Broken Dyson DC24

[blakaeg]

I finished vacuuming with my 4 and half year old Dyson DC24 machine and I noticed on the side of the machine that encases the handle sides now has a crack in it. It's only going to be a matter of time before this snaps completely and this will mean that the wand will no longer stay in the machine.

Have to say I'm disappointed that this has happened. I've had to replace the wand 3 times as they kept on snapping in the same place - again due to the twisting action, side to side.

I wanted to enquire as to whether it's likely that Dyson will cover this under warranty as it seems to be a failing of the plastic body when the machine is twisted around furniture - yeah I know, it was designed to!

I haven't been able to get through to the Dyson helpline today.

 

[parwaz786]

If its accidental damage, then dyson wont cover it, but this looks like a design flaw

 

[blakaeg]

Hi Parwaz,

I have just called Dyson and been told they will send an engineer out as she said it sounds like a manufacturing fault. I wonder if they know about this issue on the machines.

Anyway, good customer service. I was on the line for 18 mins but the operator was extremely pleasant.

 

[parwaz786]

Awesome! Good luck with the DC24

 

[madabouthoovers]

That problem, or one similar used to happen on the DC07, where the hose and wand support bracket would suffer damage to the lugs that held the wand assy in place. In the end all 4 of them would snap off, and the wand and handle would no longer stay on the machine. I found it seemed to happen more on the purple coloured spines of the Animal model, although other models could suffer with this too.

 

[parwaz786]

Indeed, I think the DC25 is the best Dyson ball for reliability and its a god performer with stiff bristles!
The wand joint should be a problem because its one large plastic thing which is held on quite well, instead of small plastic tabs.

 

[blakaeg]

Hi madabouthoovers,

I had a similar issue with a DC04 machine back in 2008 but the crack appeared in a different place, Please see pic below. I was hoping that Dyson had improved these silly little issues - seems not.

Maybe the latest ones which do not have the whole handle coming out of the body when using the hose, no longer suffer from these problems. Only time will tell as did this issue. I'm glad it has happened now within the warranty as it finishes in December 2014.

 

[madabouthoovers]

What concerned me about the newest uprights, the DC40 and DC41 was that the spine is so pliable, when twisting the handle side to side, it was twisting the spine to some extent. On the older machines the wand was made of metal, so provided rigidity  to the spine, as on the DC15. Constant twisting movements on the latest ball cleaners will eventually cause the spine to shear. I have also noticed that the "ball" sides on the DC41 have a habit of breaking off as well - usually the side not containing the filter vents. The DC24 in particular seems very prone to brushroll assembly failure, and the motor with cogs and belt assy itself is now available separately on many parts sites. Twin motor machines are great for using when you need to switch the brushroll off, like for hard floor use or when using the tools, so the idea is good, but the reliability of the smaller brushroll motors does seem a problem on some machines. It brings back a memory of when Mr Scott from Star Trek said, "the more complicated you make the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain". And Mr Dyson certainly is making his machines much more complicated now,  packed with "technology". The thing is this is a vacuum cleaner, not a computer, or other bit of IT kit.

 

[blakaeg]

Madabouthoovers,

I completely agree with you. My DC24 has had the following issues in its 4 and half years use;

3x handles have snapped
1x brush motor burnt out and sparked with smell of burning after 3 years
3 x brushbars and end caps have worn out causing an horrific rattle in use.
The HEPA filter seems to have a hole in it which is allowing carbon dust to escape
Hose has split after 4 years use - which I think is good for a Dyson.
A crack has been on the body for the past 2 years, just under the tool storage post, but it doesn't affect the operation.
The latest issue is now with the crack in the handle holder which seems to be getting bigger and will eventually snap off allowing the handle to keep falling out.

Despite the issues, I feel Dyson have been very good with their service and not fobbed me off with saying wear and tear. I really do like my DC24 as it compacts down nicely so I can store it in a very tiny cupboard and I only live in a flat so I don't need a large machine.

I tried a DC50 in John Lewis and like you, I was concerned by the flimsy plastic spine and lack of solidity in the build quality and that foot release system isn't great. The DC50 spine flexed so much I was concerned at how many years the plastic would be able to take this before it cracks like my DC24 did.

I've had Dyson since 1998 so I've remained loyal to the brand but it might be time to move on to something else once my warranty is up. I still have a Sebo Felix Classic at a friends place but I much prefer bagless for cost reasons.

 

[parwaz786]

If you want a compact, powerful Dyson which has not many problems, a Dyson DC08 with Telescope wrap and a turbine head will be good.

 

[citroenbx]

dyson

or dyson dc07

or dc14

after dc14 all dysons went to scrap

 

[blakaeg]

Parwaz786,

I'm not a cylinder user. Much prefer uprights all the way.

 

[blakaeg]

It finally broke. Can't really use it now.

 

[blakaeg]

The section missing

 

[blakaeg]

Normal side

 

[blakaeg]

Real shame this has happened as I need to vacuum every other day due to allergies. Won't be able to use it now

 

[parwaz786]

Try Araldite glue which you can find on amazon, works really good, million times better than super glue.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I thought Dyson were supposed to be sending an engineer to engineer a fix for it?

 

[blakaeg]

Dyson will be visiting next week to fix the machine. I told them about the current issues I'm having with the obvious snapped duct. The rattling brushbar and the tear in the hose. I doubt they will change the HEPA filter, but if they did, I'd be grateful as mine seems to have a tiny hole in it which is letting out carbon into the ball housing.

When the warranty ends at the end of the year, I think it will be time to get rid of the machine as the rattling brushbar is pretty annoying to be honest and it must annoy the neighbours downstairs when there's this loud buzzing/rattling/vibrating sound coming from my flat whenever I vacuum with the brushes turned on for the carpets.