Vacuum Whines!

[Waxman]

What's the most likely cause of a high pitched whine from an SS Vacuum Cleaner?

Hose obstructed? Motor going bad? Something else entirely? It's annoying to me and must be hell if you're a canine!

Thanks!

 

[Andyjmyr]

I'd say a hose obstruction. I'm sure operators alike would agree and share some interesting stories at some of the different objects found in vacuums.

 

[MEP001]

Open the top cleanout door and see if the whine goes away. You could have a loose door or motor gasket buzzing. If it still whines with the door open it's probably a bad motor.

 

[jimbeaux]

I agree with Mep, also check & see if you have an airleak around the doors. I have even seen the hinges leaking. Check for airleaks by taping up the door to the canister. If the noise goes away change the gasket.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I'd say a hose obstruction. I'm sure operators alike would agree and share some interesting stories at some of the different objects found in vacuums.

Panty Hoses in Hoses are bad cause they stretch out inside.

As suggested try1. Open Cleanout door 2. Remove Hose See if noise ges away if either of the above done. . If not can you visualy check vac exhaust ports for debris/ If there is debris you likely have a bad filter / bag.
If no debris do you ave a screen between intake and motor beside bag / filter? Checjk that as well. Again if there is debris in the screen, you have a filter / bag issue. . If all that fails, pull and clean filter / bag.

Still squealing? Change out motor(s) to see if it stops.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Panty Hoses in Hoses are bad cause they stretch out inside.

As suggested try1. Open Cleanout door 2. Remove Hose See if noise ges away if either of the above done. . If not can you visualy check vac exhaust ports for debris/ If there is debris you likely have a bad filter / bag.
If no debris do you ave a screen between intake and motor beside bag / filter? Checjk that as well. Again if there is debris in the screen, you have a filter / bag issue. . If all that fails, pull and clean filter / bag.

Still squealing? Change out motor(s) to see if it stops.

Did all that fail? Check cleanout area for stuck animal

 

[ted mcmeekin]

Diagnos the owner, they have been know to whine in bad weather.

Ted

 

[mac]

A common cause for motor failure is torn filter bas. Once dirt starts going thru the motor, the bearings follow close behind. You do clean and inspect the bags regularly right? Or do you let the whine indicate it's time to do that. Sort of like using a smoke alarm for an oven timer.

 

[Waxman]

Guilty as charged. Gotta remove bags and wash. Will reinstall and clean door gaskets etc. hose needs changing while I'm at it. Who knows; maybe I'll get to change a motor, too!

Will post again when whine is gone.

Thanks.

 

[Waxman]

Fixed It!

I washed the filter bags and the inside of the lower vacuum housing. Reinstalled filter bags w/never seize on the eyebolts. Cleaned the trash out. Cleaned the hoses. I did find a bent fan blade on top of one motor of the vac w/the whining noise. I think that may have been the source of the whine but can't say for sure. I straightened the blade out best I could with needle nose pliers.

I also washed the outsides of the vacs and cleaned the vac island. Whew!

How on earth do you guys with 5, 10 15 or 20 vacs do it? You must just do one per week forever, huh?

Feels good. Neighborhood dogs: you're welcome!

 

[MEP001]

How on earth do you guys with 5, 10 15 or 20 vacs do it? You must just do one per week forever, huh?

We have 11, eight are in pairs in the rear under the drying shed, three are in front of the bays. I wipe down the front ones every day (They get overspray from the bays and smears from the shampoo hose) and a pair in the back every few days (They get dusty from people beating their mats on them, plus bird poop on the domes). I clean out two at least twice a week, usually right before I pressure-wash the lot so I clean up the mess I make cleaning out the vacs, and clean the islands when I do the lot. I only wash bags if they've gotten wet and are caked with dirt, which isn't very often. I replaced all the bags with the Adams 4-bag style which snap into the hole instead of having to be drawn up tight to seal, and used a stainless steel keychain clip in place of the draw bolt, so changing the bags is a snap (Actually two snaps) and a lot less messy than pulling them out through the cleanout door. The bags are also a thinner material so they come very clean with a shake, unlike the thick, felt-lined ones that trap a lot of fine dust.

 

[Washmechanic]

We have 11 total at two locations. We shake down the bags every week, wipe down weekly or sooner if needed and empty them about every three weeks or sooner as needed. All vacs are tested at least five mornings a week and all bags are removed and washed once a year. Clean bags are ready to replace bags that are caked do to people using the vacs to suck up water, paint, motor oil and the ocasional soft drink.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Have 42 at 4 locations. Only clean or shake bags if there is a problem. Never Change Vac Brushes. Employees empty as needed depending on useage. Employees pretty good bout checking for bad motors, cloggedhoses, bad door seals and latches.

 

[Kevin James]

I have our maintenance staff clean the vacuum?s out every 3 days whether they need it or not. We have a complete set of spare filters (24) so every 4 months they remove the (24) filters and replace them with the spares, turn the dirty ones inside out and take them to the local Laundromat and wash them out. Hang them in the equipment room to dry and they are ready to use again.