Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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

Vacuum Hose

Vacuum line can be rubber, PVC, or silicone. Vacuum hose is capable of handling 25psi, and is designed for vacuum, windshield washer fluid, and radiator overflow use. Vacuum line is just rubber, no cords. It is good for basic non-volatile fluid transfer and air.

However, modern gas cars have streamlined their efficiency, and tend to use less vacuum hoses than cars from that era. Vacuum hoses tend to be anywhere between 3/16 inches in their inner diameter and 5/8 inches.
Start the engine and spray

Scope out all the vacuum lines under the hood. Then start the engine and spray each connection with a light stream of water. If a connection sucks in the water, you`ve found your leak. A vacuum leak can cause a rough idle, high rpm, poor gas mileage and even trigger a check-engine light.

Unlike traditional lines or hoses that transport material, vacuum lines and hoses work to “pull” once something has been pushed. For example, when you push down on your brakes, a mechanism is required to pull them back up. Vacuum lines and hoses create reverse pressure to move these kinds of parts.
With shop vacuum sizes, 2-1/2″ is the right size for overall cleanup tasks. Sometimes a vacuum will come with a smaller hose, sometimes an intermediate size. Our Festool dust extractor has a 27mm hose, which works great with many handheld power tools, like sanders. Smaller shop vacuums come with 1-1/4″ tubes.
Aside from being somewhat easier to coil and manage, the smaller diameter hose has an effect on performance as well. As you shrink the diameter of your opening, two things occur simultaneously. Your CFM (air volume) drops and your water lift (suction power) increases.
Hose diameters range from 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch. In the United States, most standard garden hoses are 5/8-inch in diameter. The bigger the diameter, the more water is delivered. The bigger the diameter determines how much hose can be put on any of our water hose storage products.
With shop vacuum sizes, 2-1/2″ is a good size for general cleanup tasks. Sometimes a vacuum will come with a smaller hose, other times an intermediate size. My Festool dust extractor has a 27mm hose, which works great with many handheld power tools, such as sanders. Smaller shop vacuums come with 1-1/4″ hoses.
The diameter of car wash vacuum hose typically refers to the inner diameter of the hose. The most common diameter sizes are 1.5” and 2”. If two colors are listed for a hose, the first color usually refers to the outer ridges, while the second color refers to the inner grooves.
A perfect vacuum (100%) as measured in all units including PSI, mmHg, Torr, mbar or inHg, is 0.
What is a Good Suction Power for a Vacuum Cleaner? An upright cordless vacuum cleaner should have at least 100 air watts to effectively clean a variety of floor surfaces, with the best Samsung vacuum cleaner reaching up to 210W*.
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.
If your system is 20 years old or less, it is likely a universal fit. All of the newer central vacuum systems use outlets with holes measure 2.5 inches in diameter. Just lift up the flap and measure the hole diameter. If your measurement is 2.5 inches, universal replacement hoses will fit!
Vacuum Diagrams is a collection of science fiction short stories by British writer Stephen Baxter. The collection connects the novels of the Xeelee Sequence and also shows the history of mankind in the Xeelee universe, and ultimately the universe.
The pump works through positive displacement to move air from the vacuum system and then through the crankcase ventilation into the air intake system. Early designs of the vacuum pump include piston or diaphragm pumps which were driven by the camshaft. Modern engines use vane pumps.
Vacuum Hose – 7/32″ [5.6 mm] ID – Black.
The 240 volt version motors are not used very often, so vacuum shops around the country will normally stock the 120 volt motors, but not any 240 volt options.
Our basic vacuum hoses come in many lengths, including: 25ft, 30ft, 35ft, and 50ft.
Standard vacuum hoses can be purchased in 10` and 20` lengths.
Normal Engine Operation

At idling speed, an engine at sea level should show a steady vacuum reading between 14 in. and 22 in. Hg. A quick opening and closing of the throttle should cause the vacuum to drop below 5 in., then rebound to 23 in. or more.

Hoses are measured by inside diameter, unlike tubes which are measured by outside diameter. As a matter of fact, that is how the hoses and tubes are differentiated. Dash numbers, the industry standard, are typically used to describe hose and coupling size.
Polyethylene tubing (1/4 inch OD – 6.35mm)
A garden hose size of 1/2-inch in diameter works for most home lawn and garden uses. A few specialty hoses offer a 1-inch diameter, but length choices are limited. Larger diameter hoses are for heavy-duty watering tasks.
Hose Diameter

