Thread Number: 32114  /  Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Rainbow E Series blowing out water
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Post# 353454   6/7/2016 at 20:02 (2,850 days old) by Vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        

vacman117's profile picture
I was hoping somebody here might be able to help me out. I picked up a 2013 Rainbow and there is water blowing out of the exhaust port. I wasn't able to test it out with water in the basin (a big mistake), so I had no idea when I bought it.

The separator seems to be in perfect condition, I even swapped in the separator from my e2 Blue and it still did it. I pulled the motor out, cleaned the fans, made sure the gasket was correctly in place, and it's still shooting out water.

It seems the water is going through the separator because the outsides of the gasket don't seem to be wet, should I try siliconing it just for kicks?

I want to see if it's still under warranty, I don't know if that's possible or not.

I could really use some help here!

Thanks
Chase


Post# 353462 , Reply# 1   6/7/2016 at 22:25 (2,850 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
Update:

vacman117's profile picture
I went ahead and siliconed around the rubber gasket surrounding the separator. I let it dry and there is still water coming out of the exhaust, so I'm guessing that it's going straight into the fans through the separator.

Chase


Post# 353464 , Reply# 2   6/7/2016 at 22:27 (2,850 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        

Hi chase!
What is the serial number?

If it was made in 2013 than the 8year warranty will still be in effect. Now if you know the owner I'm sure I can help you with a warranty transfer.


Post# 353486 , Reply# 3   6/8/2016 at 09:31 (2,850 days old) by Vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
Hi there,

vacman117's profile picture
Could you tell me where I'd find the serial number? It doesn't seem to be on the underside.

Sorry I'm not too familiar with these!

Chase


Post# 353487 , Reply# 4   6/8/2016 at 09:38 (2,850 days old) by Vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
Found it

vacman117's profile picture
The serial number is 20381041



Post# 353488 , Reply# 5   6/8/2016 at 09:45 (2,850 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
I sold a Rainbow to a stupid woman who called me up an hour later to complain about water blowing out of it. She used HOT water in the basin. Only cold water should ever be used. As cold air is drawn through HOT water, it bring water drops into the motor.



Post# 353489 , Reply# 6   6/8/2016 at 09:49 (2,850 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        

vacman117's profile picture
I only use cold water in my Rainbows. I thought that maybe I accidentally used hot water without knowing but that wasn't the case.

The lady handed me the HEPA filter and it was soaking wet, she said she had just washed it and that's why it wasn't installed. I'm guessing she didn't know that it was blowing the water into it. That's the problem with Rainbows...If they aren't taken care of they end up trashed real fast.


Post# 353490 , Reply# 7   6/8/2016 at 10:08 (2,850 days old) by ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        

ultralux88's profile picture
The only way I can see this happening is if there is something wrong with the controller and the motor is running too slow for the separator to actually spin the water away from it. The only place there is suction on the bottom of the motor is in the hole the separator covers, there isn't any suction or blower pressure around the gasket, and its only there to seal the suction in, and the water. Being a 2013 model, it is definitely under warranty, but I'd definitely try and remove as much of the silicone as you can before taking it in, they might think its been taken apart and messed with, thus voiding the warranty. That depends on how difficult or understanding the service center you get to is, some like to find any excuse to not do warranty, but some are very willing to help regardless.

Post# 353492 , Reply# 8   6/8/2016 at 10:47 (2,850 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
I am sure you are not

but bears to question.  Make sure you are not overfilling.  Top of the center post only.

 


Post# 353493 , Reply# 9   6/8/2016 at 11:11 (2,849 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
Double checked!

vacman117's profile picture
Just like the hot water, I thought I could have but I made sure several times, even filled it quite a bit under the dome in the middle and it was still happening.

I got ahold of the distributor that it was purchased from and he is coming over tomorrow to take a look at it.

