Eureka Vacuums
How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :
Its time to open the windows, air out the house and change that vacuum belt. 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.
Burning smell can indicate motor damage
If you suspect that the motor is damaged, you should not continue to use the vacuum cleaner! The cause of motor damage is usually wear and tear or damage caused by prolonged improper use (e.g. overheating). In most cases, it is not worth repairing.
A clogged filter in a Dyson vacuum can create a muffled sucking sound or a high-pitched squealing during use. Additionally, as the filter fills with dirt and debris over time, all the built-up debris begins to emit a burnt-smelling odor. You may need to remove and clean out the vacuum`s filter.
Carpet cleaner smells like burning and may be caused by overheating debris in the machine or a malfunctioning motor. To resolve the issue, unplug the cleaner, inspect for blockages, clean the filters, and check for damaged components. If the problem persists, contact a professional or the manufacturer for assistance.
Submerge the leather belt in baking soda to remove the smell. Note: this option might be more expensive since you`ll need ten to twenty boxes of baking soda, depending on the size of your belt.
Odour problems with new leather
Some new leather bags, belts, furniture, vehicles and jackets have a very unpleasant smell. This can occur when inferior fish oils or other foul-smelling substances were used in the manufacturing process. This should be noticed at the time of purchase.
The air intake pipeline of the brush accessories may be clogged, or the roller accessory may be blocked due to dirt build-up. If you keep using your vacuum while these parts are not fully functioning, there may be an unpleasant burning smell coming from your appliance. Clean these parts and remove any dirt build-up.
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.
Belt is Broken or has Debris
The main reason why a vacuum may be emitting a smell of burning rubber is a broken belt or an object is suck. Excess hair or fur caught around the roller brush can also cause this issue. Turn off your vacuum and let it cool before doing anything.
If you notice a burning rubber smell from cars, it is often a sign that you have overheated the brakes or tires. Overheating usually occurs when your car`s clutch is slipping or not working properly. If you experience this smell and were using your clutch at the time, let the car cool down, and try again.
Thiophenol: you`ve smelled it, if you`ve smelled burning rubber. But imagine the pure essence of burning rubber, distilled and bottle for your pleasure. Very long-lasting, too.
Inhaling burning rubber or plastic is harmful as it may contain chemicals and poisons, such as carbon monoxide and cyanide. Inhaling harmful smoke from rubber can irritate the lungs and airway, causing them to become swollen and blocked.
If your leather doesn`t completely dry off it may develop mold and mildew. This will definitely have a bad odor that is hard to get rid of. Be sure to keep your leather out of direct sunlight and away from heat – it can dry leather too quickly and cause it to crack over time.
Loose or Worn Serpentine Belt
If the belt is slipping or has become damaged, it can cause excess friction and heat, which can result in a burnt rubber smell.
Regardless, these tips will help you keep your belt in perfect condition: Gently brush the belt with a bristle brush to clean off the dirt then blot it with damp cloth. For stubborn stains and scruffs, use a suede rubber eraser or block before brushing again.
If you smell burning plastic in your home, the first thing you need to do is open all of the doors and windows to ventilate the space. There are a few possible causes for this odor, and none of them are pleasant. The most apparent reason is that you accidentally melted or burned plastic.
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.
However, it is normal for vacuum tubes to get hot, and if they are dusty it is possible for the amp to smell like burning dust. This guide will discuss how to identify and remediate an excessively dusty amplifier. However, it is also possible for components to burn up due to certain amplifier malfunctions.
2. Vacuum: If you prefer to vacuum up your scent (as you would vacuum up everyday dust and dirt), you can simply sprinkle a teaspoon of your vacuum scent onto the floor, and vacuum up the particles directly.
Plastic Burning Smell in House
Faulty wiring or an overheated appliance can have an odor that smells like burning plastic. If it`s coming from your HVAC system, it could be from an overheated blower motor — possibly due to heavy dust buildup or a clogged air filter.
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.
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.
– G.E. Dr. Roach: Natural rubber causes allergic reactions in some people, but if he is having no symptoms, the consensus of the sources I read is that there is likely no health impact from the odors of natural rubber.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
The brush roller stops turning and I can smell the belt burning, then it will catch and start working normal. I looked under the plate to check the belts and they looked okay and no hang ups of string or anything. The only thing that seemed weird was that the smaller belt that actually attaches and turns the roller is a bit loose. The larger belt is tight but looks like its the one that is burning and causing the smell.
ANSWER : Better to replace both belts the smaller one is stretched out thats whyits slipping ,be sure to clean the old rubber off the motor shaft before replacing the belts.it will cause the new belts to run unevevly and go bad before their time
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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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Rainbow Vacuum smells like something is burning.
ANSWER : Your belt is worn and that is why there is a burnt rubber smell. You need to change your belt. You can find a replacement belt and instructions here:
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The belt burnt out and it seems as though the red arrown does not release the belt. Like it is backwards from the green arrow. It had a burning smell and the belt broke. Then the second belt started to burn out when the brush roller wasn’t spinning. Not sure what might be wrong. Green light will not come on either.
ANSWER : It sounds as if there may be a piece of the broken belt in there. Look carefully with a flash light and remove any remnants you find, using a pair of pliers if you have to.
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.Also, remove the entire brush roller assembly and clean it up, once again looking for any debris that may cause an obstruction. If you can’t clear the problem I recommend taking it to a vacuum repair as this is too expensive a vacuum not to. Good luck and write back and let me know if you have any questions. I have worked on a number of kirby’s so I may be able to assist you further.
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.Also, remove the entire brush roller assembly and clean it up, once again looking for any debris that may cause an obstruction. If you can’t clear the problem I recommend taking it to a vacuum repair as this is too expensive a vacuum not to. Good luck and write back and let me know if you have any questions. I have worked on a number of kirby’s so I may be able to assist you further.
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Belts Burning On our Ultimate G, belts are lasting about 2 uses and they smell and burn off. I am looking at the roller and I can see a slight grove where the belt rides. Is it time for a new roller. I am sick and tired of replacing belts and smelling up the house. Thanks Dusty
ANSWER : Yes, replace the brush roll, the ends or end is probably bad and causing the belt to slip and burn up.
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Motor is sparking and smells like burning rubber. When it first happened I thought the vacuum had something jamming the beater bar. That was the smell it had, like when the belt gets burned. But when we turned it over, it wasn’t jamming. Took off the base plate and turned it on. The motor area is sparking and it makes a weird noise (I assume that is because the motor fails and restarts). I looked for loose wires, can’t find any. I believe I need some sort of part replaced, maybe even a n
ANSWER : From sound and description most possible is motor is burnt up sparks usually mean metal on metal either bearing or bushings went on motor if u can jiggle the shaft thats bearing if u rotate the shaft by hand and feel and or hear rough grinding the brushes are damaged and the (windings)are also would need to replace motor oreck has a costumer service 800 989 3535 number give them a call not always but some times they will ship a replacement part for free
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Bristles quit rotating and smelled like something was burning. It isn’t the belt that turns the bristles. Can’t afford a repairman, can you help me fix it?
ANSWER : Belt can reamin intact but still jam and burn. It won’t necessarily break. I suggest you remove the bottom of the vacuum where the bristles spins and where the belt is located. You may have something jammed in there. You may need to remove the bristle to get the belt out. Inspect the belt and replace after clearing the obstruiction.
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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.
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.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!
.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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