Hoover Dialamatic issue

[steve]

I have an old Dialamatic in excellent condition but little used.
Just fired it up and the brush roll cleans nicely but it appears
the power drive is not activating. Years back replaced the handle.
Never made any strange sounds and is super clean.

Any suggestions on how to trouble shoot it? Thanks just joined.

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

yes I do have a suggestion.....

Try replacing the Power Drive belt. Hoovers of this type that are self propelled have two belts, one that runs the power drive unit, and one that runs the brush roll. BOTH need to be replaced every two or three months. Just remove your bottom plate, and you will see the two belts I am speaking of.

 

[steve]

Amazing that I have had this for over 25 years and never had the Drive Belt fail,
as I did not even know there were 2 belts. Will turn it over and have a look tomorrow... thanks

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I recommend you change the agitator Healy 2 to 4 times a year and the self propel belt yearly. I've been doing it that was and have yet to have a problem!
Andy

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

No Andy....

Any GOOD vacuum cleaner shop will tell you 2 to 2 months!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Good Lord I work at a GOOD one! The owner opened the place 30 years ago. His brother opened one 40 years ago. Their dad was in the business before them. Flat stretch belts last longer than round ones in my experience.
My daily driver (before I started collecting a year or so ago) used a flat brushroll belt and a flat drive belt. I changed the brushroll belt 3 times a year and the self propel belt yearly. Never had a problem to this day and it's a fantastic vacuum!!
Andy

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Just beacuse a vaccum cleaner has been in business....

For 100 years does not mean they know whay they are doing. You for that matter of fact have questionable practiceed your self. So I woulnt be so fast to give in stone advice.

 

[steve]

belts work no transmission activation with handle

Belts were intact and spin properly when powered up. Now I remember having seen that both are powered by the motors drive shaft.

My handle seems to be working properly and moves the forward reverse arm on the motor but alas no transmission engagement. Does anyone know how I should proceed?
I have mechanical skills being a older Mercedes guy, but no idea about this transmission. Thanks!

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Just beacuse the belts.....

Look like they are good, doesn't mean anything. change them.

 

[3rdgenvacguy]

Dial a Matic powerdrive

The handle should slide back and forth and move the P.D. actuator bar. The bar must freely move to the left and right in order to engage the clutches in the self propell unit. There is a piece on the rear motor cover that the bar rest inside. If the bar rubs inside of this it will not have its full arc of motion. Sometimes you can pull the bar out of this piece and put a screwdriver under the actuator arm and put either more or less bend in the actuator so that it does not rub. The actuator bar goes through a yoke on the self propell unit. In rare cases, I have seen deep grooves worn in the yoke.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

also take the back panel off the back of the handle top and see is the actuator wire is broken there. The wire should have a small post nub on it that sits in a hole that gets back and forth.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I've never had any issues with Dia lA Matics

I also don't use them on a regular basis.
But, I must say how impressed I am with all of this help FLOWING 'out there' for all of us to see and use. It's amazing to see people suggesting all of these 'cures'. KUDOS to all of you.
John

 

[steve]

Just checked 'er again. pulled the handle apart, no mechanical issue there.
I put the machine on its side and activated the handle watching the bent arm that goes around the outside of motor, and it appears to be working fine. Then moved the arm at the motor back and forth and that made no difference. Both belts as mentioned are spinning when motor is on. Since last time I used it was several months ago and it worked fine as it always had.

I have no idea what one posted meant by Agitator Healy? The drive belt is the shorter of the two, I have an extra so will put it on but if both belts are spinning don't see how it could possible be the belt. Will change it out tomorrow and eat crow if that's the issue.

Will also investigate the actuator bar more closely. It seems to move easily in both directions.

Thanks to everyone for their ideas. Excepting the handle replacement its the second issue in 25 years. Will post a few pics soon. It looks quite nice as I did a decent job repainting it about a year ago...

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Those belts stretch. They might be spinning but not very fast. Once that agitator hits the floor it will slow down quickly!

Agitator Healy...that might have been me. Darn autocorrect!

Andy

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I would LOVE to see pics of it repainted!!!!!!

 

[steve]

Dial-a-Matic Repaint

Replaced the belt driving the transmission and as suspected it made no difference. I have never replaced belts on vacuums until they break and have never noticed a difference in operation.

I took some photos of this machine after the repaint done because of yellowing of some of the beige plastic, after noticing these machines came in a similar blue two tone. Also a few pics of the actuator arm in different positions moving it manually from L to R, seems to move as its supposed to. No idea why the transmission is not activating. I can still use it to vacuum, by pushing though there is some expected resistance.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

From what I remember when we saw self propelled vacuums in a daily basis the drive transmission wears out after many years. Ill dig out some pictures and see if I might have these parts
Andy

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Looks cool!

The only other thing I can think of, did you make sure the little button on the handle top that stops the transmission isn't pushed in?

 

[steve]

Thanks guys, I also wondered about that button and checked it carefully. Seems ok.

Andy, please do check to see if you have something that may assist.
I hate to see well made things wind up in the garbage!