fixing an Oreck, could use some help...

[vacuumfreeeke]

I have a friend who told me her vacuum wasn't "sucking" anymore and asked me if I could have a look at it. It's actually her boyfriend's vacuum that his grandmother gave him and since she's passed away now the vac holds sentimental value...

When I initially looked at it, I could see that the brushroll wasn't even touching the floor... the bristles were shot. I bought a new brushroll and put it in, and thought I had the problem fixed. Then I noticed that the elbow had a hole in it (pics to follow)... NO problem, I bought a new one on Ebay and it finally came and I put it in tonight. Now, the bottom plate won't go back on. Could it be that the new elbow is a little wider than the old one and that is what is preventing the plate from going back on? They really looked identical when I compared them side by side, but maybe they are a few millimeters different... Maybe I just didn't put something back right, I'm really not sure.

I'll include pictures of the machine and the inside and the serial plate if that helps.... any advice on what to do would be appreciated.... I've had this vacuum for about 4 months now and I want to get it back to my friend as soon as possible...

Thank for any help you can give!

Here is a side by side view of the old elbow compared to the new one, the problem should be fairly obvious )

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

underside

Here is the underside of the machine with the new part installed. I'm not sure what to do with those wires... they were taped down when I opened it up, and I thought that they may be preventing the plate from closing properly, but it doesn't seem to be the case... The wire that is by the belt pulley is separated from the belt pully by the bottom plate when it goes on properly, but I also wonder if it should be routed underneath the motor instead of on top of it... what do you guys think?

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

whole vac

Here's the whole vacuum if it helps with knowing how old it is... I never noticed that it said "simply amazing" under the word Oreck on the bag!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

last one

Serial/model plate.... again, any advice would be appreciated!

 

[sbakerde]

easy

You have the motor upside down. The beveled part should be down over the screw posts. also the wire from the switch need to be tucked into the grove behind the brushroll and run underneath the intake not over top of it. The end caps of the brush roll need to be flipped as well so that the notches are on the baseplate side. I also recomemd getting a brand new ORIGINAL oreck belt, the one you have looks rather old and may not last long. The new OEM belts are a lot better, bojack belts don't last long in my experience. Lastly if you don't have a bumper you will need one because that closes the gap at the front of the vacuum, the baseplate needs the bumper in place to make a proper seal.

Sorry, I have worked for Oreck for too long and now own an Oreck store.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Wow, thank you! I do have the bumper (somewhere) and will put it back on when I get the base plate screwed on. I want to clean the bumper first because it looks awful. I bought 5 genuine belts for my Oreck a few weeks ago on Ebay, so I will put one on for her since I only have 1 Oreck and never use it, I will never go through all those belts... the belt that is in her machine now was the one it came with.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond and will take your advice )

 

[djtaylor]

Bobby,
You need to put the bumper in place BEFORE you put the base plate back on. It can't be done after.
Justin
Spent three years doing repair work in Oreck stores.

 

[djtaylor]

Also,
You should replace belts on Oreck about every six months in order to keep it working properly. Most vacuum owners NEVER change belts, but really should.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

DJ, thanks... I remember that about the bumper now (I took mine apart when I bought it to give it the spa treatment, but it has been a few years). I don't like my Oreck (the only Oreck I've ever loved was the Edge... still waiting for the day when I see one on C/L for 20 bucks) (mine is the loud kind that isn't powerful...model 100C, I believe) and looks very smilar to the one pictured but has headlights and a vinyl bag... so it's just not worth the effort to change the belt on something I use once a year. I keep my Sanitaire and Kirby and Hoover belts changed though... I can feel when they stretch because the brushroll bogs down on the back stroke or on the shag rug...

Can you tell I'm a collector and not a repair man? I hate fixing vacuums, but I get nominated to do it because I'm the "vacuum guy"....

 

[djtaylor]

Bobby,
I know what you mean about being 'the vacuum guy'. Over the summer I talked a friend into replacing his 'bagless plastivac' with a used Kirby. We hit several pawn shops before finding a Kirby G7 Diamond Edition that needed major repairs... but it was cheep. I ordered parts from ebay and fixed it up for him and a month later he said he wanted another for the down stair. Once again, we hit pawn shops till we found another Diamond Edition (this one in much better shape). Another friend calls me every time his Sanyo 'acts up', but if you ask me it's 'pilot error'.
I guess you could call it Job Security.
Justin