Dirt Devil Bagless Upright Vacuum Overheats, Loses Suction & Stops - Let's FIX IT!

[@danieljackson1272]

I live in an apartment complex very close to a university. Every June thru July, I will find at least 6-7 DD vacuums sitting out by the dumpster. Usually the person - typically a student - will keep vacuuming without emptying the dirt cup until the thing is so clogged it loses suction, and they just throw it out. Maybe one time out of the 25 or so vacuums I've retrieved over the years had a broken belt that needed replacing. Anyway, I completely empty out the dirt cup, rinse it out, clean out the filters, wipe the entire vacuum down nice and good and sell it for 25 bucks on Facebook. It's never taken me longer than two days tops to sell one. The other thing is, there are so many apartment complexes filled with students in this town that if I really applied myself, I could probably pay my rent in the summer purely from retrieving vacuums and selling them. 😅

[@lindamcdermott5475]

This video was very informative. I’m familiar with replacing belts on my vacuums through the years. So I felt confident to tackle this one. I have a Dirt Devil bagless model. After replacing the belt, cleaning the beater bar, filter and hepa filter, and checking the hoses, it still is not picking up. After vacuuming two rooms, the canister had almost nothing in it. ( I sew and gave a cat, it should have had stuff in it!) The motor area was hot. Prior to this servicing, it overheated and shut off completely. I debated taking it to a repair shop vs getting a new one. After re watching your video, knowing that I did all of the things you demonstrated, I have decided that it is time to replace it. Thank you for all the information and demonstration, and most of all for the reassurance that it is time to replace it.

[@Foxonian]

I have an upright Kennmore vac that shuts off like this a lot. Ended up buying two used Dyson upright vacs at a flea market this summer for under $40 for the pair.Both work great and neither has shut down even when plugged.

[@johnhouli3450]

Thanks. My problem was a clog in the hose that goes from the handle to the bucket area remove both ends and with a mop stick handle was able to remove 3 rocks and wood and a lot of dust. Filters were washed. All good now.

[@davidchristensen6908]

For the price you just can not beat these for fast light clean up. I have had 2 for 2 years+. Good buy for the 60 bucks I paid for them

[@brianchampion3337]

I recently bought a used one but it's not sucking. I think this video will be helpful in figuring out why.

[@AuraneVanorel]

Man, this video is old but i have to tell ya, i have almost this exact vacuum cleaner and it lost suction and stipped working and i was about to toss it. Thankfully i looked up this video and realized i only needed to clear the filter. Thanks a ton man, you saved me some $$$ on getting a new one.

[@bullwhipjohnson8247]

Mine quit because the Thermristor overheated. It wouldn't work again until the next day. The Hepa filter was clogged and needed washing. Works fine now.

[@TheGuitologist]

Just make sure you wait until the filter is completely dry before using again. Best to wait at least a day.

[@jimhough6233]

Hi brad, all single phase motors have a thermal cut out in the winding. If they over heat from lack of air flow it opens and closes when it cools. So if any of the filters are clogged it will shut down! Cheers!

[@neoxavierdark-skullbone-br5367]

Always had problems w my dirt devil also. It’d get hair, thread and various other crap around the “roller”. It would easily burn the belts off. I always pulled all the filters off too and just blew them out w the air compressor. I went to the local vacuum store & bought a 3-4pack of belts for like 25$ or something. It always worked just fine after cleaning it and is still working to this day.

[@williamvandemark6642]

Thank goodness. I hope mine starts working now. Mine over heated. Thank for sharing ✝️

[@DeadKoby]

I fixed my share of vacuums.... then I bought a house with a Central Vac.... Fixed it. Eventually the motor's bearings wore out (it was 40+ years old) so I put a new higher powered motor in it. It's FANTASTIC. Bag vacs rarely suffer this fate like the "cyclone" units.

[@TheGuitologist]

I bet that built-in sucker is a HOSS! Keep that one happy and it'll love you long time. I have a bag Eureka upright that was a garbage pick. Works well. It has a noisy roller bearing, but is fine other than that.

