Bissell Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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

Includes one Pump Belt, COG Pump Belt, and the Brush Belt.
Many of these belts look very similar, but there are differences, and if you try to pick the correct belt just by how it looks, you could very easily end up with an incompatible Bissell vacuum belt for your model. Along with this, some vacuums use multiple internal belts for different functions of the vacuums.
Where do I find the model/serial number of my machine? Model and serial numbers are printed on a label, which is usually located on the back or on the base of the unit.
You may have stalled the brush motor. To reset, turn off and unplug, then plug back in and turn on. The brush roll may have lodged debris or other entanglements keeping the brush from rotating. To fix, you`ll need to remove the brush roll to inspect.
First, unplug your vacuum. Turn the vacuum over and unscrew the 3 silver Philips head screws and remove the bottom cover. Pull the brush roll straight out and slide the belt off. Inspect the brush roll by placing it on its end and spin.
Many of these belts look very similar, but there are differences, and if you try to pick the correct belt just by how it looks, you could very easily end up with an incompatible Bissell vacuum belt for your model. Along with this, some vacuums use multiple internal belts for different functions of the vacuums.

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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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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I replaced my Bissell vacuum cleaner belt with a Bissell belt. I ordered it from them so I know it’s the right one. I replaced it and the roller won’t spin and the belt smells like it burning.
ANSWER : Beckiande485:

You will need to unplug the vacuum from the wall, lay it down so you can see the bottom of the vacuum head and remove the bottom plate (foot plate) Probably philllips head screws. pull up on the roller (called the beater bar). The beater bar will come straight up. Disconnect the belt and check the fittings at the ends of the beater bar… I’ll bet that they don’t spin easily (The fittings have roller bearings in them, and the roller bearings get gunked up with hair, carpet fibers and dirt). Pull the end fittings off of the roller and remove all of the hair and carpet fibers off of the end of the beater bar and the fittings and out of the bearings. Check to make sure that the roller bearings spin freely. If they do not spin freely, put some rubbing alcohol in the bearing (you can pour it onto the bearing and spin the bearing manually until it spins freely, or you can use a spray bottle with alcohol in it as I do. Once the bearing spin freely, dry them out so no alcohol remains in the bearing, then a drop or two of light machine oil (3 in 1 oil will do) in each bearing and spin the bearing again to distribute the oil. Now would be a good time to check for any clogs in the vacuum head where the hose connects, and check the hose for clogs. Reassemble the beater bar and reinstall it in the vacuum with a new belt, reinstall the foot plate.

Your machine should run like new.

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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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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.

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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.

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Belts I have a Hoover self-propelled windtunnel, purchased 6-04. It gets light use. I have replaced the v belt 3 times, once under warranty, and it must be replaced again. It appears to be in very good condition, but is stretched too big. When I purchased 2 v belts a year ago, one was already too stretched,but when my Dad took it back, the salesman put it on another model and said it was fine (Dad never mentioned this to me). Is there a way to adjust the vacuum to hold the belt tighter? Do t
ANSWER : It is the flat belt that gets stretched and should be replaced at least every 6 months. The V belt wears down so it won’t it right in the brush roll V. Maybe the belt tensioner wheel has a problem, sometimes they get hook up and won’t engage the V belt. Check the brush roll also, if where the V belt rides in is covered up with belt, replace it. There is no adjustment, doesn’t need it if everything is working the way it should.

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Smoking belt Hey I have a Eureka 2961 avz bagless vacuum, and if it’s on for a few minutes i can smell the belt burning.  If the vacuum is left on any longer the belt starts smoking.  I took the case off and there was a little debris but not much.  Is there a cause and fix or just time to replace the belt?
ANSWER : Belt is slipping because the bearings on the beater brushes, which it turns, are jammed or full of dust.
.Alternatively the belt has stretched after being overheated and needs replacing because it now slips.

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