Dyson DC18 Brushroll Issues

I didn't mean any offense. I remember watching paid infomercials years ago which was the first time I ever saw a bagless vacuum. I caught all 4 Fantom Technologies infomercials for the original Fantom Thunder, then the Fantom Fury, then the Fantom Lightning and the Fantom Cyclone XT. I thought the machines looked really neat cause you could actually see what you were pulling up. Then I eventually caught presentations of the Fantoms on The Home Shopping Network. Chris Scanlon used to do the presentations and she didn't use any glitter, sand or anything, she just vacuumed a rug and showed viewers what she got. Later I heard about Dyson and saw that the UK had them but not in the U.S. They looked like a completely revolutionary awkwardly designed machine. They finallly hit U.S. market and people were very excited at first including myself. But a closer look in the store and there were some things about them that turned me off. Of which I can't say that I have found any vacuum on the market to be perfect. There are atleast 2-3 things minimal on each one I've ever used that I want changed, whether its wheel material, agitator bristle stiffness, agitator cavity width etc.

I've done housecleaning for years and through my own household, relatives, work environments and more I've used many many vacuums. You have an interest in Dyson along with millions of others in the U.S. and around the world and that's fantastic. I have only used 2 models. I clean a house with a DC07. The husband likes it, the wife and myself do not so when her Kenmore Progressive canister died, we had a lull where I used mainly Dyson and a few months back she bought a Hoover S3670 Windtunnel bagged canister. Strangely enough the Dyson struggled the mostly on cleaning area rugs. I was able to fit a generic bare floor brush on it for doing laminate and tile floors but the agitator wasn't working good on the carpets so I brought my own Hoover PowerMax canister over during the lull.

The other Dyson I've used was a DC21 powerhead canister which I trialed at Sears. It was different, but I didn't mind it. I think if the wand rested in an upright position rather than having to lean on chair I may have liked it better, along with the fact it was out of my price range.

Over the years I have worked on Kirby, Filter Queen, numerous Hoovers, Eurekas, Dirt Devil, Bissell, Orecks, Panasonics, Kenmore, and possible a few others I can't think of right now. The only work I've done to a Dyson besides general use was wash filters as we noticed a definite decrease in suction. I read the Dyson DC07 manual for my client trying to troubeshoot why it wasn't doing well on carpet and the manual did not even mention the agitator, nothing about a clutch, belt or even replacing the brushroll. Sorry that I cannot offer any further assistance with your DC18 but I do wish you the best of luck getting that corrected and hope it is not too costly.

Another brand I haven't had luck with is Oreck. I have tried 3 different models of his lightweight XL series uprights. Not the XL21 just the original series. I experienced allergy flare ups during usage with each, along with difficult maneuverability and not so impressive dirt pick up. In repairing one, quite a few of the tabs on the inside of the housing where screws go into had broken off and were laying inside the housing when I looked inside one. I have heard good things of Oreck 21's and the new Quest Pro power head canister is neat. I also trialed that at Boscov's.

If you've never tried a Hoover Tempo, I would however encourage you to try one at your local vacuum shop or I tried one at Boscov's Department store. For that price the power is really amazing. It doesn't state Windtunnel Technology anywhere on it, but the agitator cavity is the same as a Hoover Windtunnel Supreme.

I look forward to being helpful with some of your vacuums if any issues should arrive. I see you have a dirtcup Hoover Decade 800 in your collection. Those are great machines, and the dirtcup model was a rarity. I love the dual headlights on those. Our household had a Grey Decade 800 for many years, I was always ensuring that the air freshener scent tablet was fresh when I was young.