[@RonMacho414]

If you would have read the manual, you would have seen the vacuum has a Thermal Protector to prevent the motor from getting to hot. Once it is tripped you have to wait 30 minutes before it will start again, to give the motor sufficient time to cool down. Which explains why it worked

[@JerodCarbonneau]

Been here before! Had to replace a belt on a Kenmore head before. It always pays to fix your own stuff.I just tore apart our Maytag dryer and cleaned it out the other day now it works like a champ.Fixing your own shit rules!That's why I love this channel.

[@TheGuitologist]

I've done one washer repair video. Fun times.

[@mockmonkey1]

I have a similar Dirt Devil vacuum and I don't know how to access the filter below the removable dirt container. Not the round filter. The cover comes off and I can see the filter but maybe I have to remove more parts under the dirt container to get to it. My biggest issue is that the brush spins so fast that it throws the dirt before it can vacuum it up. The belt started coming off and I thought maybe something was missing that held it in place other than that bare metal cylinder that it goes around but from your video that is all there is. The belt is old and probably stretched out of shape so I think a new one will fix that problem. The number on the belt comes up as a Hoover part now since they all got bought out by a Chinese company. Just a tip. Those cheap plastic snakes used to unclog a sink come in handy for things stuck in the hose.

[@ds-fr4ef]

I just bought the dirt devil handheld vacuum with motorized brush a week ago, just unboxed it but I couldn't finish vacuuming my SUV due to overheating and it wasn't 30 minutes of vacuuming. Going to exchange for something better.

[@drdanielsude]

Same problem, same solution! Much appreciated.

[@snoopysrc]

ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR DIRT DEVIL FILTERS AND BRUSH ROLL GUYS ALWAYS CHECK ALL THE TIME YOUR VACUUM WILL LAST A LONG TIME WITH THIS CARE AND CHECK YOUR LOCAL VACUUM REPAIR SHOP FOR BELTS OR AMAZON STAY SAFE

[@miriamlevinson185]

Yep, it was the filter! Thanks!

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

We go from stuff that sucks in the music industry, to stuff that does not suck in the vacuum industry.. In hopes to make it really suck, after it doesn’t suck. Brad “really feeling some suction here” .... You all keep your mind out of the gutter now, ya hear!

[@bklynny64]

I took the belt off to clean the filters and now I don’t know if I put it right doesn’t pick up good anymore plz help

[@georgeescaped6035]

we live in northern NV ,lots of dust, every couple of weeks i have to completely clean out all filters and hoses because of the fine dust, had to replace the off on switch, what am i doing watching a guy clean out his vacuum? still fun thanks

[@demantoid418]

I like your little identifier ping at the beginning. I sounds like a old tube ham radio keying on.

[@AuntAlnico4]

This is great ! A vacuum cleaner repair in the vein of a guitoligist amp repair ! I have had this problem with every old vacuum I've ever had, just get in there and clean it out 😉

[@kenhancock8931]

yeah it has a thirmister in the winding of the motor. After every 5 uses i blow out my filters with my air compressor . My wife's hair is half way down her back. so I have to cut her hair out of the roller almost as much as blowing the filter's out.

[@701Builder]

I have a dirt devil that I bought in 1995 and still using it. It has a lever labeled vacuum or hose. If it’s in the hose position and the hose is stored on the vacuum it will overheat. This one might be different. If it’s standing in upright position when you turn it on, the hose will have to be out.

[@701Builder]

But thanks for the video and all the great stuff you do!

[@bakstabbath]

I'm just now seeing this vid. It must've slipped by me, but I have this exact vacuum cleaner and the exact same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. I washed out the under canister and hepa filters in the sink, let dry and it runs like a brand new vacuum. I thought mine died at first, but I looked at the support docs and saw there's a thermal switch protection built in.

[@terrypekarek3439]

I have a dirt devil endura compact.i took hose completely off now I can't get it back on

[@corrinedirks1601]

Have you tried replacing the belt?!

