caligula
Well-known member
Hi Kirbykid.
Are you saying that there is no suction? that sounds odd! I expected you to turn it on and feed the tp via suction, the idea was to fill the wrapper till it ejected. However, that LXI might need major surgery, most likely a new motor. Take it to the nearest vacuum shop, tell them you are a collector and want it serviced. Don't let anybody say something like "that's too old, " or "you need to replace it with-." Make it crystal clear that this is a museum piece, (it is!) and have a motor from another LX, LXI or XXX put in. If this guy knows anything about vacuum cleaners then ask him to look at the ejector, and see that it works.
You can also do that yourself. Here's what you do.
Stand the LXI on blower end/cordwinder. Open the front cover, and remove the wrapper (bag). There are three screws holding the mechenism in place. Thee correct term for this mechinism is the diaphram, and it's all one unit, front cover and ejector mechinism. When you remove the screws, prepare yourself for a loud BANG, that's the actual spring that pushes the wrapper out. MAKE SURE YOUR FINGERS ARE AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE MACHINE, OR BAG CHAMBER! After removing all three screws, the diaphram/front cover will lift off. If the ejector has not sprung, do not force it. You'll need professional help. Most likely, the flat/wide spring is now extended with the part that says "push Here" at the front of the chamber. Push the spring back a bit and locate the small screw holding the ejector track in place, remove the screw, then rock the track a bit and it will lift out. Again, if not, then get it to a vac shop. If the flat spring moves along the track, then spray it with W/D40, or grease it with Vaseline.
Several months ago there was a club member with this same problem and the process was shown in a series of posts. I'll try to locate that, and tell you what thread it's at. But before I do, I'll help you work on the diaphram.
There's a lever that controls the ejector. If it moves freely then it will activate two pins. This lever, and pins might be rusty, if so, get the W/D40, and see if it moves. If not, again major surgery is needed. If this lever does move, then you're in business, because that's the lever that automatically opens the front cover when it's time to eject.
If all parts do not move up and down, then remove this part and treat it to WD/40, but do not get the WD/40 on the rubber gasgets. (It might take several applications of the WD/40, on need to sit for several hours.)
Once you get the lever moving, reassemble it to the diaphram, then put it back on the underside of the machine. Do not tighten the screws all the way, just enough to hold it snug to the vacuum. Now fit the double track with flat spring to the notch at the back of the bag chamber, and replace the small screw. Reset the spring so it bends backward and catches. AGAIN WITH HANDS CLEAR, press the lever on the diaphram upward, and be prepared for another loud BANG.
If any one of these steps doesn't work then you have a defective ejector, and will need to replace the whole diaphram. Let's say it does work, then line up the front cover, and see that it closes and locks. That can be fixed by tightening or loosening the three screws
Now I'll try to locate that thread to let you see it all in pictures. For now, here are two diaphrams resting on the floor of a display of mine.
Good luck with the restoration.
Alex Taber.
Are you saying that there is no suction? that sounds odd! I expected you to turn it on and feed the tp via suction, the idea was to fill the wrapper till it ejected. However, that LXI might need major surgery, most likely a new motor. Take it to the nearest vacuum shop, tell them you are a collector and want it serviced. Don't let anybody say something like "that's too old, " or "you need to replace it with-." Make it crystal clear that this is a museum piece, (it is!) and have a motor from another LX, LXI or XXX put in. If this guy knows anything about vacuum cleaners then ask him to look at the ejector, and see that it works.
You can also do that yourself. Here's what you do.
Stand the LXI on blower end/cordwinder. Open the front cover, and remove the wrapper (bag). There are three screws holding the mechenism in place. Thee correct term for this mechinism is the diaphram, and it's all one unit, front cover and ejector mechinism. When you remove the screws, prepare yourself for a loud BANG, that's the actual spring that pushes the wrapper out. MAKE SURE YOUR FINGERS ARE AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE MACHINE, OR BAG CHAMBER! After removing all three screws, the diaphram/front cover will lift off. If the ejector has not sprung, do not force it. You'll need professional help. Most likely, the flat/wide spring is now extended with the part that says "push Here" at the front of the chamber. Push the spring back a bit and locate the small screw holding the ejector track in place, remove the screw, then rock the track a bit and it will lift out. Again, if not, then get it to a vac shop. If the flat spring moves along the track, then spray it with W/D40, or grease it with Vaseline.
Several months ago there was a club member with this same problem and the process was shown in a series of posts. I'll try to locate that, and tell you what thread it's at. But before I do, I'll help you work on the diaphram.
There's a lever that controls the ejector. If it moves freely then it will activate two pins. This lever, and pins might be rusty, if so, get the W/D40, and see if it moves. If not, again major surgery is needed. If this lever does move, then you're in business, because that's the lever that automatically opens the front cover when it's time to eject.
If all parts do not move up and down, then remove this part and treat it to WD/40, but do not get the WD/40 on the rubber gasgets. (It might take several applications of the WD/40, on need to sit for several hours.)
Once you get the lever moving, reassemble it to the diaphram, then put it back on the underside of the machine. Do not tighten the screws all the way, just enough to hold it snug to the vacuum. Now fit the double track with flat spring to the notch at the back of the bag chamber, and replace the small screw. Reset the spring so it bends backward and catches. AGAIN WITH HANDS CLEAR, press the lever on the diaphram upward, and be prepared for another loud BANG.
If any one of these steps doesn't work then you have a defective ejector, and will need to replace the whole diaphram. Let's say it does work, then line up the front cover, and see that it closes and locks. That can be fixed by tightening or loosening the three screws
Now I'll try to locate that thread to let you see it all in pictures. For now, here are two diaphrams resting on the floor of a display of mine.
Good luck with the restoration.
Alex Taber.
