I picked up a really nice Electrolux Epic today - for $20!! It had a malfuction that the person selling it did not know how to fix. As soon as the motor would start up, it would shut right back off again, as if the bag was full. Even with a brand-new bag.

So I took it home and futzed with it. Was happy to discover that this machine, after doing a bit of studying, was INFINITELY easier to get apart than ANY of its predecessors!

I had a feeling the problem was connected to the shut-off mechanism. Sure enough, the plastic tubing was all clogged up with some type of powder -- talcum powder it appeared to be. I unclogged the tubing and the mechanism and it works just fine now!

So my first question is, how could something you vacuumed up through the hose get into the shut-off mechanism, assuming that is what happened?

Then my second question is, I see there were two different Epic models --- the 6000 and the 6500. Mine is the 6500, in fact it's a 6500-SA. What's the difference between the 6000 and the 6500?

It sure is a powerful thing but my impression overall is that it's kinda cheesy -- the whole thing is made of plastic and just snaps together like a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The advantage is that it's light-weight.

It runs hot -- is that typical? I removed the exhaust filter thinking it would help it run a little cooler, and doing so did not really make it much noiser as I had feared so I will likely leave the filter off. Of course, it still is a very noisy vacuum cleaner especially compared with some of its older sisters.

I will probably play with it for a while then when I get tired of it, put it on eBay. I am impressed with the suction, and it came with all the attachments including a Sidekick and a very nice hose.

All in all, not a bad deal for $20!!

OH, then a final question --- it is not okay to vacuum up talcum powder? After I had discovered this was the problem, I called the guy I got it from and explained what I had found -- he chuckled and said, yeah, his girlfriend's mother used a lot of talcum powder and she would vacuum up whatever spilled on the floor. Geez! Well, I have never heard of this being a problem with any other vacuum cleaner before, except for those with cloth bags which obviously the powder will clog up, but I mean, I have never heard of a case where vacuuming up the powder could actually damage the machine in some way. What you want to bet, if the guy had taken it into a repair shop it would have turned into a big expensive deal to get fixed ... even though all the guy would have to have done was clean out the tubing lines and control...

I believe the Epic/Diplomat Luxes have General Signal motors in them. Same as Windtunnels and Dirt Devils. Hense the noise. Electrolux quit making their own motors after the Grand Marquise model. If I'm at all incorrect here, someone please correct me, but that's my impression after working on a few of these machines.

On a side note, a local vac shop had an Olympia in for a new motor. He installed an aftermarket motor of Chinese vintage. I had to hear that thing run after that. Imagine an Olympia sounding like a Shark hand vac!!! That poor machine. I offered a used motor, but his customer insisted on a new motor. At least that lux body will last a while longer, but I grit my teeth every time I think of how it sounded. Sorry for the topic drift.

Joe

Those cleaners DO NOT have a Genereal Signal motor. The motor was made by what used to be (and was at the time of the vac's manufacture) Electrolux's own motor plant at Piney Flats, TN. With Electrolux becoming Aerus, and generally going to hell, that motor plant, as an independent manufacturer, continues to build what were the Lux motors for the replacement market. l have been buying them from an independent dealer of theirs called T & B Wholesale, who Jimmy Martin turned me on to. T & B have got to be the most informal supplier I've ever encountered, but I'm pleased with them.


All of the past Electrolux motor disasters cannot be blamed on outsiders such as Lamb and GS. Lux always built their own motors, though Lamb and GS did provide replacement motors for the independent repair industry.

The GS motors I saw must have been replacements then and the vac shops I talked with must not have been able to get anything but the replacements.

Like I said, I could and was wrong. Thanks for the info.


Joe