Tristar Motor Question

Yes, the single-stage VM3 motor used in the MG1, MG2 & MG3 will fit in your TriStar A101/EXL, provided you use the correct motor mount. However, I would NOT do that, as these motors are very unreliable & don't last very long. Average life expectancy is between 6 to 8 years for this motor. I would take your existing motor out, use your TriStar CXL in blower mode with a crevice tool on the end of the hose, & try blowing out the motor, see if there's excess dust in the motor. That may restore it's performance for you. If not, perhaps the Ametek motor you just installed in the CXL will also fit.

By the way, in that post, you had mentioned that you thought the Ametek motor you purchased was originally the same as used in Kenmore canisters. It is NOT the same motor. The Ametek double-stage motors used in Kenmore canisters were rated at 9.0 Amps, & will pull 90" Waterlift, not 10 amps & 100" Waterlift like your new motor is rated for. Also, while the motors in the 1980's Kenmore models were all-metal, in the 1990's they switched to having a plastic top fanplate- the one where the screwholes are. It still performs the same as the all-metal one, though.

Also, the place that sold you the motor claiming it is a Miele motor is WRONG. For that motor to work in the Miele canisters, there has to be a metal ring surrounding the fan opening for the motor seal to fit onto the motor. Unless you take the one off an old Miele motor & transplant it on, or it has this ring already, it won't work.

Best of luck repairing the TriStar EXL....Rob


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Post# 204869 10/26/2012 at 18:34 (4,192 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes I recently acquired a Tristar A101 and I'm wondering if motors from later models will fit in it if the corresponding motor mount is used. I'm not too interested in the post 1998 models, but it was just $20. It smelled of mold and mildew too. When I pulled the pre-motor filter, it was wet and the motor was covered with mold and mildew. However, the motor ran just fine but the suction isn't too impressive. So I'm wondering if the motors from later models are more powerful. I know they've been updated from time to time. Are later motors better? Thanks!

Post# 205309 , Reply# 1 10/29/2012 at 21:13 (4,189 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes *hmmm.....* I'm thinking no one knows the answer, so I'll call Tristar and let everyone know!

Post# 205326 , Reply# 2 10/30/2012 at 00:04 (4,189 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *Bill:* Yes, the single-stage VM3 motor used in the MG1, MG2 & MG3 will fit in your TriStar A101/EXL, provided you use the correct motor mount. However, I would NOT do that, as these motors are very unreliable & don't last very long. Average life expectancy is between 6 to 8 years for this motor. I would take your existing motor out, use your TriStar CXL in blower mode with a crevice tool on the end of the hose, & try blowing out the motor, see if there's excess dust in the motor. That may restore it's performance for you. If not, perhaps the Ametek motor you just installed in the CXL will also fit. By the way, in that post, you had mentioned that you thought the Ametek motor you purchased was originally the same as used in Kenmore canisters. It is NOT the same motor. The Ametek double-stage motors used in Kenmore canisters were rated at 9.0 Amps, & will pull 90" Waterlift, not 10 amps & 100" Waterlift like your new motor is rated for. Also, while the motors in the 1980's Kenmore models were all-metal, in the 1990's they switched to having a plastic top fanplate- the one where the screwholes are. It still performs the same as the all-metal one, though. Also, the place that sold you the motor claiming it is a Miele motor is WRONG. For that motor to work in the Miele canisters, there has to be a metal ring surrounding the fan opening for the motor seal to fit onto the motor. Unless you take the one off an old Miele motor & transplant it on, or it has this ring already, it won't work. Best of luck repairing the TriStar EXL....Rob

Post# 205940 , Reply# 3 11/5/2012 at 21:07 (4,182 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes *Rob,* Is the motor in the top photo the one you're talking about or the one in the bottom photo? The one in the top photo is the motor originally introduced on the MG1. The bottom photo is of the newest brushless motor. I think that motor is also used in many Aerus models like the 6500. Thanks!

Post# 205945 , Reply# 4 11/5/2012 at 21:37 (4,182 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Bill. the motor in the top motor is the one I am talking about, & is referred to as the VM3 motor. This is the motor I would avoid. The Johnson Electric motor below that replaces it in the past year or so, I have heard good things about, but do not know for sure how reliable it is. Hope this helps you out.... Rob

Post# 205952 , Reply# 5 11/5/2012 at 23:29 (4,182 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)
Checkrate/Likes Now that I have the EXL/MG/CS Series TriStar, will this motor fit the current TriStars? How much waterlift/airflow/suction do these motors create? I want to "supercharge" my TriStar EXL/MG/CS vacuum. I don't even know if the EXL is more powerful than the CXL? I haven't had a chance yet to compare suction levels. If I replace the original EXL suction motor with this Ametek motor, do I need a new motor mount?

Post# 205971 , Reply# 6 11/6/2012 at 07:17 (4,182 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes *@ Erik* I think you could get it to fit by using an EXL motor mount; however, the top of the motor might be too tall for the exhaust end of the vacuum. If that's the case, you possibly could cut away the bottom of the filter basket to accommodate the new length.

Post# 439732 , Reply# 7 3/12/2021 at 23:36 (1,133 days old) by ridgidwd0670 (se wood co ohio)
Checkrate/Likes My TriStar CS has the Johnson Electric motor, but it burnt out; so I replaced that motor with a Ametek 115923 High-performance motor I had a few 70205 motor mounts (the one that the EXL TriStar used with the Domel 2-stage motor) but sadly I think it's discontinued Yes I bought the TriStar CS new from a AUTHORIZED TriStar dealer but sadly that dealer 'went out of business' shortly after I bought the CS tristarvacuumscausa.com