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Author Topic: Why did my DC14 lose suction?  (Read 20608 times)

Offline angie_nrs

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Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« on: May 28, 2015, 06:25:21 pm »
So I'm hoping someone can tell me what I messed up. 

I removed the bottom sole plate of the vacuum to remove the brush bar to remove hair and threads that had wound around the bar.  I put everything back together, but ever since then, I have lost the suction......there's some suction there, but not what it normally is....and certainly not worth even running the vacuum for the amount of suction I do have.  I ordered a new sole plate because the thin black gasket around the inner groove of the plate peeled off.  I re-glued it on, but it didn't fix the problem, so I though the air was escaping through there.  When I got the new sole plate, there was no gasket even there. :'(  I don't know where the air is escaping thus reducing my suction power. 

Does anyone have any suggestions???

Offline Madrat

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2015, 10:42:46 pm »
Have you checked the short clear pipe that goes from the sole plate to the machine is firmly attached at both ends?  Also the inspection cover on the right (standing behind machine)  is pushed fully home?

Do you get suction from the hose?  dose the brush bare rotate ok?

Offline beko1987

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2015, 11:05:03 pm »
Check the base plate too.  Is it fully home at the front? Ive had machines before where the front wasnt clipped in properly,  releasing all the suction beflre it hits the floor!
Collector and restorer of vintage vacuums, Dyson Appreciator! Come and see my blog, where I am uploading all my mountains of brochures, manuals and other vacuum cleaner paperwork, and also my youtube channel @beko1987!

Offline Madrat

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2015, 11:07:37 pm »
Very true,

Offline Parwaz7862

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2015, 01:00:04 am »
My neighbour has a Dyson DC33, they had the exact thing. They had to clear the brushbar and the took the brush out to clear it. When the put it back together, they put the brushbar in, but the end caps were facing upwards and they had forced the soleplate on, it wasn't on properly cos of the brush not being in properly either

Offline angie_nrs

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2015, 04:33:03 pm »
Thanks all for your replies!

Unfortunately I have taken all of your advice and I still have a suction-less vacuum.

Madrat - I checked all those connections on the vacuum and they are all tight and snapped into place.  I do have suction from the wand/hose.  No problem there.  The brush does rotate so no problem there either.

beko - isn't the base plate and the sole plate the same piece?  I think what your saying is the part of the base plate that attaches at the top (as opposed to the bottom where the plastic screws are).  I checked and have removed and replaced the plate several times making sure it is firmly in place.  The screws turn in the sockets without difficulty so I'm pretty certain it's placed correctly.  Plus, the new base plate didn't fix the issue either.

Parwaz - I checked the bar and the flat ends are facing downward with no issues with the base plate fitting.  Did this fix the problem with your friends vacuum?

I have bought another Dyson (DC33) and have been comparing the two.  I can see on the bottom of the new one how the base plate fits as well as how the bar should sit.  I haven't removed the base plate in the new unit for fear of having the same issue I'm having with my DC14.  However, I have made sure (visually) both are the same.  Before I cleaned the bar, I had really good suction with my old one.....if I ran it over a rug, it would suck it up.  Now.....no.  I haven't cleaned the filter above the collection canister in a while, but I doubt that's the issue since I had full suction before I cleaned the bar.

I'm kinda wondering if I should run a bead of silicone over the bottom of the sole plate (the screw end) to make sure there is no leakage of air there.  There is a small gasket in place along the top end.  It is in place in the new sole plate and the old one, so I don't think the leakage is occurring there.  Due to my issue, with no gasket present with my new sole plate, I'm really thinking THAT may be my problem?  Especially since there WAS a gasket there with my old plate.  Perhaps the new plate I ordered was defective because it didn't have that gasket?  Does someone have a Dyson without that small rubber part (gasket) along the bottom of the sole plate, but still has suction? 

Please keep the suggestions coming! 


Offline angie_nrs

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2015, 04:53:08 pm »
I guess I should clarify as well.  It's not that I have NO suction....it's just much reduced from what it used to be.....although the suction from the wand seems to be the same.  It will still leave the vacuum marks on my rugs.....but it doesn't suck them up toward the edges of the rugs like it did before.  It also doesn't fill the canister as quickly as before, and I know it's not because of reduced foot traffic, especially when my new one fills fairly quickly as we have dogs.  I can just feel the difference with the suction power.....and it's really evident when compared to my new vacuum.

Offline Parwaz7862

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2015, 05:26:40 pm »
Can I see a pic of undeneath the DC14? Also, when you are vacuuming with the DC14, does the soleplate actually contact with the floor?

Offline MVacs

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2015, 05:34:04 pm »
The little bead gasket doesn't make a great deal of difference really.

On the soleplate/baseplate, there are three locating lugs that must be located in the brushroll housing before it is hinged back to fasten the three screws. It kinda goes in at 45 degrees then close it up to fasten the screws. If they are not located, the screws will still fasten, but the brushroll wont contact the floor hence no suction.

If that is fitted properly, try this:



Knowing if you have suction there will isolate the problem.

Offline Parwaz7862

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2015, 06:25:38 pm »
Try this:
1) Take soleplate off and turn the brush off
2)recline the vacuum so the suction is diverted to the head
3) Feel the suction from the internal hose-  if it's as good as the hose suction then that's good, so the problem lies in the brushbar area

Offline angie_nrs

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2015, 06:35:04 pm »
Parwal - yes, the sole-plate does touch the floor and the brushes do rotate.  I can feel them rotate with my hand and it does leave vacuum marks on the rug.  As far as posting a pic.....well, I'm not very tech savy to say the least.  I still use a flip phone. ::)  Visually speaking though, I have very thoroughly compared it with my new DC33 and everything looks the same.

MVacs - I'm not 100% certain what you mean when you say 'locating lugs', but the brushroll does contact the floor.  Otherwise there wouldn't be any vacuum marks on my rug correct?  I have also had the vacuum cleaner on then checked for air leaks around the bottom of the unit with my hand.....all the air coming out also comes out in the same places in my DC33 that works fine.

Your pictures are VERY helpful.  Thanks!  I took off the valve cover and all the gaskets seem to be in place and no damage to anything.  When I turn on the vacuum, there is good vacuum pressure in that slot.  When I cover it with my hand it 'bogs' down the cleaner so that it whistles....just like the wand does when you plug the end.  So, I think the suction there is working properly.

Offline angie_nrs

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2015, 06:40:47 pm »
Parwal - I did your 3 step process.  The hose area has good suction.  I could also plug that area with my hand and get the vacuum cleaner to bog down and whistle like if you covered the end of the wand.  So apparently it's an issue with the brushbar area. 

Offline Parwaz7862

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2015, 06:41:26 pm »
OK, cool, so are you sure that when you put the brush back on the belt that the belt did not twist? Also, the brush might be spinning, but might not spin when it hits the floor, or something.

As for the suction, I would advise the following:
1) Take the soleplate off
2) Recline the vacuum and turn the brushbar off
3) Feel the suction from the little hose underneath the vacuum, If it's  the same suck as from the big stair cleaning hose then that's god, this means that the fault must be in the brushbar housing area

Offline Parwaz7862

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2015, 06:42:50 pm »
Oh yh thats good then ;D so is the soleplate fitted correctly?  There should be no gaps between the brush housing and perimeter of the soleplate

Offline Parwaz7862

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Re: Why did my DC14 lose suction?
« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2015, 06:44:18 pm »
BRB I am going to take a pic of my DC14's base so you can hopefully spot the difference :)

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