Thread Number: 8932
Oreck XL with Bad Motor
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 98884   5/22/2010 at 22:21 (5,059 days old) by atrac (United States )        

Greetings Gents!

I picked up an Oreck XL Commercial vacuum today on the cheap....and I see why. Although the unit itself is in good condition, the motor is bad. When I first turned it on I got white smoke and very little movement. I opened it up, took the motor out (wires still attached) and (ok here's where I turn layman) saw the cylinder that spins with copper contacts on it was dirty. I also could see the copper wire wrapped all around it was dirty as well. I sprayed (gasp?) contact cleaner on everything. Let it dry. Then I used a flat head to gently clean the black corrosion off of the copper contacts. Now when I plug it in, I heard a little spinning noise, then nothing. And the nothing continues.

Did I kill it? Was it already dead? A waste of time to try to rebuild a vacuum motor?

Advice appreciated! Thanks!


Post# 98893 , Reply# 1   5/22/2010 at 23:21 (5,059 days old) by kirbykid63 (Wilmington Delaware)        
Most likely dead

Those motors when they wear out it is best to get it replaced with a new one,or find another Oreck. The motors are not expensive.

Post# 98894 , Reply# 2   5/22/2010 at 23:27 (5,059 days old) by kirbykid63 (Wilmington Delaware)        
Check the belt and brush

Sometimes the belt will get stretched out and if the brush roll bearings are seized the belt will smoke.If brush doesn't turn smoothly remove the end caps and try putting a drop of oil on the bearing this will sometimes loosen it up.

Post# 98895 , Reply# 3   5/22/2010 at 23:41 (5,059 days old) by atrac (United States )        

The belt was already toast when I opened it up. I can spin the motor and it seems to move freely. I feel like it has something to do with the electrical charge spinning the motor (like it's not getting juice). I did see some white flashes coming from inside (which led me to the copper (or is it brass) spindle?

As you can see, I have no idea what I am talking about. Sure, I'll probably end up starting a fire -- is it worth dying over $10? Probably not.


Post# 98901 , Reply# 4   5/23/2010 at 07:05 (5,059 days old) by junior1975 ()        
MIght be simple.

Hi Bill,

You might want to ensure that the carbon brushes in the motor are not simply worn out. If they do not make good contact with the commutator then they will produce excessive sparking and may well end up with a loss of power of complete open circuit causing the motor to fail to spin.

The brushes could be either stuck or worn to the quick.

Could be worth a look as suitable carbons should be only a couple of dollars surely.

Hope this helps,

Clark.


Post# 98932 , Reply# 5   5/23/2010 at 16:20 (5,058 days old) by atrac (United States )        

Thanks for the tip! I see the two brushes on eBay but they seem to sell for $35 or so. If I can find them for the price you say then I'll try it -- but those eBay prices are too high for a "maybe" (if you know what I mean).

If I check a local vac shop do you think they'd be less?



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy