One of Hoover's Most Innovative from North Canton need some help

[electro]

I am having a problem with a Hoover Dail-A-Matic and need some help to resolve the issue.
I am going to divide the thread into 3 parts.

HISTORY OF THIS HOOVER:
The Hoover was purchased in August 1972 from our local Hoover dealer. It was purchased for my family and from the original paperwork the machine was $169.95 and tool set $24.95. It has had very good care and service by Indianapolis Hoover Service Agency over the years. My mother preferred her Air-Way to this Hoover because of the weight and dust issue. When we were cleaning out the house for sale it was put in a pile for trash pick up. As I was leaving, I just could not stand seeing such a good example of Hoover engineering and pride from North Canton come to such a sad ending, so I took it home with me.

PROBLEM WITH THE HOOVER:
When I attempted to put it in service, I found a large amount of dirt collecting on the RED screen at the bottom of the bag compartment.
I realized this was not normal and could not be used with this problem or the motor would be ruined.

TO REPAIR PROBLEM:
I took the Hoover to several vac shops and got no help or interest.
I was informed that Hoover today has NO interest in old parts or 47 year old machines.
I have attempted 3 different repairs with no success.

(1) Duck tape on the seam
(2) Flexible sealer on the seam
(3) Semi perm glue on the seam

Nothing seems to stop the leak and I can attest to the superior quality of the old plastics used by Hoover in North Canton and it did not crack or break when removing the glued sections!

Any suggestions as how this problem could be fixed?

The problem is the seal on the clear tube. Dust leaks out BEFORE it reaches the bag and collects on the RED screen at the bottom of the bag compartment.

 

[broomvac]

Which sealer(s) did you use? I use RTV silicone for fixing leaks like this on vacuums, and it usually works if the sealing surfaces have been prepped appropriately. Perhaps try RTV?

 

[electro]

Broomvac,
I am sure that is NOT what I tried.
Since you have had experience using this product, how would I properly prepare the surfaces? The one side of the tube has a rubber molding installed. I think that is the source of the problem, the failing rubber gasket. Would you leave that in and add the RTV on top of the gasket or remove it?
I think the very powerful air flow entering the bottom of the tube may be one reason my attempts failed to seal.
Is RTV something that would be permanent and would it's use prevent the tube from ever being removed again?

Thanks for your help.

 

[huskyvacs]

It looks like the rubber strip is perished and failing. You'd have to wash the plastic shield and clean it all up, remove old residue from past attempts, remove the rubber seal, and replace with a new one. You cannot find that part online, not sure if a mom and pop shop might have it.

There are these two motor gaskets for a DAM vacuum on eBay, which should work, as it looks to be the same type of gauge of rubber, might have to buy a couple to get them to fit the whole part.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hoover-Dia...405054&hash=item41e2188114:g:eCsAAOSwWfda-e7O

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hoover-Dia...404696&hash=item41e2188132:g:cUkAAOSwDZ1a-fAK

The foam parts should be able to be replaced with weatherstrip foam:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61rEzvmyI3L._SX425_.jpg

 

[broomvac]

@electro

If you go with RTV silicone, It’s your call whether or not you leave the rubber behind.

Surfaces should be wiped with rubbing alcohol and allowed to fully dry. Note that rubbing alcohol can dry out and crack rubber, but it sounds like the rubber is already going down that road anyways.

You will be able to pull the cover off someday even if you used RTV, but you may have remnants of RTV on your parts.

 

[madman]

I would remove all that old gasket and whatever crap may be there now, wipe down all the mating surfaces with alcohol. Put a bead of silicone (RTV automotive style or even regular 100% silicone for bathtubs, etc) the same thickness or a little more than the old gasket. That one area of gasket that looks like foam, just put a bead that size there too.

Silicone won't adhere well enough to prevent it being ripped off in the future, so don't worry about that. I recommend wearing disposable gloves when using the silicone, and have lots of paper towels handy.

Also, that clear plastic part is probably as delicate as plate glass. When you tighten the screws on it, just barely snug them. Besides, the silicone will make up any looseness once it dries.

Hopefully that fixes the problem you're having.

 

[electro]

Thanks to each of you for your help. I will get the RTV next week and give you an update.
I hope I can put the old North Canton gal back in service.

 

[oreck_xl]

Your Dial-A-Matic is in FANTASTIC shape. It would've been a shame to let it go to a landfill. Most DAMS with power drive are all scratched up on the base from the herky-jerky action of the power drive. It's a keeper for sure....

 

[electro]

To broomvac and Madman

I appreciate your in put about the fix.
I went to the store today to buy the Silicone. Is RTV a brand or type of Silicone?
I looked at Walmart, Lowes and Home Depo.
Never saw so many choices!