[@dustinmatthews387]

Yup. My DD just died on me just now. It lost tube suction power a while ago...but the main part still worked. Until ten min ago. I guess thats what happens when you get a vacuum cleaner for under 200 bones.🤷‍♂️

[@cstedtler4964]

Hallo, TY, take time to check a few things, then decide next move. Benefits are in money saving as well as enviromental impact. Some parts are available to ensure function. ... I watched this video to see if I can get a Dirtdevel working. Reason for me is to stop carrying the heavy Hoover up + down stairs. The "repair" spending will have a possitive impact on my back as well as safty with the stairs. .... For your situation you might want to avoid the cleaner in the sewing area as well as using it on areas with little dirt. Also maintanace after every cleaning improves the lifetime and power. ...I put a small amount a fragance (essentiel oil or parfuem) on a filter. Bye :)

[@x911ssl]

I thought for sure once my vacuum wasn't clogged as I took apart and cleaned almost everything. Then I finally pushed a broom handle all the way through the long tube and pushed out a 1" long clump of dog hair that was lodged midway in between. Back to working great after that.

[@jamesreaves5534]

If you take the hose apart starting from underneath all the way to the canister you will find there is a blockage up inside where it's hard to see easily. All the newer Vacuum Cleaners have a Thermal Overload Switch that shuts down the Vacuum Cleaners Motor automatically. This has happened to me many times. I'm 99.9999% sure you have a blockage or partial blockage. Also about once a month I take the Filters out and suck the dirt out of them. Also mark the little sponge filter(s) so you always put them with the same side down. I also suck the dirt off of the same side that it collects on. I make sure I never suck the dirt through the Filter this is why I mark them. I have a similar $66 dollar model from Hoover. If it's from Hoover it Sucks!! God Bless!! Jimmy in NC....

[@garyugarek2537]

The disassembly of the cover for the brush would have been nice.

[@stephenbobby6715]

my hoover wind tunnel shuts off when the hepa filter is clogged.

[@stephenbobby6715]

a bit more. if the filters are clogged a heat sensor is triggered followed by a 30 minute shut off. I took about the canister colllector and clean it as well as replaced both filters that i got from ebay for 15 bucks.

[@stephenbobby6715]

@ yeah brad is kind of great. I started dabbling in electronic because of this channel.BTW, My 100 dollar vacuum cleaner works like new after doing this. I have replaced the filter twice but i think its because we use arm and hammer powder and it clogs the filter a bit quicker.

[@johnnorth9355]

Where do you plug the lead that goes into the amp and does it do a blues tone ?

[@JamesJones-le6hd]

Nice repair. But can you play 'smoke on the water'?

[@corrinedirks1601]

Replacement for the filters

[@anorderedhole2197]

I've heard of vacuum tubes but this is nuts.

[@piersuntersander]

I enjoy finding out how things work with Brad. Please could you do a similar video on the mind of women? Thanks

[@TheGuitologist]

No. No. No. No. No. No....aaaaaaaaaaaand. NO!

[@Yallternativ]

I like tutorials as much as the next guy,but damn would that be a lengthy series. Cheers from Tennessee!

[@davidperry4013]

I lind my haus with a Lindhaus dp-5. So much better than any crappy disposable Chinese made vacuum cleaner on the market. It’s bagged which is hygienic and no nasty dust cups to empty, made Italy, pleasant sounding suction motor that only get warm but not hot and provides great airflow, chevron bristle composite roller brushroll that does excellent agitation, and indestructible heavy duty tool grade plastic construction.

[@chrisf6216]

What is this? Oh, I get it... it is a vacuum tube (snare hit). I'll see myself out...

[@I_Stuck_Ur_Mom]

Ok....

[@powerof3ozzyluver2]

I dont know what setting to put I have the fake sliding together tile

[@gregedenfield1080]

I just repaired a Dyson in my studio,awesome

[@millie3682]

This happens when people don't clean it out. They just dump the dust and keep using it but never clean the filters or unclog any debris.

[@SeanDamonGreene]

No amp conversion?

[@saysaypaw4941]

Thank you you just helped me fixed my first Bissell vacuum.

[@cruisepix]

"the wife let it fill up" if she left it alone that wouldn't happen! Always inspect your weapon before pulling the trigger. I like the new sponsor Forever Paws.

[@TheGuitologist]

you ain't lying! I guess it's my bad. You have to anticipate the actions of the lesser mortals around you. It's like figuring out when the jerkoff in the other lane is going to change lanes without signalling. He'll give subtle hints even though there is a fucking light literally within finger flick reach.

