TERRIBLE SMELL FROM HOOVER CONVERTIBLE MOTOR!

[hoover719]

I recently took apart (and cleaned) the motor of a Hoover Convertible model U4367. I made sure that I put it back together properly. Now, when I use it, although it sounds perfect, there is a very strong electrical burning smell after it runs for a little while. What could this be and how should I repair it? The bearings have been lubricated, if that

 

[broomvac]

Did excess oil (if you even used oil) run down the armature? It could be getting burned there.

 

[hoover719]

I have oiled the top bearing, so it may have run down the armature. Is this dangerous, can it be fixed, or will the smell go away?

 

[broomvac]

If it is too excessive, the oil can actually light on fire from sparks from the carbon brushes. I doubt you put that much though, and I would not worry about it. You will probably have a bad smell for like a week or two, but that's probably going to be all that's going to happen.

 

[hoover719]

I put in enough oil to fill the hole in the top bearing. If this is too much, should I take apart the motor again and clean it?

 

[broomvac]

It's up to you. You're the judge on this one.

 

[mb_1981]

Did you drain the oil out before you reassembled?

 

[twocvbloke]

When lubricating sleeve bearings, like that in Hoover motors, you clean it out with oil-soaked cotton tips, and when they come out clean, fill the bearing with oil (sit it on a few layers of kitchen paper), leave it to sit for a bit, and then soak up any excess before refitting...

Oil on the armature isn't good, not entirely detrimental, but it's going to reek for a while, and could be a fire risk, so pull it apart, clean the armature as best you can and keep a fire extinguisher to hand just in case...

 

[hoover719]

I have cleaned the area of the armature where the brushes make contact with clean, dry paper towels. Is there anything else that you would recommend me doing to reduce or prevent any safety hazards?

 

[twocvbloke]

There's not much more that you can do other than replace the armature completely, just be vigilant for any signs of excessive smoke, a CO2 extinguisher's handy though, if there were to be any problems, a quick blast from one of them would cool it all down in no time (other extinguishers, such as Foam, powder & water would cause damage to the vac, which would be costly to repair), but it should eventually burn off, hence the bad smell...

 

[hoover719]

I got a second opinion from an electrician who recommended that I lightly sand the ends of the brushes and the top area of the armature with a very fine sandpaper. Do you think this is a good idea? If not, does anyone have a good, used, genuine (not aftermarket) armature that would fit this motor?

 

[hoover28]

cleaning oil off armature

you can use some brake parts cleaner spray to clean the oil off the armature and then sand the commentators with extra fine sand paper.

hope this helps

Chris

 

[twocvbloke]

"sand the commentators"

I thought talking Hoovers weren't until the 90's?

(I think you mean Commutator)

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Did you make sure the carbons are back in EXACTLY the way they came out?

 

[hoover719]

@kirbyvertibles

There is only one way that the housing which houses the carbon brushes go in, and I put it back on the correct way.

@hoover28:
The armature and the commutator are the same thing, are they not? Should I first spray brake cleaner on the area of the armature where the carbon brushes make contact (let sit, wipe off?) and then lightly sand the same part of the armature? Also, which type and approximately which grit of sandpaper should I use?

 

[twocvbloke]

I think what he meant about the carbon brushes is if they went in so the armature was rubbing on them in the opposite direction to they were before opening your motor, meaning they'd be reseating, but they generally don't produce a terrible smell, just a slight ozone smell while they're being reseated...

I'm not entirely sure about using brake cleaner, it could strip the varnish off the copper wire, meaning you'd definitely need a new armature... :S

 

[hoover719]

@twocvbloke:

So, you think that I can fix the smell by simply sanding the armature, or is there some other cleaning product that I should use?

 

[twocvbloke]

Personally I'd just leave it as is, if you're inexperienced in electric motor repair, you run the risk of damaging it further and running up the repair bill...

 

[broomvac]

I second that.

I truly think you guys are making a WAY bigger deal out of this than it really is. If you wiped up the excessive oil, I am pretty much certain it won't catch on fire, and I definitely think leaving things as they are is the right way to go now. I think you may have a funny smell for maybe a week or two, but that's about it. Don't buy a new armature or anything. You will just be wasting your money.