For your vacuum cleaner to function correctly, its pump or engine needs to work. Your vacuum cleaner has some moving parts in its pump. If you remember from your elementary science classes, moving parts tend to fail due to the effects of wear and tear. Before you can repair the pump, you need to know how your vacuum cleaner works. There is a motor that turns a fan in your vacuum cleaner. As this happens, suction is created. This results in air, along with dirt and debris, being sucked into your vacuum cleaner where it is filtered. When repairing your vacuum cleaner engine, you need basic tools, your hands, and some common sense. The following steps should guide you as to how to go about repairing your vacuum cleaner engine.
Disassemble Your Vacuum Cleaner Engine
Repairing your vacuum cleaner needs a few basic things. You need to use your hands, pliers, screwdriver and a bit of common sense. You also need to have a basic idea how it works. The motor in your vacuum cleaner is attached to a fan. As the fan rotates, it develops suction. The suction pulls in the air that is laden with dirt and debris. The dirt-filled air stream is then filtered via a porous bag in your vacuum cleaner. Start by removing the handles, filter and switch assembly. Be careful not to disturb the electrical connections and circuitry that lie beneath. Your vacuum cleaner has a case protecting its innards. Remove this protective case carefully to access the engine of your vacuum cleaner. Be careful when handling the fragile parts of your vacuum cleaner. For anything, you remove from the inside, make sure you note down its position. This will make it easier for you to return each part where it belongs during reassembly. Remove the cabinet housing the vacuum pump. At this point, you will be able to carefully remove the motor itself.
Fixing the Engine/Pump
Slightly tap off the metal shield at the motor end. This will expose the blower fan. The aluminum blower is very important to the proper functioning of your vacuum cleaner. Usually, it tends to get clogged up with dirt and dust. Ensure that you clean it out thoroughly. Carefully lift out the carbon motor brushes. They are held in place with spade connectors. The carbon brushes should be long and solid. Use an electrical component cleaner solvent to clean the brushes. If you notice that the brushes have deteriorated, replace both brushes at the same time. Remove the engine stator carefully. There are metal spring clips that hold the stator firmly in place. Once you press down on the clips, the stator should be able to slide out with relative ease. Be careful as the stator has electronic controller wiring attached to it. Clean up cumulative dirt and debris from the inside of your stator. This will ensure that your vacuum cleaner operates at its optimal working levels. Cautiously remove the rotor assembly as it has bearings at both ends. Ensure that you do not lose any washers in the process. There is a commutator at the rotor’s ends. If the commutator is dirty or looks compromised, this may affect your vacuum cleaners’ performance. To fix it, mount the commutator on a mini -lathe. Use both wet and dry sandpapers in an alternating fashion. Try and use light, feathery strokes to sand down the commutator’s ends. Replace the bag and all the filters in the vacuum cleaner. Ensure that all the intake and output airways are clean and clear.
Repairing the Electronic Components
The electrical system is quite basic. It usually consists of a triac with a rating of between 20-30 Amperes and a thermal cutout device. Check that there are no loose electrical connections. Ensure that the plastic clips that hold the electrical connectors together are not cracked or damaged. If they are, ensure that you replace them and insulate the area. In case your vacuum cleaner does not work when you turn it on, the most common culprit is the fuse. Check that the fuse is intact. If not, then replace the fuse with one of a similar rating. As you do this, check to see if the connections in the plug are okay. Make sure that all the triac wires are connected to the body of the vacuum cleaner.
Reassemble Your Vacuum Cleaner
Before you reassemble the unit, make sure that all the parts are completely dry. You do not want it to the short circuit just because you were in a hurry to try it out. Restore all the screws and parts back to their rightful place. You will now be able to appreciate why it was important to note the position of every individual part during disassembly. Check one more time to confirm that everything is back in place and all the wiring is intact. After reassembling your vacuum cleaner, plug it into your wall outlet and switch it on. If there was no major malfunction, it should be able to function perfectly. A Do It Yourself (DIY) approach is usually a great, cost-effective option. However, sometimes your vacuum cleaner may develop a major problem that causes it not to work properly. If this happens to be the case, you need to take your vacuum cleaner to a qualified professional for repair. This will save you a lot regarding incidental costs. If you are not qualified in repairing and maintenance, you may end up damaging whatever it is that you set out to repair. When you purchased your vacuum cleaner, it came with an operating manual and a manufacturer’s guarantee. It is important for you to check if the warranty that is still valid. If it is and the warranty period has not expired, the manufacturer should be able to repair it for you at no extra cost to you.
Final Verdict/Conclusion
If you want your vacuum cleaner to perform optimally, you need to repair and maintain the unit regularly. Moving parts tend to fail over time due to wear and tear. The key component of your vacuum cleaner is the engine or the pump. Repairing the engine will entail checking the motor, stator, commutator and electronic components. Depending on where the fault is, you can repair and replace the faulty part.