Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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

If you closely inspect these “vacuum rated” hoses you will see holes pricked about an inch apart throughout the entire length. This is called Hose Pin Pricking. “Pin-pricking a hose cover permits trapped gases or vapours to escape from the hose carcass.
Taking Care Of Your Vacuum Cleaner

The only time a hose needs to be replaced is when there`s a puncture in it that prevents proper suction. If you change the tube and it still doesn`t run correctly, then there`s another issue which might indicate the need for a new vacuum cleaner.

Using silicone tape to patch a vacuum hose is a simple and effective way to repair a damaged hose.. Silicone tape, also known as self-fusing silicone tape or Tommy Tape, is a flexible, waterproof material that can be easily wrapped around a vacuum hose to create a strong, airtight seal.
Engine loses power or won`t start

If the pressure is too high, it can cause a head gasket to be pushed out, can cause cylinder head hardware to break or in some cases, will cause detonation inside the engine.

Fortunately, it is easy to repair a vacuum hose with this problem and the hose will only be a few centimeters shorter once repaired. In some cases, you wont need any new parts to complete the repair, but if you do they are readily available and much cheaper than a new hose.
A vacuum tube, electron tube, valve (British usage), or tube (North America), is a device that controls electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric potential difference has been applied.
Generally, the vacuum hoses on your vehicle are made from rubber and are supposed to last for a lifetime. The rough conditions that exist under the hood of your vehicle usually lead to these rubber hoses becoming damaged over time.
A vacuum leak can be caused by just about anything from a broken gasket or loose hose connection to a cracked engine block. You`ll only know the culprit once you`ve done some testing.
Under Pressure

If your hose can`t handle the vacuum pressure then it can collapse or pinch, resulting in a loss of suction which may appear as a stalled evacuation.

If you notice a hole in your vacuum cleaner bag or hose, no need to take it for repairs or even to replace it. With duct tape, such holes can be sealed within the blink of an eye. All you have to do is wrap the tape around the damaged area, and the flow of air will come back to normal again.
Hoses burst from an increase in pressure that causes weak points in the hose to develop and burst. This pressure can build up due to frozen water in the hose or a degradation of the material the hose is made of due to adverse conditions(ie heat, animals, weathering, etc).
Vacuum hoses have an important job in your car`s engine. They help to maintain the proper pressure within the engine, which allows the fuel, the air, and the spark to work in tandem as they`re supposed at just the right times. When vacuum hoses go bad, that entire process can fall apart due to pressure loss.
Gas, either from poor manufacturing processing, out-gassing from elements, or seal leakage is the primary failure mode of glass tubes. Secondary to high-vacuum (gas) arcs are problems like bad welds or grid or cathode materials that fall out of alignment due to thermal or mechanical stresses.
Depending on how they`re used, how well they are manufactured, tubes eventually need to be replaced. In some circuits that`s a year—in others, far longer. Tubes rarely die quickly. Instead, they just slowly get duller and duller.
Vacuum Tubes: Disadvantages

Bulky, hence less suitable for portable products. Higher operating voltages generally required. High power consumption; needs heater supply that generates waste heat and yields lower efficiency, notably for small-signal circuits. Glass tubes are fragile, compared to metal transistors.

Specifically, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) ducts are another example of a material prized for its use in vacuum cleaner hoses. PVC flex ducting is especially valued because, in general, flex ducts made from PVC feature smaller, more maneuverable diameters.
Motor. Every vacuum has a heart, the part that keeps it running and this is the motor. Where is your vacuum cleaner`s motor located? It is the heavy part of your vacuum attached to a fan where air is forced over to expel the exhaust.
From top to bottom, the components are the anode, the cathode, and the heater filament. Vacuum tube diodes contain only two electrodes (besides the heater): A cathode and an anode. The filament heats up the cathode, producing a space charge.
Vacuum Leaks Cause Engine Performance Issues

Specifically, because there is too much air and not enough fuel in the engine, your engine may stall, stutter, or lag in acceleration when you press down on the accelerator. This is because the engine is fuel-starved, which means it doesn`t have enough fuel.

You may feel your engine hiccup or sputter, and this is a sign that your vehicle isn`t getting enough fuel. In severe vacuum leak cases, your engine might stall, especially if it`s unable to maintain power during an idle.
On average, a vacuum-sealed product under freezing conditions can last up to 5-6 months or even 1-2 years, depending on your freezer capacity. On the other hand, refrigerated vacuum-sealed products can last up to 1 to 2 weeks.
Standard vacuum hoses can be purchased in 10` and 20` lengths.
Hissing or Sucking Noises

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.

Broken vacuum tube or hose: The most common cause of a vacuum leak is a broken, torn or disconnected vacuum hose or tube. Because of the extreme heat generated by an internal combustion engine, these plastic and rubber tubes can deteriorate or break and cause a vacuum leak.

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.

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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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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 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

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Unbeknownst to me, someone took the bag out of my Kenmore Progressive vacuum and failed to replace it. I have been vacuuming without a bag for months, and today the vacuum stopped sucking. When I opened up the front to replace the bag, tons of dirt and dust came pouring out. I thoroughly cleaned the vacuum, put in a new bag, but still no sucking power. Just dust coming from the rear vents where one of the filters is. Is the vacuum ruined, or is it a simple solution of buying a new filter?
ANSWER : Sounds like you need to buy a new motor. All that grit and dust will ruin a motor and I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did.
.This is where a vacuum that won’t run without a bag would have been nice. (Aerus for one)

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Electrolux Epic 6500SR Full Bag sensor working, Does not Reset properly
ANSWER : The problem was a sticking switch that was not being reset. The vacuum on/off switch mechanism is comprised of two switches. One is the main switch that turns the vacuum on and off. The second is a shut off switch that gets tripped when the full bag sensor is engaged. This second switch is supposed to get reset when you push the on/off switch on the outside of the machine. The full bag shutoff switch was stiff and it, therefore, was taking a couple of presses of the on/off switch to move the shutoff switch back into the running position.

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My home has a central vacuum system hook-up but no vacuum installed. My friend upgraded his central system and gave me his Eureka Mega Boss central vacuum system and the accessories, including the pow
ANSWER : The power head requires 120 Volts. Some hoses have a receptacle in the handle for the power head plug, and the hose has a cord at the wall inlet end that plugs into a receptacle. Some hoses have a plug at the wall inlet end that plugs into a 120Volt receptacle built into the inlet. The hose plugs into this receptacle when you push the hose into the inlet. The power for this built-in receptacle is wired with line voltage when the system is installed.

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I have a Kenmore canister vacuum – model 25614506. Some time ago, I was not able to turn the vacuum off with the on/off switch, but could still use the vacuum. Turned if off/on by pulling the plug. The other day when I went to plug it in, I heard a pop. Now the sweeper runs but the vacuum cleaner does not **** – no air flow. What could be the problem. The cleaner is only 4 years old.
ANSWER : The motor has an inline fuse

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