Hoover 160 question

[turbomaster1984]

Today I found a 160 in the local house clearance warehouse and although it was a bit messy it has cleaned up reasonably well.

What I cannot get my head around is how to remove the hood?????
I looked underneath the chassis but couldnt locate any screws that hold it on.

When I ran the cleaner it started up fine but after a minute or so started fluctuating in motor noises and filled my dining room with a vile burning smell.

Im unsure if it was the belt burning as the brushroll is somewhat stiff or whether there is a motor problem.
I didnt leave it plugged in to find out.

Soemthing else I find strange is the bag it came with. It seems original to the cleaner by all accounts if that sounds sane to say but all the 160's I have seen have had a much more modern style bag.

Mine has a black fabric bag with white vertical lines and Hoover written in the old style font like its from an earlier machine.

If I had the camera here I would take some pictures but Paul has it with him.

The handle grip is in excellent condition as is the lower carrying handle rubber. It does need re-flexing or at least the cable repairing as where it enters the handle under the switch has frayed and become unsafe.

Just hope someone can help with the hood issue so I can get her going again.

Rob

 

[vacbear58]

The bag

Sorry to disappoint you Rob, but the bag is not an origional which is a dark grey with a sort of blue fleck (which matches the hose) in it. When I get home I will have a look to see if I have a picture. Does it have a two speed or single speed switch?
Al

 

[turbomaster1984]

Al,

It has a 1 speed switch,

Shame about the bag although it would have been nice I dont feel too bothered about that.
It does seem to be an earlier machines bag which I find odd to find fitted to a younger machine. I machine washed the bag (dont worry I did it on a cold silk wash with mild detergent - what was that Mike? Me use COLD???? LOL ) and gave it a spin which brought it up to almost mint condition with no holes, tears or thin parts.

The bag decoration has come up a treat and looks like it was printed yesterday.

I will have a look and get the serial number etc so I can at least date it.

If removing the hood means that I have to remove the metal strip around the hood with the Hoover logo and ratings plate on I wont bother as the metal strip is mint too and removing it would probably render it useless.

 

[vintagehoover]

Rob: See the metal band which runs around the hood? It's hinged at the rear. If you look directly under the royal crest, you'll see Hoover even provided a notch to make things easier; take the screwdriver and pry it upwards:

 

[vintagehoover]

You'll see the screw directly underneath at the front.

There's no reason why this procedure should cause any damage to the cleaner, this function was designed into the hood/band; remember, these cleaners were made to be regularly serviced!

 

[turbomaster1984]

Thanks Jack!

I will go have a look now and see whats what.
I had this horrible feeling the metal band had something to do with it and I didnt fancy the prospect of having to re rivet the bloody thing back on.

I didnt realise it would just lift up like that.

Cheers

R

 

[vintagehoover]

RE: the belt burning...

I've found this issue stems from the fact that the belts originally supplied with the 160 was notably thinner than the Hoover Senior belt which is often found fitted now. Hence, the belt rubs against the belt-guard, making the rubber smell.

Really, the 160 should now be fitted with the Hoover Commercial 912/912A belt, which is closer to the size of the original, although still too thick.

 

[turbomaster1984]

Belt burning

Jack you are absolutely right.

Just inspected the belt and it had indeed been catching on the belt guard and the sole plate. The belt that was on it did seem uncannily perfect and almost new when I got it home but when I just checked it there were chunks missing and it had started to flake. Seems the little run I did earlier has shredded the belt.

Just this minute put the Hoover outside with no belt attatched and run it, its smooth and sweet so there seems to be no motor issues if perhaps a little oil on the bearings for when you switch it off it does make a measly little grumble.

Now as for the hood thats an issue in itself, I located the screw and removed it. Now for love nor money can I get the back end of the hood over the back end of the cleaner and I dont want to force it. Call me a girl if you like but there is also a thick sheet of cobwebs under that hood and years of dust, dead spiders and probably live ones so that puts me off forcing it.

I gingerly tried to lift it off with a screwdriver with no such luck.

If there is a trick to getting it off could you let me know before the nerves get me.

I knew I should of walked past it cos this would happen.

Oh dear.......

 

[vintagehoover]

The hood is held on at the back by a tab either side:

 

[vintagehoover]

Those correspond to the two tabs on the hood itself. The trick is to lift the hood at the front and pull it forwards and upwards at the same time. If it resists, try jiggling it a little as you do so - just remember not to force it!

 

[turbomaster1984]

Thanks for solving that

In that case I aint going near it.

Thats where its thick with cobwebs......

 

[vintagehoover]

Stick a crevice tool on the Miele and suck them up! Or put on a pair of washing-up gloves or something...I doubt anything would be alive in cobwebs that old, anyway!

 

[vacbear58]

The origional bag

Rob

Here are a couple of pics of the origional bag

 

[vacbear58]

close up

hopefully you can see what I mean about the fleck

 

[vacbear58]

Advert

Early advert

 

[vacbear58]

None the less

Its a great find and a lovely cleaner - I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from it
Al