Rainbow E Series blowing out water

[vacman117]

I was hoping somebody here might be able to help me out. I picked up a 2013 Rainbow and there is water blowing out of the exhaust port. I wasn't able to test it out with water in the basin (a big mistake), so I had no idea when I bought it.

The separator seems to be in perfect condition, I even swapped in the separator from my e2 Blue and it still did it. I pulled the motor out, cleaned the fans, made sure the gasket was correctly in place, and it's still shooting out water.

It seems the water is going through the separator because the outsides of the gasket don't seem to be wet, should I try siliconing it just for kicks?

I want to see if it's still under warranty, I don't know if that's possible or not.

I could really use some help here!

Thanks
Chase

 

[vacman117]

Update:

I went ahead and siliconed around the rubber gasket surrounding the separator. I let it dry and there is still water coming out of the exhaust, so I'm guessing that it's going straight into the fans through the separator.

Chase

 

[electroluxxxx]

Hi chase!
What is the serial number?

If it was made in 2013 than the 8year warranty will still be in effect. Now if you know the owner I'm sure I can help you with a warranty transfer.

 

[vacman117]

Hi there,

Could you tell me where I'd find the serial number? It doesn't seem to be on the underside.

Sorry I'm not too familiar with these!

Chase

 

[vacman117]

Found it

The serial number is 20381041

 

[dysonman1]

I sold a Rainbow to a stupid woman who called me up an hour later to complain about water blowing out of it. She used HOT water in the basin. Only cold water should ever be used. As cold air is drawn through HOT water, it bring water drops into the motor.

 

[vacman117]

I only use cold water in my Rainbows. I thought that maybe I accidentally used hot water without knowing but that wasn't the case.

The lady handed me the HEPA filter and it was soaking wet, she said she had just washed it and that's why it wasn't installed. I'm guessing she didn't know that it was blowing the water into it. That's the problem with Rainbows...If they aren't taken care of they end up trashed real fast.

 

[ultralux88]

The only way I can see this happening is if there is something wrong with the controller and the motor is running too slow for the separator to actually spin the water away from it. The only place there is suction on the bottom of the motor is in the hole the separator covers, there isn't any suction or blower pressure around the gasket, and its only there to seal the suction in, and the water. Being a 2013 model, it is definitely under warranty, but I'd definitely try and remove as much of the silicone as you can before taking it in, they might think its been taken apart and messed with, thus voiding the warranty. That depends on how difficult or understanding the service center you get to is, some like to find any excuse to not do warranty, but some are very willing to help regardless.

 

[kirbysthebest]

I am sure you are not

but bears to question.  Make sure you are not overfilling.  Top of the center post only.


 

 

[vacman117]

Double checked!

Just like the hot water, I thought I could have but I made sure several times, even filled it quite a bit under the dome in the middle and it was still happening.

I got ahold of the distributor that it was purchased from and he is coming over tomorrow to take a look at it.

Chase

 

[ultralux88]

Let us know what he finds, I'm very curious to know whats wrong with it.

 

[vacman117]

Well,

The Rainbow distributor stopped by this morning. After seeing that I was using cold water, not overfilling the pan, and the separator was in perfect condition he said that he has never seen an e2 spit water out of the exhaust.

He said that he remembers the lady that I got it from and he's worked on it several times in the past, she apparently didn't take very good care of it. It turns out that it's actually a 2012 model, meaning the 4 year warranty on everything is up. He said the motor has an 8 year warranty, but if the motor still works, which it does, Rainbow won't replace it.

He took it with him and said he would tear it down and see if he can figure it out, and that he'd know what's wrong with it by Monday (hopefully). I was very pleased with him, he seemed to genuinely know what he was talking about and was incredibly nice.

Here's to hoping it gets solved!

 

[cuffs054]

Any updates on this?

 

[vacman117]

I just got in contact with the dealer the other day, he said he has been speaking with another dealer and they're trying to figure it out. He says that they may have found the issue and he's hoping to have it back to me working by the beginning of this week!

 

[electroluxxxx]

if there is water blowing out of the machine it can be 1 of 3 things

either the fans are plugged, or one of the gaskets aren't properly sealing. honestly the machine should not be blowing out water and if anything should only take about 10 min if that to diagnose. I have come across this before working in the shop at the rainbow office and all i can say is that it was something as simple as the gasket that seals the inlet of the basin. I have also seen this with clogged separators ( which you said yours was as clean as a whistle) and fans.

let us know what the diagnosis is.

 

[chicagomike]

The other 3 numbers by the serial number tell the date it was made.

 

[kenkart]

Good machines..

I sold them in 83 and 84. D-3s. but I can tell you. they can really be a pain to work on and the slightest thing out of sync can cause odd problems. I have a bunch of them. but don't work on any unless forced to. Clay Floyd loves them above all others and can re build one blindfolded. his secret for good results is he runs everything but the motor brushes thru a dishwasher so all parts are spotless. even the field coils and armature. I couldn't believe it either. but when he gets done they are perfect!

 

[vacman117]

Heard back from the dealer last night, now he says the motor is still covered by the warranty and he's going to replace it and have it done by next week.

More waiting!!!

 

[suckolux]

I had just checked for any update yesterday Chase, keep us informed. Good luck