Vacuum Cleaner FAQ

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Q: My vacuum runs, but I can smell rubber

A: This usually means that the beater bar has jammed, and the motor spindle is trying to turn it, but spinning in the rubber belt, causing it to get hot and smell of hot rubber. With the machine on its side, check up under the sole plate/cover plate for some object jamming it. This can be anything from a screw to a childs sock. If you can see the end of it, try pulling and turning the beater roller in the direction you are pulling. If it does not budge, or you cannot see what is jamming it, then you will have to remove the cover plate.There may be another cover you can remove too, if your belt access has a seperate cover. Check your instruction book for this.

Q: My vacuum runs fine, the beater bar is OK but it does not pick up well.

A: There can be several causes for this. If its the sort with filters, check they are not clogged. The later Dysons and others have WASHABLE or LIFETIME filters, so follow the washing instructions. If you have been picking up a lot of plaster dust from a DIY job recently, that is the most likely cause.Another cause can be a broken or split sole plate/cover plate on the underside, causing a lack of proper suction. These are easy to replace. Also check any rubber valves. The Dyson DC01 has a couple of rubber air valves visible on the underside. When you withdraw the hose/wand, the middle one should close up to create a vacuum.If it does not, check for any foreign object stopping it closing. The gap between the two air valve chambers should be clear. If it is clogged with a big piece of fluff it will affect pick-up, so open the right hand flap and feel around for fluff, or use a torch.

The Dyson DC04 and DC07 machines have a small internal hose that can be seen from underneath, that goes between the beater/roller assembly body, and the main pick-up pipe. This can often split in a few places over time, so suction is lost there. It is easy to replace, the upper part with a rubber connector ring just pushes on, and the beater end twists on (see the picture below).The part number is: 904219-02.

Dyson Internal Hose

Q: My Dyson DC04 makes a loud noise when running.

A: Most likely the beater roller has stuck/jammed on a foreign object, or the clutch (designed to stop jams from damaging the belt and motor) has failed and gone weak. It is supposed to make that loud ratchet noise, as its doing its job, plus warning you there is a problem. Remove the sole-plate and check the beater assembly is free to turn first. If not, remove it and see if anything is stuck in side where the belt comes from. If you need to remove the clutch assembly, to check or replace it, there are 2 or 3 visible TORX #5 screws, and one hidden up inside, that you will need a specific TORX screwdriver to get at (a bit extension might not get at it unless it is a really long one). See DC07 clutch information below, that is similar to replacing a DC04 clutch.

Q: My Dyson DC07 has a broken clutch, how do I replace it?

A: The integral clutch belt can fail, or the clutch can go weak. Replacement can be a bit fiddly, as there is a hidden cover screw, visible though an access hole, once the U-TUBE at the bottom has been unclipped. However, if you go to the following site link: http://www.vacparts.net/index.php?cPath=8_27 you will see that this site (vacparts.net) sell this part, and for an extra £2 has complete fitting intructions (on CD I beleive). This is very handy for a DIY person who has not replaced one before.

Q: My vacuum picks up small bits OK but does not seem to brush the carpet clear of larger bits.

A: This is usually a sign that the brush bars have worn down, so they are not brushing the carpet because they are worn below the level of the sole-plate. It is also worth checking that the beater roller is actually free to turn, as a sticking or jammed beater can also cause this symtom. On the older Hoovers, the beater roller bearings can wear too, and create a lot of noise. The brushes are usually obtainable seperately, you do not always have to replace the complete beater bar.One end usually unscrews, and the old brushes slid out and replaced.

Q: How do I replace the mains lead on a Dyson DC04 cleaner:

A: I have had a few questions on this lately. I have never replaced one of these, but I understand that the switch-button has to be removed first. The problem seems to be that this button is difficult to remove, to reveal the switch underneath. The switch has to be removed to pull off the lead terminals. There is a small hole that will allow you to push a very small blade in, probably about 1 CM, to release the catch. If you see the picture of the replacement yellow button on the linked site, you will have a better idea of how this is done. The blade needs to be bent slightly inwards, to depress the catch sufficiently for it to release. This part is easily broken, but the button is only about £3.50. Check the link at the end of this section for replacement parts. If you purchase the cable from the linked site, they even supply full instructions on how to replace the cable (the cable costs £11.75). Once the button is removed, there is a switch housing (£4.10 if you break it) and switch to remove, held in by a couple of TORX screws. There is usually enough slack wiring to pull up the switch, and pull off the connectors. Then the cable is fed through and removed, after the cable is pulled from its seating channel, to allow it to move. I am not sure if the cable routing is easy, but if the path is hidden, I would attatch a nylon chord to the connectors, and pull it through until the cable exits, then re-attach it to the new cable, and pull it back to the switch area, to push on to the switch. You will most likely get much better instructions than this, with a new cable from this useful looking site:

DC04 SPARES: http://www.vacuumcleanersparesuk.co.uk/acatalog/dco4.html

MAIN SITE HOME PAGE: http://www.vacuumcleanersparesuk.co.uk/

However, here is a quote from P.S. of Oxfordshire

“As it was getting late at night I decided that my best bet would be to pop down to my local electrical repairer in the morning to get a new button than spend time that evening repairing it.The cost of this £7.42. His comments was "I bet you are replacing the flex". Well of course you all know my answer. He also said that his standard price for repairing a flex (just shortening it not replacing it) was £7.50. To replace the whole flex was only £17.50. I decided on the £7.50 option. Within 2 hours I received a phone call saying that my Dyson was ready for collection.

My best advice to any of you in the same position is dont spend 2 hours trying to gain access, ruin a perfectly good screwdriver and break a vital part, just go down to a small, back street electrical repair shop and get them to do it.Cheaper and much less hassle.”

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