Thread Number: 4407
Vacuum abuse - the dirty Dyson
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Post# 49379   8/23/2008 at 12:12 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

I got a call from my advertsement that I run in local condo association newsletters for my little home-based vac sales and service business. They guy says, my vacuum is not picking up. I run down the list of questions, what kind, does the motor run, does the brush go around etc. He tells me its a Dyson, the motor runs it just doesn't pick anything up. So, I stopped on my way by his place and picked it up. Got it home, ripped into it and look what i found.

Post# 49380 , Reply# 1   8/23/2008 at 12:13 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

very ditry

Post# 49381 , Reply# 2   8/23/2008 at 12:14 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

ick, drywall dust everywhere, even all the way through the motor...

Post# 49382 , Reply# 3   8/23/2008 at 12:15 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

nasty, how can you do this to something you pay money for?

Post# 49383 , Reply# 4   8/23/2008 at 12:17 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

duh, doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why it isn't sucking anymoe

Post# 49384 , Reply# 5   8/23/2008 at 12:18 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

all clean and sunning its self to dry

Post# 49388 , Reply# 6   8/23/2008 at 12:31 (5,696 days old) by turboace ()        

Now I just have to order the filters, both were totally trashed, and put it back together. I just still can't get over this. I guess some people just do not care for their possesions at all. The owners manual and the online trouble shooter clealy go over how to clean out, and how to troubleshoot should something go wrong. Obviously the drywall dust, or whatever all that was did not help matters. Interestingly enough, it does not appear that any of it was sucked through the hose/wand because it is sparkly clean inside. I doubt this guy even knows the handle comes off and turn into the hose/wand.

I do have a question. Could anybody that has/has had a business out of their house let me know what you charged as a labor rate? I told this guy the repair was going to cost him the cost of the two filters plus one hour labor. I doubled my cost on the parts and told him my rate was $45 per hour. In the end I'm sure that I will spend more than an hour, but I want him to be impressed so hopefully I get some refferals. He already told me that his mom has a purple dyson that is not working either. If anyone could let me know what they think of that rate, too much too little, that would be great. If you don't want to post back, feel free to email me directly. Thanks!


Post# 49394 , Reply# 7   8/23/2008 at 13:12 (5,696 days old) by vacuumfreeeke ()        

Wow! I can't believe the shape of that Dyson. It isn't a shop vac for heaven's sake! Never suck up fine dust in a bagless vacuum! They even stated in the Dyson manual that fine dust should be picked up sparingly.

I don't know anything about what to charge, but I think I'd really stick it to him to teach him a lesson on how to treat the machine! I think 45 dollars is pretty reasonable, if not too little. I've had a couple vacs serviced (a Sanitaire that needed a bearing and a Hoover Concept that needed brushes or something) and both of those were about 100 dollars give or take... at different vac shops mind you.

I guess you can't have the repair be too expensive or he might just run over to Wal-mart and end up with a Bissell ClearView.

Is that a DC07 with the clutch system? If so, I bet it was fun to take apart. I got directions on how to do that for my DC14, and decided that if the belt ever stops working I'll just get a DC15 or 24 instead... it isn't worth the hassle!


Post# 49397 , Reply# 8   8/23/2008 at 13:34 (5,696 days old) by xraytech ()        

Andrew,

That is one of the most horrible messes I have ever seen, looks like my Concept did when I got it. You definetly did a great job cleaning it up again.
Even though I have never had any vacuums serviced in a vac shop before, I do think that $45 an hour for labor is a good price and you are right about doubling the price of the parts you use also.


Post# 49399 , Reply# 9   8/23/2008 at 13:43 (5,696 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
The Good Side of Abuse....

....Is that it can put some very nice (and otherwise unaffordable) things into our paths! When people with more money than sense give up on their fancy possessions due to their poor coping skills, they put them into yard sales, thrift stores, and onto Craigslist. That's when we move in and make out like bandits.

Usually a good cleaning and a part or two is all it takes to turn something its wealthy first owner didn't want to take care of into something like new, at bargain prices.

Go, rich people!


Post# 49404 , Reply# 10   8/23/2008 at 15:34 (5,696 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

arh1953's profile picture
It's amazing how many people use home vacuums to clean up drywall/construction rubbish. Ever hear of a Shop-Vac Mr. or Mrs. Rich B*tch? I love finding the cast offs of the well off or upper middle classes from 35 or more years back as opposed to the crap that now passes as quality goods.

Post# 49408 , Reply# 11   8/23/2008 at 17:32 (5,696 days old) by magic-clean (FL-GA)        
Maybe

it was Carpet Fresh..........you know that flour like powder that is sprinkled over a carpet & vacuumed up that supposedly deodorizes & freshens.

My neighbor recently tossed a very new Hoover canister, that simply had a bag plugged with this stuff. The vacuum ran, but hardly any suction.

Sadly, many people have no clue how appliances operate and have little motivation or interest to learn. This seems especially so with vacuums, since some TLC insures that they continue to work well. So many are discarded with simple maintenence problems.