What I bought was GE 100% Silicone. It says 2+ on the tube and is good for laminate and plastics.
It says it adheres to more surfaces compared to most acetoxy curing silicones.
I did not find any type or brand listed as RTV.

Do you think this will work ok?
I also bought 70% Isopropyl Alcohol to clean and prepare the surface.
I don't want to mess this reapir up.

 

[electro]

To broomvac and Madman

I appreciate your in put about the fix.
I went to the store today to buy the Silicone. Is RTV a brand or type of Silicone?
I looked at Walmart, Lowes and Home Depo.
Never saw so many choices!

What I bought was GE 100% Silicone. It says 2+ on the tube and is good for laminate and plastics.
It says it adheres to more surfaces compared to most acetoxy curing silicones.
I did not find any type or brand listed as RTV.

Do you think this will work ok?
I also bought 70% Isopropyl Alcohol to clean and prepare the surface.
I don't want to mess this reapir up.

 

[madman]

For general purposes like this, silicone is silicone (as long as it's 100%). RTV stands for Room Temperature Vulcanizing, and typically refers to automotive gasket-maker types of silicone. There are, of course, a 100 different types for every particular purpose, but you're not exactly trying to seal against solvents at 500F, or anything else very demanding. Don't overthink it.

For alcohol, general cleaning purposes, 70% to 90% isopropyl/rubbing alcohol or denatured ethanol (aka poisoned vodka) will do pretty much the same job.

 

[electro]

MadMan,

Many thanks for your quick answer. I will be sure to give you an update when the repair is complete. I appreciate your help.

 

[electro]

I think it is fixed

Here is a shot of the red filter after 2 rooms. I would guess it is at least 90%
better. Almost no visible dirt collecting on the RED filter screen.

Of course the normal leaking dust from the Hoover paper bag but that is expected on a 47 year old Hoover. I would not be able to use this cleaner on a regular basis with the dust but this has solved the problem and puts it back in service without damage to the motor.

I also checked the tool port. It has ok suction but this cleaner never had terrific suction even when brand new. It made the rugs "look clean" with the nice soft brushes.

Thank you again for the help from the readers.
One more Genuine Hoover from North Canton saved!

 

[madman]

Glad it's working out. So tell me this, am I right in thinking the motor sucks air in through the red filter? So wouldn't that mean the whole bag compartment needs have a positive seal? I wonder how the gaskets on the rest of it are holding up. Likely it was never 100% sealed, anyway.

 

[electro]

MadMan

MadMan,
I think you are correct. The air is pulled through the Red filter into the motor.
I had not thought about the rest of the seals around the bag compartment door.
If those leak, could be losing suction and air flow.

I do remember even when the Hoover was new it did not seem to have a lot of air flow.
When it had a new bag, it was much better but only for the first few minutes. After the inside of the bag gets a thin coating of dust, the suction drops off.
At this point are your beating the dust OUT of the rug or beating the dirt INTO the rug and the brushes are "fluffing" the surface, so the rug looks clean.

I don't know. I grew up with a much more powerful Air-Way and now use only a Rainbow. With the Dail-A-Matic in the sun light, you can see the dust coming out the exhaust and you will find it the next day on the tops of the tables.
That does not happen with the Rainbow. I can go 2 weeks without seeing any dust, so for sure the Hoover redistributes dust in use.

I do not have enough knowledge of Hoovers to make a conclusive statement.
Just glad it is fixed and can be operated and it sure was a much better built machine to last 47 years.
Grateful for everyone's help.

 

[huskyvacs]

Congrats on your find! I just bought one myself last month, also here in Indiana. We must have found a cache of them haha I haven't plugged mine in yet but the seller said "its loud and runs rough". He had been relisting it for 3 or 4 months (at only $20) and I didn't want to see it get thrown out.

 

[electro]

This old Hoover is still picking up!

I was wrong when I thought the Dail-A-Matic wasn't picking up. I changed the bag today and checked the compartment.
The repair is holding and the RED filter looks clean. I was shocked at how much the old girl picked up since the repair.
Not bad for 47 year old Hoover.
Those old original type "D" paper bags still leak too much dust for me use on a daily basis but can't imagine ANYTHING they put out today will still be working in 47 years.
Those employee's from North Canton, Ohio can look at this Hoover with pride.

 

[madman]

Nice!

 

[lesinutah]

Seal

Is everything sealed in the bag chamber. It does well now if it has a small leak with it fixed would be that much better. That Hoover has been around this long because it does such a good job. Glad to see that you are putting it to work not some plastic crap.
Les