Why did my DC14 lose suction?

[Parwaz7862]

I'm sorry, it won't let me post pics unfortunately! :/

[angie_nrs]

I appreciate the effort.

I have put that sole-plate on so many times from so many different angles and have looked at it from every angle.  I can't see any gaps.  It's easier to see the bottom than the top, but it was the bottom that the gasket peeled off from and there's no gaps.  The brush bar turns easily so I don't think it's twisted up inside the vacuum cleaner. 

I'm soooooo tempted to take the sole-plate off my DC33 and try that one on my DC14, but I'm scared that I'll mess up my new working vacuum too.

[Parwaz7862]

the soleplates are like the same, so it shouldn't be a problem :)

[Parwaz7862]

Are the two pivoting points of the brush housing intact? does the brush housing go up and down freely?

[Parwaz7862]

Do the bristles on the brushbar protude through the soleplate evenly? Also have you washed the filter? I know the suction might be strong and the air relief valve can blow, but it can still happen at any time really. Maybe some dirt got into the shroud from when you laid the vacuum down and although the hose suction may be fine,  the suction at the head can change from a powerful vacuum that sucks mats up to one that doesn't suck the carpets up as well as it used to.

[MVacs]

MVacs - I'm not 100% certain what you mean when you say 'locating lugs',

These.

but the brushroll does contact the floor.  Otherwise there wouldn't be any vacuum marks on my rug correct? 

Seems logical.

When fitted correctly, this is what you should see.



A question on the gaskets, there should be two. Can you clarify which ones you have and have not?

[angie_nrs]

OK - this has been driving me crazy.  I took the sole-plate off my new DC33.  I did find out that the thin gasket is supposed to be glued to the vacuum cleaner and not the sole-plate.  That's why my new sole-plate did not have the gasket.  So, I peeled the gasket off the sole-plate and put it in the groove in the vacuum.....Mvac's last picture shows the groove.  I thought I might be in business, but still low suction.

The locating lugs are different on my model than the one MVac has shown.  I have 4 small ones on mine.  Everything seems to fit well though.

The distances match what you have in your picture and what I have on the DC33 as well.

Yes, the brush housing seems to work fine.  Sometimes it sticks slightly and I have to use my foot to push it down to the carpet, but it's no biggie as I used to have to do that before when it worked fine. 

I guess I'll clean the filter, let is air dry overnight and see if that works tomorrow.....

Thanks again everyone!!!

[Parwaz7862]

Cool, you wanna make sure that the red bristles of the brushbar protude out the soleplate evenly aswell :)

[angie_nrs]

Parwaz - my bristles are black and I have never changed the bar so they are even, but they are not really protruding much through the plate....just a little.  They must still be doing the job though because I already have hair wrapped around the bar and I just cleaned the bar off.....which is what started this whole mess.

After cleaning the filter and allowing it to dry, I have been able to make a couple of observations.

First, the top of my sole-plate doesn't have the same lugs as what MVacs shows on his picture.  I'm thinking maybe Dyson changed the design because it wasn't working well as I have an old model.  The top of this plate kinda snaps if you put (squeeze) pressure between it and the housing.  It snaps back after you snap it in.  I don't have this type of 'play' in my DC33.  Both sole-plates I have do the same thing.  So, I took a piece of shipping tape and taped the area between the top of the plate and the front part of the vacuum so air couldn't escape at the top of the sole-plate.  It didn't seem to make any difference.  Plus, I put my hand in that area and couldn't feel any air escaping either.

Second, I took out the filter and washed it and the yellow plastic piece that holds the filter (I don't know what it's called).  I tried the vacuum without either one on the canister.....the suction was much better.  So, I'm thinking somehow it has to do with my filter or filter holder?  After putting the cleaned pieces back in this morning......the suction went way down again.  The yellow piece has what looks like breathable air vents (that dirt is lodged in) on it and doesn't wash out very well......I'm thinking I need to replace both parts, especially the yellow one.  The blue sponge part wasn't that dirty.  But, I haven't replaced either one of those things since I've had this vacuum (probably 10 years or more).

So, now I'm more inclined to think it's some type of filter problem as opposed to the sole-plate, but I'm still not sure.  The only thing is.....does the suction of the wand also go through the filter system?  The wand suction seemed to be OK.  So, would the filter system affect the bottom portion of the vacuum and not the wand?  If the wand portion doesn't go through that top filter portion of the canister, then I think that would be the problem.  But it seems to me like if it all ends up in the canister, it would HAVE to go through that filter area as well.

Any thoughts?

[beko1987]

All the suction goes through the pre motor filter.  If you have a black wash load or towels,  on a nice hot wash,  take the sponge out of the cage and put both bits in the machine.  Then  cupboard/washing line for a day until dry. 

Find it hard to see that that will solve your issues,  but its gpod practise anyway,  and another thing to tick off your list.

Re the internal hose from the brushroll housing to the machine,  that hose provides the springiness to the head,  and keeps it pushed to the floor.  Rotate the hose slightly and see if it presses the head into the floor anymore.  If its really sloppy you will need a new one.  If the one from your second machine is any better try that before spending out.

Worth a try anyway!

I admire your determination and attention to detail as well! If your near oxford ill happily give you a new internal hose to try!

[MVacs]

If your near oxford ill happily give you a new internal hose to try!

Angie is in the US I think. So this will be one of the wide pick up area machines they have over there. Bigger gap in soleplate and stiffer brushes.

[beko1987]

Aaah. 

Im drinking a bottle of ipa from america atm.  Founders brewery.  Bit too hoppy though,  doesnt taste enough of soil for my liking...

[Madrat]

   Your wearied 

[Parwaz7862]

LOL omg xD
PS I think that we have purple bristles and red bristles here in the UK, but the American ones have black, I seen some American Dysons on eBay with this. I find it weird how American sellers actually think to take a pic of the underneath of their vacuums and most British people don't when selling them :/ odd

[Madrat]

I always post a picture of my bottom