Oreck XL9100 Possible Motor Issue

[s_matt37]

So, I am having a few issues with my grandpa's Oreck XL9100 from either 1991 or 1992. Cosmetically, the vacuum is in excellent condition. Mechanically, it used to be in great shape, but it has been having a few issues that have lead me to thinking that it is a motor problem. First, I was using it at his house the other day, and it randomly slowed down and then returned to normal, both in speed and sound. I continued to use it, as everything seemed fine. Later, I went to use it again. This time, it sounded like it had gotten louder, and had a weird buzzing sound about it, as well as a nasty burning electrical type of odor. I stopped, mainly because I was done, and let it sit. Ever since that, the same odor has returned every time the vacuum has been used on carpet, along with the buzzing noise. I took it home with me, and ran it without the brushroll on. Sounds fine, no odor or buzzing noises. But, with the brushroll on the odor returns, as well as minor speed fluctuations and buzzing noises. Has anybody else had this issue? Is the motor shot, or getting there?

 

[wyaple]

You will want to check the...

Belt to see if it is slipping and/or simply replace it if it has been used for several hundred hours (or years).

Possibly the brushroll is not spinning well due to worn bearings and/or debris jammed in the end caps.

If the machine appears to run OK when not on carpet, there's a good chance the motor may still be OK.

Bill

 

[s_matt37]

I have checked the belt and replaced it. The brushroll spins quite freely, with very little binding or resistance. The bearings are dry on the motor, though. Could adding a drop of oil to them possible help aleiviate the issue?

 

[s_matt37]

I also forgot to add that even with the belt and brushroll in at all, it buzzes and produces the odd odor,not just when it is used on carpet. This is a new issue to me, as I have never seen it before on an oreck.

 

[wyaple]

If it's making the noise...

without a belt and brushroll, then it's probably a motor issue. When I've seen this problem, buzzing, bad smell, etc., it usually involves replacing the bearings and/or armature. It may be end-of-life for the motor assembly. Briefly checking, a new motor assembly (#097550501) is around $39 on eBay.

Bill

 

[vac-o-matic]

I worked in an Oreck store for a few years up until two years ago. When you have those symptoms, especially the smell, it's time to replace. You may have to alter the wires a bit, but if you like the machine, I'd drop a new motor in it. Keep in mind, if it's a new motor, it's going to have more power, and will be a little louder. Many of our customers spent the 100.00 for a complete rebuild and full clean up. So many of the loyal customers, like of some other brands, didn't blink twice at the cost. It's good that you can do it yourself, the parts at Oreck are very pricey. Good luck!

 

[blknblu]

Looks like you have two part numbers for the motor to work with, both point to being used in your upright.


<h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; font-weight: 400; color: #111111; font-size: 21px !important; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px !important 0px;"><span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; line-height: 1.3 !important;">097550501 & 097553501</span></h1>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; line-height: 1.3 !important;">This works also: OR-6000</span>


 


<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; line-height: 1.3 !important;">which brings us to an Ametek Lamb motor, and not one of the cheaper motors</span>


<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; line-height: 1.3 !important;">[COLOR=#111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px]Ametek Lamb Motor # 119550-00 Fits All Oreck Upright Models Except XL21[/COLOR]</span>

[this post was last edited: 6/1/2016-23:31]

 

[henrydreyfuss]

Time for a new motor.

All classic symptoms of a dying vacuum cleaner motor. That "electrical burning" smell you described is a distinct symptom, and almost universal. Fluctuating motor speeds, and flickering/dimming headlights are other common symptoms. The electrical smell of a dying motor should not be confused with the "burning rubber" smell, which is commonly belt/brush related.

If you're up to it, Oreck motors are very easy to replace, and can probably be purchased for a good price on ebay. I even wouldn't be surprised if there were youtube videos that could walk you through the repair.

If she's just going to replace it, I would recommend a Riccar or Simplicity lightweight upright, as they take all the benefits of Orecks to a new level! The XL21 series and its successors are the best newer Oreck option, but Tacony has made higher strides in quality, performance, and filtration with their machines in the same category. [this post was last edited: 6/1/2016-23:53]

 

[s_matt37]

Thank you for all of the great responses! No, my grandpa is not going to replace the vacuum. If the motor dies, then we will just purchase a new motor. I can do the repair very easily, as I have worked on many, many vacuums. I am assuming that the Ametek Motor is comparable to the genuine Oreck motor? At this rate, I think that we will just use it until the motor dies, and then replace the motor, as the original motor still works fine, but is having odd behavior. Thank you for all of the great responses!

 

[kirbysthebest]

It might be ok to use it until it dies, but I would have the new motor on order it is taking it's last breath. 


 


Kind of like hospice, you don't have long  before the inevitable happens, and it will happen when least expected.