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Post# 186385 6/19/2012 at 21:35 (4,322 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes I have a Dyson DC18 and the power nozzle will not turn on. I have disassembled the brush roll and cleaned everything in and around it, and that did nothing. I have also tried messing with the brush roll on/off switch, as well as resetting the brush roll. Both have failed. The two electrical prongs that plug into the vacuum itself are not damaged in any way either. I really don't want to spend $130 on a brand new power nozzle either. So my question is, has anyone had this problem with their DC18? Is there a way to fix the power nozzle? Thanks, Chase

Post# 189491 , Reply# 1 7/11/2012 at 10:52 (4,300 days old) by Durango159 (State College, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *Switch machines!* Don't spend $130 on a new Dyson power head. Spend $75 and get a reliable bagged Hoover Tempo 5140-900. Bags are large capacity and each time you replace it you regain 100% power. Don't forget to wash your filters. The suction power, great agitation and Windtunnel technology will GREATLY outclean your Dyson. Or want a model with on/off switch for powerhead. Get the T2 bagged Windunnel wih toe operated agitator on/off. Here's a manufacturer refurb one for $69 on Hoover.com Bags slide onto door so its no fuss. Always get a bagged machine, change it once a month or so INSTEAD of dumping bin after few rooms, breathing in and getting all that stuff airborne that you worked so hard to suck up. Bagged machines have great power to compact dirt in, so most bags really do last a month- your first couple will fill much quicker though as the new Hoover rids your house of everything your Dyson left behind!! CLICK HERE TO GO TO Durango159's LINK

Post# 189493 , Reply# 2 7/11/2012 at 11:13 (4,300 days old) by HooverCelebrity (Germany)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I think you're missing the point, Rob -- the Dyson in question is not Chase's primary machine. It's part of his collection, and he would like it operational as such.

Post# 189495 , Reply# 3 7/11/2012 at 12:14 (4,300 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)
Checkrate/Likes My advice is to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but I won't say that, as people will hate me for it... Heck, they hate me already... GET A GOOD BAGGED CLEANER! I collect Vacuum Cleaners and love every model, EXCEPT BAGLESS ONES. Especially Dysons. Of course, it is a free world and if you like Dysons, feel free to, I'm not stopping you, those are just my views.

Post# 189513 , Reply# 4 7/11/2012 at 13:00 (4,300 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Thank you Fred...* Just because you do not like Dyson products does not mean other people can't. I'm a fan of them and I'd rather have one than a Tempo. And I didn't ask for your views. I also know how to work a bagged vacuum...I'm not challenged... Chase

Post# 189514 , Reply# 5 7/11/2012 at 13:07 (4,300 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)
Checkrate/Likes I never said other people can't and I didn't say you don't know how to use a bagged cleaner.

Post# 189530 , Reply# 6 7/11/2012 at 13:53 (4,300 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)
Checkrate/Likes *Chase,* If I were you, I would try to find a cheep used dc18 with a working power head and use it for parts. I have done this before with my dc14 with great sucess. Hope this helps. Scott

Post# 189552 , Reply# 7 7/11/2012 at 16:19 (4,300 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes Chase I will email you Gareth

Post# 189553 , Reply# 8 7/11/2012 at 16:23 (4,300 days old) by williamr1248 (USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Dyson dc18 brushroll issues* Scott, That is a very good idea. When Tania and I were visiting vac shops in Indiana ,I was very surprised to see back rooms FULL of used Dysons. Not just a few but rooms FULL of traded in Dysons. It would makes sense because they are so popular now and you might be able to get the whole machine and use the parts for the repair much cheaper for a machine in a person's collecton.

Post# 189615 , Reply# 10 7/12/2012 at 07:26 (4,299 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Here we go again with JM's incessant bagged vacuum views. Would you mind just contributing seriously if you have a Dyson, JM as opposed to "using one." ?

