Elecrolux Epic 6000 - A few issues

[djub85]

Hey guys, I'm pretty new to the forum. I joined recently when I purchased a used Electrolux Epic 6000 for use in my basement. The unit recently arrived, and compared to my considerably older Diamond Jubilee, I'm less than impressed. I was hoping for some feedback regarding a few issues with this 6000.

First of all, I'm concerned about the motor. It makes a small, high-pitched, inconsistent whirring sound. I wouldn't have been worried about it, but the sound isn't consistent. The motor sucks stronger than my DJ, so it should be louder, but the sound isn't very "smooth" like my DJ. Does it sound like my motor is shot, or is this something an Aerus store could clean and fix?

Next, one of the wheels is majorly cracked, about 1/3 of the way around, starting at the "tread" part and ending in the "sidewall" (I'm a car guy; those are the only terms I know). I super-glued it before I remembered this forum. Does super glue last on these wheels, or should I be having a shop replace the wheel? I suppose this happened during shipping.

The power nozzel light doesn't work. Is that user-serviceable, or is it a built-in special LED unit?

Last, it stinks. It just smells musty. Like it's been sitting around in an attic or basement or closet for the past decade. Any way to fix that (other than replacing the bag, which I've done)?

Sorry for the inundation. My Diamond Jubilee is 10 years older and has none of these issues (or any issues), so I expected the 6000 to be similarly problem-free. But it was a good deal on Ebay, and I suppose there was a reason for that. I'm planning to buy a new Legacy, so maybe I just need to put this one to the side for a while. It obviously wasn't cared for in its past life. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[djub85]

Oops.. typo on the title. ElecTrolux. That's what happens when you stay up too late. Also--if this appears to be a motor issue, anyone know how much Aerus dealers charge usually to clean or rebuild? Just looking for some background knowledge before I take it in. Thanks.

 

[electromatik]

Hi DJub85. The motor is probably showing some age now as the Epic 6000 was made over 20 years ago. It didn't sound that way when new but vacuum motors can take on odd sounds after years of use. Only a person with knowledge would be able to tell you what's wrong. It could be an issue with bearings or brushes. It's possible it needs repairs. The wheel should probably be replaced. I'm not sure how difficult the light would be to change. It's not an LED light but it is not a usual vacuum bulb either. I've heard that it's difficult to change but theoretically possible. You would have to buy the bulb from Aerus as I don't think it's available anywhere else. The musty smell sounds like it might have had water pickup. That might have something to do with the motor sounds also. To fix the musty odor you need to make sure there is no mold or growth inside the machine which will require a dismantle and examination. One other thing you need to do is take off the back cover (where the tools are stored) and change the afterfilter. There is a filter over the exhaust under there which has to be changed.

 

[djub85]

Thanks for the reply. I checked, and there's no after filter in place at all. That alone might help the smell. My old Diamond Jubilee doesn't have one of those, so I didn't even know that it existed in the 600. Thanks!

I think I'll bring it by the Aerus store and let them have a listen/look this afternoon. I don't want to run it and burn what's left of the motor up. Plus it will give me an excuse to snoop around and see if they have a new 90th Anniversary Legacy in stock for me to pick up. I'm not necessarily a collector... I am an enthusiast, but the 6000 was meant for my dirty basement, to keep that debris away from my main level. And with the DJ being 30 years old, it seems like it should be retired to light use status.

 

[djub85]

Thanks for the help again, electromatic! I visited the local Aerus store, and the rep immediately affirmed what I felt--that my 6000 had a shot motor. The repair cost was pretty expensive @ $250, but he offered me $500 toward the new 90th Anniversary Lux Legacy if I traded that old 6000 in, and it was an offer I just couldn't refuse. I took it.

The 6000 is gone, and man, the new Legacy is so much nicer. The body doesn't creak at all (the 6000 was FULL of creaks), and the motor is so quiet. Man. And to think the 6000 almost scared me away from a new Legacy because it was just so terrible. It was terribly abused, I suppose. Idk what they do do old models that get traded in. Hopefully refurbish and resell rather than toss.

 

[electromatik]

You are welcome. I'm not as expert at repairs as some of the others on this forum but I know more about Lux and Kirby than any other machine. It's a shame that it was that bad as it doesn't look too bad in the photo. I'd bet money the previous owner sucked water into it or stored it in a damp place. That would explain the musty smell. You are right, the DJ doesn't have an afterfilter. That was an innovation that came with the all plastic model. Congrats on the new machine. That's really quite shocking that he was willing to give you that much for the old one considering it's motor was no good. Very good deal indeed. Give us an update on how you like it and how it performs if you want.

 

[djub85]

I think I was gouged a little on the original price of the 90th--I think that's how he gave me $500 off for the trade-in. But it was still a good deal in the end regardless. I don't feel cheated at all.

I'm still loving the 90th Anniversary Legacy. It's so incredibly solid, so light, so powerful, and so quiet. I can't believe it's actually that much better than the Diamond Jubilee. The DJ is surely solid, but it's heavy and not as powerful.

I wound up hunting down another Epic 6000 on Ebay though. Buying the 90th assured me that the plasic body models can be solid machines. I found a used one that was supposed to have been professionally serviced. I didn't plan on owning 3 Electroluxes, but I guess I sort of have a collection going now. I really liked the blue of the 6000 body, and there's no way I'm bringing the new 90th model down into my basement to clean--ever. So the new 6000 will be my basement vacuum. I'll just keep it upstairs so that it doesn't smell. I'll post pics of all 3 after the 6000 arrives in the next 15 hours.

 

[djub85]

Here are my 3 Electrolux/Aerus models.

The Diamond Jubilee is an '85, a hand-me-down that went from my grandparents to my parents, and then to me five years ago.

The 90th Anniversary Lux Legacy is of course a '14, my first-ever new vacuum purchase. Awesome vac... powerful, quiet, and solidly-built. I'm loving it.

The Epic 6000 is a replacement for the bum 6000 I got on Ebay with a bad motor and traded-in on the 90th Legacy. I liked the blue too much to not own a 6000/6500, and I really didn't want to bring my new Legacy into my basement for cleaning, so found another 6000 on Ebay, and this one does have a good motor.

 

[mark40511]

I've heard REALLY good things about this -

This little bottle seems to last people a long time. I think you can put a couple of drops on a new bag or something, or perhaps on a cotton ball and suck it into the machine.....They say it really works. It kills odors.



http://www.amazon.com/Wrap-On-71000...id=1397927837&sr=1-7&keywords=odor+eliminator

 

[electromatik]

Thanks for the photo. All three are good looking. Looks like the Diamond Jubilee and the Epic were well taken care of!. I don't see any noticeable nicks or scratches in either and the hoses even still look good.

 

[djub85]

Thanks! They aren't in bad shape! The DJ has been handed down through family generations like I said, and my siblings and I used to sneak it out of the closet to play with it like it was a toy car. I'm surprised it isn't more torn up than it is. Only the bumpers show much wear. Oh, and the DJ has a replacement hose. The braided one ended up with a hole, so my parents bought that one. And since it's a cheapo aftermarket, it is currently STUCK on the machine. The release springs don't release it.

The 6000 is in very good shape. I really can't complain there. The crevice tool is the wrong color, and the floor brush is a cheap aftermarket piece, but overall it looks to have been a solid purchse.

And of course the new Legacy is a stunning machine. I just need to find a black flip floor brush for it. My dealership sold me a new white one, and Aerus claims they don't have black in stock yet because the machines are too new. ...meanwhile, the Platinum uses the same connections and comes with a black flip tool, so idk why I'm having a hard time finding one.