Because standard household piping is typically ½ inch in diameter, most homeowners only need a standard garden hose size of ½ inch in diameter. A 5/8 inch diameter garden hose size may also work for you, but you`ll likely be adding unnecessary weight with this size hose.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Dirt devil vacuum cleaner–trouble vacuuming dirt and pet hair on carpeting –is the problem with the spinning brush which contacts the floor,  not contacting the carpeting??  I thought (when I bought this vacuum) that the aforementioned brush was adjustable to various heights of carpeting.  Sometimes, it seems like nothing is being vacuumed up –unless I have just put a new bag on the vacuum… Do I need or can I replace the spinning brush on the bottom of the vacuum so it kicks up and vacuums
ANSWER : Try replacing the belt. Rubber belts stretch out after about a year.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

I purchased a brand new Eureka Pet vacuum, sorry don’t know exact name but it the one that has the self cleaning duster on it. Last night I used the vacuum on my carpet, it was working fine until I accidently sucked up the corner of a scarf that was hanging off a couch. I shut the vacuum off, pulled out the scarf and and resumed vacuuming. Much to my dismay the suction on the vacuum had ceased. Can you tell me if there is a reset button on the vacuum? The vacuum does not appear to be damage
ANSWER : If the motor is running, there should be suction. Possible problems depend on whether it’s a canister or upright and are:
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
.
.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Bissell 37604 Bagless Upright Vacuum. Hose keeps clogging every time I vacuum. Is there a way to prevent this?
I am ready to buy a new vacuum, but it does do a great job picking up hair…until it clogs. It clogs at top of hose. Could the hose be kinked? It does not look like it.
ANSWER : That is a defect in the design of that style of vacuum. I went back to my old vac because I got so tired of having to unstop it. The sharp turns in the hose and the molded plastic causes it. Find one without the turns.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

I have a Kirby G4 Vacuum Cleaner – MOdel G4 D. I have never had any problems or repairs done to it in the past ten plus years that I’ve had it. This is an upright vacuum. I was vacuuming the carpet floor and was not having any trouble at all. I switched the vacuum off and moved it into a different room. When I tried to turn on the vacuum, it would not turn on. I checked with different outlets, used both front attachment and hose attachment. Checked the front part of the motor/ spiral case. This
ANSWER : Hello,
.My educated guess is that it’s either the switch or the power cord. Here are a couple of guides to help with diagnosis and repair…
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/COMMON-PROBLEMS-WITH-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-TROUBLESHOOTING_W0QQugidZ10000000003800312
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-THE-POWER-SWITCH-ON-ANY-KIRBY-G-SERIES-VACUUM_W0QQugidZ10000000003752018
.
.Hope this helps!!
.Marci

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

I have a Eureka Boss Power Plus and the beater bar is rolling, the belt is turning, but after vacuuming up around the litter box (not a lot of litter), when I turn the vacuum off, the litter, or even household dirt, falls out. When I hold the vacuum back to turn it off so that it doesn’t fall on the floor, it’s sitting in the cubby where the wheels are. The bag is empty, the hose is not plugged, the hose is securely fitted on both ends of the unit. This vacuum was purchased in July and is being
ANSWER : Even though the brush is spinning, you probably need to replace the belt2_bing.gif because it is stretched. It is probably slipping on the beater bar. This is normal and you shouldn’t be alarmed. There is nothing wrong with your vacuum. 🙂

Jim

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Need diagram for vacuum hoses on 4.2 F150 – Vacuums
ANSWER : Take a look here:
.
.http://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=54643
.
.Hope that helps

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

I have an electrolux central vacuum in my house. My central vac hose has something stuck in it, I think, maybe a sock. I tried to put a long dryer wand down it but the hose is just too long. Does this need a repair man or new hose?? Any idea of a way to blow it out? Thanks.
ANSWER : The best way to clear an obstruction is to blow it out by attaching the wall end to the exhaust of a shop vacuum, or using an air compressor.
.You can try holding the wand end of the hose directly to the CV in port and turning the machine on. This provides essentially the same action as the previous method.
.If neither of these work, try a combination of the two. Or using a shop vac, hold the wall end to the exhaust of the vacuum and the wand end to the in port of the shop vac. Turn shop vac on and the obstruction should come out.
.Borrow a good strong shop vacuum if you need to.
.If these methods fail, take it to an authorized Aerus Electrolux store and have the service tech try to clear it. Care must always be taken when trying to clear an obstuction with a long object, especially if it’s pointed. I’ve seen many hoses that have shorted out and even caught fire due to the wiring accidentally being “nicked”.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums

Hose Problem The hose broke just above the cuff on the inlet end of the hose.  I found that the hose doesn’t thread into this cuff but appears to be heat bonded in some way. Can I get a replacement cuff or do I have to replace the hose?
ANSWER : Looks like you can just get the hose, part #38479-4, It should just screw into the adapter or it may be glued in.

Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums