40th Anniversary Oreck XL

[justjunque]

Hi, all.

Well, from my thrifting thread, I figured I should start a new thread, just for this vacuum.
I went back and bought the 40th Anniversary Oreck XL2.
I'm sure I'll probably be posting questions about more things that need fixing. But, the first thing that I noticed is that the lighted power switch doesn't light up. That was one of the little details that I liked about this model. So, I was disappointed that it doesn't work.
Does anyone know if there's a bulb that can be replaced, or if I would have to replace the whole switch?
I'm hearing that Orecks are pretty simple to work on; which is good for me, because I'm all thumbs.
Does "easy to work on" include the handle? I see that the power cord goes into the handle as well. Normally, I like to stay far away from any and all wiring.
Thanks for your help!

Barry

 

[powerstarenergy]

Can we have a photo please?

Is it ok if we can get a photo of it?

 

[justjunque]

This is the best I can do right now for pictures.
There's also one picture that I took in the store, in the thread about bagged thrift store sightings.
I included a close-up of the switch in question. Sorry it's dirty. I haven't done anything yet beyond removing the disposable bag.

 

[panasonicvac]

I've never taken one of those lighted switches apart before but you might possibly can replace the bulb, I'd be curious myself if that could ever be done or not. But if not, I do know that those switches are inexpensive to replace which would be my recommendation anyways if you wanted the light to work. And yes handles are very easy to work on. Below is how to take apart the switch and the handle.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

I have always been a sucker for illuminated power switches..

I have disassembled and repaired many switches.
Source a replacement BEFORE attempting repair, just in case things go wrong.
Looks like the rocker may just pop off of this one.
Take apart slowly and carefully.
BEWARE any springs or rods or other pieces that may want to pop out.
I suspect a neon bulb inside, but maybe a grain o' wheat bulb.
Let us know what you find.

And if you break it?
Well, it just needed replacing anyway. )

 

[kloveland]

I like the gold accents in that model. I think it's sharp looking..

 

[justjunque]

Another thing that I'm sure isn't right.
The handle is loose in the bottom fitting. I can actually lift it out without undoing the twist lock collar.
Would that be just a matter of the rubber o-ring being bad, or am I looking at a bigger issue?

 

[panasonicvac]

The rubber ring is just a gasket, prevents from dust leaking out. Either the collar or the fan housing is stripped. Or it could be that the collar isn't twisted back on completely like somebody must've unclogged it before.

 

[justjunque]

Never having worked on one of these before, I don't know what it's supposed to look like. So, I won't know if I'm looking at the problem.
Is there supposed to be a flange or flared end of something at the bottom of the tube/handle?
I don't understand what the lock collar is supposed to grip onto.

 

[panasonicvac]

The collar is supposed to lock onto the fan housing, basically the neck. The first and last park of this video should be useful.

 

[justjunque]

As I write this, I have the lower tube removed as part of the overall cleaning.
There was a ton of fine dust caked all around the collar and o-ring. I'm guessing maybe someone hadn't fully locked the collar in place. I gave all the parts a good cleaning, and I'll see if there's any improvement when I put it back together.
The threads of the collar and the fan housing all seem fine. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the video, too. It's nice to see how, as you've all said, these vacuums are pretty simple to work on. I'm always reminded of the old caveman TV commercials. Hopefully, Orecks are so simple to work on; "Even Barry can do it!"

 

[justjunque]

I've gotten the base about as clean as I'm able to. I'm not going for museum piece. The vacuum has some battle scars, and it's yellowed some over the years.
I put all of the cleaned parts back together, and the tube seems to stay in place now. So, maybe the locking collar wasn't fully tightened when I got it. I still feel like the O-ring might have something to do with it, since that's really the only "grippy" part of the whole assembly. And it was so caked with dust, it just slid around on the metal tube. Now that the o-ring is clean, it stays put.
Once I have the whole machine cleaned and put back together, and I can give it its maiden run, I'll be sure to notice if any dust seems to be leaking around that point.
I didn't want to do it, since I got two or three brand new bags with the vacuum, but I ordered a package of the purple HEPA bags. I think there's six in a box. As infrequently as I use my uprights, six bags should last me the rest of my life!
I'll toss one in our XL Classic too, if I ever need to change that bag again.

 

[justjunque]

Strange turn of events

Well...a few weeks ago, I didn't know Oreck made a 40th Anniversary Edition XL2.
Then, I saw one at a thrift store, and brought it home.
Shortly thereafter, I found out that they also made a 40th Anniversary Edition XL2 Ultra.
Yesterday, I discovered one of those in a free listing on Craigslist, about an hour away from me.
I don't normally venture that far from home. But, this time, I made an exception. So, now I also have that version!
I got it from the original owner. It has some wear and tear, but it should clean up pretty nicely.
The reason it was free, is because it doesn't run. The previous owner said she was using it, and it just shut off. This happened a while ago, and, since she couldn't be without a vacuum, she just went out and bought a new one. The Oreck had just been collecting dust in a closet ever since. So, she decided to give it away.
I know, sometimes a wire in the handle can come loose, resulting in the vacuum not working. Does it seem like that would have happened while she was in the middle of using it though?
I haven't checked anything out yet.

 

[panasonicvac]

Nice!

I like the black color on the Ultra better but could care a little less about the two speed switch. Anyways with that being said, it's very likely that one of the wires came loose from pulling the cord on the handle too hard or it might've fallen over at one point. It's a common thing to happen.

 

[justjunque]

Thank you for the video link. I had actually watched that one, when I was trying to boost my confidence to open up the handle.
I finally did just that, a little while ago. I'm happy to report, as expected, one of the wires was disconnected from the switch, and the other one was loose. I was pretty sure that was going to be the problem. Especially, since I discovered a little scuffing and paint transfer on the handle. It must have fallen back and hit the floor or a wall or something.
It now runs just fine. On both speeds even!

 

[justjunque]

I know it's not a great picture, but I thought I'd show the two "siblings" side by side.
I'd like to have gotten the whole handles into the picture. But, if I try to post a vertical picture, it comes out sideways.
This will have to do for now.
I still want to wash the outer bags, and replace a few bits and pieces. The Ultra needs a new brushroll. It probably wouldn't hurt to put one on the other one too.

 

[panasonicvac]

Awesome!

That'd be great for your picture profile on here and maybe on automaticwasher.org as well lol. If you had matching canisters with both of these, that would be a complete set for the collection

This is the infomercial of the white one if you're ever interested in watching it.

 

[justjunque]

I actually do have one black and one white "Buster B".
The black one came with our XL Classic, back in like '02. And the white one was given to me, many years ago, by one of my uncles.

 

[justjunque]

More questions about these XLs

I will need to replace the brushroll on the Ultra, at the very least. It's pretty worn, and has several spots where the bristles are missing.
That machine has white bristles. However, all I see available for replacements are the ones with red bristles. Is there any difference?
Also, those two wire guards or whatever they are. Neither of my recent acquisitions have them. And, I've watched a few YouTube videos where people have said that they always go missing.
Can they be replaced? Is it worth replacing them?
If I'm feeling frisky some time, I'd like to try taking apart the fan housings and replacing the felt seals and such. Even those; I see two different types available, and I don't know which one I need.