D.I.Y. Kirby Fan Replacement

[kirbyrama]

How easy is it to replace a fan in a 500-Series Kirby? I have a 519 model that has a gray plastic fan (installed in November of '12). Since then; it has quite a few nicks in it and quite a substantial one towards the center of it. Even though it still functions ok; debris accumulates on the fan and now periodically make a strange screeching sound. With the hose attached -(sounds something like a chainsaw or a motorcycle. This seems like inferior quality for this to happen in only less than 2 1/2 years. I have ordered a white kevlar replacement fan kit for it . It should be more durable. I am thinking of trying to install this myself. How difficult would it be?

 

[firebirdman55]

The Lexan fans only last a couple of years from what I've heard. The centrifugal force and heat weaken them. Not to mention they usually suffer when you suck something up that's too hard. The newer yellow plastic fans that started with the G5 are much better! I replace all my Lexan fans with these. Much better!!!

 

[bikerray]

The new fans are not lexan they are amodel.

Replacing the fan is not that hard. You need to get the fan case apart then look inside the motor housing by the motor fan to find the hole in the armature and put an ice pick or tool in the hole to lock the armature. Then take another tool to place in the hole on the belt pully and turn the pully clockwise to take it off. Slide off the old fan and the adapter behind it. Place the new metal adapter on the shaft then the fan then the washer and finally the new pully. Stick something in the hole of the pully and turn counterclockwise to tighten.

 

[human]

I thought the newer fans were made of Kevlar. That's what most of the replacement fans I see advertised online are advertised as being made of. Looking at the data sheet, Amodel seems to be a pretty impressive plastic also.

http://www.solvayplastics.com/sites...olymers/aromatic-polyamides/Pages/Amodel.aspx

 

[kirbyrama]

To Bikerray,

Thanks very much , it does seem rather easy, and I would save some money. What type of sealant is recomended for resealing the fan case to the motor unit?

 

[miskini]

Clear silicone is fine. You don't need marine adhesive for fish tanks like other members claim.
The silicone acts like a gasket, that's it.

 

[sptyks]

The new fans are made of a new polymer called Amodel. There was never a Kevlar fan. The fans were originally metal then were switched to Lexan which proved to be a disaster as they lasted only a few years. Finally Kirby worked closely with NASA to design the new Amodel fan. Check out this link to find out how Kirby and NASA worked together to create the new fan.



http://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff1997/ch9.html

 

[danielsand]

Regarding sealant..........I've seen them sealed with clear, gray, and black silicone (I guess whatever the repair shop had on hand at the time). Since I don't have a need for silicone on the daily basis, I had to go and buy it specifically for sealing my Kirbys. So I bought the "marine", clear one. For the whopping sum of three bucks! And the tube will seal about hundred vacuum cleaners. Since I have only five Kirbys, the rest of the tube will dry out and go to trash.

In short: if you have silicone on hand, use what you have, if not.......buy the best.