Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Today I took my Bissell deep cleaner (the commercial grade "BigGreen" Rug Doctor killer) to my parents house to do some carpet cleaning as a favor. I get there, use their Dyson DC14 to vacuum everything first, then went about carpet cleaning. Throughout the process, I noticed clumps of cat hair and carpet fibers trailing behind the Bissell on the forward passes. This led me to believe that the huge brushbar on the Bissell big green was picking up stuff the Dyson was leaving behind. Since the Dyson is seven years old at this point, do you think that it is in dire need of a brush roll replacement, belt replacement, or both? In the case of having the belt replaced along with the brushroll, I'm assuming that my parents would have to take it to a repair center since they do not have the special tools for taking the clutch apart and slipping the belt in and out. How much would such a replacement job with parts and labor generally run for? Thanks, Keith

iMacDaddy wrote:

Hello Keith:

You're a good son.  I suggest you call dyson and ask first.  I'm going to opine that the repair will cost you, from dyson, $100.  Brush [$ 30 OTC about and belt replacement $5 OTC] and shipping costs.  You can do it yourself and save money.  Cost more, possibly if you need a clutch [about $40 OTC].  After 7 years, the cyclones need cleaning/blowing out.  Not sure what dyson charges for this service.  Most vacuum repairers charge $30-$50 for this cyclone cleaning service.  It's a dirty job.  After all is said and done, whether you do it yourself or have it done professionally, you have a 7 year old dyson vacuum that still won't pick up as well as most uprights on rugs [evidenced by your experience with the BISSELL].  No doubt the reason dyson discontinued these brush rolls and DC07 and DC14 models for models with better brush rolls.

Carmine D.

iMacDaddy wrote:
Well, I wouldn't bother calling Dyson at all - unless the thing is completely gone.. You don't need to take the motor apart but check the air inspection tubes to see if anything is clogged. The first thing to do however is to check the brush roll - there could be clogged hair beside the dust channel if hair is trapping the channel. Since it is 7 years old all it could do with is a new brush roll replacement - OR A DECENT CLEAN. Also check to see the brush roll is actually spinning by tipping the cleaner over and watching the barrel roll when it's put in the "clean floor position. If it doesn't, then you'll know its time to call in the engineers.

vacmanuk wrote:

Interesting vacmanuk that you mention this.  I think dyson does a very good job walking its users through a step by step process of servicing and trouble shooting its products.  But .....nowhere in any of its web site narratives does dyson mention this dirt path channel.  No where.  An obvious stumpling block for rug suction if clogged.  Glad you mentioned this. Maybe a dyson employee/web site person will notice this exchange and add the step to its site.

Carmine D.

iMacDaddy wrote:
My step father has two Orecks.  Only he and my mother live in the home and they wear house slippers in the home.Last year he purchased a Rug Doctor. When he cleaned the carpet and dumped the water it looked like a pit for mud wrestlers.  Guess Carmine was correct.  Dang Orecks do not deep clean.

HARDSELL wrote:

Maybe they should buy a Rainbow? 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Well I dont know about you guys but in the UK, Dyson's 5 year guarantee only affects a few models and I'm not sure the DC17 has that kind of warranty. Given that the vacuum is old, 7 years old infact, best to inspect it, taking time and patience rather than pay out.

vacmanuk wrote:

Hello Vacmanuk:

DC17 rolled out in the US in Feb 2007.  It's still on the US dyson web site with an MSRP of $449, just the All Floors model, and comes with a 5 year limited warranty.  No longer an Absolute Animal for $549 in the USA as before.  DC17 has been discontinued in the UK, I presume, because it no longer appears on the UK dyson web site.  I've heard rumors the same fate will befall DC17 in the USA, it will be scrubbed.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

The DC17 was never available in the UK, it was designed for the USA market only. Like the DC28 thats not available here in the UK. DC18

DC18 wrote:
That's not the issue here - sorry - but interesting to know and also to further know that the DC17 has a bigger roller barrel suitable for Americans, thus justifying its existence.. The original response infers to how much warranty the DC17 has in the U.S since it is already 7 years old. If its different in the U.S then the Dyson should considerably be able to be repaired by the owner without necessitating the use of an official Dyson call out which may cost the owner more.