Help with Electrolux Epic 6500 Power Nozzle

[wpwright]

My wife says that the power nozzle on her Electrolux Epic 6500 doesn’t glide across rugs, etc as easily as it should. She said that it should pull forward slightly. The power brush & motor are working fine. Is there anything I can adjust to make it easier to push/pull across the cleaning surface? Thoughts/suggestions appreciated. Thanks! Wayne

 

[human]

There's not a lot of adjustment on those power nozzles. Check the bristles on the brush roll. If they're worn down, they might not be making good contact with the carpet. The best solution for that is to replace it.

 

[jo]

Yes agree...

My Mom complained of the same thing on hers...she has more than one so we compared to the other And discovered the bristles are stiffer and more dense on the one that pulls forward more. Your local Aerus dealer is who services these now as the name has changed. They will come out to the house or you can go to the local branch. Website is aerusvacuums.com and there is a dealer locator tab in the top right corner. Replacing the brush roller will likely improve things, but it could also be a case of a different type of carpet...if this is new carpet it could be thicker causing this too as I elaborate on a bit more when we compared it on different, thicker carpet in the same house but in a different room.

The back wheels are spring loaded and push down and back simultaneously on the forward stroke but only on thick dense carpet and spring back up on the backstroke. So it is constantly adjusting the height every second to best contact with the carpet and to maintain an easier push. It resets itself on the backstroke. It is by far the best fully automatic self adjusting system I’ve ever seen on any vacuum cleaner bar none.

Denser carpet will definitely be a bit tougher to push. My Mom has very thick expensive dense carpeting in her master bedroom and there is a significant difference in the push that is needed in that room compared to the hall and neighboring bedrooms all of which have different carpet. Most of the other rooms the height Adjuster doesn’t engage but it does on that thick expensive master bedroom carpet. They bought that thick carpet in 1987 and it still looks like new.....it has still never matted even in the high traffic locations. A few years ago I told her I really liked the carpet in that room because it has stayed so nice after all this time, nicer than the hall with much newer carpet and she said that’s because it is super expensive carpet as she wanted it to be very nice for her room as they did a full redecorate of the room at that time, changing wallpaper photo, adding stained crown molding to match the furniture, etc.

Jon

 

[jo]

Plus

That machine is likely around 20 years old....if it hasn’t seen a new roller brush in all these years and been in regular use...it’s likely time and will restore the power nozzles effectiveness to like new condition on your carpet!

My Mother used to get hers changed every 4 or 5 years but has slacked off some because now she has two machines, one for upstairs and another for downstairs so they don’t get as much use.

I’d start with replacing the bristle brush for sure.

Jon

 

[human]

Brush rolls are readily available online a whole lot cheaper than what the Aerus dealer would charge and they're pretty easy to change out with some basic screwdriver skills.

 

[jo]

Yes they are but there is a definite difference in quality

Yes generics are available...Just not sure of the bristle quality in comparison to the genuine and sometimes the specs are not quite as precise. I like to use genuine parts when at all possible to keep the machine performing in tip top shape personally. I can afford the extra cost for the genuine part for the guarantee that it will work right and do the job properly. I’ just had two experiences with generics one where I bought a generic elbow for a Kenmore canister power nozzle because it was half the price of the genuine and sure enough it didn’t line up properly for the quick release wand lever and I ended up having to file away part of the plastic very carefully, little by little to get it to work right. Also bought a generic Stretch hose for a Dyson dc07 and it’s shorter by several feet and doesn’t clip on to the bottom at the base nearly as as easily as the original and the attachments don’t fit on as well as the original. The length is now too short to reach the top of the stairs where before the cleaner could remain at the bottom of the staircase and the hose could reach to the top step with the wand extended. The button and attachment retainer system is different too which seems to work ok but the attachments are stiff to get into the end of the fitting now, but I wonder how long it will last...plastic seems thinner and cheaper quality...it just doesn’t seem to measure up to the genuine part. You get what you pay for. Also Mom bought a generic Electrolux hose and her sidekick wouldn’t work with it and she needs that for her staircase. I even tried and it just wouldn’t work and I’ve heard people here mention the same problem with some of the generic hoses.

So from my experience generic parts have more often given me issues than not. In every case I’ve had an issue. 3 out of 3. Others prefer to save some dollars on generics and that’s ok, especially if not used regularly when some rotate and have several vacuums and collect their machines for fun...the generics will then do fine. Even in daily use some generics are pretty good but it all depends on how close the generic manufacturer is willing to spend on copying the part and when patents are in place ....the generic must be made different in some ways and that is where some of the problems may arise and things get thrown off and don’t fit or work quite the same If at all properly and or last nearly as long due to different materials not up to spec being used.

I choose generics when I am just fixing up a rescued vac from the trash or something and will give it away to someone in need to keep costs down but for my own vacuums I have found I’m happier spending the extra bucks for the original parts. They work right, fit right, and last the longest in comparison and I have never experienced frustration with a genuine like I have from settling with a generic part.

I’ve had this issue with generic parts far beyond vacuum parts as well...I have a pool and if I don’t use the original parts for the equipment...there’s always some sort of modifying or tinkering I have to do to get it to work right or it doesn’t last and I have to replace it again...I have just given up on generic parts if an original is available. The money saved is not worth the hassle.

Just my experience at 51 years old and a lot of repairs of all sorts of stuff over many years...to each their own.

Jon

 

[wpwright]

Thank You

Thank you all for the replies to my post. I was thinking that the problem was the wheels, not the brush. It certainly makes sense. I’ll order one ASAP and let you know the outcome. Wayne

 

[real1shep]

Aftermarket.....

parts have become problematic because they're almost always made now of Chinesium.

There used to be 'levels' of aftermarket parts and it was folly to pay the markup of dealers like Aerus.

But when you buy a used Elux vac for $35, it's a bitter pill to swallow in paying over $100 for a hose from Aerus.

Kevin

 

[wpwright]

Worked Perfectly

Thanks for the suggestion to replace the power nozzle roller brush. It now works perfectly. Was a quick replacement. At the same I put in a brighter LED bulb and a new belt. Really appreciate your help on this. Wayne

 

[jo]

Glad to know that did it!

Wayne thanks for letting us know that did it and glad you had success! Next time I go to visit my Mom I will for sure replace hers on the power nozzle she is complaining about as right now she is using the one that pulls itself along for both the upstairs and downstairs.

Does the LED bulb seem brighter by chance?

Jon

 

[wpwright]

LED Bulb

Jon: Yes. The LED bulb is definitely brighter. I ordered a 5W LED, Bright White, 110 volts with a double contact bayonet base T5. Also used in sewing machines. Hope this is helpful. Again, I appreciate everyone’s help. Wayne

 

[jo]

Those belts

Those belt last nearly forever. They are reinforced with dental floss like string and they don’t ever stretch out. Though I have seen them delaminate if something gets caught and the circuit breaker switch doesn’t shut off fast enough. There’s no substitute for good quality!

Jon