Air-Way Model 88 Question

[fantomfan57]

Hi all, I finally took the bottom off the vacuum to discover everything is covered with black "soot". In addition the wires coming from the a motor "crackle" when bent. These wires are not the usual smooth vinyl, but look to be woven. Prior to this, the vacuum powered up and sounded fine.

What caused this "soot" and are the crackling woven wires now unsafe?

Lastly, what is the BEST way to clean this motor?

 

[vacuumlad1650]

The Spot is actually carbon dust from he brushes. Just take it outside while wearing a mask and blow it off with an Air Compressor.
Andy

 

[airwaylady]

"Air-Way 88" cleaning

Hello! You can take the whole base and scrub it down with Mr Clean, Simple Green or Pine Sol. Dry it out and it will smell clean when you use it.
Use HOT water. Soft Scrub will work well also. Whatever it takes!!

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks Tania & Andy..

Also, can this motor be replaced with a newer non-Air-Way installed motor?

I understand that the original motors were easily ruined by non-genuine Air-Way vacuum cleaner bags.

Was that an internal chamber design or motor design result?

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Hello Tania!
A big help, as always!
Garry, washing out the motor fans should do the trick. They were not so much ruined, but no Bypass vacuum motor was made to handle havi g dust run through it. The Air-Way wood cellulose bag was superior at the time, so paper bags are no match in filtration. Using the Simplicity HEPA bag will work even better.
Make sure to remove the cord and switch, and all parts when you wash the machine.
Best,
Andy

 

[kenkart]

Believe it or not

If you REALLY want the motor clean, completely disassemble it, and run all the parts thru the dishwasher, just not the motor brushes, let dry re assemble either replace the bearings or repack them and it will be as good as new...Clay Floyd always did this to all machines he serviced.It WILL NOT HURT the armature or field coils, just makes them look new.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks Hans & Andy..

sounds like a plan. BTW, concerning Hepa bags, I fit a Oreck Hepa bag to use in my Electrolux Canister, worked like a charm. Will see what other vac's can be fitted as I am getting lots of hepa(cloth) bags for very little from Goodwill stores, often.

I have one fitted in my Vita-Vac and one of my Air-Way 88's but have yet to run either.