Post# 189619 , Reply# 12 7/12/2012 at 08:30 (4,299 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Here here! Gary

Post# 189656 , Reply# 15 7/12/2012 at 13:44 (4,299 days old) by vacu-finder ()
Checkrate/Likes Ok. so a lot of conflict 'bout Dyson's.! My only peve is since bagless machines have come to market big box stores selling them.........and allmost everyone is switching to Laminate flooring has Killed this industry as we knew it. Top end bag machine sales and service has dropped off so much that Vac store after Vac store has gone belly up or they are doing other stuff to keep the business going. I know a lot of guys are selling and installing blinds. Lets not forget the down turn in the USA Housing Market. Thousands and thousands of Foreclosures. This is killing the Built-in Vacuum market. People are suffering..:(

Post# 189679 , Reply# 19 7/12/2012 at 18:13 (4,299 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)
Checkrate/Likes "...I for one am sick to death about the constant bashing of Dyson machines. Most of the people who bash them have very little or no experience of them at all and simply bash because they prefer something else...\|" Word. Although, my own experience rests with the older models, it is still worth remembering that whilst Dyson have moved on, there are few similarities to what went on before to what is being sold, now. If we didn't have Dyson, there would be another brand to continually love/loathe with, but I take your point gsheen, there is a constant bashing of Dyson products and there really is no need for it.

Post# 189555 , Reply# 9 7/11/2012 at 16:27 (4,300 days old) by Durango159 (State College, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *Thank you Chase and Fred,* I didn't mean any offense. I remember watching paid infomercials years ago which was the first time I ever saw a bagless vacuum. I caught all 4 Fantom Technologies infomercials for the original Fantom Thunder, then the Fantom Fury, then the Fantom Lightning and the Fantom Cyclone XT. I thought the machines looked really neat cause you could actually see what you were pulling up. Then I eventually caught presentations of the Fantoms on The Home Shopping Network. Chris Scanlon used to do the presentations and she didn't use any glitter, sand or anything, she just vacuumed a rug and showed viewers what she got. Later I heard about Dyson and saw that the UK had them but not in the U.S. They looked like a completely revolutionary awkwardly designed machine. They finallly hit U.S. market and people were very excited at first including myself. But a closer look in the store and there were some things about them that turned me off. Of which I can't say that I have found any vacuum on the market to be perfect. There are atleast 2-3 things minimal on each one I've ever used that I want changed, whether its wheel material, agitator bristle stiffness, agitator cavity width etc. I've done housecleaning for years and through my own household, relatives, work environments and more I've used many many vacuums. You have an interest in Dyson along with millions of others in the U.S. and around the world and that's fantastic. I have only used 2 models. I clean a house with a DC07. The husband likes it, the wife and myself do not so when her Kenmore Progressive canister died, we had a lull where I used mainly Dyson and a few months back she bought a Hoover S3670 Windtunnel bagged canister. Strangely enough the Dyson struggled the mostly on cleaning area rugs. I was able to fit a generic bare floor brush on it for doing laminate and tile floors but the agitator wasn't working good on the carpets so I brought my own Hoover PowerMax canister over during the lull. The other Dyson I've used was a DC21 powerhead canister which I trialed at Sears. It was different, but I didn't mind it. I think if the wand rested in an upright position rather than having to lean on chair I may have liked it better, along with the fact it was out of my price range. Over the years I have worked on Kirby, Filter Queen, numerous Hoovers, Eurekas, Dirt Devil, Bissell, Orecks, Panasonics, Kenmore, and possible a few others I can't think of right now. The only work I've done to a Dyson besides general use was wash filters as we noticed a definite decrease in suction. I read the Dyson DC07 manual for my client trying to troubeshoot why it wasn't doing well on carpet and the manual did not even mention the agitator, nothing about a clutch, belt or even replacing the brushroll. Sorry that I cannot offer any further assistance with your DC18 but I do wish you the best of luck getting that corrected and hope it is not too costly. Another brand I haven't had luck with is Oreck. I have tried 3 different models of his lightweight XL series uprights. Not the XL21 just the original series. I experienced allergy flare ups during usage with each, along with difficult maneuverability and not so impressive dirt pick up. In repairing one, quite a few of the tabs on the inside of the housing where screws go into had broken off and were laying inside the housing when I looked inside one. I have heard good things of Oreck 21's and the new Quest Pro power head canister is neat. I also trialed that at Boscov's. If you've never tried a Hoover Tempo, I would however encourage you to try one at your local vacuum shop or I tried one at Boscov's Department store. For that price the power is really amazing. It doesn't state Windtunnel Technology anywhere on it, but the agitator cavity is the same as a Hoover Windtunnel Supreme. I look forward to being helpful with some of your vacuums if any issues should arrive. I see you have a dirtcup Hoover Decade 800 in your collection. Those are great machines, and the dirtcup model was a rarity. I love the dual headlights on those. Our household had a Grey Decade 800 for many years, I was always ensuring that the air freshener scent tablet was fresh when I was young.

