Thread Number: 2254
Electrolux Model L 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 24568   11/16/2007 at 11:47 (6,003 days old) by gsixguy ()        

Hi there everyone, I've been browsing this forum for some time now, and I really enjoy all the vacuum cleaner enthusiasm. At a recent estate sale I picked up a what appears to me as complete electrolux model L. It's white with a white hose, metal extension wands, several floor tools, and the powerhead with the white wand. Cosmetically this machine looks great, but when I turn it on, it has an overwhelming electrical smell. Does anyone here know what might be causing this? Worn carbon brushes? Thanks for any info.

Post# 24569 , Reply# 1   11/16/2007 at 12:14 (6,003 days old) by electrolux-dude (Canyon, TX)        
Electrolux Model L Service

 Hey there Tony, I might be able to help you. If your Lux Model L is white, it more than likely has the older style toggle-style switch on it with a rubber boot on top. It may be that the electrical smell is the switch burning. Do you notice the smell when the vacuum is running or just when you first start it up? It would be a good idea to check this. It would also be a good idea to go ahead and service the vacuum's motor. I have worked on many Electrolux machines, and generally there isn't too many problems with the motors. Here is some tips on how to access your motor and remove it for service:

First, remove the screws that hold the switch cover on. Next, remove the screw that holds on the little cord clip on top of the handle. After you have removed these 2 screws, then to gain access to the motor unit, remove the screws on the cord end of the machine, there is one screw on top and one on the bottom. After removing these two screws, the blower assembly of the machine can be removed by grasping the 2 front wheels and pulling towards you. To remove the motor for service, remove the 3 or 4 screws that secure it to the inside housing of the machine. After removing the screws, pull the motor out of the machine. To continue dis-mantling the motor for service, remove the 4 long screws on the fan housings. You then can remove the top fan housing. There is a fairly large nut that secures the fans to the armature. Remove this nut, and pull the top fan off, remove the middle housing, and then remove the bottom fan. It is critical that when you re-assemble the motor, that the fans are put in exactly the same order, so it's a good idea to label your fans, the top, label "Top" and the bottom fan label "Bottom". There are little hubs in the center of each fan, the bottom fan has the hub coming out the top, and the top fan has the hub on the bottom. To continue servicing the motor, remove your carbon brushes, which should be held on either by a little clip or a screw, if it is a screw, remove the screw, which is usually a copper yellow color, with a flat head. Remove the brushes. To gain access to the bearings and armature, there are 3 screws either on top of the bearing housing or some models have screws on the bottom housing, usually the screws are either flat-head or phillips heads. After removing the 3 screws, your armature and bearing assembly can now be removed. It's a good idea to thoroughly clean your motor, clean the fans with a small brush and soapy water, do the same to the inside of your motor, and also clean out the carbon brush housings, using a little brush. I usually use a little lime-away, as that really makes the insides of the housings shine. If you need any help with anything, feel free to call me. I currently don't have the internet right now, so call me anytime at (806) 341-0572. To re-assemble, simply reverse the directions. If you have to replace the bearings, some machines have a small bearing, that will slide off the armature shaft. If your machine has the large bearing, it will have to be removed with a bearing puller. Anyway, Tony--with a good cleaning, and carefully following my directions, your machine should run like new! If you run into any snags feel free to call me, or post your reply to this forum, as I do have access to a computer at my work, and I can respond to you on the forum. I just don't have any e-mail or internet at the moment. Anyway, Tony--I hope this will help you.

Sincerely,
Nathan L. Thomas

Post# 24570 , Reply# 2   11/16/2007 at 12:18 (6,003 days old) by electrolux-dude (Canyon, TX)        
P.S. To Tony

 Tony--I forgot to tell you, that after using soap and water to clean the motor and all parts, make sure to dry them thoroughly with a hair dryer.
Nathan

Post# 24572 , Reply# 3   11/16/2007 at 12:38 (6,003 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        

Washing electrical components:

I, too wash motor parts in soap and water...