[@muskymike1885]

I had the same problem with my Dyson and sure enough it was that round filter. It should be cleaned every so often

[@richardweinberger6302]

Remember the potato in the tailpipe trick? Same thing as a plugged vacuum filter.

[@DonLeeelbow667]

yea but does it DJENT?

[@haroldstoneley2346]

Filter caps for sure will help this problem.

[@TheGuitologist]

Yeah, I'm getting loads of hum when I turn it on.

[@mikeh892]

Hehe, ours is similar to that one. Just had to pull the beater bar a couple weeks ago for *ahem* "de-tribbleing". The consequence of both my wife and I being long haired freaky people. lol

[@TheGuitologist]

Neither of y'all need apply.

[@linda01234567890]

Directions state clean filter every 3 months. (outside) "Generally the hose will clog first from the floor up, you'll see the lowest curve at the back then down to floor attachment. Open and use another vacuum to suck out all your Xmas needles.

[@byoungblood4137]

thanks for the video, mine had the same issue, clogged filters... working fine now!

[@tequilabelton5447]

Thanks a lot for the great tips I, thought 💭 I was gonna have to throw away my new vac

[@tequilabelton5447]

Saved me some dough 🍞

[@normjacques6853]

Another thing to check is the vacuum motor, itself! If those filters don't all get cleaned regularly (and sometimes even if they do!) a bunch of fine schmoo will get sucked into the motor...which, obviously, makes it work harder, and hotter. A little compressed air blown through the exposed motor will get rid of most of the mess.

[@normjacques6853]

@ ... In this case, all I'm talking about is using an external source (compressor, etc.) to blow accumulated dust, dirt, etc. out of a disassembled unit. With the motor being exposed, you want to blow the junk out of the motor, especially the bearings and brushes.

[@magmasunburst9331]

Someone gave me an small dirt devil upright. It's leaky, I smell dust when I use it. Any fixes for that?

[@Eventual420]

I don't know Jack shit about amp repair, but my Mother-In-Law's vacuums make regular visits for cleaning. The filter systems are 3 stage, and need to he cleaned. Water will cause debris to coagulate and congest these fine filters so I use a compressor and air chuck. Go outside and blow all of the dust out of the filters and the vacuum will be good as new. Cut the stings from the beater bar, give it a wipe down, and your Christmas stocking is sure to be full. Happy Holidays Brad!

[@williamthrasher8540]

where do you plug your guitar in at.

[@sski]

But can you convert it to a guitar amp?

[@hanzv5867]

sski prolly

[@gavincurtis]

Why didn’t you check for firmware upgrade?

[@mattbauckman9907]

Thermal overload gets em every time. 😁 Nothing worse than the sound of an overdriven, overpushed Dirt Devil.

[@TheGuitologist]

I added some bypass caps for extra oomph.

[@jimnicosia5934]

I have same problem.

[@Paul-hk7ue]

replace all the caps

[@alanmcaninch1291]

There’s a filter in the middle part where the plastic is where it gets dirty

[@TheGentlemanJim]

Had this happen to me. I let my mom use my vacuum and she gave it back. When I used it afterwards I thought it was a bit louder. My son covered his ears when I tried it. No suction and it overheated. I cut out all the hair in the roller. And cleaned the completely dusty foam filters. Still didn’t work. I checked where the dirt/dust goes once it gets picked up and saw a huge wad of black and dust. Got a chopstick out and pulled out a small sock. Works just like before it was louder with the sock stuck in it.

[@michaelzorro2738]

Thank you for sharing this truly helped me at age 72

[@poot111111]

BOLTR ??? I would love to see you do more of this Brad!

[@poot111111]

@ well not exactly, lol. The occasional random gadget that needs taken apart is always more entertaining with Brad.

[@corrinedirks1601]

You should empty the container after every usr

[@raylongstar6744]

That's a funny looking guitar... I think I remember one of the guys from Phish playing one of those.

[@jimhough6233]

I usually wash the filters in Rochester dry well and go! Dishwater

[@D_Vitch]

I don’t think any other youtuber could make me click on a video about a dirt devil

[@Lukneto]

Thanks 4 your video man

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Dyson have a thermal switch. Ours gets blocked most of the time with hay and guinea pig poo. The little feckers are training for the rugby world cup the way they kick shit out of the cage.