Post# 49464 , Reply# 12   8/24/2008 at 08:16 (5,696 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
Andy,

What a mess! Were you able to clean the motor and the fans as well?

I have never seen a Dyson taken that far apart.

Many vacuum have entered my collection or been saved so that I can give them to folks that really need a good vacuum. Simple repairs of basic cleaning and they are back to good running condition. Perhaps a new brushroll, belt, bag and filter and they are ready to serve once again.

Are you going to show us pictures of the complete project once put back together?

Morgan


Post# 49507 , Reply# 13   8/24/2008 at 14:22 (5,695 days old) by turboace ()        

Hi Morgan,

I did not open the motor housing, the motor sounds good and most of the dust looked like it got trapped by the pre-motor sponge filter because there was not that much on the fan housing on the other side of the filter. There was some dust and dirt on the dirty side of the Hepa fliter, but I don't think enough to warrent total dissasembley. If something happens to the motor, this guy can go find a Dyson authrorized place since he is still under warrenty, and now that its not a disaster, he might stand a chance they would fix it if something is wrong.

I did get it all put back together yesterday afternoon and it seems to work very well. It was pulling around 100" on my guage althogh it has a relief valve so it is hard to tell. Mind you, this is also without the final HEPA filter in place, I still have to order a new one of those. I'll try to take a pic of the end product and get it up here.

I still can not get over how totally caked the whole inside of the machine was. So much for the eighty-milion-mph airflow trapping dirt and dust.

Its just got to be the marketing and, the instant gratification that people get from seeing pet hair and carpet fluff swirling around in the chamber. After I got it done I ran it over one of my carpets in the basement by my shop and all it took was a few strokes and there was a ball of fluff wizzing around. The customer would never know that about a bagged vac, unless they opened up and peered thru the bag opening or sliced a bag open. I will admit that after I saw that, I vacuumed said rug with my Kirby for quite some time just to be sure it was clean! Emptying the dyson dirt can was a pain too. There were a bunch of carpet fibers static clinged to the inside, and stuck around the bottom trap door gasket. In order for it to shut and seal well, I had to wipe off the gasket. So much for no mess.

Keep watching for the finished machine...


Post# 49598 , Reply# 14   8/25/2008 at 12:46 (5,694 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
We will look forward to the final pictures. Thanks for sharing

Morgan


Post# 49958 , Reply# 15   8/29/2008 at 12:28 (5,690 days old) by rolls_rapide (-)        
Emptying a Dyson

I find that if I empty the Dyson bin immediately after using the machine, some dust will stick by static attraction and some flies into the air by static repulsion.

The best solution I have found, is to put the cleaner in a cool place and forget about it for a day. Then, before using it the next day, empty the bin straight into the rubbish bin.

I don't use the Dyson method of wrapping a bag about the bin, because:

1: you need three hands to hold, open and close the bin, and keep the bag in intimate contact;

2: if you're bending over trying to manipulate the bin and bag, you are more likely to inhale dust particles;

3: what is the point in using a bin in the first place, if you have to use a bag to empty it? You would be better using a bagged cleaner to start off with.

And it is all very well saying that you can use the free polythene carrier bags from supermarkets, etc., but they sometimes have vent holes, so no good for allergy sufferers. On top of that, the 'free' supermarket bags are going to be phased out and folk will be charged.

Furthermore I quite agree, Dysons are completely useless when it comes to large amounts of plaster dust, or chimney soot. The abundance of dust in the airflow must overload the high efficiency cyclones. In those cases a bagged machine is best.


Post# 49999 , Reply# 16   8/29/2008 at 18:33 (5,690 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Dyson

thunderhexed's profile picture
When i went intot he vac shop yesterday.. we were talking about Kirbys and he said look out over my store.. 90% of my vacs waiting for repair are Dysons... and sure enough.. Dysons ALL OVER THE PLACE... waiting for repair..

Post# 50085 , Reply# 17   8/30/2008 at 16:09 (5,689 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

While we're on the subject of Dysons - why is it every time I find one for sale, it has to be in deplorable condition? Do people think these are commercial cleaners? I was at the flea market this morning where someone had a dirty DC14 animal for sale. Upon closer inspection I noticed the cleaner wouldn't even stand up on its own, seemed as if something was broken. The roller brush had enough hair tangled in it to make a wig. The guy wanted $30.00 for it. Remembering how much I spent repairing my DC07 Full Kit (over $200.00), I decided to pass. I'd really like to find a Dyson ball, but not if its gonna cost me an arm and a leg....

Post# 50090 , Reply# 18   8/30/2008 at 18:30 (5,689 days old) by rolls_rapide (-)        

It seems to be that Dyson cleaners do gather fine dust in awkward to clean places, after a certain amount of time. This fine dust can carry an odour, and stink quite badly if not cleaned off.

I recently took my DC15 to my parents' place, and after a fortnight, the machine was stinking of dog.

The only way to clean it was to wash the whole cyclone unit in a bucket of hot, soapy water, and let the unit dry for 48 hours.

