got a free Oreck, need help (pic heavy!)

[vacuumfreeeke]

Hey everyone. I have a co-worker who told me her Oreck "wouldn't suck no more". She said someone had used it to vacuum carpet that was damp... and they have several dogs and cats. I asked if the bag inflated and she said she couldn't tell. The boyfriend got frustrated and bought a bagless Hoover at Bed Bath and Beyond. My co-worker brought the Oreck in to me and said I could do whatever I wanted with it... fix it and keep it or give it away or throw it away if it wasn't worth fixing. I don't have a lot of experience with Orecks.... I only have one and it's from the early eighties and it has the foot switch and metal fan. I'm also not mechanically inclined. Now, there are some kids at work that are in college and they just became roomates and can't afford a vacuum, so I'd like to find one to give them.... I just don't know if this is the best one for them. I turned it on when I got it home, the brushroll spun, one headlight worked, but the bag did not inflate. It was very loud though! Just like an Oreck should be I guess. And I thought my vintage Oreck was loud! This one even has the two speed motor (and a quick release cord wrap, which my old one does not. I've taken it all apart and there was a really bad clog... someone sucked up animal hair and water (or heaven forbid urine) so it's a mucky mess. I've got the thing all apart and soaking in the tub. I'm going to leave it overnight in hopes that I can get the smell out of the the plastic.... I put some enzymatic pet odor remove in with the dish detergent. Maybe a scoop of Oxiclean wouldn't hurt either. I can't get the fan off the motor pulley though! I wanted to wash it too.... I got the nut off, but the fan still won't budge. The fan is chipped pretty bad, so it may need to be replaced. Also, the wires were easy to take off, but how in the world do I know where they go when I put the machine back together? I tired to take a picture of them, but they are all black and white, so that didn't help. Plus, the camera forgot to save that picture! Anyway, is it even worth all this trouble? I think I've seen nicer/newer Orecks on Craig's List for free!!

Any clues about the wires and getting the fan off would be much appreciated. Break it down for me in baby terms, as I'm not mechanically inclined! I figured fixing this one up would be good experience for me.... if vacuums are going to be my one true passion, I should know how to do something more than change a belt and bag and wax them! Pics begin now )

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

also

Also, the cord has some back nicks where the insulation is showing.... is it missing a grommet up top here?

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I think

I think we found the problem! Shouldn't there be a hole down there somewhere? LOL )

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

the problem

the problem continues! That was packed solid all the way through with that nasty mess!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

the fan

How badly this a chip like this affect suction? I don't want to spend a lot of money on this thing!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Hair was even

Hair was even stuck to the fan! That was the last pic, I promise!

By the way, along with my millions of other questions, I have just one more. My old Oreck takes does not have a docking station, but this new one does. Can I fit one of my old bags over the chute of this new one IF I ever get it back together, or are the holes a different size on the ones with a docking station? This poor vacuum.... it's had a hard life, and usually when I take a vacuum apart, I can't get it back together again, so it may end up in the dumpster if I get frustrated.

Thanks again for any advice, tips, or sympathy you may have to offer )

 

[a1945]

What people do with vacuums absolutely puzzles me

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

OH yeah.... I lied, there is one more picture.... Look at the bottom of the handle! What in the world happened to make it break like that? Shouldn't it be even all the way across?

 

[gusherb]

Broken handle

Someone probably made it there wild dance partner..... Or someone got frustrated with it and threw it out a window LOL

 

[vacman117]

It's a shame how people treat these...If you take care of them they can be great vacuums! Especially on bare floors and rugs.

 

[swiveltop]

I had the two speed model and the low speed works great on throw and area rugs, Mine had the same cord issue, I took the handle apart and pushed the damaged part inside the handle,there is no rubber grommet, the two handle halves hold the cord in place,the fan is probably ok as long as there is no vibration,but how can you tell with these noisy things, the helping hand handle grip is nice and makes is easier to use but I think it puts stress on the metal handle causing it to break, when I got mine I had to replace the fan housing and brush roller, the parts are inexpensive, but it looks like after a good cleaning yours should be fine.

 

[kittingerhoover]

Handle.....

The cut portion of the cord can be fixed. I cut the cord there and rewire it routing the good part in the handle. It is very handy and easy to fix. As far as the metal part of the handle, they make a reinforcement; you can get it at the Oreck store. We used to put them on as a courtesy. While you are there ask them for all the motor seals. There are three seals. One for the intake, one for the motor, and one goes behind the fan. The fan is cheap, I would replace it, but you don't have to. While you are at it, clean the armature and the machine will be wonderful to you.

 

[riccarlover]

Oreck Parts...

After I acquired two identical Orecks months ago, mine had similar problems. They had the metal at the bottom of the handle spilt. Also, the cord was like yours. In order to get a new cord and metal wand, it would have costed over $50! You also have to take into consideration how old the machine is. Mine both were from the early '90s so I junked them.
Hope that helps!
Clayton

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I'm letting the parts dry now before I attempt to put it back together. I've decided I will not spend any money on this thing... I'll put electrical tape over the gash in the the cord, and I'll live with the handle thing (it was still firmly attached to the machine though it may snap off one day.... it's just not worth putting money into!

 

[kittingerhoover]

Clayton

No need for a new handle, as I stated before, and I have worked for Oreck, you need the reinforcment cap that goes over the break. Should be a few bucks, hell we used to give them away free.

Visit a BONA-FIDE Oreck store and talk with the tech.

As for electrical tape, take the handle apart and see, it really is easy to do it right!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I will do that part right.... the cord up by the handle, but the gashes in the length of the hose will be taped because I'm not buying a new cord )

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I got the motor wired back up, and it and the lights worked perfectly on the first try! I was scared to turn it on because I was really just guessing with the wires. The bag is still drying... I put it in the dishwasher on the heated dry cycle on the top rack. I did discover one more problem... one of the front wheels is missing. I know Oreck wheels fall out constantly, and some people even remove the front wheels and just use the cleaner like that. Can't wait to get it back together and make a video comparing it to my vintage one. I fixed the cord where it goes into the handle, but it was not as easy as I thought it would be. There wasn't much room to shove the cord in, and the switch and upper cord hook kept falling out. It took an hour and I had to force the handle back together. It was kind of a nightmare! I noticed that there's a metal wire in the hand grip like the Mieles have, I guess to prevent static electricity from being a problem.