Chase


Post# 353498 , Reply# 10   6/8/2016 at 13:12 (2,849 days old) by ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        

ultralux88's profile picture
Let us know what he finds, I'm very curious to know whats wrong with it.

Post# 353523 , Reply# 11   6/9/2016 at 11:15 (2,848 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
Well,

vacman117's profile picture
The Rainbow distributor stopped by this morning. After seeing that I was using cold water, not overfilling the pan, and the separator was in perfect condition he said that he has never seen an e2 spit water out of the exhaust.

He said that he remembers the lady that I got it from and he's worked on it several times in the past, she apparently didn't take very good care of it. It turns out that it's actually a 2012 model, meaning the 4 year warranty on everything is up. He said the motor has an 8 year warranty, but if the motor still works, which it does, Rainbow won't replace it.

He took it with him and said he would tear it down and see if he can figure it out, and that he'd know what's wrong with it by Monday (hopefully). I was very pleased with him, he seemed to genuinely know what he was talking about and was incredibly nice.

Here's to hoping it gets solved!


Post# 354456 , Reply# 12   6/24/2016 at 09:53 (2,834 days old) by cuffs054 (monticello, ga)        

Any updates on this?

Post# 354664 , Reply# 13   6/26/2016 at 18:47 (2,831 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        

vacman117's profile picture
I just got in contact with the dealer the other day, he said he has been speaking with another dealer and they're trying to figure it out. He says that they may have found the issue and he's hoping to have it back to me working by the beginning of this week!

Post# 354676 , Reply# 14   6/26/2016 at 22:07 (2,831 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        

if there is water blowing out of the machine it can be 1 of 3 things

either the fans are plugged, or one of the gaskets aren't properly sealing. honestly the machine should not be blowing out water and if anything should only take about 10 min if that to diagnose. I have come across this before working in the shop at the rainbow office and all i can say is that it was something as simple as the gasket that seals the inlet of the basin. I have also seen this with clogged separators ( which you said yours was as clean as a whistle) and fans.

let us know what the diagnosis is.


Post# 354682 , Reply# 15   6/26/2016 at 22:39 (2,831 days old) by chicagomike (Plover, WI)        

chicagomike's profile picture
The other 3 numbers by the serial number tell the date it was made.

Post# 354846 , Reply# 16   6/28/2016 at 19:40 (2,829 days old) by kenkart ()        
Good machines..

I sold them in 83 and 84. D-3s. but I can tell you. they can really be a pain to work on and the slightest thing out of sync can cause odd problems. I have a bunch of them. but don't work on any unless forced to. Clay Floyd loves them above all others and can re build one blindfolded. his secret for good results is he runs everything but the motor brushes thru a dishwasher so all parts are spotless. even the field coils and armature. I couldn't believe it either. but when he gets done they are perfect!

Post# 355106 , Reply# 17   7/1/2016 at 13:09 (2,826 days old) by Vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        

vacman117's profile picture
Heard back from the dealer last night, now he says the motor is still covered by the warranty and he's going to replace it and have it done by next week.

More waiting!!!


Post# 355107 , Reply# 18   7/1/2016 at 14:00 (2,826 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
I had just checked for any update yesterday Chase, keep us informed. Good luck

Post# 356258 , Reply# 19   7/18/2016 at 21:34 (2,809 days old) by UniversalDave1 (Gardendale, AL)        

universaldave1's profile picture
Any more updates on this machine? Do we know what was causing the problem in the first place? I'm quite interested to see why a near brand new machine would be doing this, especially since I'm doing a lot more work on Rainbows now.

Post# 356267 , Reply# 20   7/19/2016 at 06:22 (2,809 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
Yes

mark40511's profile picture
we would all like to know the problem causing it to blow out water if that's possible.