[@MrPnew1]

Always enjoy your videos thanks Brad but I am just wondering why you are not doing any amp repair videos anymore ?

[@timothybedwards5440]

The hoses get plugged at junctions

[@danmick8645]

Not only the carpets are flammable, but you've got a whole canister full of excellent tinder that will then probably escape into the air while still burning. yikes.

[@therover4141]

I got the same vacuum that things a piece of shit. Wife bought that when my bisel vacuume motor burned out.

[@TheGuitologist]

Wife bought this one too. Would not have been my first choice, but I'm now determined to make the most of it! It's going to be a long 40 years until this vacuum dies...or I die. It actually works ok when it works. There really isn't enough weight on the base of the unit to press the brushes well down into low carpets or rugs. And the handle doubling as the wand???? WTF is this built-in fail point bullshit? I can already tell that's going to be another video down the road. I have my duct tape and epoxy at the ready. Come at me, Dirt Devil.

[@therover4141]

@@TheGuitologist I know in the brushes don't stop when you take the handle out to use as a wand so you got a tilted back or pay attention to where you got it or it's going to yank up the frilly ends of a rug or anyting I've already replaced like for belts on mine just because of that I ended up putting one of those stop washers with the grub screw in it on the end of the motor shaft of the belt would stop running off the end and took the factory filters out and replace them with thinner filters because that vacuum sucks and I don't mean that in a good way

[@therover4141]

@@TheGuitologist I had to kind of laugh when I seen you taking that vacuum apart in that video because I know it won't be the last and like me you will have modified the shit out of it just to get it to work

[@therover4141]

Sorry it's a little hard to read I'm doing text to speech my phone don't understand my southern ass

[@lroy730]

I'm not getting good suction either !

[@psoup1965]

Well Brad... I am glad that you follow proper diagnostic steps #1 verify the concern... However, in this case #1 should have been updated to #2 making #1 - Check to make sure the hamsters are in the cage still. And ya, I refrained from making the comment that this video really sucked or bringing women into this conversation at all.

[@TheGuitologist]

This was going to be a great video until the stupid thing worked.

[@shaneeaston4027]

Eric Clapton has his 1958 Dust Devil stolen so he changed to Hover

[@zephyr332]

You mean "Dirt Devil" and "Hoover??"

[@mollyislovely]

Very helpful thank you!!!

[@mars6433]

@1:27 DUDE! YOU FIXED IT ! YOU, my good Sir, are a f#cking genius !!

[@TheGuitologist]

I really had to sweat over this one.

[@powerof3ozzyluver2]

I only used mine 2 times and it just shoots out the back

[@srtamplification]

New Channel? The Vacuumologist?

[@robenryberg8963]

Thanks for this video! A bit of filter cleaning and a mega clog! Yay!

[@blackdinero5311]

Mine wont turn on

[@cefarther3945]

Mine won't even start; checked the entire machine for clogs

[@TheGuitologist]

One of the leads on the motor has burned open or there's a thermal fuse in there, or the motor coil is burned. Open up the motor housing and inspect the connections to the motor.

[@matthewbestdfghy]

I will stick with my made in the USA Kirby 519 made in 1959.

[@BasicFolders]

Why is Theo Von making vacuum cleaner videos…? 🤣

[@mistymeadows3277]

I thought he was going to fix it, but it turns out it just sucks more now :)

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

You can also check out partswarehouse.com for all makes of vacuum cleaners. Been using these guys for years.

[@TheGuitologist]

Nice. Manufacturers do stop making parts and supporting models after a few years.

[@geraldreutter492]

WASH the filter , i ran hot water through it , it started right up.

[@mikeharnett2410]

Built-in circuit breaker dude. Automatically resets itself. Easy fix: empty it and clear any plug.

[@SixSixthSix]

All this and you didn't even plug it in to the variac!

[@dnt7831]

Nice

[@24tcwarrior]

so were just gonna let this guy was checking the suction at the wrong hole?

[@ivettejusino2877]

After every use, you have to clean everything out. Now if you use and don't clean it out, this is exactly what happens.

[@tbome557]

i do that to i fix vacuums