Post# 189616 , Reply# 11 7/12/2012 at 07:48 (4,299 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes Why is it that when ever any one on this forum asks advice on or posts a thread about a dyson we have to hear from certain members about there dislike or hatred of them, For those of us who like them we couldn't care less about your opinion if you don't like them, Rather post on something you are interested in and stay silent on our topics about dyson. I for one am sick to death about the constant bashing of dyson machines. Most of the people who bash them have very little or no experience on them at all and simply bash because they prefer something else. If you don't have anything nice to say then rather say nothing at all Gareth

Post# 189647 , Reply# 13 7/12/2012 at 11:05 (4,299 days old) by williamr1248 (USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Dyson DC18 Brushroll* Gareth, You are SO right. There may be those on the forum who do not care for the Dyson but SOMEONE sure does as they are selling millions of machines! It made PERFECT sense to me that we would see many more Dyson's sitting in the back rooms of repair shops. Most of the other big store vacs are so cheap I would imagine customers just trash them but when a person pays $500.00 they would take it in to be repaired. I also imagine if a shop does not sell the Dyson they would steer the customer to what they do sell (Ricarr,Miele,Royal,etc). What I can appreciate about Dyson is the fact that they are at least trying to improve the vacuum and not just turning out the same thing in different colors. I love their attachments. I also like the fact that the Dyson, like the Rainbow are friendly to our planet. I only own 2 Dysons and I would be interested in another if it were not for having to empty the bin and my allergies. Always appreciate your posts and information you share about the newest Dysons!

Post# 189650 , Reply# 14 7/12/2012 at 12:32 (4,299 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes william Thank you I see it this way, Kirby's are not my favourite vacuum but it has more to do with there marketing than anything else. I have 10 Kirby's in my collection ranging from my old 508 to the newest sentria, I love how they look but do't like using them but I do not go onto every Kirby post and bash the brand just because. If some one asks an opinion I will give mine but I do not go onto a post to bash. I got my first dyson a green dc04 in the early 2000 The vacuum company I worked for brought one in as a sample for us to see what this big bad vacuum was, we were just about to launch the first bagless vacuum in SA. Dyson s were not available here at the time. Up untill then I had never used one but went on what others from our company said that it was junk. When we got it it was torn down reassemble'd tested and then stuck in a pile of other samples. I asked my boss if I could have it and he said sure. I could not believe how well it worked, and have loved them ever since. I still have it and it still works great. Then again I follow the instructions and maintain it.