I washed the filters separately in hot soapy water, and was very surprised at the amount of grit in the pre-motor filters: about a half teaspoonful. I had previously washed the filters before taking the machine to my parents house. And the machine was only used on carpeting.

So my conclusion is that the Dyson cyclones are not as efficient as they are purported to be!


Post# 50187 , Reply# 19   8/31/2008 at 19:28 (5,688 days old) by riccarlover ()        
I have a Dyson story for you people...

I saw my second cousin recently and the conversation went something like this:
"Hey Clayton, guess what?!"
"Hey, what?!"
"I got a new vacuum!"
"Cool, what kind?!"
"A Dyson!!!"
"Aw, Shelia!!!"
"What?!"
"You sounda got a Riccar or something. not expensive plastic!!!"
"Well, this was $600 and I love it!!! I asked three different people and they all said Dyson so I figured it was good!"

I myself wanted to slap her!!! She is smart but $600 of plastic?!?! Com'on!!! She had a Riccar, that died, bought a Kenmore canister, fell apart, and now has the DIEsoon. I would much rather buy a nice Riccar that is CLEANER, higher quality, and just an exellent machine. Whatever. Personal choice.
Clayton
:)


Post# 50206 , Reply# 20   8/31/2008 at 22:45 (5,688 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        

i have never tried a dyson but have been wanting too well dying too I must say. I want one for display really and maybe use it on a special occasion

Post# 50299 , Reply# 21   9/1/2008 at 20:11 (5,687 days old) by turboace ()        
All Clean and running like new

Here are a couple pics of the dyson all cleaned up. After working on this machine, I would never buy one. I can not believe how much crud built up in the cyclones. Granted, this machine was abused, I'm curious to see how much build up there would be in one used for "normal" vacuuming. Can't say that these are going to be my favorite to work on.

Andy



Post# 50301 , Reply# 22   9/1/2008 at 20:11 (5,687 days old) by turboace ()        

and zooming in

Post# 50313 , Reply# 23   9/1/2008 at 21:14 (5,687 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
Andy,

Great Job! I am not a fan of any bagless machine. I was surprised that Dyson did not make a better hit in the last consumer reports. The bagged machines all did better. Dyson brags so on pet hair cleaning and that was one of their weaker points in this last issue.

Of course, Kirby scored high not only in the cleaning end, but in the repair side as well.


Morgan


Post# 50356 , Reply# 24   9/2/2008 at 03:37 (5,687 days old) by xraytech ()        

Andy,
You did a great job restoring that Dyson. As for not liking to work on them you will probably get plenty of them to fix.


Post# 50430 , Reply# 25   9/3/2008 at 09:16 (5,685 days old) by louvac (A)        

Guys....

Don't know how many of you know this little trick. My mom used to do this all of the time in the refrigerator and I also used to use this method in the case of my saxophone which I studied for more than 15 years! As you can imagine, over the years, saliva does deposit naturally in the small crevices of the instrument and will inevitably get soaked into the pads. Thus, odors will result and can be difficult to rid. So here it is...

Put some PURE vanilla extract on a cotton ball. Place the cotton ball over the bottle of extract and invert for a few seconds till a good amount is absorbed but not to the point of total saturation. Then place it any place where you want to rid the odor. It works like a charm. This would work great inside the cup of a bagless vacuum! Try it and let us know how well it works!

Louis


Post# 378921 , Reply# 26   9/25/2017 at 15:39 (2,376 days old) by KylesDyson (Staffordshire, England)        

Plaster dust = the number one dyson killer!

Post# 412141 , Reply# 27   7/28/2019 at 02:58 (1,706 days old) by jeaneallenn (US)        

jeaneallenn's profile picture
I drifted here just to see the old model of Dyson. And yes, I loved how you rejuvenated this gem.

Post# 412142 , Reply# 28   7/28/2019 at 03:52 (1,706 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Nice

lesinutah's profile picture
I got a shark which is better than Dyson. I dissambled it and use a power washer. It cleaned up nicely.
I've cleaned dysons before mine looked very similar. The brush roll look like a hair brush. I cleaned it up it looked brand new. The cyclone filters clog easily.
When I was done it had serious power. I will knock them but they have strong suction.
I do like sharks better as they are built better. I notice every Dyson is cracked or missing a piece and sharks have all the pieces.
Sharks are easier to maintain and they don't clog like dysons. I will say I think the Dyson had more airflow than any shark but it would be short lived as a cuclone tube would clog.
Les


Post# 412239 , Reply# 29   7/31/2019 at 02:53 (1,703 days old) by Jake1234 (greasby)        
Dirty Dysons!

Dyson vacuum cleaners are definitly my least favourite to service/repair. I hate taking the cyclones apart there so fiddly and messy and awkward to clean and are almost guaranteed to be covered in fine dust. My favourite vacuums to service are bagged uprights. There so much cleaner and easy to work on. I guarantee even a Hoover Purepower will outlive a dyson by far.


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