Author Topic: Do I Need A New HEPA Filter - DC23 (DC32)? (Read 7671 times)

Deep Blue · « **on:** May 30, 2017, 09:23:03 am »

Pulled apart DC23 (DC32) after water accidentally sucked-up. Tried drying out motor but there was a high-pitched squealing sound and a slight smell of burning when I turned the vac on. Anyway, now looking to replace the motor at this point as it is probably the issue - somehow not working as it should. I assumed if the motor seen water then it wouldn't work at all - it works but there is the terrible sound and the smell... (separate post/thread on this)

Anyway, in the process of stripping the vac after the water incident I noticed that the HEPA filter (it was wet) that encases the motor was black/grey coloured on the inside - I presume this is due to the carbon from the brushes (unit is 6 years old)?

Do you think I need a new HEPA filter (pictures below)?

mrdyson · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2017, 10:43:49 am »

The post filter is supposed to last the lifetime of the motor.

When replacing a motor, we always replace the filter as a matter of course.

Deep Blue · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2017, 01:48:01 pm »

Makes sense I guess. Once I separate the fan from the motor I'll purchase a new motor and HEPA filter.

I guess the inside of the HEPA filter should be white though just like the outside and the black/grey colour is because of the wearing of the motor carbon brushes?

I guess there's no easy test to tell if there's still some life in a HEPA filter? Carbon dust would block it up a bit?

beko1987 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2017, 08:30:27 am »

It doesn't look horrific, but having been wet the pores might have clogged up as their only paper, so you could get it back together and find it overheats the motor after a few days/months/years.

No real way of knowing short of getting your wallet out or re-assembling it once dry and finding out. Your finding out now why us repairers steer clear of the newer cylinders, the cost soon adds up!

Elgin · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2017, 12:35:16 pm »

Quote from: Deep Blue on May 30, 2017, 01:48:01 pm

Makes sense I guess. Once I separate the fan from the motor I'll purchase a new motor and HEPA filter.

I guess the inside of the HEPA filter should be white though just like the outside and the black/grey colour is because of the wearing of the motor carbon brushes?

No, The filter will be black after that period of time. I had a new filter fitted to a dyson, and it was a light grey withing a few weeks - if after 6 years the filter isn't black then id love to know whats happening to all the carbon...