Post# 189660 , Reply# 16 7/12/2012 at 15:54 (4,299 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes Dean I don't think bag less vacuums can be blamed at all for the big box store craze, or for hardflooring, Its a different world to what it was 10 to 20 years ago, much faster paced too. The trouble is that most vacshops never moved with the timessome have, I know someone who is opening his second vacshop shortly , d2d is a dying breed for many reasons. People prefer instant, now right away, why spend 1-2 thousand dollars on a vacuum that could break down and need to be taken in to a repair shop, Buy a vacuum and when it breaks throw it away and get a new one at the same shop you get your groceries at. Convenience, no going to the repair shop , been without a vacuum for a few days, pay to have it fixed , go and fetch it, NO consumers these days want now instant. As for laminate flooring, I take it you don't have Kids, I do two, a 9 year old with adhd,odd,and aspergers and a 7 year old who is just a naughty monster, I love carpets BUT laminate flooring doesn't stain, play dough just wipes away, spilt a cooldrink just wipe it up, no mess no fuss, I washed my lounge carpet today, it had just dried and bam my eldest got a fright and dropped his juice, nice stain!! Its all about convenience Central vacuums are very nice I have one in my house but I never use it. Its easier and faster to grab my dc42 which is nice and light and moves with ease and run that around than to get the long heavy hose, the heavy awkward powerhead connect it all up just to vacuum the lounge before guests come. we tried a comparison between our upright and using the central vac, by the time I had fetched the hose and powerhead and wand from the cupboard and set it all up Joanne had vacuum'd the lounge and put the upright back in the Kitchen. We sell a alot of vacuums to people who already have a central vacuum, because its just more convenient to use a upright they say. I am not knocking central vacuums at all, they have there uses especially in office's I am just relating my experience and those of my customers.

Post# 189661 , Reply# 17 7/12/2012 at 15:59 (4,299 days old) by williamr1248 (USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Dyson DC18 brushroll* Gareth, I hope we are on the same page now. The point I was making is how many we saw in the rooms. No bash against Dyson as I bought my second one for my collection. I like the fact that Dyson is not afraid to make changes and improvements in their machines. I thought Scott had a good idea of where to get some repair parts for his machine.

Post# 189669 , Reply# 18 7/12/2012 at 16:44 (4,299 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes Rob , I was not referring to you , saying dysons are in back room is not bashing the machine at all, I find allot of our customers trade in there dyson for a new one when the 5 year guarantee runs out, I am truly impressed with our new dyson range in SA, especially the dc42, you guys call it the dc40I took two home to replace my dc25's Gareth

Post# 189694 , Reply# 20 7/12/2012 at 20:24 (4,299 days old) by vacu-finder ()
Checkrate/Likes *Gareth* Point I'm trying to make is that most people go to Box stores and buy the Bagless Disposable vacs as well as Dysons, Walmart sells them. Yes times have changed. You lucky you live amongst 2.5 milliion people and you the only game in town. You lucky Sap you.....:) Yip with some Americans on this site they will tell you the hardships they have had and seen.

Post# 189702 , Reply# 21 7/12/2012 at 21:26 (4,299 days old) by Brandon_W_T ()
Checkrate/Likes I am not sure if the DC18 uses the same power nozzle as the DC17, but when I had mine, I noticed that rocks seemed to get around the geared belt and would cause a funny sound. I almost wonder if something maybe got around the belt, and into the motor itself and has gotten itself lodged and is causing the PN to not engage. I had a local vacuum shop fix the grinding problem for me, so I wasn't 100% sure what was exactly going on with the geared belt. He did say on the DC17 it was a common problem for sand and such to get into the geared belt area. P.S... Is your Dyson under warranty by chance? When I bought mine I got a card to register it. I don't remember what the service availability/cost was for the warranty, but it may be worth it.

Post# 189706 , Reply# 22 7/12/2012 at 22:08 (4,298 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes I forgot to mention that I actually got it working the night that I posted this. Nobody had replied to this thread so I figured there was no reason to mention it. I think the problem was in the reset switch, but it is working now. Chase

Post# 189710 , Reply# 23 7/12/2012 at 23:07 (4,298 days old) by Brandon_W_T ()
Checkrate/Likes Well there you go! But I do ask, does anyone know if the brush roll from a DC18 is the same design geared belt and motor as what the DC18 has?

Post# 189802 , Reply# 24 7/13/2012 at 16:10 (4,298 days old) by Rolls_rapide (-)
Checkrate/Likes *DC18* Does the DC18 have a microswitch located within the undercarriage wheel struts and runners? My DC15 had a problem where the microswitch that detected whether the undercarriage was up or down malfunctioned, allowing the brush motor to run when in the UPRIGHT position, effectively ruining carpet! Luckily I spotted it immediately before any damage was done. A scoosh of WD40 released it.