Post# 356282 , Reply# 21   7/19/2016 at 11:25 (2,808 days old) by Vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
STILL waiting...

vacman117's profile picture
I told him that if it wasn't fixed two weeks ago that I was just going to cut my losses and get it back. He replied the next day saying it was all of a sudden covered by the warranty and he was going to get a new motor. One week passed and he said he was learning the online process for ordering warranty parts. One more week passed and he said the motor is being sent to him and he would have it done by the first of this week.

I'm going back to school in less than a month so if it's not repaired I'll have to cut my losses and figure something out.


Post# 356317 , Reply# 22   7/19/2016 at 23:27 (2,808 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        

Hello chase!
If you do not hear back from the distributor there is a possibility that we at the Syracuse New York office can help you. I have an e2 motor that has been serviced that I am sure I can send you in exchange for your motor, if this is something you would like to do please email me. If not I am sure that we can repair your motor unit and have it back to you rather quickly,Via FedEx.

Hope all is well


Post# 356329 , Reply# 23   7/20/2016 at 07:47 (2,808 days old) by Dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
The warranty process for rainbow is very straightforward. The distributor fills out a short form with the name of the consumer as well as the serial number of the rainbow. The motor is packed and sent to Rexair. They make a decision within 24 hours as to whether or not it is in warranty. They immediately ship out a new motor and it should arrive at the distributors office within two days.

Post# 356424 , Reply# 24   7/21/2016 at 23:46 (2,806 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
Finally, some good news!!!

vacman117's profile picture
I received a text from the distributor yesterday telling me that he had the new motor and he would have it done that night. I was still a little skeptical, but he had it ready for me as soon as today. I was still concerned even after receiving it, he dropped it off at my work so I didn't get a chance to test it out.

I got it home and fired it right up------and found no water blowing out of the exhaust!!! I'm beyond thankful that he was able to do that for me and I'm so excited to finally have a working Rainbow again. He said that no one was able to figure out what exactly the issue was, clearly something in the motor but that's all that I know.

I had to sell my e2 platinum to cover the cost of this one when I got it and I was worried that I was going to be out a newer Rainbow. Nevertheless, the situation is taken care of now and I'm very excited.

Thank you everyone for your help, and Mike, thank you for being my next option! I was getting ready to shoot you an email when I got the text from my distributor.

Here's a photo of everything that came with the machine:


Post# 358679 , Reply# 25   9/4/2016 at 00:49 (2,762 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)        

Is that why you're NOT supposed to use hot water with the AquaMate?  I've used warm/hot water ONLY when shampooing carpets or washing/mopping floors; BUT I use COLD water in the basin when vacing.  During the summer months I put a few ice cubes in the basin


Post# 358791 , Reply# 26   9/5/2016 at 16:15 (2,760 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
I've also wondered why they say to use only warm water in the Aquamate. The manual claims that hot water may damage carpet, but that sounds like a bunch of rubbish considering how hot the water that truck mounts use can get.

Post# 358832 , Reply# 27   9/6/2016 at 03:06 (2,760 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Truckmounts can even heat the water to STEAM if desired by the operator.I briefly tried a ProChem "Apex" truckmount--was kinda fun.The unit heated the water in three ways-Prewarm from the radiator system on the engine,then water cooling for its air pump that derives the suction for the hose and wand,tool.Last a heat exchanger on the engine exhaust.And the water heats QUICKLY-within minutes after the unit has been started.This unit has a 4 cylinder 32 Hp Kubota gas motor.Most of that motor power went to the suction pump-252" vacuum@600CFM.It sucks your fingers right into the hose!!!The other pump the motor powers is the solution-water pump.The unit was being used to clean the carpet at the vac shop.Did a GREAT job!!!The vacuum of the unit pulled out a good amount of stuff-and you think of how many vacuums were tried on the carpet before it was cleaned.The truckmount has a hose mounted filter system to catch the debris before it goes into the waste liquid tank on the truck.Therfe is also a supply water tank and detergent tank in the truck.The detergent and water are mixed as it is pumpted to the wand.You can adjust the amount of detergent to go into the solution.


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