I rinse them really well to make sure all of the soap is out of them. Using the exhaust from a Filter Queen works well to dry the parts (hose with the crevice tool). If that's not available - then I let the parts air dry for a day or two before I re-assemble them in the motor.

~Fred

Post# 24573 , Reply# 4   11/16/2007 at 13:13 (6,003 days old) by gsixguy ()        

Thanks so much for all the info. I've never washed motor parts, but I will give it a try if it will make the smell go away. Thanks for the detailed instructions Nathan, I will let you know how it goes.

Post# 24877 , Reply# 5   11/19/2007 at 09:46 (6,001 days old) by gsixguy ()        

So I realized I have an Electrolux Model E, not L. Anyway I opened it up, and there was a lot of black soot (carbon?) on the armature. I cleaned it up a bit with some soapy water, and now I am letting it dry out. The switch seems to be fine. Is the excessive black carbon on the motor indicative of any problems? Thanks!

Post# 24890 , Reply# 6   11/19/2007 at 12:06 (6,000 days old) by electrolux-dude (Canyon, TX)        
Carbon On Armature

 Carbon on the armature usually isn't a problem, beings the model is an E, those are over 40 years old. On the E's, they have basically the same motor as a model XXX or 30. The windings on the motors are black, so that's not a problem. Beings the vacuum is a model E, it's usually a good idea to replace the bearings. You will have to use a bearing puller to remove them. First you will have to tap the bearing housing loose, from the shaft, and then use the puller to pull the bearings out. Model E's usually have bearings at both ends of the armature, a fan bearing and another bearing at the commutator end, the end where the carbon brushes are located. Anyway--If you smell burning when the motor is running, it may be a good bet that the armature is going bad.
Hope this helps--

Nathan

Post# 24893 , Reply# 7   11/19/2007 at 12:37 (6,000 days old) by charles~richard ()        

The Model E was sold from 1954 to 1956, so it is a bit more than 40 years old! I have seven of them, and none of them have bad motors. They all run perfectly.

They have the same motor as the LX, not the XXX.

btw the Electrolux in the thread about the Brady Bunch is also a Model E, and it appears from the photo, although it's a bit blurry, that it has the correct hammertone-blue machine-end hose coupler that was unique to the Model E.

Post# 24894 , Reply# 8   11/19/2007 at 12:42 (6,000 days old) by charles~richard ()        

p.s. you said in your first post that your Electrolux is white. If it's white, either it is not a Model E, or it has been painted. The Model E should be hammertone blue.

Post# 24895 , Reply# 9   11/19/2007 at 12:42 (6,000 days old) by charles~richard ()        





Post# 24898 , Reply# 10   11/19/2007 at 13:56 (6,000 days old) by gsixguy ()        

Hhhmmm, I'm confused now. The color of the electrolux I have is definately a white/sort of tan color. The handle on the top is made of plastic and the letter E is molded into the plastic. It has brown wheels, the white/tan hose, and the white power nozzle, oh, and it has a cord winder on the back. It definately looks similar to the one in the picture. Also it's not hammertone, its smooth. Thanks!!

Post# 24931 , Reply# 11   11/20/2007 at 00:49 (6,000 days old) by charles~richard ()        
Model

The Electrolux E, AE, AF, R, S, and L all have an "E" emblem embossed in the handle. It does not mean Model E.

Why don't you post a photo of your machine -- that certainly will clear things up.

Post# 25434 , Reply# 12   11/27/2007 at 15:59 (5,992 days old) by swiveltop (Galveston, TX)        

Here is my model L, I thought it was a model E when I got it,because of the E on the handle,then I saw Model L on the bottom of the front cover,then I snapped the E was for Electrolx,Duh, I was confused because it looks earlier than my Model G and then with a little research found out they made it till about '74 along with the 1205,the L was the economy model,after looking at the pic,I noticed the back wheels could use some cleaning. Mark

Post# 25516 , Reply# 13   11/29/2007 at 15:36 (5,990 days old) by gsixguy ()        

Thank you for the tip of where to look for the model. I found it! It says it's a model L, but is tan, and with a cordwinder on the back.


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