NASTY Kirby G4

I bought a Kirby G4 (80th anniversary edition) off of craigslist for $25 today.... The seller claimed it worked perfectly but needed to be cleaned up as it had been in storage..... That was only the beginning. I picked it up at the seller's house, who had bought a new Kirby and didn't need this one anymore. The house was spotless and he had to show me his new Sentria II. NICE MACHINE! I didn't bother to plug it in, but assumed it was fine. I got home, plugged it in, and NOTHING. Checked the safety switches etc, then tried a cord from a Heritage- ran perfectly. Ok, so I need a new cord. No biggie. I started to disassemble it, and first thing, I tried to remove the emptor and it broke into three pieces. DARN! Then I started digging deeper, the Tech drive was frozen up, and it was just FILTHY. Crap caked everywhere. The back wheels were missing their hubcaps and were worn down TO THE SPOKES! I have it completely disassembled and started cleaning it, but it's going to be a long process. All the aluminum is heavily corroded and tarnished, but I did polish up a small spot in the nozzle, so it is possible. I need to search out an emptor, cord, back wheels, and a belt lifter decal. It came with the hose and attachment caddy. Had I realized how rough it really was, I probably would have passed. But, at least it does run and the brushroll isn't too bad. I will eventually get it fixed up and working properly.


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Post# 281198 5/20/2014 at 15:33 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
Checkrate/Likes I bought a Kirby G4 (80th anniversary edition) off of craigslist for $25 today.... The seller claimed it worked perfectly but needed to be cleaned up as it had been in storage..... That was only the beginning. I picked it up at the seller's house, who had bought a new Kirby and didn't need this one anymore. The house was spotless and he had to show me his new Sentria II. NICE MACHINE! I didn't bother to plug it in, but assumed it was fine. I got home, plugged it in, and NOTHING. Checked the safety switches etc, then tried a cord from a Heritage- ran perfectly. Ok, so I need a new cord. No biggie. I started to disassemble it, and first thing, I tried to remove the emptor and it broke into three pieces. DARN! Then I started digging deeper, the Tech drive was frozen up, and it was just FILTHY. Crap caked everywhere. The back wheels were missing their hubcaps and were worn down TO THE SPOKES! I have it completely disassembled and started cleaning it, but it's going to be a long process. All the aluminum is heavily corroded and tarnished, but I did polish up a small spot in the nozzle, so it is possible. I need to search out an emptor, cord, back wheels, and a belt lifter decal. It came with the hose and attachment caddy. Had I realized how rough it really was, I probably would have passed. But, at least it does run and the brushroll isn't too bad. I will eventually get it fixed up and working properly.

Post# 281199 , Reply# 1 5/20/2014 at 15:33 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
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Post# 281200 , Reply# 2 5/20/2014 at 15:35 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
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Post# 281201 , Reply# 3 5/20/2014 at 15:36 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
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Post# 281202 , Reply# 4 5/20/2014 at 15:37 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
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Post# 281203 , Reply# 5 5/20/2014 at 15:38 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
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Post# 281246 , Reply# 6 5/20/2014 at 19:56 (3,628 days old) by TASE (Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes How sad! I probably wouldn't have bought it just from the looks. That rust tells me how rough of shape it is. However, keep at it! I'm sure it'll look good eventually!

Post# 281251 , Reply# 7 5/20/2014 at 20:40 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
Checkrate/Likes The good news is that it actually runs great! I didn't realize it needed so much work. I will probably install a new fan while it's torn apart as well.

Post# 281252 , Reply# 8 5/20/2014 at 20:48 (3,628 days old) by TASE (Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Yeah, I do that on all my Kirbys. It's $15 to save a good 45 to an hour's worth of work when the 20 year old brittle fan breaks!

Post# 281264 , Reply# 10 5/20/2014 at 22:32 (3,627 days old) by TASE (Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes I have seen my share of glued Kirby cases. Why it's so hard to buy some Silicon sealant is beyond me.

Post# 281268 , Reply# 11 5/20/2014 at 22:55 (3,627 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)
Checkrate/Likes Trying to figure out if this was in a flood. It is still salvageable. Ok, let's see mini emtor 188993 cord 192096 - you may need to get the updated scuff plate scuff plate 111295 back wheels 556299 - they only come in Onyx now Hub caps 555993S belt lifter decal 673698 - bad news they changed to a different style (the G5 and later), hopefully someone has new old stock

Post# 281271 , Reply# 12 5/20/2014 at 23:15 (3,627 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)
Checkrate/Likes By the way it is nice to see another G4 80th Anniversary edition, I posted pictures on mine on the thread my collection of kirbys. (# 24657)in vintage since it is 20 years old.

Post# 281277 , Reply# 13 5/21/2014 at 00:28 (3,627 days old) by rainbowjoel (Dexter NM)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Wow* Good thing . Its on good hands. I love mine.

Post# 281255 , Reply# 9 5/20/2014 at 21:20 (3,628 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)
Checkrate/Likes And it is pretty chewed up anyway so probably a good idea. I'm pretty sure it's been replaced before, there was glue on the side of the fancase, I don't think that would have gotten past quality control when it was new.

Post# 281368 , Reply# 14 5/21/2014 at 20:10 (3,627 days old) by sonnyndad ()
Checkrate/Likes *You call THAT nasty?* When I went to the World's Longest Yardsale last year, I made a Kirby Killing. I got seven, but I only kept three intact. I was almost ready to head home after a fairly good day of scavenging the back roads of Tennessee, when I spot a Kirby G4 on the side of the road. We turn the car around and grab it. It looked very similar to yours except it was NASTIER! I could not even fathom how somebody could even DO that. I had to replace the nozzle because it was too far gone, and the Tech Drive was crap. Don't get me started on the bag. I don't have any photos because this predates me having my iPhone. Believe me, you DON'T want to see before's of that thing.