For the last five years, since moving to the middle of nowhere after having lived in the city for twenty years, I have been lamenting the lack of vacuums at the local thrift shops. One week ago, I finally found a machine.
I bought an Electrolux Epic 3500 SR for $8.95 at a local Goodwill Store. While there were the usual scratches here and there on the plastic, from years of use, a quick examination found the bag compartment to be clean, as was the air passage from the power nozzle to the bag chamber. There were no funky smells. The suction motor worked, but the brushroll motor did not. Figuring that for $8.95, I could afford to tinker with the machine, I brought it home.
Upon taking the power nozzle apart, I discovered that the motor was seized up, and there were signs of water damage that looked very much as if the machine sat in a room (basement? laundry room?) that had flooded to a depth of a couple of inches. Further disassembly showed no water damage to the suction motor or the bag compartment, so my guess is that it saw flooding and then was either forgotten about or sent off to the Goodwill.
I ordered a replacement brushroll motor, and yesterday, cleaned everything up and installed the new motor. I cleaned the brushroll, as there is a lot of life left in the bristles, and have decided to use it for the time being. The machine now works like a charm, and when running, continues to not have any "off" odors. It is quite solid, too, not creaky and loose-feeling, as I would have expected from a plastic machine.
I've always wanted an Electrolux upright, and so I am pretty happy about my find and the outcome after some easy repair work.
Certain area rugs in my house respond better to certain vacs than others, so this cleaner seems to work very well on the rug in the reception room, the TV room, and the bedroom. I've done my research, and am aware that this machine is on the anemic side when it comes to suction, but what I need to get used to is the difference in design. I've always been a "fan first" person, and am used to the Eureka, Convertible, Kirby lifting the rugs and beating them as they are vacuumed, so this machine's characteristics are totally new to me.
All in all, I am pleased with my new find, and considering that I have around $40 and my time invested in it, it is worth it.
Just wanted to share my "find."
Joe