vapor or oil mist is a natural by-product of creating vacuum in an oil sealed mechanical pump.
If you`re smelling rubber, the belt has either burned out and snapped or the belt has become so stretched out that the roller is not moving and the vacuum belt is getting super heated from the motors RPM.
Kirby vacuum cleaners are made of die cast aluminum where most other vacuums are made of plastic. This makes the Kirby vacuum more durable than other model on the market. This is why the average lifespan of a Kirby is over 30 years.
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.
Lack of power, a bad power cord, failed drive motor or broken wires in the vacuum hose can prevent the vacuum cleaner from starting. Make sure the electrical outlet that you`re using for the vacuum cleaner works. Try using a different outlet if you suspect that the outlet you`re using is dead.
Blockage – when a vacuum cleaner becomes unusually loud, it is normally because of a blockage of some sort. This is a problem that is easily solved by turning off the cleaner, check for blockages in the pipes, and remove them. You can also check and empty the canister to remove any possible blockages there as well.
Noisy Motor
The motor may be dirty and needs cleaning. Your belt drive may be faulty. The fan may be loose or damaged. Parts in the motor may be wearing out.
Even though you may be diligent about keeping the air inside your home clean when the air is smoky outside, particles from smoke can still enter your home. When you use a vacuum cleaner without a HEPA filter, these particles are stirred up and put back out into the air through your vacuum`s exhaust.
Clog located in the vacuum hose
Turn the unit on and feel the suction at the end of the hose handle. If there is no or low suction, then the clog is in the hose. You can remove the clog by running a long, stiff object through the hose, such as a butter knife, starting at the wall end.
A strong odor from the shellac that coats the copper coil windings is an indicator that the motor is about to or has burnt out. If the motor is still running, even if it turns on and off by itself as it is heating and cooling, you can still run the motor until it gives up for good.
According to experts, a burnt plastic odor could be a sign of worn-out brake pads and is one of the most common causes of a car`s burning smell.
The price of vintage Kirby vacuum cleaners can vary widely, depending on their age and condition. The least expensive ones are probably worth about $100 and high-end models might sell for $2,000 or more. But if you`re looking to buy one that hasn`t been refurbished, expect to spend several hundred dollars.
After years and years of exceptional cleaning performance, their Kirby system still cleans better than any vacuum they previously owned. And with our exclusive Lifetime Factory Rebuild program, rest assured your Kirby system will be running like new for generations to come.
The belt squeals because there is improper tension in the belt drive system. This is usually caused by a worn automatic tensioner, but other causes can include a contaminated belt (oil, belt dressing, etc.) or a belt that is too long or worn out.
This can cause the vacuum belt to slip on the drive shaft which results in your vacuums brush roller turning slower or not at all, which reduces agitation and in turn your vacuum`s overall cleaning power.
Before you spend your time trying to go back over the same areas, hoping you`ll get it all cleaned up the second time around, check out your brush roll and belt. If you`ve cleaned your brush of any sticky stuff and hair, and it all looks fine, you`re likely dealing with a stretched belt.
A typical price for Vacuum Belts is $6 but can range from approximately $4.99 to $26.
The most common problems found in vacuum cleaners are low suction force, excessive noise, burning smell, vacuum not turn on, and overheating. These issues can be fixed by either cleaning the device or replacing some parts of the device. At times, it is best to seek a professional to fix the cleaner effectively.
Overheating usually occurs because the dust bag has not been emptied, filter has not been cleaned or there is a blockage in the floor tool, wand or bent hand piece. If your vacuum shuts down unexpectedly, make sure you turn the vacuum off and unplug it from the wall socket.
the vacuum system may be dirty, the pumping line may be restricted or too small in diameter, the pump may be dirty or with too little capacity, the pumping speed may be restricted due to other causes.
If you listen very carefully, sometimes you can hear a “hiss” sound that is the signal of a vacuum leak. However, the most common way to notice this is when the engine loses fuel efficiency. The reason for this is due to the fact that vehicle exhaust is delayed on exiting the combustion chamber.
Usually, when the leak isn`t too bad, you will hear hissing noises coming from the engine. This may also sound like whining sounds or whimpering sounds. For more severe vacuum leaks, the noise is sucking or suction, much like a vacuum cleaner.